Message From jl

Hi Everyone!

I guess I lied to you, last week. I had planned to start writing about building lists and writings ezines. But, I have to put it off another week. Maybe even until the new blog is ready - which is getting close.

But, last week was a bit chaotic, what with the lake flooding five feet up over the bank, water coming UP through the floor in my living room and one thing and another online.

As I start this issue, two days late - on Saturday - it's Halloween. And with iCop's 10th anniversary and my birthday tomorrow, it seems like I should have at least ONE day to just sit on my butt and do nothing!

This past 10 years has been a helluva ride! Reminds me a bit of my brothers, boy cousins and me riding our Indian Paint ponies on our grandparent's farm.

We would gallop bareback (all of us hated saddles), the length of that farm, along side of the freight trains running on the tracks out behind the back pastures.

It was fun and exhilarating - just like the Wild, Wild Web! We thought we were quite the little savages. The boys named their Paints things like Thunder, Lightning and Storm. I named mine Spot.

I do recall Spot being startled, one day, when one of my brothers decided to jump out of the hay loft and land behind me on the horse. That mare ran us right into a fence before I could get her under control. I nearly beat my brother senseless - after I caught him.

I believe I may have been run into barbed wire a few times online, too. Ah, well, beat up on whoever caused the problem, and get back on the horse!

The Hunger Site

Since the holidays are bearing down on us (already?), I'd like to call something to your attention. This year, it may be more economically difficult to do everything you'd like to do.

So, check out the items for sale at The Hunger Site. They have some great stuff: unusual and reasonably priced. Their shipping is also MUCH more reasonable than you find most places online.

The thing is ... every time you buy something from them, it gives additional help to the six charities sponsored on the site. So, you are giving two gifts for the cost of one. And, at least one of those gifts help in places where it's sorely needed!

www.thehungersite.com

This Website is Awesome!

I haven't used it, yet, but I plan to start. There's nothing I hate worse than shopping for home essentials: laundry detergent and cleaning supplies, shampoo and toiletries, etc.

Here you can order name brand products - for LESS - and have it all shipped to your home with NO shipping fees. They show you the price comparisons and you can even use coupons. They find them for you!

Even membership to the site is free.

www.Alice.com

And, Now the Bad News

In the USA, beginning in 2011, all banks and merchant services will be required to report annual gross payments processed by credit or debit cards to the IRS. This includes online payments.

Why is this bad news? This has the potential to become a bookkeeping nightmare.

They will only report gross payments. Merchants will need to keep close track of refunds, charge-backs, and cash-back transactions. Merchant accounting procedures may need to be adjusted and excellent records kept to be sure everything balances at tax time - and is provable.

There may also be consumer privacy issues - I'm not sure yet. But, it seems likely the U.S. Government will have attained access to information about everything you buy online.

They are allowing a couple of exceptions where this report will not be required. You can see what they are here:

taxes.about.com

More information will become available when the Treasury Department issues regulations about how banks are supposed to be reporting credit and debit card transactions. I'll keep you updated as more information becomes available.

We have 14 months to make whatever adjustments we need to make.

About Our Blog

I've been wondering about a couple of things, and I could use your input. Blogs are a little different than newsletters.

The added things that make the newsletter fun to do may not be appropriate for a blog. I know many of you look forward to my jokes, and my readers make sure I get the good ones. I also have fun with the funny quotes - and some not so funny.

Readers tell me constantly how much you enjoy my little personal stories at the top of the articles. Many of you feel like you've raised ET right along with me and wait to hear my adventures on the lake with the wildlife.

Of course, there are always the ones who couldn't care less about my stories, but I'm not worried about them.

You can read articles anywhere - even mine. It's the other stuff that makes you feel like you know me and continue reading year, after year, after year.

Yet, I don't think I've, so far, seen a blog that contains this kind of material. Blog owners almost appear to be quasi-journalists. That isn't my style. Of course, my local newspaper contains comics and editorials, but ...

So, whaddya think? Should I try to incorporate my personal additions? Or, not? And, if so, do you have any ideas about how I can do that? I don't want it to look like some idiot is running the blog!

jlscott@i-cop.org

Have a fabulous week and ... keep on keepin' on!

  jl

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Thank You For Reading!  Have a Terrific Week!

Online Business Trade Journal™ is published solely by dr. jl scott, Director of the International Council of Online Professionals (iCop) and may not reflect the opinion of all iCop members.

Material in the "Leaving You With a Smile" column may be copyrighted by unknown persons.

We accept no responsibility for your use of any contributed information contained herein. All of the information presented in the Online Business Trade Journal™ is published in good faith. Any comments stated in this newsletter are strictly the opinion of the writer or publisher.

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Copyright © 2009 jl scott, ph.d., Director
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