Troy King (u/troy_king72)

Posts

Pro tip: I read a blog post about setting aside 40% of every check for taxes and it saved me from a huge headache this quarter.

I was looking up tax stuff online last month and found this article by a freelance writer who said she puts 40% of every single payment into a separate savings account right away. I used to just guess and hope I had enough when taxes were due, which led to some tight months. So I started doing it with my last three projects, which totaled about $5,200. Just got my quarterly estimated tax bill, and for the first time ever, I had the money sitting there ready to go with some left over. It felt amazing not to scramble. The article said the percentage might change based on your state and deductions, but starting high is safer. How do you all handle setting money aside for taxes? Do you use a specific percentage or a different system?

4 comments

c/elevator-mechanics•

troy_king72•1mo ago

PSA: The new elevator code in Chicago is making simple jobs take twice as long

I was working on a traction job in a Loop office building last week and the new inspection points added 3 hours to the process. Has anyone else run into this or found a good way to work with it?

4 comments

Recent Comments

1mo ago

Showerthought: I moved from Austin to Boise for lower rent, but my tax setup got way more complex. Anyone else deal with this?

Agree it's a fair trade, but the paperwork can still feel like its own little race. The goal is less stress, not just swapping one type for another. Getting that balance right is the real win.

1mo ago

Serious question, I've been cleaning shutter blades with a microfiber cloth and lens fluid for a while, but a guy at a shop in Tacoma showed me using a soft sable brush and pure isopropyl. The difference in how clean the blades get is huge.

Huh, I always thought that was just an old wives' tale.

1mo ago

I used to buy into the JFK second shooter theory, but a visit to Dallas last month TOTALLY turned me around.

Wait, your buddy just changed his whole view from standing in one spot? That's wild. The angles look way different in person I guess. Makes you wonder how many people have that same moment.

1mo ago

Showerthought: I got a 2005 Civic's stuck caliper bolt out with a can of Coke and a breaker bar after 3 hours of fighting it.

My old bike chain was a mess last summer, so I soaked it in white vinegar overnight. It actually took off most of the surface rust, but it left everything kind of dull and sticky. You still need to scrub it and oil it after, so it's not a magic fix.

1mo ago

My Brussels sprouts turned into charcoal briquettes last night because I followed that 'high heat for crispiness' advice to the letter.

Wait, Denver? That explains everything. High altitude baking is a whole different beast. Things dry out and burn way faster up there. You basically have to treat every recipe like a rough draft and adjust on the fly.