TOP DRAWER INK NEWSLETTER

 

Here's the latest issue of Top Drawer Ink, the newsletter written by author HL Carpenter that's chock full of humor and common sense information.

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December 20, 2008
Volume 6, Number 24
ISSN 1554-6330

In this issue:

1. Top Drawer News
2. Carpenter Country
3. Top Drawer Article
4. Top Drawer Tips
5. Top Drawer Satire

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***TOP DRAWER NEWS***

Our story “The Thin Veil” won Honorable Mention in the 2008 Crime Scene Contest sponsored by The Verb. You can read an excerpt, as published on The Verb web site, by clicking here: The Thin Veil

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CARPENTER COUNTRY
What's Happening in Our Neck of the Human Experience

 

Are you stressed, filled with anxiety, out of sorts, even angry this Christmas season? If your heart is pounding and your palms are sweaty, listen up. Carpenter Country’s short one has four tips she’d like to share.

One When you feel your adrenaline beginning to surge, find a quiet corner where you can be alone and – SCREAM. A loud yell depletes anger and will keep you from becoming violent.

Two Change the way you think. Stop worrying whether your spouse, in-laws, kids or grandchildren are going to like the gifts you’ve chosen. After you purchase whatever suits your fancy, focus on the fun they’ll have returning it.

Three If you’re shopping for others, don’t deprive yourself. Pick up a bobble or two and to heck with the price. Should your anxiety level spike, take a deep breath and jog to the checkout. The exercise will lower your blood pressure.

Four Having a rude driver cut you off can make you see red. Hearing the packages on the back seat hit the floor can cloud your judgment. Try not to raise your fist or finger at the offending idiot. Instead, pull over to the side of the road, get out of the car and kick the tires. This activity is good for defusing hostility and it’s a lot safer.

The short one hopes you’ll re-read her pearls of wisdom whenever you’re having a bad day. They may provide a smile ... and that’s the best stress reliever of all.

From the two of us to every one of you -
Merry Christmas and a Glorious New Year!

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TOP DRAWER ARTICLE

Get Organized for Tax Season
by
HL Carpenter

 

Ho! Ho! Ho! Is your business ready for the season that arrives after the holidays? It’s almost here - tax time, that is - and getting organized so you’ll be ready is a good idea.

Read the entire article here

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TOP DRAWER TIPS
Topics and Tidbits

 

Tip: The Internal Revenue Service offers several free publications on what business records you should keep, and how long you need to keep them. Look for Publication 583, Starting a Business and Keeping Records, Publication 463, Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses, and Publication 15, Circular E Employers Tax Guide. You can download the booklets from the IRS web site, request that copies be mailed to you, or visit your local IRS office to obtain them.

Glossary Term: Burden of Proof. The responsibility of proving entries, deductions, and statements made on your tax return. To meet the burden of proof and establish your claim to a deduction, you have to comply with substantiation and record-keeping requirements in the Internal Revenue Code. Proof can include receipts, journals, statements, logs, or accounting records that you generate when you incur the expense or deduction and that you maintain over a period of time.

Financial Horoscope: You don’t have to be Louis Pasteur to know fortune favors the prepared. But are you acting on what you know? After the bustle of the holidays, take some time to prepare for a fortunate and prosperous 2009.

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TOP DRAWER SATIRE

Will Somebody Do Something?
by
HL Carpenter

 

I.M. Somebody wants to apologize for what he calls a “communication malfunction”.

Read the rest here