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When you’re running a freelance business, chances are you’ll need a lawyer in your corner from time to time. Whether it’s a client who just won’t pay or a contract negotiation gone wrong, there are some problems you can’t solve on your own. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce a new partnership with Brooklyn Legal Services to provide free legal advice for Freelancers Union members on all kinds of small business issues. Brooklyn Legal Services, part of Legal Services NYC, has been providing community legal services for more than 50 years. As part of our partnership, Freelancers Union members will now be able to call BLS for help with freelance issues like:
This service is in addition to BLS’ Pandemic Unemployment Assistance appeals program, which is still accepting new clients. To access this service, call 917-661-4500 and mention that you are a member of Freelancers Union. The intake agent will ask for some basic information about your case and will connect you with a lawyer who has experience working on freelancers’ issues. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2020/06/30/need-a-lawyer-in-nyc-weve-got-your-back/
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The first of the month is coming up again. This will be the fourth time since the coronavirus pandemic began that millions of people who have lost work will worry about how to pay the rent — or about how much debt is piling up because they aren’t able to. While the simplest, fairest answer to this problem would be to subsidize rent and mortgage payments for all until the end of the pandemic, no state or city government has yet to take this step. Here’s what they’ve done instead: For those who live in federally backed rental units or whose mortgages are funded by the federal government, evictions and foreclosures are halted through July 28, per the CARES Act. It’s estimated that about 30% of the rental properties in the country are federally backed; to find out if your building is one of them, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have lookup tools available online. In New York, Gov. Cuomo signed legislation on June 17 that will put $100 million into a voucher program designed to provide rental assistance to people who pay more than 30% of their income in rent, make less than 80% of their area’s median income ($60,000 in NYC, according to Census data), and have lost income between April 1 and July 31. The state has not yet provided any guidance on how renters will be able to apply for these vouchers. We’ll keep members updated when they do. New Jersey has instituted a similar program, providing up to six months of rent funding for households whose household income is at or below a set limit for their county, pay 30% or more of their income in rent, and have experienced a loss of income since the beginning of the pandemic. Enrollment for this program will be open July 6-10; find your county’s income cap and submit your application here. In California, evictions are frozen statewide until July 28, and a rent relief bill is currently pending in the legislature. Some cities have instituted their own measures, including San Jose (where rent increases are stopped and tenants have until December 31 to pay back rent without threat of eviction), and Los Angeles, which just announced a $100 million voucher program. The program will provide up to $2,000 ($1,000 per month for two months) in rent assistance to those making less than 80% of the area median income (AMI) who can prove they have been directly impacted by the coronavirus crisis. Application information for this program is not yet available. Illinois, meanwhile, just passed its own major relief bill, which includes $396 million to provide rent funding and mortgage relief for homeowners. To qualify for a $5,000 rent stipend, renters must make 50% or less of AMI and be able to prove they have suffered economic hardship as a result of the pandemic. The program is expected to open in August. Evictions are also halted statewide until July 31. At the federal level, the HEROES Act, the second major stimulus package passed by Congress, contains $100 billion for a rental assistance program that would provide funds for rent and rent-related costs (like utility bills) to people who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. That bill has been sitting in the Senate since it was passed on May 15, held by the Republican majority who have been claiming a second stimulus package would not be necessary. Have you taken 15 minutes to participate in our member survey yet? We've partnered with a team of researchers to help expand the understanding of freelance work and get a better picture of the Freelancers Union membership. Your participation will help us better advocate for freelancers on issues like COVID-19 relief programs. Click here to begin the survey. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2020/06/29/rent-relief-whats-available-now/
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THE WEEKLY BRIEF UPDATE1. I know I am speaking to the choir when I say this… …but COVID-19 can just go a head and fuck off already. Some of you reading may recall that earlier in the year I had announced I was expanding my studio, CORE, to a larger space here in Boston. I had found an amazing location (a mere eight minute walk from my apartment) that was going to allow me to expand my current footprint from 550 sq. feet to 3200. So much room for activities (and fun loving hip-hop rhymes) My wife and I had come to an agreement on a lease, but hadn’t gained possession of the space because we were still waiting for the town to meet with us to go through a variance in order to get the space approved for a build-out. Waiting, waiting, waiting…. And then COVID hits. Massachusetts shut down much of the economy (rightfully so) in order to curtail further spread of the virus. Gyms, of course, were shut down entirely. Subsequently, we had to press the pause button on the new space because, well, building a new gym under the umbrella of a global pandemic didn’t seem like the wisest financial choice to make. My wife and I decided we’d wait a few months, see how things panned out, and then try to re-ignite the process later in 2020 or early 2021. I just got word yesterday that I will no longer be able to pursue the space. The lessor felt it too much of a risk for a gym to move forward over given the state of the affairs. Damn. Bye, bye Techno Tuesdays, Wu-Tang Wednesdays, and Laser Tag Fridays. Needless to say we’re bummed. I’m sure we’ll be able to find another location in the coming months, but this one hurts. 2. Oh, hey, have you checked out my new CORE @ Home platform yet? It’s designed so that I can deliver workouts you can perform at home – pants optional – using minimal equipment. You have two options:1. Subscribe for FREE and receive one workout per week. 2. Subscribe for $29.00 and receive three workouts per week (in addition to special bonus content). My hope is that it helps take the thinking out of things and keeps people more accountable to workout more consistently. For more information go HERE. SOCIAL MEDIA SHENANIGANS
STUFF TO READ WHILE YOU’RE AT HOME NOT WEARING PANTSWhat the Best Personal Trainers Know That You Don’t – Lou SchulerKeto recipes? Nope. Well, maybe. But, who cares? Excellent stuff from Lou here featuring some of the best trainers I know sharing their insights and expertise on how to separate yourself from the masses. Recommended Reading For Programming the General Population – Chris KershawChris compiled an amazing array of articles and resource that have helped him develop his training/programming philosophy over the years. Check it out. Powerlifting Helped Heal My Relationship With My Body – Chrissy KingLast week I signed up for Chrissy’s Anti-Racism for Wellness Professionals course. It was two hours of my time that was well spent and I HIGHLY encourage you to check it out. She provides updates dates/times for her course via her IG page HERE. In light of the course I wanted to dig into more of her content and I came across this fantastic article she wrote last year. Did what you just read make your day? Ruin it? Either way, you should share it with your friends and/or comment below.via Blog – Tony Gentilcore http://tonygentilcore.com/2020/06/stuff-to-read-while-youre-stuck-at-home-not-wearing-any-pants-6-26-20/
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You do it 960 times every hour, about 23,040 times per day. In fact, you’re doing it right now. Most importantly, researchers have discovered that most of us are doing it wrong. I’m talking about breathing. You’re probably thinking, “I know I get a lot of mundane activities like eating and exercising wrong, but breathing? That can’t be. I inhale and exhale, and that’s all there is to it, right?” Turns out, it’s not that simple. The Types of Breathing ExplainedThere are two types of breathing: apical and diaphragmatic. Apical involves breathing through your upper chest and neck, while diaphragmatic involves breathing through your diaphragm. The better way to breathe, according to experts, is using your diaphragm. Massage Therapy Canada highlights some of the reasons why you should practice diaphragmatic breathing. Breathing exercises can go a long way toward enhancing your respiratory performance and, subsequently, boost your immune system, increase your energy levels, and even help you sleep better. Breathing BenefitsRelaxationWhen you’re relaxed, your body is in the perfect state of balance. But if you look around, you’re more likely to find people who are stressed than those who aren’t. In a survey conducted by Gallup, eight in 10 Americans stated they “sometimes” or “frequently” experience stress. If you’re always feeling stressed, a breathing exercise can help. Deep breathing exercises enable persons to relax by stimulating their parasympathetic nervous system, the mechanism that offsets the effects of the sympathetic nervous system. That’s the one that triggers a flight-or-fight response whenever it perceives predators, but can’t tell that a missed deadline or full inbox aren’t life-and-death situations. By offsetting that response, you can decrease stress. Better SleepA study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that 25% of Americans suffer from acute insomnia every year. The most common remedies are sleeping pills, earplugs, eye masks, and white noise. But while most of these sleep aids are effective, they only provide short-term solutions. A better and easier way to get better sleep is by simply breathing in and out. Increased EnergyIt seems like everyone and their brother are queueing for that cup of morning coffee to get their energy levels up. More Americans are drinking coffee now than they have in the past six years. Rather than litter the environment with coffee cups or overwhelm your body with caffeine, what you should be considering is a shot of oxygen for that energy boost. Not only can breathing exercises increase your energy, they can also improve your athletic performance. Bringing more oxygen into your cells causes a chain of reactions, including slowing your heart rate, lowering blood pressure, boosting circulation, and, ultimately, providing more energy. 5 Breathing Exercises to TryDeep Diaphragmatic BreathingMain Benefit: Relaxation Although the key benefit of this exercise is relaxation, it also lowers your heart rate and blood pressure and improves the stability of your core muscles. Try it: ● Find a comfortable position — you can sit or lie on the floor, bed, or any other flat surface — and bend your knees in a way that feels comfortable ● Relax your shoulders ● Close your eyes and breathe in through your nose, expanding your belly as you do ● Hold your breath for at least one second ● Breathe out through your mouth as if you were blowing out some birthday candles, letting your belly deflate fully ● Repeat for 3-5 minutes The 10-Count BreathMain Benefit: Relaxation As the name suggests, this exercise involves counting from 1 to 10 as you breathe. It forces you to focus just on your breathing, instead of on the things that are causing you stress. Try it: ● Sit or lie down in comfortable position on your bed, in a chair, or the floor ● Start breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth ● When you’ve got a rhythm going, start counting your breaths. Breathe in, one. Breathe out, two. Breathe in, three, and so on. ● When you get to 10, start again from one ● Repeat at least three times The 4-7-8 ExerciseMain Benefit: Better Sleep Developed by Dr. Andrew Weil, this technique is highly recommended for those who want to improve their sleeping patterns. Also referred to as the “Relaxing Breath,” this workout acts as a natural tranquilizer, putting your body into a state of relaxation. Try it: ● Sit or lie down comfortably ● Rest the tip of your tongue against the ridge of your upper palate, just behind your upper front teeth. Keep your tongue there throughout the exercise. ● Close your mouth and inhale through your nose as you count to four ● Hold your breath and count to seven ● Exhale through your mouth as you count to eight ● Repeat as long as needed Alternate Nostril BreathingMain Benefit: Increased Energy Alternate nostril breathing is an exercise derived from yoga. This workout is both energizing and relaxing. Try it: ● Sit in a comfortable position with your spine straight ● Rest your left arm on your lap and your right hand on your nose. Position your right hand in such a way that the pointer and middle finger rest between your eyebrows. ● Using your thumb, close the right nostril and breathe in through the left ● Next, close you left nostril using your ring finger and hold your breath for two seconds. (Both your nostrils are closed at this point.) ● Release your right nostril and breathe out fully ● Inhale through the right side, close both nostrils and hold, then breathe out through the left ● This is just one cycle. Repeat for five to 10 cycles. The Hundred BreathingMain Benefit: Increased Energy This exercise is derived from Pilates, and it’s meant to warm up your body while increasing your lung capacity. Try it: ● Take five short, sharp inhales through your nose ● Next, take five short, strong exhales through your mouth. Contract your abdominals as you exhale to force the air out. ● Repeat 10 times via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2020/06/25/breathing-exercises-for-better-sleep-and-less-stress/
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There has never been so much talk about the future of work. We live in an age of technological acceleration and unprecedented global events — never has so much changed in such a short time. Technology greatly influences the way we live. Today, we can order hot food that has just been made at our favorite restaurant and have it delivered to our doorstep. We can call a private transport through an application. We can visit the doctor virtually. We can work from anywhere in the world. And, of course, technology has greatly influenced the way we view not only work but the workspace itself. From traditional paper-cluttered offices, we migrated to open-space spaces and collaborative coworking spaces. With the coronavirus pandemic, companies that insisted that workers be on-site from 9 to 5 every day have discovered that most work can, in fact, be done remotely (sometimes better and quicker than before!) With all this change, it is natural that more and more studies are emerging trying to understand what the work of the future will be like. · How will we be working in a few years? · Will we even have offices? · Will we work every day from the same place? A study by PwC conducted in 2017 estimated that 30% of U.K. workers are at risk of disappearing by 2030 because of automatism and technology. Another study from the Institute For the Future in Palo Alto, also conducted in 2017, had some very interesting conclusions: · Today’s students will have had 8–10 different jobs by the time they are 38. · The tasks and services they will provide will be completely different from what they are studying for. It is estimated that about 85% of the jobs that today’s students will have in 2030 have not yet been invented. · Many of them will be freelancers— it is estimated that freelancers will account for 50% of the U.S. workforce by 2020. In March 2019, it was estimated that freelancers already accounted for 35% of the U.S. workforce. I don’t think these statistics about the future of work should scare us. On the contrary, I believe they should serve to raise awareness among people and organizations to increase digital literacy and invest in building less tangible, "soft" skills. It’s essential that each of us who wants to take an active part in this world of constant and rapid change must know what digital is. Digital is the land on which we move daily as individuals, and it is urgent that we quickly (but intelligently) adapt to the changes that are happening to the way we work. In addition to digital literacy, it is essential that we focus on developing personal skills that enable us to be fully ready for everything, even that which we can’t predict. The most important of those skills is adaptability. Constant adaptability is what will make a worker successful no matter what the work landscape looks like. Critical thinking, understanding, and the ability to quickly accommodate the challenges ahead are all elements of adaptability. What is needed right now — especially for young people in school, but for every single one of us — is education on social and human behavior so we will be able to analyze change, critique problems, and adapt to find solutions. It is necessary to teach these soft skills so that we can analyze everything that happened in the past and what is happening in the present so that each one of us can be fully prepared and adapted to the future. Even with the best work experience, with the best degrees on your resume, if you don’t evolve your knowledge, what you know today will do little or nothing for a job that can be completely different tomorrow. We have already seen so much change in the freelance industry in the past few months. In a future that is less distant than you think, you will have to deal with the disappearance of many tasks that are part of your work today. Are you ready to react? via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2020/06/24/the-one-skill-freelancers-need-for-the-future-adaptability/
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I want to make something crystal clear before I proceed: Exercise – I.e., lifting weights in particular – should have a degree of sucktitude attached to it. No one became a brick shit house in the gym or built an impressive physique without pushing their body to the limits on a consistent basis. I’m often flummoxed by people who, when I post a video of myself or one of my clients doing something badass, will sometimes chime in with something to the effect of “oh, you better be careful. Such and such exercise causes too much stress on the body.” I can’t help but think to myself: “Um, that’s kinda the point of exercise isn’t it?… …to stress the body and force it to adapt?” It’s a narrow-minded and boneheaded take if you ask me. That being said, I do feel there’s a distinct difference between working hard and (always) striving to make exercise harder. The former = good. Great, even. The latter = meh. Working Hard vs. (Always) Making Exercise HarderThe easiest way for me to explain my train of thought here is to use a real-world example. I have a client I started working with a few months ago. She’s a trainer herself, actually, and is no stranger to being a gym-rat, getting after it, and satiating her inner-meathead. She reached out to me because she had been training on her own for several years and was sorta “stuck” in her progress. Namely she wanted someone to audit her technique with the barbell lifts (squat, deadlift, bench) in addition to having someone take over the mental gymnastics that’s often a side-effect of writing your own programs. I can totally relate (even coaches need coaches). As is the case with every client I work with there’s always a window where the two parties are kinda feeling each other out and getting the lay of the land. On my end I’m trying to ascertain how I need to temper my coaching style to better fit the personality, ability level, and needs of the client. On their end there’s undoubtedly an adjustment to Techno Tuesdays or, I don’t know, maybe even coaching with no pants Thursdays. This was no different. One thing that struck me in our initial sessions together was her proclivity to always want to beat her previous workout. Meaning, if she deadlifted “x” weight the week prior and didn’t surpass that number the following week (or at least attempt to) she’d be disappointed. Now, in a general sense I LOVE this kind of attitude. I want people to work hard and to push themselves in the weight-room. A continual, consistent pattern of progressive overload – gradually doing more and more work over the course of weeks, months, years – is the key to long-term progress & success. It makes my job infinitely easier when someone “gets” this concept. However, it can also be a double-edged sword. In the case of my client, I got the impression that she was stuck in the trap of constantly testing her strength rather than building it. More to the point, she was stuck in the trap of trying to always make exercise harder. But Tony Didn’t You Just Say You WANT Your Clients to Work Hard?Yes, I did (and do). But working hard and always making exercise harder are two different things. To help ruminate my point further I always recall this idea of “80% Workouts” I picked up from strength coach Paul Carter. In short:
THAT’s the key. Those 80% workouts. The workouts where nothing spectacular happens. You just exist and do the work. 80% of the time or 8 out of 10 workouts (<— I’m a master in math). Another way to think about it: You’re still working hard every session, straining, and training with intent…but it’s just not worthy of Instagram. To that end:
The point is: Every session (and exercise) doesn’t have to be a ball-breaker or “battle” or leave you with no sensation in the left side of your face in order for you to make progress. Life gets in the way often and it’s unhelpful to hold ourselves to the impossible standard of breaking personal records every single training session. It doesn’t always have to be harder. This is where using other metrics of effort – like Rate of Perceived Exertion or Reps in Reserve – can be useful. For example, lets say you have a client who had a poor night’s sleep the night prior or maybe lost a fist fight to Rambo. Whatever, they’re in no shape to train at full throttle. Instead of hitting that scheduled heavy double with their squats, maybe a better approach would be to have them perform 2-3 sets of squats aiming for 2-3 Reps in Reserve (a concept popularized by strength coach Dr. Mike Israetel). This way they’re still squatting and hitting a few challenging sets, but not risking injury or further piling on more CNS fatigue that will only continue to accumulate and further derail their training. Alternatively, you can try this approach (which is something I picked up recently from strength coach Conor Harris): Week 1: 3×5 @ 70% of 1 Rep Max + one set of as many reps as possible (AMRAP).
This is a healthy compromise because it satisfies my preference of each repetition being (somewhat) fast and crisp, but the AMRAP set also helps satiate the more competitive clients. WU-TANG! Did what you just read make your day? Ruin it? Either way, you should share it with your friends and/or comment below.via Blog – Tony Gentilcore http://tonygentilcore.com/2020/06/working-hard-vs-always-making-exercise-harder/
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I don’t know what’s on your bucket list, but until recently, I had just two things: 1. Sit in the front row of an NBA basketball game. 2. Take a stand-up comedy class. After years of — let’s be honest — being too afraid to do it, last fall, I finally followed my wife Linda’s encouragement and signed up for an eight-week class at ImprovBoston in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was, in a word, terrific. Every Wednesday, for two hours, a dozen of us got together and, with the help of an instructor, learned the basics while trying out our material on each other. At week nine, there was a showcase night, during which we all performed for an audience of friends, family and one guy who got the dates mixed up and came to the wrong show. While I’m a long way from hosting a Netflix special (although I would entertain offers), as a stand-up "graduate," I have learned a lot. And not just about stand-up, but about communication in general. All of which relate to the things you do in the name of promoting your professional service business… 1. Content and delivery are not the same thing.Our assignment each week was to show up with three minutes of content on a subject of our choosing. Fine. I can do that. Writing comes naturally to me, and I like fooling around with words. But I found out very quickly that being a funny writer doesn’t make you a good stand-up comedian. Sure, you need strong content. But delivering it in a way that sounds natural and conversational (even though you’ve rehearsed it 50 times) is a totally different skill. A skill that I don’t yet have. When it comes to business writing — websites, reports, newsletters, books, etc. — almost all attention is given to the meat of the content … not the delivery. The fact is, most professionals don’t even consider “voice” when writing. They focus entirely on the information value and the way it is organized. All important, to be sure. But if you want people to find your words interesting and authentic (hint: You do), and if you want them to feel a connection with you beyond just the facts (ditto), you need to think about your delivery. So try this. Before you write anything, answer these two questions: “Who is doing the talking and how do you want to come across?” Who? Are you a peer, a guru, an outsider, an industry veteran? How? Are you warm, serious, supportive, sarcastic? Information is a Google away. Voice is who you are. 2. The audience decides what’s funny.If people laugh at a joke, it works. If they don’t, it doesn’t. You can defend its funniness all you want, but the only test that matters is how it plays in the real world. When it comes to communicating your business focus — answering the question “What kind of work do you do?” — the same principle applies. If your response causes boredom, confusion, or your conversation partner pretending to answer a cell phone that isn’t actually ringing, you’ve got work to do. In all cases, your goal in explaining your work is understanding (“Got it”), interest (“Cool, tell me more”), or, best case, both. 3. The only way to get better is to practice.ImprovBoston offers eight levels of improv classes. They offer just one in stand-up comedy. Why? Because, I was told, with stand-up, once you know the fundamentals, the best and fastest way to improve is to keep performing in front of live audiences. At its best, stand-up is a conversation, not a lecture. There’s a limit to how much you can learn at home by holding a banana and talking at a mirror (not that I’ve ever done that). Here as well, there is a lot of similarity with business content. That course you’ve been polishing for months but have yet to release… The newsletter you’ve been stockpiling issues for since the Clinton administration… The new website you keep threatening to update as soon as you get the content “just right”… It’s time to put the banana down and release your content to the world. I understand, it’s scary to put yourself out there. The first time I signed up at an open mic night, I sat there waiting my turn, debating whether I should just get up and walk out the door. But, as with most things (raising children being the exception), the fear is usually worse than the reality. Here’s the bottom line. The best thing about my comedy class adventure is that it forced me to be a beginner again, something that doesn’t happen a lot once you hit a certain age. It also shone a bright light on certain communication essentials that are often overlooked. The most important, I think, is to just get started. P.S. As soon as sports are back up, let me know if you have a couple of front-row NBA tickets you’re trying to give away. Michael Katz is Founder and Chief Penguin of Blue Penguin Development. He specializes in helping (tiny) professional service firms talk about their work in a way that is clear and compelling. Sign up for his free newsletter, The Likeable Expert Gazette, here. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2020/06/23/what-stand-up-comedy-can-teach-us-about-freelancing/
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On June 7, the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act was passed into law, extending the covered period in which borrowers can use Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan funds from eight weeks to 24 weeks. The extension applies even if you received a PPP disbursement prior to the enactment of this new rule, and could be especially helpful to those without business overhead -- aka most freelancers. Keep in mind that if you elect to use the 24-week covered period, the amount that can be forgiven cannot exceed 2.5 months’ worth of 2019 compensation for any self-employed individual, and the amount that can be forgiven is capped at $20,833 per individual. If you did receive a PPP loan, you are (hopefully) aware that, originally, the Small Business Administration had permitted borrowers to use the cash to cover eight weeks of their income and some expenses. This new rule extends the “covered period” for PPP loan forgiveness from eight weeks after receipt of the funds to the earlier of 24 weeks after loan receipt or December 31, 2020. Now that the covered period for PPP has been extended, it is important to understand how this may impact you as a freelancer. Here is an example of the potential difference in PPP loan forgiveness using the eight-week window vs. the 24-week window, based on an individual reporting $50,000 of self-employment income on their 2019 tax return, with no overhead expenses: As you can see, using the 24-week covered period allows you to maximize the amount of PPP loan forgiveness available to you, which is an underlying intention of the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act. As a reminder for freelancers, the eligible expenses that can be included in the payroll calculation include any compensation or income that is a wage, commission, income, net earnings from self-employment, or similar compensation, up to an annual cap of $100,000. Expenses for a free-standing, separate office or payroll cost for staff are also included. Per the Federal Register in April 2020, there are also some important exclusions to the allowable PPP loan expenses, including home office deductions, your own health insurance costs, and retirement contributions. Given the fluid nature of the PPP program and the ambiguity that still exists around the process for applying for PPP loan forgiveness, it is essential that freelancers who have participated in the program continue to monitor these additional changes and keep track of their PPP-related expenses in order to maximize loan forgiveness and avoid unwelcome and unexpected repayment obligations next tax season. Jonathan Medows is a New York City-based CPA who specializes in taxes and business issues for freelancers and self-employed individuals across the country. He provides tax, accounting and business articles for freelancers on his website, http://www.cpaforfreelancers.com — which also features a blog and a comprehensive freelance tax guide. Please note: Due to the high volume of inquiries in regard to COVID-19, Jonathan is not able to respond to individual requests for information at this time. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2020/06/22/new-ppp-forgiveness-rules/
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THE WEEKLY BRIEF UPDATE1. I’ll start with a brief #achillesgate2020 update. I had my first post op with my surgeon earlier this week and, once the faint Cheetos smell dissipated after removing the bandaging I had on for two straight weeks, the doc said everything looked swell. I was quite shocked at the lack of blood and gore: Stitches were taken out, rubbing alcohol never felt so lovely, and I was put into a short cast that I’ll be wearing for the next two weeks. The goal now is not to be an asshat and do anything stupid to risk stretching the Achilles. I guess that means I won’t be participating in this year’s Hunger Games. 2. Check out my latest podcast appearance on Coach Gethin Radio: 3. Oh, hey, have you checked out my new CORE @ Home platform yet? It’s designed so that I can deliver workouts you can perform at home – pants optional – using minimal equipment. You have two options:1. Subscribe for FREE and receive one workout per week. 2. Subscribe for $29.00 and receive three workouts per week (in addition to special bonus content). My hope is that it helps take the thinking out of things and keeps people more accountable to workout more consistently. For more information go HERE. SOCIAL MEDIA SHENANIGANS
STUFF TO READ WHILE YOU’RE AT HOME NOT WEARING PANTSMotivation: Use the Motives That Move You, Right Now – Dr. Lisa LewisMotivations manifests from a variety of sources. My wife’s, Dr. Lisa Lewis, latest article on Pez Cycling News digs deep(er) into what motivates people to do what they do and how you can stay more consistent with your health/wellness goals. Adding Hybrid Personal Training to Your Business: An Interview With Pat Rigsby – StrengthPortal.comIf you’re a current gym owner (or aspiring to be one) Pat is the shit. Listen to him. The World’s Simplest Nutrition Approach – Tony BonvechioThe K.I.S.S principle applies to pretty much everything. Especially nutrition. (and yes, eat the fucking apple). Did what you just read make your day? Ruin it? Either way, you should share it with your friends and/or comment below.via Blog – Tony Gentilcore http://tonygentilcore.com/2020/06/stuff-to-read-while-youre-stuck-at-home-not-wearing-pants-6-19-20/
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Today, the staff of Freelancers Union is not working in observance of Juneteenth. The holiday marks the date in 1865 when enslaved Black people in Texas were informed of Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, which had been enacted two and a half years earlier. It celebrates the de facto end of agrarian slavery in the United States, but just as importantly, serves as a reminder of the insidious nature of a white supremacist system that held people enslaved for more than two years after they were legally freed. As we continue to confront the facts of that white supremacist system, which has evolved into the modern police and prison state, it’s especially important to mark this date as a day of commemoration, of celebration, and of a continued commitment to anti-racism. As an organization dedicated to equality and fair treatment for all freelance workers, we believe that this act of solidarity is the least we can do, and we stand together with other organizations that have committed to use this day for reflection and a recommitment to actively supporting their Black members. We call on employers across the country to join in the observance of the day and allow their workers to spend the day as they wish. Most states mark Juneteenth as a ceremonial holiday, but until this week, only Texas had made it a paid holiday. Just this week, the governors of New York and Virginia issued executive orders to make the day a paid holiday for state employees, and signaled their intent to make it a permanent state holiday next year. More than 155 years later, it’s long past time for Juneteenth to be a true national holiday. Bills have repeatedly been introduced in Congress over the years, but have never been passed. A petition started by 93-year-old community activist Opal Lee, with more than 300,000 signatures, demands that the federal government finally recognize Juneteenth by adding it to the list of national observances. Sign the petition here. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2020/06/19/celebrating-juneteenth/ |
AuthorI have 5+ years experience working as a medical transcriptionist. When I am not working, I enjoy sports like playing basketball or judo. I love making friends and connections. Archives
April 2023
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