Is USD$1,800/month enough to live comfortably in South Africa? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 18, 2009 - 5 answers

[Economics101Filter] How is it that the cost of living can go up, but salaries stay the same? Economics n00b questions inside. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 26, 2009 - 27 answers

Can I expense these plane tickets or should I pay for them myself? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 13, 2009 - 10 answers

Can more than one student filing on the same US tax return claim the new American Opportunity Tax Credit? [more inside]
posted by deadmessenger on Aug 16, 2009 - 1 answer

Excel n00b filter: Is there a way to automatically convert an expense sheet from one currency to another by matching the date the cost was incurred with the exchange rate applicable on that specific day? [more inside]
posted by doctorpiorno on May 29, 2009 - 6 answers

I'm an artsworker trainee who's also in the early stages of starting a new small business. I've been jobhunting like crazy but nothing's happened yet. I need to cover my living expenses. What can I do? [more inside]
posted by divabat on Apr 9, 2009 - 11 answers

What are some things (items, services, etc) that are cheaper in major cities than in suburban areas? [more inside]
posted by JaredSeth on Jan 15, 2009 - 25 answers

My employer, a publicly traded company incorporated in Delaware, is dragging its feet reimbursing me for about 5k in expense reports. I live and work in Calif. The reason for this is a genral company-wide liquidity problem. I don't expect my employment to last much more than a few mos more. What recourse do i have to get reimbursed?
posted by Fupped Duck on Dec 23, 2008 - 9 answers

AskMe the Ethicist: how do we divide this plumbing bill among 3 roommates (or am I a jerk for not wanting to split it evenly) [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 14, 2008 - 48 answers

What's the best way to keep track of expenditures while you're on the go? I use my debit card a lot but I don't carry a checkbook. I have a Samsung Flipshot phone (Verizon). Is there a secure mobile site where I can log in and enter my $50 gas purchase?
posted by desjardins on Sep 3, 2008 - 10 answers

Is there an easy way to estimate startup costs of a tech services company? [more inside]
posted by bitdamaged on Jun 4, 2008 - 4 answers

I used to get the cheapest liquid soap for washing hands I could find, but recently, I got the "shea butter" soap for $3 and found that the increased quality more than makes up for the increased cost. The question is: What else can I spend a little more on to get much more quality? (Fluffy towels, sheets, maybe?) Are there websites that review this?
posted by Furious Fitness on Apr 13, 2008 - 90 answers

I need software to manage my personal & business budget. [more inside]
posted by idlm on Sep 20, 2007 - 7 answers

Small-business dilemma involving a company with three owners who have an agreement to split profit three ways. Owner A needs new laptop and wants to expense it to the business, as 99% of business is run/done online. Owner B thinks laptop should come out of A's share of the $ and not be counted as a business expense unless Owners A B & C all get laptops. Who should pay for the new computer? The business? Or should the cost of the laptop be subtracted from A's earnings?
posted by youarejustalittleant on Apr 7, 2007 - 20 answers

I need to estimate and compare the expense of a two-week business trip to the following cities: Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Beijing. [more inside]
posted by nyu2 on Oct 31, 2006 - 5 answers

Is there a service that will cancel a service for you? [more inside]
posted by mphuie on Oct 12, 2006 - 13 answers

I am a Mac user, and I want to get a MacBook to replace my Powerbook for my web design business. But, I don't want to buy one until the next update comes out. More details to follow. [more inside]
posted by jxpx777 on Sep 5, 2006 - 16 answers

Do you have to claim the body of a deceased family member? [more inside]
posted by Thorzdad on Aug 21, 2006 - 11 answers

I am interviewing for a new job shortly. I am trying to come up with a dollar figure for how much I should ask for. I will be changing cities, working a fairly similar job to the one I am in now, and moving to a city where the housing costs are slightly higher. How do I figure out how much I need to make the move? Is a calculator available to help with this decision? I am looking for raw numbers here, I will factor in social costs later. [more inside]
posted by Deep Dish on Jul 20, 2006 - 5 answers

Is it unreasonable for me to be unwilling to put work-related travel expenses on my personal credit card? [more inside]
posted by macinchik on Jan 30, 2006 - 34 answers

I'm moving to LA soon and have two questions. First, I have a rental budget of around $1200 to $1500 a month for a one-bedroom (not a studio!). I want to live close enough to enjoy all that LA has to offer but not so close that I have to pay way more for a lot less. Any ideas on areas of town, specific rental agencies, websites, complexes, etc. Second, is living out there really all that much more expensive than saying living in Houston, Texas for example? Can anyone offer specifics on what costs so much.
posted by JPowers on Jul 27, 2005 - 27 answers

Is there a formula somewhere that will help me determine how much I should be paying for rent based on my income? I’m moving to Boston, and I think I am looking at places in the correct price range, but how can I be sure? Let’s say my partner and I make a combined income of $65K. Is there an online tool that can help me plug in my estimated monthlies and come up with the declaration: Since you are living in TownX, you should pay between Y and Z in rent. Any more, and you’re going to be setting yourself up for disaster!
posted by abbyladybug on Jul 7, 2005 - 13 answers

Hi all, I'm a senior technical project manager with specialist expertise in a vertical market inside the insurance sector, about to take on a 8-9 month project in Bristol but will be based (i.e. return twice a week ) in London. I'm a fulltime employee. What would be a sensible per-diem or equivalent package to ask for? [more inside]
posted by kiwi.es on Apr 15, 2005 - 4 answers

Any suggestions on how to cut spending on food and other 'discretionary' items? [more inside]
posted by nj_subgenius on Mar 19, 2005 - 28 answers

How much do you spend on food a week? What is the ratio of eating out and eating at home you do to arrive at that number? What is the least a couple can spend per week and still eat well? How does one transition from eating out every meal and being pretty clueless in the kitchen to eating in (saving lots of money) but without spending hours and hours making food and cleaning up? How do we do this without TV Dinners, microwavable foods etc?
posted by wtfwjd? on Dec 13, 2004 - 31 answers

Suggestions for keeping track of business expenses? I'm starting a business and I'm terrible at math. I would prefer something that's like a spreadsheet kind of, something I could plug numbers into and have the program lay it out nice and easy for me. I'm not very experienced in Excel - is there anything easier (and preferably free/cheap) out there for me?
posted by agregoli on Jun 30, 2004 - 28 answers

I've recently started a company, structured as a 'C' Corp, to sell my consulting/contracting services. One of the reasons I'm working as a 'C' corporation is so I can have the company pay all medical expenses. I've read from the web and various IRS publications that as long as the Medical Reimbursement Plan is offered to all employees equally (no problem there) then it can be paid for by the company and written off on the corp taxes. But in order to make the MRP legit what, other then limiting medical expenses to those listed as acceptable by the IRS, do I need to do? Special records? Outside plan administrator?
posted by dirtylittlemonkey on Apr 6, 2004 - 3 answers

Can anyone give a good break down of the expenses associated with home ownership? [more inside] [more inside]
posted by wildblueyonder on Apr 4, 2004 - 28 answers