I know you theoretically liked your gig, before it all fell apart, javachik--are you happy with what you have now? It looks like you didn't really have downtime, so that's good!

Thanks, guys!

ita !, I think I am happy but I'll have a better sense of everything after a few months! Thanks for asking. One thing that is important to me is time for myself for vacations, etc. I don't want to be one of those consultants who never takes time for vacation. This year though, I have a large home-improvement project that is going to take a lot of money (garage to home-office conversion*) so I may only take a short, cheap vacation this year to set aside money for the project.

* I like to have house guests and with my current set up, I have no room to accommodate them - so I want the conversion sooner than later.

Planning for vacations is a 'pay yourself first' principle that is one of those do-as-I-say things. I don't do it for myself but really applaud you for taking care of yourself in that way. Doing so means you will have more and better to give your clients.

I am going on vacation right now and it's fucking great! And since one of our donors designated the funds, we are fiscally obligated to enjoy ourselves.

Liese, so excited for you!

Time off is of the utmost importance. Put it on the calendar and try to stick to it. Despite my reputation for working around the clock and always being a bit worn out, I actually try to do a pretty good job about time off. It's usually 3 to 6 weeks a year, depending upon how we can make it all work.

Of course he often works, at least a little, during vacation, but it's still mostly time to recharge.

So yes, Liese, yay vacation! Enjoy!

Yay vacation, and yay supporters who insist that you get one!

Hey all, I know we've talked software and banks in here before (I know because I just searched and found snippets) but I am readying to set up a business account and my QuickBooks and ideally I'd like the most integration possible. Those of you who use both (I think I saw that Stephanie does) any practical advice or "what not to dos" that you learned when you were setting yourself up?

I currently bank with B of A but their nearest ATM has a very annoying location so I've been tempted to sign up with Chase just because of the ability to photograph a check with iPhone and upload it! But my mortgage is with Wells, so I've been thinking of switching over my personal stuff to them, for the free, but yadda yadda.

Insight please? I have researched a lot but the marketing material doesn't let me know real picture sometimes. For that I really on y'all.

My business update is: too busy to do anything and I owe Amych all kinds of stuff for the website she's creating for me that it doesn't even look like I need (I mean, I need it, but the lack of same has not stopped clients from contacting and hiring me!).

No insight on Quickbooks integration, but I've been loving Ally online checking. It's free (in fact there's interest), they refund all fees so you can go to any ATM you want, and upload checks for deposit. I've also heard they have great customer service, but I haven't had to test that myself. If it works with QB, I wouldn't hesitate. The ATM thing alone makes me love them.