I just got laid off from my job, and I've booked a few freelance gigs here and there and have some ongoing freelance writing stuff as well. Do I need to report this income when I earn it, or when I get paid? (This is in California). [more inside]
posted by ablazingsaddle at 11:51 AM - 5 answers

We are about to apply for a home equity line of credit. The guy at the bank already ran our credit and verified rates and eligibility. I'm also about to change jobs. What should I do about the loan? [more inside]
posted by chickenmagazine at 11:47 AM - 3 answers

Following on from this question, I have decided to start offering private, custom arts & crafts workshops. I'm hoping to find people who need someone to help them plan an art activity, bring the materials, and run the workshop-- so, birthday parties, homeschool co-ops, scout groups and the like. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to find them. [more inside]
posted by nonasuch at 9:35 AM - 13 answers

I have this problem, and I know it isn't rare. I on occasion produce excellent training materials where a knowledge vacuum exists, and as managers and power structures change within my department the memory of my past work gets forgotten almost constantly. Because I'm not really very good at the schmoozing with the new bosses’ game, I never get into the loop for new projects or initiatives where I would shine based on prior work. That’s a preface to a lot of different questions, but mostly, I'm asking an aesthetic question here, and I’m not talking about ownership of materials or anything like that. These are informal documents, but legitimately useful, and not my main job function. Basically, when they get circulated here and there... I would greatly benefit from managers and other colleagues knowing just who put this awesome thing all together. How do I do this correctly, and in a tasteful manner... i.e., basically, not put "By Me" on a coversheet in big letters, or not in a manner that would make most roll their eyes. Just some subtle recognition of authorship within the document. If you have another moment to think, some book recommendations on climbing the corporate latter in an ethical way, (based on competency, the best way to climb), in the face of the usual BS that many of us need to deal with. I enjoy my field... thats why I'm asking this, and not just finding something else to do.
posted by shimmer at 8:06 AM - 17 answers

More details after the jump, but in short: Mortgage lender holds the deeds to the house after missing payments for years. I am trying to figure out what the imminent risks to the house are and if I could find a debt negotiator. Many thanks to you all. [more inside]
posted by seatofmypants at 6:35 AM - 5 answers

I've had a difficult time figuring out my tax situation since I moved from the US and now I'm trying to get everything settled. I'm behind a few years and need someone to talk directly with the IRS on my behalf. Will I need an enrolled agent? A tax attorney? Both? Neither? Arg it's so confusing! [more inside]
posted by tacocat at 11:50 PM - 9 answers

From some minor checking on a new employee, I have seen a large discrepancy in pay - which is not surprising. Can I ask for a raise? How do I ask for a raise? Will I get fired? Should I just look for new work like I'm already doing? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:14 PM - 17 answers

Huge jackpot lotteries in the USA, like Powerball and Mega Millions, offer the jackpot as either an annuity for the total amount of the prize, or a lump sum for a reduced amount. It seems that the vast majority of the winners pick the lump sum over the annuity. Which to me just makes no sense at all. [more inside]
posted by spinifex23 at 2:20 PM - 42 answers

I have a pretty hefty surplus in my nonprofit project budget this year, and I have been told to spend it all, because otherwise it would go back to the funder. We're talking about $20K. We did our work, we met our goals, we provided what we said we'd provide. It just took less money than anticipated. I feel dirty and guilty about blowing this much money on "stuff" that isn't what we said we'd spend it on. I have never had a budget at all before, much less a surplus, so I may be a little naive about how the (nonprofit?) world works. Can you please give me some thoughts about how to view this in a way that doesn't feel icky? Am I just being silly and this is normal practice? Bonus points if you have suggestions on what to spend it on. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:11 AM - 29 answers

My job involves many roles, one of which is IT support, at a medium-sized business. Even though this part of my work only takes up about 33% of my working hours, the negativity surrounding it is making my job a living hell. [more inside]
posted by daisies at 7:54 AM - 48 answers

Can you recommend a book for a newly-promoted researcher who isn't used to managing a team? [more inside]
posted by mateuslee at 6:36 AM - 9 answers

So I've spent the past year and a half burning through my severance package as slowly as I could, accomplishing some things, learning some stuff and generally getting my soul back. Now I'm feeling the urge to find a job and do science again, but I'm serious about the do science part. Help me rebuild my resume to get something I can live with. [more inside]
posted by Kid Charlemagne at 12:40 AM - 4 answers

Have you left your career and your home country to do something completely different? If so, I want your advice. [more inside]
posted by karakumy at 7:16 PM - 20 answers

I applied for a position and I don't fit the qualifications. Was that bad? [more inside]
posted by christinetheslp at 2:38 PM - 12 answers

My sister left on an international trip (from the US), without getting a chance to inform her bank of her trip (apparently they're closed on weekends). Since she won't be able to easily make phonecalls while abroad, she's asked me to do that for her when the bank reopens on Monday. I have her card number, PIN, security question, etc. Which of these options is best: 1) call the bank, and identify myself as her, even though I don't sound like a woman and my sister has an unambiguously female name 2) call the bank, and tell them the truth - that I am calling on behalf of my sister, or 3) enlist a trusted female friend to make the call, identifying herself as my sister using information I provide. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:58 PM - 41 answers

As an S-corp, am I legally obligated to present receipts or copies of receipts in the event of an audit? [more inside]
posted by JJkiss at 6:14 PM - 12 answers

How do most married, dual-income couples deal with health insurance? Should I drop mine and go on his plan? I am recently married. My husband and I are both healthy and have private sector jobs that are reasonably secure. I work for a small (less than 20 employees) company that has so-so health insurance. Husband works for a larger (500 employee) company that has awesome health insurance. Adding me to his health plan would cost about the same as what I pay for my health plan now. I'm planning on joining his health plan, but open enrollment time is coming up at my job, and I'm wondering if I should keep my insurance or drop it. I can afford the premium, but I don't want to be wasting money where I don't need to. Is it good to be double-insured just in case he loses his job? We have no kids, but are planning on them in the next few years.
posted by emily37 at 2:26 PM - 17 answers

Is it possible to write a loan contract which effectively secures the debt against the borrower's property only in the event of bankruptcy or death of the borrower? I.e., as long as the borrower is in control of his financial affairs the lender has no right to the secured assets even if the borrower defaults, but if the borrower dies or goes bankrupt the security kicks in, so that the debt has priority for any third-party trustees managing the estate? [more inside]
posted by Estragon at 9:21 AM - 4 answers

I've been doing a fair bit of freelance work, and it's to the point now that I have to sub out certain tasks that are outside my area of expertise. I don't want to make my clients cut multiple checks if I can avoid it–want them to just deal with me to keep it simple and neat. However, I do not want to be on the hook for income that is actually going to a sub. What to do? [more inside]
posted by Mister_A at 8:17 AM - 20 answers

Are there companies, online resources, or in-person services that can help me figure out how to enter into the private sector after years of being in international development? [more inside]
posted by msk1985 at 7:54 AM - 3 answers