Saved By Grace

I woke up at noon today. My alarm clock is thrown out the window now, proverbially speaking.

It's okay. After tax season, a lot of the drivers tend to drop out, when they realize how much they have to pay in taxes, and that they didn't take seriously keeping up with their paperwork and mileage. A lot of drivers depend on apps to do their mileage for them, but those apps don't catch all of it. And, they don't discern which run is for what. So that can work against you.

Last year, I got $300 back. I am hoping to get back more this year.

I had one Uber driver ask me why I wrote my pick-ups and drops addresses down in a notebook. I told him that, "at the end of the day, I log them manually into my Quickbooks"

He asked me why I did that. He said, "You don't have to do that! There are apps out there. I use (whatever app he used)."

I asked him how much he paid in taxes last year. He said, "$5,000".

"I think I will stick to doing it my way." And I told him I got $300 back.

"How did you manage that!" He exclaimed.

I do 5 apps. I keep up with my phone bill, my internet service bill (from when I worked at home), my mileage and all of my insurance and 1099's. I take it all to the tax lady at H&R block, and I let her take care of the rest.

Yes, it costs me to use her, but at least I get money back even after I pay her.

She said if I had figured "all my mileage" last year, I would have gotten a lot more back. I thought I had. So this year, I am especially careful to do that.

This year is a mess though.

And 2022, I lost more than I made, due to vehicle maintenance. 2023 doesn't look too good where that is concerned either, but the mileage way outweighs the maintenance in either year.

I did the math, and by the end of this year, I should have all of my debts paid off, if I keep up the momentum I am doing now that I have my car back.

By the end of next year, 2024, I should have enough in my E-trade account to take care of me so that I don't have to work to pay my bills. I can use my work to fund my ministry more at that point, and I won't HAVE to work near the hours that I do.

That is my goal.

I made nearly $1500 in gains last year that I will have to pay taxes on in my E-trade account. That's not bad, considering I used it all to help me stay afloat.

This morning, I fixed some home-made "Manwich" sandwiches. I made it all from ingredients I have available and hamburger meat. I think I put too much pepper in it, but it is good, none-the-less. I have food to eat when I get home each night, for the next two or three days. I think I am going to freeze some of it so I can save it and not eat the same thing every day in a row.

Yesterday, I had a really good day. It was the first of the month, and the fair is in town. And, it was Saturday. I did nothing but Uber all day, and I made $200 (my goal for the day) and came home.

Today, I plan to do at least one run on all the other apps, then focus Uber and Lyft. I will do that every day to keep all of my apps active so they will be there when I need them - like this last month when I couldn't do Uber and Lyft at all.

If I don't use the apps, eventually, they will close my accounts out and I won't be able to do it without re-signing up. Once the account is closed, I will have to wait 90 days before I can open them again.

I will work until my 16th hour after I wake up, which today is 4 AM, OR, until I make my goal. I set my goal way higher than what I need to make each day in order to cushion me for the days I can't work, and the days I don't make as much.

Yesterday, I made goal in 8 hours.

Lord, I ask You to help me keep working well. Without YOUR hand on my business, I would not be able to pay my bills. It is YOU who brings me the business I do.

Thank You for yesterday. I pray that today is even better, but even if it is not, I am content that it is sufficient for my needs.

Be with my children and my lists.

Lead me, guide me, show me the way, and help me to forgive others as You have forgiven me.

Help me to show others the face of Jesus throughout my day, and help me not be a stumbling block or lead them astray in any way. Let all I do point their way toward YOU, Oh Lord!

In Jesus's Holy Name, I pray, AMEN!

1 Timothy 1:12

“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;”