BATHWICK TYRES TROWBRIDGE

I finally got caught up with both my 2006 and 2007 taxes.
You wouldn't believe how many forms I had to fill out and how much prep time was involved. more than 60 hours just on my 2007 taxes. 2006 was almost double that when you add time spent last year on extensions, calling people who didn't send me forms, etc.

It was, in a word, shitty. Very much so.

Aside from having a primary job, I contracted on a W-2 basis, on a 1099-MISC basis, and as a sole proprietor business. We bought a house in 2006 and rented rooms, which counts as another business. Each business/job had expenses, income, material depreciation, and thankfully no inventory. I had to factor in miles / expenses on ALL vehicles for ALL purposes. It really blew. A lot.

In 2007, this was the same situation, except we had to claim loss on rental income due to damages and people who didn't pay. Also, we had a child in 2007 which meant more stuff. Thankfully, I knew better how to prepare for 2007 having recently finished 2006, so it was a lot faster.

2008 should be "in the bag" now that I'm better at keeping things in order.

Total expenses on tax preparation after I got my shit in order:
2006: $350
2007: $220
(not counting certified / return receipt requested mailings for filing)

But I did get things done in time, pulling at least three all-nighters to get the numbers ready for the tax people and my appointments with them, which were hard to get. Apparently a lot of people want to file on time this year to get that rebate (stimulus package or what not). I didn't care so much about that, but just getting them done! :P

Anyway, I had put this off so long, it had been bothering the hell out of me for so long... when I finally got things filed by the 14th, my Mom made me a cake to celebrate!

(Unfortunately I was so tired I fell asleep on their couch until almost 11pm and we didn't get to eat it until late. :P )

-jre

What is probably the only reason to enter ERP-laden Orchard Road: The Robinson's Sale. Especially if your mom has the credit card that gives an additional 5% rebate.

But the ratio of grownups to one Isaac must be at least 3:1. It took Mom, the wife and me taking turns to watch him this morning so that we could get our shopping done.

Decent bargains aside, what made the trip so enjoyable was the excellent customer service shown by the staff there, both young and old. From the Braun Buffel salesgirl to the young salesman at the John Harold business pants racks and another guy at Erstklassic (the German shoe brand we love but don't know how to pronounce) and Ecco men's shoes department, all of them displayed product knowledge, cheerful patience and earnest service.

The shoe guy even gave Isaac a sweet, and did not blink or frown when Isaac grabbed some cans of liquid shoe polish and mixed up the colour-coded caps.

"Don't worry, I'll sort it out," he said with a smile.

Mom had to take Isaac out of the store so that we could shop in peace. But when they were at the corridor looking at the cheerful festive decorations, he proudly showed her a wallet in his tiny hand. Her first thought was, oh no, whose wallet is that?! Then she realised it was a new one, and rushed back into the store to return Isaac's "loot".
We entered Orchard at 10.30am to avoid the ERP charges. By the time we left, it was 1pm and we had to pay toll charges to leave Orchard Road. But despite this ERP unpleasantness, the good experience at Robinson's more than made up for it and we happily lugged home our shoppin bags of stuff, and a very tired little boy.

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