Posted by James Dawson on 11/13/10 10:07am
Msg #361166

End of year money...

I was just thinking (always ) about the end of the year and payments for work done. I realized that after next week we will probably not see payment ( in general) for work done until after the new year. So now I have to decide if I want to work my butt off the rest of the year so I can pay for it next year or enjoy the rest of the year.

If I remember correctly, Dec was real profitable for me but I didn't like doing signing Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years eve. I don't think it was worth it in the long run, for me.

This post borders on Leisure but I'll qualify it by saying I'd be interested in hearing if some of you are planning on accepting Notary work during that time period. I'm definitely not!

Reply by Teddog/CO on 11/13/10 10:20am
Msg #361169

James,

I think it depends on the person. If it cost you family time and family is first for you then don't do it. Given my location a lot depends on the weather and what time people want sign, needs to be early and no nights durning the holidays. Because we are always a month behind most of us can't afford to miss a month.
There is a lot to consider who knows when this low interest rate "joy ride" will end and we'll come to a screaming stop again. "Make hay while the sun is shining." JMO

Reply by James Dawson on 11/13/10 10:22am
Msg #361172

I Do hear ya! n/m

Reply by Les_CO on 11/13/10 10:32am
Msg #361175

December has never been my best month, but I will take assignments, especially from my good clients. Just put on 4 studded snow tires, so I’m ready.
James if you’re going to take the month off, may I recommend Perth Australia? It’s just getting nice there now. Christmas on the beach…Fun!

Reply by James Dawson on 11/13/10 10:45am
Msg #361178

I'd love to go but besides the fact that the engines are starting to fall off the airbuses, the first class seats are all taken. LOL

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 11/13/10 10:48am
Msg #361179

James, I don't understand why you'd be willing to give

up six to eight weeks' worth of work for 3 days....and just because you may not be paid until the new year? I just don't understand that logic.

I, for one, certainly will be available to work until the end of the year and if there are certain days/times that I'm not available then I'll work around that. And for the most part the companies that are calling me are paying in 2-3 weeks....well before year end.

Reply by James Dawson on 11/13/10 11:22am
Msg #361182

Re: James, I don't understand why you'd be willing to give

Linda, I'm talking about the month of Dec. for sure and definitely that last two weeks of the year. Logic? I am very fortunate, I'm retired with a wonderful annuity coupled with my SS (not signing service LOL) provides me with an income like a full time management job. Family and age also comes into play, yada yada,..that's my logic. Aaaah yes, time to paint is well worth it, it relaxes me. When I need some BIO / STRESS.....NSA. LOL

Reply by SheilaSJCA on 11/13/10 11:37am
Msg #361185

Re: James, I don't understand why you'd be willing to give

I have taken the last 2 wks off to go out of town for the holidays. It is a well deserved vacation and rest, it is so nice to be able to say, (because no matter how good the job sounds), I am not available. period. We all need a real vacation from time to time. Go for it James!

Reply by LKT/CA on 11/13/10 11:46am
Msg #361188

<<<.....accepting Notary work during that time period. I'm definitely not!>>>

General notary work YES!! I made GOOD money last year on all the major holidays, especially Christmas. Someone wanted to take their kids to see an inmate on Christmas and needed a permission letter from the other parent and they happened to be several cities away. New Years I had another good one at a hospital...needed four signatures notarized and again, a few cities away. Had one on Thanksgiving but can't remember the details.

No loan signings but definitely general notary work on the holidays.

Reply by Linda Juenger on 11/13/10 11:54am
Msg #361191

I take all I can in Dec. It pays my cc bill in Jan. I am taking Wed before Thanksgiving off. Have too, I have turkeys to cook. There will be 42 of us this year.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 11/13/10 11:58am
Msg #361193

44 Linda...we're on our way...:) n/m

Reply by Linda Juenger on 11/13/10 12:28pm
Msg #361197

Re: 44 Linda...we're on our way...:)

would love to have u. come on up.

Reply by James Dawson on 11/13/10 3:00pm
Msg #361211

Yea, I'd probably do that.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 11/13/10 1:08pm
Msg #361200

For me, the prospect of fewer checks for Jan's bills

outweighs the minor inconveniences of working during the Holdiays. But, by the same token, Dad and I don't have much company over the Hollydays, so it's very different than for families with tons of visiting and holidaying.

We never know what life will bring, so I can sure empathize (sp?) with, and support, family/friends time, extended family/friends time, "it's been way to long, so glad to see you again" family/friends time.

I can't believe Thanksgiving is almost here. Gobblegobble?

Reply by jba/fl on 11/13/10 1:30pm
Msg #361202

For years I have just wanted the entire time from

Thanksgiving through New Years off - free to do as I wish: decorating, baking, visiting, having visitors - your convenience would be at my convenience.

Everything goes into the bank. If I don't need it this month, it goes to savings. Then start process all over: everything to bank, unneeded to savings. Then when my big time comes, pull from savings what I might need when I need it. I will be pulling some from savings soon-just like any business I will spend end of yr.

I will do some work - at my convenience.

Good for you James - (raising my margarita): Salut! Cheers! Family! Enjoy while you can, it is not about money.

Reply by Mike Goodey on 11/13/10 3:24pm
Msg #361215

I don't mind workin holidays if possible.
Where are you located? I'm in so calif.

Reply by Jessica Ward on 11/14/10 10:22am
Msg #361247

December was my strongest month of last winter, and so far November has been kind of slow for me, so I'll take assignments for all but Christmas Day. Any money is good money, IMHO. That said, I'm not taking closings from unknown clients or fire drill assignments that turn up at the last minute. (Something is always wrong with those). Holidays are stressful enough without all that.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 11/14/10 11:30am
Msg #361258

The only thing I am planning to do is not work on Christmas or New Years Days, and on the Eve's I will limit my travel area to my zip code and will stop working at 12 Noon because the traffic will be horrendous and any loan signing will just NOT be worth it to go out into that mess. I might extend that to the day before the Eve's as well.

I also take the day before Thanksgiving off every year because I am with family. I do get calls for that day every year and I do lose out on income, but sometimes you just gotta' do it.

Reply by James Dawson on 11/14/10 12:26pm
Msg #361262

Last year I did one late Xmas eve, I felt special, like Santa ha ha. I think the job was getting to me. This year, bah humbug! LOL

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 11/14/10 1:09pm
Msg #361264

Re: End of year money...well, one saving grace I have

My husband's birthday is Christmas Eve - and his sister is 12/21, so we're out of town with relatives for both a Christmas AND birthday celebration....

I'm with Linda - I don't like working the *eves* - especially New Year's Eve - in fact we don't go anywhere on New Year's Eve - I feel safer that way...

But all other days of the month? I'm ready...

Reply by James Dawson on 11/14/10 2:41pm
Msg #361267

Re: End of year money...well, one saving grace I have

Hey, my oldest is 12/24 (she'll be 49).

Reply by MichiganAl on 11/14/10 4:14pm
Msg #361275

I'm available

I find that it is very beneficial to my business to be available when others aren't. Some companies remember that you were there when others weren't. I also find that I usually pick up a new client during the holidays. Their regulars aren't available so they call someone further down their list. I then show them how wonderful I am, and maybe they add me to their regular rotation in the future. I'll take time off some other time (Well, in theory. I can't remember what time of is actually like.)

Reply by JanetK_CA on 11/14/10 4:29pm
Msg #361276

Ditto! Working all through the holidays. n/m

Reply by MW/VA on 11/15/10 1:33pm
Msg #361406

November & December have usually been very busy months. Yes, it can get hectic through the holidays. It goes with the biz. When deciding if you're going to work the holidays, it might be good to access if this is a biz or a hobby for you. Most of us work when we're needed.