- Joined
- Mar 29, 2015
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Thinking of you @clipped_wings
How are you doing @clipped_wings?
Have you investigated "Boosting Cash Flow" for business and "JobKeeper"? If you were doing PAYG for yourselves and have put a BAS or 2018/2019 tax return in since July then you should be eligible for the former; with the latter, you'd certainly certainly be eligible.Bye for today xx
And the criteria has been reviewed a little since the first announcement.Have you investigated "Boosting Cash Flow" for business and "JobKeeper"? If you were doing PAYG for yourselves and have put a BAS in since July then you should be eligible for the former; with the latter, you'd certainly certainly be eligible.
But here's my lightbulb moment: Every single AFF member here has been impacted. The common denominator of why this forum exists - is air travel. And in the absence of that air travel - all of us are clinging to hope that our livelihoods can return to a semblance of normality once this horrible chapter is done. I am not the only one suffering and I send kind thoughts and warm hugs to you all.
Thanks @serfty , you are a constant beacon in my AFF world and I know you are a person of great insight. I have pursued every angle I can, to take advantage of the benefits afforded to Sole Traders. Yes, we report quarterly and our accountant is assisting us to stay afloat. She is worth her weight in gold (like a good butcher or hairdresser......when you find a great one - STICK to them).Have you investigated "Boosting Cash Flow" for business and "JobKeeper"? If you were doing PAYG for yourselves and have put a BAS in since July then you should be eligible; with the latter, you'd certainly certainly be eligible.
It's so true. And big hugs back to you and yours.
I'm lucky in so many ways - I have a lovely house with no mortgage, and I have a small business and I have worked from home for many years, so I know how to do that. However, for the first time since I started business in 1996, I have absolutely no work in my diary for the rest of 2020 and beyond. I guess the clients will eventually come back. I'm almost 60 and was thinking of retiring soon and travelling the world. I will get to do half of that pretty soon I'd say.
My young adult son lives and works overseas in the UAE. I won't be seeing him any time soon now. And the UAE is a country that blocks technology like FaceTime, Messenger, What's App so no video calls. A mistaken 20 minute phone call cost $280 so no joy there either. But my darling daughter lives in the same city, so if we can navigate the "stay at home" rules, I might get to hug her.
We worked hard and saved for our self funded retirement. My husband has already retired and we were so thrilled to be self funded retirees. That is until we lost a massive amount on the share market, and our tenants are either Chinese students or small businesses that want us to be lenient on their rent. Again, luckily we don't have investment loans. But their rent was our income, along with the dividends that are being paused or scaled back. We don't meet the criteria for any of the government supports so far. We will be OK, but my wings are also clipped @clipped_wings. Thanks goodness we have good health at the moment.
We are all in this together. Everything is connected to everything, and everyone to everyone. I know so many people have it worse than I do, and I am sending my love to your all. Thanks for sharing. It makes it easier for me to acknowledge my own struggle to cope with this whole COVID thing. I too want to get off the train.
well, when this is over, let's do just that! I can travel then! And so can you!Oh I wish I could share a coffee with you! How sad to know you are separated from your children. It doesn't matter how old they are - they are still your kids. From your post - I have already realised my good fortune. I have 3 kids still here to hug every morning and one not far away. My heart goes out to you as I know no amount of money or income could substitute for what I have in front of me each day. Thank YOU for making that very clear xx
With JobKeeper, if you are eligible, you don't need to touch Centrelink.Thanks @serfty , you are a constant beacon in my AFF world and I know you are a person of great insight. I have pursued every angle I can, to take advantage of the benefits afforded to Sole Traders. Yes, we report quarterly and our accountant is assisting us to stay afloat. She is worth her weight in gold (like a good butcher or hairdresser......when you find a great one - STICK to them).
The biggest stumbling block is creating a Centrelink profile and account. It's the only way they can assist you and it's bloody hard to do. I am not one to shy away from a challenge though and shall keep chipping away to save our business, our home and our family. Hopefully it will be October before we all know it.
Mr Clipped is currently laughing while watching Fun with Dick & Jane. His voice goes up an octave or two when he laughs. This movie is so fitting, given that it represents our very situation right now. The scene when he is wearing the synthesizer suit is making my sides hurt. Gotta love Jim Carey.
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In fact, you need to keep paying yourself(s), even if it's only $750 (each?) per week ... somewhat more than Centrelink may provide ...With JobKeeper, if you are eligible, you don't need to touch Centrelink.
I can't add practical advice about government benefits etc, but was listening to my favourite concert (that I wasn't at in person) online tonight while I read your story. Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris "Real Live Roadrunning".
Full concert here ... Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris - Real Live Roadrunning - YouTube
It is rather long.
There are many sublime tracks like Romeo and Juliet, but thinking of your son you could start towards the end at track 14 So Far Away, and let it run through the encores.
There are many sublime tracks like Romeo and Juliet, but thinking of your son you could start towards the end at track 14 So Far Away, and let it run through the encores.
When we get out of this and all meet upI am first in line to give you a real hug.How wonderful! Dire Straits was a special part of my music collection. Thank you for sharing
3 APRIL
Well, Friday came and went. And I am actually smarter for having lived it. For example, I found out today that Mr Clipped will keep his SG status until 2022. Not a bad achievement when you consider the closest he will come to a airplane in the next 12 months, is driving past Mascot.
Our work day was spent mostly packing up boxes and condensing a 270sqm factory for a 50sqm storage unit. Hard yacca if you don't have the gumption. There's no time for emotional or sentimental moments. You either throw it, or stow it. Perhaps the hardest thing was scrapping the thousands of job sheets we kept. No legal reason to save them, but it was an immense collection of personal achievement. It's like going through a box of old photos. You end up sitting on the floor, marvelling at your early triumphs, and cringing at the Big Jobs that got away. Every job sheet told a story. And ours was a pretty great read.
We started our business in 1993, long before Windows/MYOB or Quickbooks. Everything was hard copy. We'd both worked for a large sign firm for many years and had finally decided to jump ship: into mortgage, a new business and a new baby all in the same year. Then we threw in another baby and marriage for good measure.
We had no idea what we were thinking. In those days, we worked 24/7 and carried our infants everywhere we went. In a capsule. Our first born has the dubious honor of scaling more extension ladders in her first year of life than most people will in their lifetime. I'm pretty sure that would be illegal now, but for us it was a way of life. Every sign was hand painted. Including the lofty walls of office blocks. I would climb down the ladder and find somewhere to breastfeed while Mr Clipped painted. Then, he would babysit while I painted. The only time we could afford a fancy vinyl-cutting computer, was when I scratched $5000 in 1996 on one of those Lottery Scratchies. I'd bought it from the newsagent and gave it to our toddler as she sat in the shopping trolley while I (now 8 months pregnant again) bought groceries. She had sucked all four edges, so it was all soft and slimy when I finally sat down in the mall to rest my (very swollen) feet. I scratched to see three $5000's smiling at me and my first thought was that I was on Candid Camera. Trembling, I approached the newsagent and meekly asked in my quietest voice "um, excuse me....is this a winner?"
The rest is history. We used the money to purchase a brand new Roland Plotter and CAD software. Business took off with a solid reputation for quality, honesty and integrity. Two more tin lids followed, before a relocation to the Central Coast to find care for our autistic son, who was diagnosed as profoundly disabled in 2003. Our association with the Canterbury Bulldogs had also came about the same time. Mr Clipped was a Born&Bred Doggies fan and was one day asked to do a quote at the Leagues Club. He was more excited at being in the Inner Sanctum, than he was about the tender! One job led to another and soon he was the preferred supplier. We gave back with sponsorship in 2012 and formed a mutually productive relationship that continues to endure. There's nothing like putting up your own company sign at Belmore Sports Ground when the team is training!
It was the most fabulous 25 years, but we never once lost sight of why we chose to be self-employed: our kids. Every first step, every first word, every school concert and excursion. We were there for all of them. I did tuck shops, Mr Clipped would chaperone the bus trips to zoos, Luna Park - wherever. We donated our time and signage to a variety of school endeavors and I still to this day - volunteer at the annual Fair by the Sea as a face painter. Mr Clipped still hangs the banners around town. Our special son received intervention and flourished to become an adorable and participating member of our family. He recently graduated from High School with a (special edition) HSC certificate. And he still melts my heart.
I put the job sheets in the bin and reflected what an amazing roller coaster it has been. We got way more out of it than we put in.
That kind of investment and return is without quantification. You can't trade it. You can't buy it back. Once it's gone, it's gone. I said at the beginning of this post that I was benefiting on an intellectual level. That is because I continue to learn things about myself that I was previously ignorant to.
Pooh Bear said it best: I am stronger than I thought. Braver than I believed. And smarter than I knew.
We are without income. We are not without riches.
When we get out of this and all meet upI am first in line to give you a real hug.