How was the weekend? Mine was decent enough. It rained like mad here on Saturday, but it was needed. I did manage to get out and get groceries before we headed to New Jersey for meditation. Let me tell you, hauling groceries around in the rain is the fastest way to kill a good mood. It doesn’t help that my favorite store often decides suddenly to stop carrying things I’ve been buying there for years. I can understand why egg replacer isn’t top of their list, but frozen edamame? I’m definitely not the only person in town eating it (we have an eclectic population, many of whom are vegetarians).
Yesterday we again tackled the lawn, which is slowly winning the battle. We pulled up whitlow grass for hours and barely made a dent in the lawn. He gave up around 5 pm and mowed it down in the back of the yard. And still we have some left to tackle. It’s days like that where I’d love to call a lawn service and have just one shot of chemicals. Just one. But the birds and earthworms don’t need one more dose of poison, so we’ll just keep plucking.
As I started my Schedule C yesterday, I thought about those things in my career that I have to do that I don’t like doing. Taxes are my worst, for sure, but I’ve become comfortable with the process, at least, which means I keep better records, which means tax time is a tad more organized. But it is still a pretty crummy job.
There are tasks we do that we don’t want to do. Some of it — like taxes — we can outsource, but only to the extent that someone else does the adding and subtracting. We still have to keep records. I don’t like cold calls. I truly don’t like transcribing interviews (which led me to come up with a “system”). I’m not keen on chasing down late invoices.
What about you? What is your least favorite part of the job?
I finished up my taxes this weekend so that is right at the top of the list. I don't mind the organizing part, I hate going through the actual process-probably because I always have to pay. So, that means two payments in April-2011 and estimated 2012 1st Quarter. Blech.
It's tough in the beginning to gauge these things when your income is inconsistent-fortunately, for me, in a good way, because it keeps taking leaps upward. I can't wait for the day I can hire someone else to do it.
Other things I don't like-dealing with computer problems, people who don't respect your time (which is not unique to freelancing).
Knock on wood – very loudly, but it is rare that I chase down payments. Some don't pay as quick as I hope, but just as I'm getting ready for the follow-up, the payment arrives.
I echo Cathy. IT problems drive me nuts, mostly because I don't understand what's going on. I'm learning, but as far as I'm concerned, a machine has no right to tell me what I can and can't do. I TELL it to do something, and it should do it, no arguments.
Taxes — greatly prefer the quarterlies.
My least favourite job is chasing overdue payments. The contract states what you have to pay me and how much, so why do have to call you/email you several times to discuss something that you already know you should do?
Count me among those who hate IT stuff. It's a foreign language to me.
Like Cathy, the part I hate about taxes is when I owe. I did a dry run of my taxes a couple months ago – before the 1099s rolled in, so I used my records alone and it looks as if I'll be owing Federal and State this year (last year my state greatly increased its tax bite, so I knew that would go up, just not how much). Two years of not owing has spoiled me! I know I stuck one item in the wrong section, so I'll need to correct that before finishing them off. I'll still owe, though.
As much as I dislike transcribing, it helps me begin formulating articles as I transcribe – and often reminds me of things I might be able to spin into queries. So I'd say my least favorite part of my job is having no employee benefits.
Cathy, I think I have a handle on the quarterlies this year — as the checks came in, I paid 15 percent to the tax man off the top. I HOPE that does it. It should. It's as accurate as I can get, and I pay as it comes in, so they already have it and I don't miss it.
I'm the same with IT, ladies. I don't know it. I started out knowing HTML pretty well, then the rules changed. So now I try to get one little widget to work on my new WordPress site and it's a two-hour process. WordPress does NOT make it easy, either. Their "help" menu was less than helpful when I tried using my own theme on there. It says basically, "Nope, can't do that." What the hell goo IS WordPress anyway? Anyone?
It's why I stuck with Blogger for this blog. It has quirks and limitations, but I don't have to PAY for those limitations.
Damaria, I hate that, too. I don't do so much of it anymore, but it's the time where you lose faith in and respect for that client.
Paula, I take notes, but I keep my ears open for really good quotes. I mark the time on the recorder and try my best to transcribe it on the page as the interview is going. Seems to cut out HOURS of transcribing.
That would be "good" not "goo." Fingers are too fast sometimes!
I agree with Damaria about chasing payments. I hate that! And in general, the one thing I still haven't managed to do as a freelancer is go on holiday without a PC and an Internet connection. My work/life balance is pretty good lately, so I'm not complaining, but it would still be good to switch off completely, even for a few days.
Catherine, wonderful seeing you here! I solved the Internet connection issue by going places that don't have a connection. If I'm forced to stay offline, I'll relax. 🙂
I don't mind doing the taxes as much as I mind getting the letters from them disagreeing with my figures. I really hate that. I get to spend more time going over the taxes again to see if I really was in the wrong or if they were wrong. I suppose I should quit doing them and get to an accountant.
I use WordPress on two sites now, and am considering a new domain, where I'll probably use WP too (unless a friend of mine comes up with a great – and cheap! – design for me)
I have had very few problems with it, so I won't complain. But it might be easier for me because my uncle hosts the site, so I just go to him with any questions.
The hardest part for me, and the part I like the least, is just getting started on a new project. Once I get 10% of the way in it's smooth sailing.
Wendy, oddly, I look at those letters (I get them, too) as a mini-reprieve. I may owe them more, but they usually come almost two months later when I have money again. LOL The non-math person's answer to taxes. 🙂
Ashley, how do you use your own templates — if you do? I think the only solution I've seen is to put the WP somewhere other than on WP. Is that even possible?
John, I would agree. Once the ball is rolling, the words form themselves, don't they?
Depends… taxes are fairly easy because I hire someone to do them. Following up on possible clients when they turn out to be wishy washy.
Yeah, that's the worst for me… hire me or don't.