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Comments
I think what he actually said was, "Which one of you greenpeas wants to sell me a car today, for a real skinny?"
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I said I would give them the excellent, I think they really did as much as they could, and went out of their way to be extra nice.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Most of the public does not realize how much of their own money teachers use to spend on their students and their classrooms. When I was an undergrad, one of the TA's in a class told us that she figured on spending about $200 per year (in 1977). I don't think I ever got down that low though. I spent much less as an administrator... no classroom to constantly decorate, no art materials to buy, etc.
Not every business pays for training but it was always rare for a school to pay for the required training of teachers, advanced degrees, etc.
Another interesting thing about getting paid for 180, 185, 190, or however many days is that there are no paid days of vacation. Unless a district has some sort of personal leave, if a teacher wants to attend something during a school day, they either have to lie and take a sick day or be docked a day's pay. If a contract is for 185 days, 1/185th is a hefty chunk out of that salary.
And for those who like to compare business and education, you might like this story:
Jamie Vollmer
I didn't know it but the ’05 XG350 is a “smart car” too. A few months ago while driving it I noticed an icon that looked like a light bulb. I had no idea what that meant until I looked in the owner’s manual and it said a light was out. It was the right rear tail light. I don’t think the Genny is that far advanced but I’ll have to wait and see for sure.
...so to please give them an excellent when I got the survey.
I get tired of hearing that. Like when the audio for the radio/information system went out on the Genny, then reset itself like I told about a month ago; they mentioned that I’d get a survey and they wanted a 10 even though they couldn’t find the problem at that time. Since they offered to wash the car when I first pulled it in but when I said, “only if you have a touchless system” and they said they didn’t but they listened to me by not washing the car, I felt that was worth a 10.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
That's twice now that we've heard that. This is what Richard said in post 65790:
A teacher must keep teachng that child, hoping for a positive outcome.
I guess he knows what he's talking about.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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I concur. Most of teachers my kids have had send a note home before the holidays advising parents that teacher gifts are not necessary but a Staples gift card would be most appreciated if they had planned on doing anything. Two years ago my company was throwing away about 500 4" D ring binders that weren't up to date. I asked the school if they wanted any and they took them all. Those binders with our company name are all over the district. If they had to buy them they'd run about $2000.
I didn't want to be the cause of losing antoehr salesperson though.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Another story that just popped into my mind happened years ago on the last day of school when I was still in the classroom. I went out to lunch with my colleagues at a local Mexican restaurant where we all paid for our own lunches. The staff members who were leaving our school got a clipboard with their name that someone had written on it. These were all purchased with donations from the rest of us.
After lunch, I drove to the Salish Lodge on Snoqualmie Falls, a fancy place, to meet my wife and her work colleagues. Their little division paid for overnight accommodations, a mulit-course meal that involved more silverware and glasses per setting than I had in my whole kitchen, and breakfast the next morning.
At the fancy dinner, their top people got free trips to Hawaii and other nice gifts. Even the receptionist got a very nice gift for her desk. Quite an eye-opening experience. :surprise:
To this I wish to say three things.
1.) When I was in school when we needed supplies we were sent home with a list of things to bring to class.
2.) When my kids were in school and needed supplies they came home with a list of supplies to bring to class.
3.) At times I do taxes for teachers and those supplies are tax deductable, you would be surprised at how little is claimed.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
I am glad I am not doing that crap anymore.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Yep, parents need to buy most basic supplies. Teachers pay for lots of extras, especially elementary teachers. Art stuff, room decorations, supplemental books and teaching aids, etc.
The tax deductions (based on a percentage) weren't available when I was in the classroom. Sigh. But they were long overdue and much appreciated by teachers I know.
We have teachers that come to our book sales for the public. Because of cutbacks teachers do not have book allowances any more and they don't get reimbursed. Several teachers will buy $50 to $100 worth of books, and pay for them themselves.
I really feel for these teachers, they are so dedicated they will pay for the books from their own pay.
I don't think they are set up to claim the books as an expense, and I doubt it woud cross their minds it is a business expense they could claim.
Teachers don't operaste in that kind of world, so they wouldn't think to tell their accountant to claim it.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
A halfway decent tax accountant would ask a teacher if they had that expense. Thats what a tax accountant does, they ask the questions to probe if someone has certain things that they can deduct.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
I would imagine there are very few occupations that folks don't have to spend that much for their jobs on their own.
But the teacher doesn't realize buying kids books would be considered a business expense...depends on how you ask.
If you ask do you have any business expenses they probably won't think of buying books as an expense. If you specifically ask did you buy books for your students, they will say yes I did.
I have been a teacher and I have been a self-employed business person...it is a totally different world. A business person will claim anything and everything they possibly can, a teacher doesn't think in those terms.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I don't think too many employees pay a few hundred dollars for supplies for their work, from their own pocket.
Once I worked for a large company and I had to go to a specialty office supply store and buy $18 worth of markers. I made 2 trips of about 10 miles each time and bought the markers....and I put the receipt on the desk of the company accountant to reimburse me.
I went back to my desk. 15 minutes later I heard the high heels of this 6 foot 2 in company accountant (she was female) pounding down the hall right up to my desk.
She started yelling at me that I paid cash and didn't use the company credit account and I missed getting the 15% discount. I reached in my pocket and said if the president of the company needed the money so badly here's $5 (he is a multi-millionaire). She said I had to go back to the store and get the 15% discount. I spent more on gas than what the company saved, and I did it on my own lunch hour.
I still think most teachers or salaried people wouldn't think of deducting work related expenses, unless specifically asked.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
It doesn't matter what the teacher thinks, any decent tax accountant will ask what someone does for a living. When the teacher replies that they are a teacher that accountant will ask questions specific to teaching. They will ask if that teacher bought any school supplies and/or books for their classes.
They won't just ask if they have business expenses, they will ask for specific items for that profession.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Driver is correct. Most teachers don't operate in a business mode. They just think of ways to teach and to reach the children. When I did seminars for teachers, they were always surprised when I gave them a list of educational expenses for tax deductions. Snake is also correct. My CPA would always say, "Now let's see all of those nice deductions for being a teacher---did you buy a computer or software this year? Did you take any courses? Where are the tickets for your store purchases?"
As for parental donations, I was truly blessed. Parents would donate a flatbed to decorate for a parade, bake a cake for a picnic, send me crayons and pencils, etc. One gift stands out in my mind particularly. I so wanted two rocking chairs for my classroom to use for my psychology classes. i went to a local furniture store to make the purchase. The owner said that he would look in his warehouse and see if he had something that I could use. When I arrived at school the next morning, two beautiful rocking chairs tied in bright red bows were waiting for me in the main office. The attached card read: "Enjoy this small gift from a grateful parent." I had taught his two children many years earlier. I nearly cried. I used those rocking chairs for several years, and passed them on to my successor when I moved to my new position at the board of education. Parents are usually very supportive of your efforts.
Richard
OK, I will take your word for it. What percentage of teachers take their taxes to an accountant? I thought for most teachers their taxes were pretty straight forward and they could be done easily by Block, or a computer program. When I taught I did my taxes myself the old fashioned way, before computers, and it was so straight forward, it was about as easy as a tax form could be to do.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I do know that I sold a lot of cars to educators through the years, and most were very pleasant to work with. (Trying to keep this somewhat on topic.)
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Mostly elementary school teacher from Kindergarten to Grade 5 or 6. Mostly story books the kids can read, probably if their regular work is done.
High school teachers do not buy books for their students...maybe that is why most of the teachers the accountants see don't have receipts for books, mainly they don't buy them.
Generally, elementary school teachers have budgets cut and it is very difficult to get board money to buy books. I don't think most elementary school teachers think in terms of tax write offs from their work. That is just my observation and experience.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Most textbooks are purchased by the school district but supplemental books, activity books, books directed at teachers, and classroom story books are purchased using a teacher's own money.
Many elementary teachers have a library of children's books they have purchased for their classrooms. I know some middle school and high school language arts teachers who have done the same.
I try to contact the teacher for the upcoming year before school begins to ask for the list. It's the usual stuff: paper towels, tissue, hand soap, old shirts for smocks, hand sanitizer. Usually each child is asked to bring in one in September. Our district rarely asks for office supplies.
I'll offer to go the BJ's and pick up 30 rolls of paper towels and bring them in to eliminate that request - it costs me about $25. The best was when I had a couple of cases of t-shirts from a company we no longer represented - off to school they went for art smocks.
As for taxes, I think most teachers either wouldn't spend enough to qualify to deduct or just don't think of it.
MA holds the buyer directly responsible for the tax. I would imagine a dealer may collect the tax from the buyer as a convenience. But, at the end of the day, the buyer is directly responsible.
From what I've read about their tax code, it doesn't look like they make any sort of allowance or credit for trade-ins. In short, you pay tax on the full amount the car cost, regardless of trade-in's value.
I'm sure an accountant will correct me if I'm wrong.
Here are the pertinent parts of the MA tax explanation.....
Payment of the Tax
Every purchaser of a motor vehicle, trailer or other vehicle, who is required to register or title the vehicle in Massachusetts, must, within ten days following the date of purchase, transfer or use of such vehicle within Massachusetts, file Form RMV-1, Application for Title and Registration and pay any applicable sales or use tax to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles.
General Rules
Effective August 1, 2009, under Massachusetts sales and use tax provisions, the purchaser, transferee or user having title to or possession of a motor vehicle is directly responsible for the payment of the 6.25% sales or 6.25% use tax. (Prior to August 1, 2009, the sales/use tax rate was 5 percent.) The sales tax, which is imposed by Massachusetts General Laws chapter 64H, applies to transfers of title or possession through retail sales by Massachusetts dealers or lessors in the regular course of business. The use tax, which is imposed by Massachusetts General Laws chapter 64I, applies to all other types of transfers of title or possession where the vehicle transferred is thereafter stored, used, or otherwise consumed in Massachusetts.
Calculation of the Tax:
The sales tax rate is 6.25% of the sales price if the sale is made by a motor vehicle dealer or lessor registered with the Department of Revenue. If the motor vehicle is sold in a casual and isolated sales transaction, however, the use tax rate is 6.25% of the actual amount paid for the vehicle or the average trade-in value (book value) of the vehicle, whichever is greater.
Richard
Too bad y'all don't live closer, she'd give an Edmunds rate to everyone in here!
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
Richard
Richard
Now Windham County, CT - next to RI is cheaper to live in. Median home price is $150,000 but median household income is $58,000.
In general - the southwestern corner of the state is brutally expensive but most populated with COL getting cheaper as the state spreads northeast.
Heck, there are people who live in Windham County and commute to Worcester and Boston, MA because it's reasonable.
I’m one of the lucky ones, because I never felt abused.
I used to think the world was coming to an end when I worked more than 45 hours a week on a regular basis. I was always a salaried employee and when management knew they wanted you to work overtime for an extended period of time (month or more) they always asked (that was just a courtesy, we knew what we had to do) but we were paid straight time for the overtime. Sure, there were plenty of times that I worked more than an 8 hour day but that was my decision and it didn’t last very long on a regular basis. Don’t get me wrong, I never dropped my pencil and left at the normal quitting time but I didn’t live at the office either. Now I’m back at my former place of employment as a consultant and I have it better now than when I worked full time for this outfit.
Now a word about supplies:
When I went to school we were never asked to bring supplies to school. That was always provided by the school district both Pittsburgh Public Schools, through 8th grade, and the suburban school district that my family move to after that. I raised my family in the same suburb that we moved to and I don’t ever remember being asked to provide supplies for my sons but our school taxes were known to be among the highest in the state so that probably explains that. As for supplies at work, same thing, we always had plenty of those to do our job. Although we were asked not to “raid” the supply cabinet unnecessarily. What got me was in late August when I went to get something it always seemed a little bare. In my early days when I complained to the secretary, I’d usually get the response, “what do you expect? School is starting soon”. Now that takes a lot of you know what because I knew for a fact that these people were paid pretty well. A little later when some of these people worked for me (we shared the supply cabinet between a few groups and we all pitched in with budget money) the problem wasn’t nearly as bad. I wonder why?
Like I said, “I’m one of the lucky ones” and I have lived a sheltered life compared to what I’ve heard on this site.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I did have fun though & would love to be in the market for me but after driving my Civic back home, it still put a smile on my face. Felt better after that!
Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
I think I would have to, and didn't resist on a vehicle purchase in the past, but that would be a sales story and we can't have any of that in here
Funny thing - back in the day our Catholic school tuition was $15. However, we needed the official school uniforms (all but the tie you could buy elsewhere as long as it exactly matched what they sold through the school. They would vary between brands as to what constituted an officially acceptable fountain pen (if you had a Waterman the official pen was a Shaeffer and vice versa). The official ink color would do the same thing varying between permanent blue-black and washable blue. I suspect the eventual acceptance of washable blue was from a mothers' revolt). Until I was in maybe 6th grade cartridge pens were frowned upon. Again I suspect that angry mothers led the drive to them being acceptable.
If you had a ball point pen you were going to hell along with all the Protestants at the school across the street.
I don’t know how far of a commute that is but convenience enters into the equation at some point, at least it did for me. I chose to live close by to where I worked (less than 4 miles). Actually, the company decided to build their new office where I grew up but there were some I worked with who drove about an hour each way to and from work because they didn’t like the taxes in the community where I lived and worked. They always pointed to the taxes. One day when I was asked why I was willing to put up with that I said, “I’m home in no time. Always have time to get to the kids activities. I don’t burn up a car and gas going to and from work. I’ve lived here since 9th grade and you can’t beat the school system, as long as you’re willing to pay for it. Everything I want is here; parents, work, shopping, restaurants, medical care, you name it. It’s all within this community and I just plain like it here. I’ve heard you guys say plenty of times that you always seem to be here shopping or going to the doctor/dentist, so why do you want to spend so much of your time coming here when you could already be here”?
Two of the guys in my group moved to my community within a year and a couple moved to an adjoining community at about the same time. I think a light went on.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Saturday our hours of operation are 7:30 AM - Noon. Usually I leave around 1:00 PM.
Then again, My Dad is the boss & my name's on the door.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Sometimes those figures aren't a true picture of what happens. When they gave those figures out in our district, they included head office salaries too.
They would also do this with how many kids were in a classroom. By the boards calculations there were about 20 kids in a Grade 3 class. The real count was 34 in my class, because they are counting the people with desk jobs as instructors. I think you have to look at what those salary numbers really mean.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
The Elantra has been getting great reviews;
Autospies.com, one of the highest ranked automotive information sites, named the 2011 Hyundai Elantra “Car of the Year.” In selecting Elantra as “Car of the Year”, the Autospies.com editors reference the Elantra’s “hybrid-like mileage of 40 mpg highway, gorgeous styling not even known in the compact category until now and acres of interior room with gorgeous fit and finish” as “changing the paradigm in its segment.”
“Hyundai has single-handedly changed the compact car segment by creating the first ‘premium’ compact that is affordable to the masses,” said Donald Buffamanti, founder of leading automotive social media site, AutoSpies.com.
Doubt if any windows break in a BMW when using them normally. And the doors must need lubricating, they almost close themselves. In fact, if you get a new 7 Series they do close themselves......but who needs that!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
That is funny, and it brings back memories I had forgotten. Like ink wells and dipping the girl who sat in front of me's pigtails into the inkwell.
Straight pens and good old leaky fountain and cartridge pens. Forgot how far we have progressed.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
You're forgiven but not for sending the Protestants to hell. :sick:
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Actually it was interesting in a very strange way. Vatican II happened when I was in fifth and sixth grade. One day the Protestants were all going to hell. The next day they were saying they might one day declare Martin Luther a saint.
I learned the full Latin mass in altar boy class and then never used it. I got the daily morning mass the week they were rebuilding the altar to face the congregation. Every morning I came in it looked different. Fortunately the priest who drew that assignment was the one really nice guy we had at the time and basically said "it's all new to me, too."
I remember the old adage was "give me a boy until he's 12 and I'll give you a Catholic for life." Didn't work for me and a couple of my brothers. Two of my brothers are kind of "there's something beyond what we can see and touch" but not so specific. I reached the point where they were declaring infallible things that I just couldn't agree were true so we moved over an aisle - we're Episcopalian.
I just don't understand why a religion would do this...period!
The Sandman :confuse: :sick: :shades:
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
Yeah, while they didn't, in my memory, pull the Christ killers card in as many words they planted the seed that I could see would grow with some kids. Odd fact - the mayor of our town when I was in later elementary school was Jewish. Very good mayor and so popular that when he was up for re-election the Republicans declined to nominate an opponent. Basically said "Mayor Gelman is doing a great job. We salute him." Well, Izzy (Isadore) had a heart attack and was in the hospital. The nun that taught that year told us we should pray for him EVEN THOUGH he was Jewish.
I could go one forever about my dislikes of Catholic schools. All sorts of issues and it didn't necessarily matter if you had a nun or a lay teacher. The lay teacher I had in fifth grade who seemed relatively OK and was the only teacher I had who said if you got 100 on all your tests she'd give you 100 on your report card. I did that for a couple of subjects one marking period (ironically one was for religion). Anyway, the next year they moved her to third grade. I have no memory of her hitting a kid but word spread very quickly that when teaching third grade if she caught a kid in behavior that she found bad enough, she'd haul out her chair, bring the kid up, turn him or her over her knee and spank the daylights out of them. There was a nun who would take them out in the hallway for that - she was teaching seventh graders!
The one thing I learned, which is a lousy thing to teach, was to keep my head down and keep quiet. Ugh.