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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July 9, 2011
Volume 9, Number 13
ISSN 1554-6330

In this issue:

1. Carpenter Country Essay

2. Top Drawer Article

3. Top Drawer Tips

4. Top Drawer Satire

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CARPENTER COUNTRY

What's Happening in Our Neck of the Human Experience

Once again it's those crazy, hazy days of summer. Carpenter Country's cool mornings have disappeared into swirling, dusty heat dampened by an occasional downpour, and autumn breezes are far away.

While searching for something to do besides stand around in the A/C or step outside onto the back deck and sweat, it dawned on me that I hadn't decluttered my home in awhile.

Oh great! A job that would keep me busy 'til October.

I began with my clothes closet.

Two hours later I was still trying on blouses, slacks and shoes that I hadn't worn in a year. By the time I finished, a whole recycled wardrobe rested on the bed and the Goodwill box stood empty.

This was not going well.

The next morning I stayed out of the bedroom closet and instead tackled the knick-knack shelf.

You are a packrat, I thought, as I surveyed all the stuff that had accumulated since the last time I did this job. Which was when - two years ago?

Impossible, it must have been longer. No one could collect this much junk in only twenty-four months.

Closing my mind to thoughts like - but mom gave me that. What if I toss it and then need it? I'll never find anything as good again. - I started separating everything into piles labeled: KEEP. GIVE AWAY. MAYBE.

Pretty soon only the KEEP group graced the shelf, restoring at least one eyesore to perfection.

Now it's on to the rest of the house.

I hope fall comes soon.

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TOP DRAWER ARTICLE

Information Returns Update

by
HL Carpenter

As predicted in the November 2010 Top Drawer Ink article, "The History of Information Returns", information reporting requirements for US businesses continue to evolve.

Click here to read the rest of this article

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TOP DRAWER TIPS
Topics and Tidbits

Tip: The pilot program for truncating identifying numbers on Forms 1098, 1099, and 5498 has been reinstated for calendar years 2011 and 2012. That means you can use asterisks or xxx's to replace all but the last four digits of social security numbers on the copy of the form that you send to your vendors. Federal identification numbers cannot be truncated, and the IRS copy must show the entire number for all payees.

Glossary Term: Truncate. To shorten by cutting off. In the case of IRS forms, truncating means replacing certain numbers with symbols or place-holder letters to help protect the identity of the receiver of the form.

Financial Horoscope: This is not the time to truncate your savings plan. Instead, spend the hot summer months sweating over your financial goals for the rest of the year. After you've updated your fiscal menu, treat yourself to a rich dish of ice cream, sorbet or frozen yogurt.

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TOP DRAWER SATIRE

Seizing the Dreams

by
HL Carpenter

Wondering why your dreams no longer come true? It could be they’ve been impounded by the Nanny Division of the US Department of Justice.

Click here to read the rest of this satire