Life's Certainties

I remember hearing the saying, "The only things certain in life are death and taxes." As I wade into the beginnings of adulthood the latter part of that phrase is becoming more and more prevalent.

My last post was on a benefit of having a photography business, this one is about one of the negatives. I have been reluctantly exploring the correct method for starting a small business over the past couple of months. I knew we needed to be legal in Uncle Sam's eyes, but he doesn't exactly make it real clear on the approved approach for doing this. They all tell you about the business side of things, not the legal, pay your taxes, requirements.

Anyways, Rebecca and I finally decided to not trust our own knowledge and go see someone who does know what to do. We went to Helen Grissett at Columbus Tax and Accounting. She was a Dave Ramsey ELP for small business. She was kind enough to sit down with us for about an hour free of charge and walk us through getting an Employer Identification Number (EIN), filling out sales tax form with the state, and answering all of our ignorant questions on the subject.

Our next step was to go to the bank and get a business checking account set up. That took about another hour. So now we don't have to ask people to rewrite their checks when they make them out to Rebecca Long Photography.

The third step of getting a business license was halted because we have to get approved by the city to work out of our apartment. That will take a separate form for that and then we can apply for a business license.

I'm beginning to think businesses biggest competitor is the government. I'm not looking forward to doing our income taxes.

Blowing in the Wind - A Prelude to 'Wasteful Wednesday'

I haven't had a ranting post yet and really don't want it to become the theme of this blog. Rather, I occasionally have observations about how the powers at be do things and it sometimes frustrates me. So, as a way to voice my grievances I will use this rarely viewed blog. Seems efficient enough. I shall try to limit these things to once a week and will call it 'Wasteful Wednesday' (until I come up with a cooler name). Since this is the first of its nature it is exempt from actually occurring on a Wednesday.

As a conservative, I get quite frustrated with government waste. After all it is the taxpayers money they are wasting and since I pay taxes, it is my money too. If private companies want to waste their money, then go right ahead. Since they are required to actually make a profit, waste is usually hard to come by in the private sector. Government on the other hand, does not have to make a profit and we don't have a choice when it come to giving them our money. And it seems they are constantly wanting more and more.

So the point of these 'Wasteful Wednesday' entries will be to point out government waste (hopefully with a picture) and illustrate how if they weren't so wasteful they wouldn't need more money. (Conspiracy theorists may argue they are intentionally wasteful so they can take more of our money and thus rule over us completely since they would own everything.)

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Mississippi State University and wouldn't trade it for anything. However, in my 7 years there have been a couple consistent negative threads.

1. Losing football seasons.
2. Increases in tuition.

Football has at least shown some promise, but I don't see them lowering tuition anytime soon. Tuition increases are justified as a way to cover increased university costs. One big expense and one we are consistently encouraged to do our part to lessen, is energy expenses. Lights have been turned off, thermostats regulated, and a team formed to combat wasting energy.

In my limited energy knowledge I know that lights are mere peanuts when compared with heating and cooling costs. Those are greatly influenced my how well a building is insulated. This brings us (finally, I know) to our first example of 'Wasteful Wednesday' (I already hate that title).

In my little corner of campus (Dorman Hall) I am greeted by a shot of cool or hot air, depending on the season, when I come to the building. At everyone of the 5 main level entrances to Dorman Hall there is about a half to one inch gap between the double doors.

I would suspect turning off every light in the building would be comparable to the amount of energy lost 24 hours a day through these 5 sets of doors.  I believe this poor design was a result of a recent redesign to add keycard access to every door. I don't know why that would prevent installing doors that actually touch.

I know its a small point, but just a thought I had as I enter and leave this building everyday.

Fortunately, during the winter you won't need to get inside to warm your hands, just hold them up to energy 'Blowing in the wind.'