Congratulations to the class of 1999. You all proved more or less adequate.

Snyder ,'Chosen'


Buffista Business Talk: I wanted simple, I wanted in-and-out, I wanted easy money.

A virtual watercooler where Buffistas in business can talk, share, exchange, bemoan, exult and assorted other power verbs associated with all areas of running/starting up a business. For existing or potential Buffista business owners of all types. Spamming is NOT ON. A list of our Buffista owned businesses is on our links page.


javachik - Mar 03, 2012 12:19:56 pm PST #808 of 1416
Our wings are not tired.

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.


beekaytee - Mar 03, 2012 1:57:18 pm PST #809 of 1416
Compassionately intolerant

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.


Liese S. - Mar 03, 2012 4:01:15 pm PST #810 of 1416
"Faded like the lilac, he thought."

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.


javachik - Mar 03, 2012 4:07:17 pm PST #811 of 1416
Our wings are not tired.

Liese, so excited for you!


NoiseDesign - Mar 03, 2012 4:19:41 pm PST #812 of 1416
Our wings are not tired

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.


Pix - Mar 04, 2012 6:59:57 am PST #813 of 1416
We're all getting played with, babe. -Weird Barbie

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!


amych - Mar 04, 2012 7:44:23 am PST #814 of 1416
Now let us crush something soft and watch it fountain blood. That is a girlish thing to want to do, yes?

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


javachik - Mar 08, 2012 7:29:54 pm PST #815 of 1416
Our wings are not tired.

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!).


megan walker - Mar 08, 2012 7:59:41 pm PST #816 of 1416
"What kind of magical sunshine and lollipop world do you live in? Because you need to be medicated."-SFist

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.


javachik - Mar 08, 2012 8:02:24 pm PST #817 of 1416
Our wings are not tired.

I have never even heard of Ally (I mean, without Kate)! Let me check them out! Thanks, Megan.

ETA: Checked em out and they look good for personal banking but don't offer integration with QuickBooks or anything.