How to Keep Your Paychecks Safe and Secure – Avoid These Mistakes

[00:00:00] Kundenservice kontaktieren? Für viele Menschen ist das der beste Weg, einen schönen Tag zu ruinieren.

[00:00:06] Aber bei Zendesk sorgen wir für eine bessere Customer Experience. Besser für die Großmutter, besser für die Floristin, besser für den jungen Mann in Hausnummer 3a, besser für sie, besser für alle.

[00:00:17] Denn während einige behaupten, dass der Kunde immer Recht hat, sagen wir, dass KundInnen immer Menschen sind. Und da wir auch Menschen sind, wollen wir etwas Gutes für uns alle tun.

[00:00:26] Zendesk. Customer Experience mit KI für Menschen gemacht.

[00:00:29] Welcome back, folks. We are episode 47 as we approach our first year, right?

[00:00:37] Yeah, technically.

[00:00:39] Technically our first year of recording.

[00:00:41] Of recording.

[00:00:42] Yeah.

[00:00:43] I feel like it's gone.

[00:00:45] Well, it's been technically.

[00:00:45] Because of the bonus stuff, right?

[00:00:47] Yeah, because of the lost tapes and the bonus.

[00:00:49] Oh, yeah.

[00:00:50] Which kind of did it there.

[00:00:52] But yeah, folks, this is, it's about your paycheck now.

[00:00:55] I forgot to flip my thing, but Waltz is up still.

[00:00:59] Yep.

[00:01:00] And before we get into it, what's up?

[00:01:02] How you been, sir?

[00:01:03] I'm good, man.

[00:01:04] I'm just another day, another dollar, another.

[00:01:07] How about you?

[00:01:08] Yes, sir.

[00:01:09] I'm good, man.

[00:01:10] I was like getting over a cold and like, yeah, right?

[00:01:14] The weather change always does it.

[00:01:16] There's a little cough and a little throw action.

[00:01:19] That's exactly what I had to.

[00:01:20] And folks, we're not in the same state, so we didn't give it to each other.

[00:01:23] I ain't over there coughing all over, bro.

[00:01:26] Exactly.

[00:01:28] Exactly.

[00:01:29] Oh, that's why I'm like talking.

[00:01:31] And I'm like, man, wait a minute.

[00:01:35] Excuse me.

[00:01:35] Yeah, my girlfriend actually gave it to me.

[00:01:37] She's the one that got me sick, yeah.

[00:01:40] Sorry.

[00:01:40] Feel better, nay.

[00:01:43] So, yeah, man.

[00:01:44] So, yeah.

[00:01:45] Let's get right into it.

[00:01:46] All right.

[00:01:47] What do we got for a news update today?

[00:01:49] Mine's going to be short and sweet.

[00:01:50] As I'm sure a lot of you who are listening to this podcast have heard, the TikTok ban is still in full effect.

[00:01:58] Yeah.

[00:01:58] It's pending to go in effect in January of 2025.

[00:02:03] So, the platform's last hope is a Supreme Court appeal.

[00:02:07] Oh, is that what it is?

[00:02:08] Yeah.

[00:02:09] I figured there would be something.

[00:02:11] I'm like, because I heard it today or yesterday, and I was like, whoa, this sounds serious.

[00:02:16] This sounds like they're not playing.

[00:02:19] And what's up?

[00:02:20] So, look, I don't know if you saw the interview that President-elect Trump did the other day.

[00:02:25] I didn't.

[00:02:25] But he was talking about the TikTok ban.

[00:02:28] Okay.

[00:02:29] The moderator or the person who questioned him brought up TikTok and said, he was like, hey, TikTok helped me out a lot during my campaign.

[00:02:38] So, he said, I want to save it, but it needs to be sold to a U.S. company or something like that.

[00:02:44] He's not having the Chinese owners.

[00:02:46] Yeah.

[00:02:48] So, man, look.

[00:02:50] I don't know what's going to happen.

[00:02:51] The reason I picked this also is because, speaking to the employee, some of the listeners may actually be self-employed, and they get a lot of their earnings from TikTok or social media in general.

[00:03:03] Period.

[00:03:03] Yeah.

[00:03:04] They might be a content creator or whatever.

[00:03:06] And if they're a content creator, one of their streams has got to be TikTok.

[00:03:09] I would imagine.

[00:03:10] You know what I'm saying?

[00:03:11] And I think they should be concerned, too, because what's going to happen?

[00:03:14] And if this becomes a lengthy fight, are they going to ban TikTok and the next thing they won't be able to access it in the U.S.?

[00:03:20] You know?

[00:03:21] I don't know.

[00:03:21] What's going to happen?

[00:03:22] What I think is, if it actually goes through, I think two things.

[00:03:27] One, something's going to save it.

[00:03:29] Something's going to save it because it's so much money on the line.

[00:03:35] Two, if it goes down, something else is going to rise in its place.

[00:03:39] Yeah.

[00:03:40] Elon Musk.

[00:03:40] Pretty much.

[00:03:41] What's that?

[00:03:42] Elon Musk.

[00:03:43] Oh, does he have something?

[00:03:44] I don't know.

[00:03:45] I'm just saying.

[00:03:46] Oh.

[00:03:46] But I think as content creators, because we don't make our living off of content creation, but we actually, we're trying.

[00:03:53] We do get followers because of our content creation.

[00:03:56] So we need to be looking at what's the alternative and going there now.

[00:04:02] Yeah.

[00:04:02] Just in case.

[00:04:04] Just in case.

[00:04:05] You know?

[00:04:06] So, yeah.

[00:04:09] Because this came up prior years, but I don't know if it's been as serious as they've been talking about it this year.

[00:04:18] We'll see.

[00:04:18] You got me thinking about just in case.

[00:04:20] What was that?

[00:04:20] Jaheim?

[00:04:21] Yeah.

[00:04:22] So when you started harmonizing, I was like, the song started playing in my head, too.

[00:04:27] All right, man.

[00:04:27] What you got for us, bro?

[00:04:29] Man.

[00:04:30] Speaking of music.

[00:04:31] Speaking of music.

[00:04:32] Beautiful segue.

[00:04:34] Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg are about to drop a new album together.

[00:04:39] What?

[00:04:40] Produced 100% by Dre.

[00:04:43] They got some features for sure on there.

[00:04:45] Other artists.

[00:04:45] But, bro, I heard Drink Champs actually debuted, I think, three or four tracks.

[00:04:53] Oh, wow.

[00:04:53] Yeah.

[00:04:54] But it's only on YouTube because the Drink Champ audio hasn't dropped yet.

[00:04:59] It'll probably drop for.

[00:05:00] I think they're lining it up with the album drop.

[00:05:04] Wow.

[00:05:06] Because they play four tracks in the show.

[00:05:11] And, but if you, you can watch it on YouTube already.

[00:05:14] So it'll be too late by the time this show drops.

[00:05:17] But I saw that today, this morning.

[00:05:22] I think it was this morning I was watching.

[00:05:23] The last night.

[00:05:24] Tracks are incredible.

[00:05:26] Nice.

[00:05:27] Bro.

[00:05:27] Incredible.

[00:05:28] And there's one track on Spotify already.

[00:05:30] I forgot what it's called.

[00:05:32] But there's one.

[00:05:33] It's Snoop Dogg.

[00:05:33] The name of the album is Missionary.

[00:05:36] And it's, bro, the track is crazy.

[00:05:39] The three other tracks that they put out, crazy.

[00:05:43] Man.

[00:05:44] What was dope?

[00:05:45] West Coast's gonna do the thing, right?

[00:05:46] West Coast's doing that thing.

[00:05:47] What was dope, too, to see is that you could see Snoop and Dre still vibe.

[00:05:54] They were still getting excited by the music.

[00:05:56] Yeah.

[00:05:56] You know, they were still, they're still hip-hop lovers.

[00:05:59] They're still fans of the art.

[00:06:01] And I don't see Dre a lot.

[00:06:03] I haven't seen Snoop.

[00:06:04] Everybody sees Snoop.

[00:06:05] He's everywhere.

[00:06:06] He's worldwide.

[00:06:08] Household name.

[00:06:09] But Dre, you don't really see that much.

[00:06:12] So it was cool to see him still.

[00:06:13] He was like dancing to his.

[00:06:14] They're both lip-syncing it.

[00:06:16] What's up?

[00:06:17] Bro.

[00:06:17] And that brings me back to our episode from last week that we posted from Mark Mears.

[00:06:23] How we have purpose and passion.

[00:06:25] And you and Mark said they're the same thing.

[00:06:27] And so when you were describing that, I was just hearing you and Mark in my head, like saying,

[00:06:32] And that's what Snoop and Dre, that's their purpose, man.

[00:06:37] I think he, Dre even says something to that effect.

[00:06:40] Like when you find something that you're passionate, he uses the words, bro, it's resonating in my life for sure right now is finding that purpose.

[00:06:51] Right?

[00:06:52] And I've been talking to Walt about it.

[00:06:54] I've been going through it.

[00:06:55] Not that I don't have purpose, but articulating it is something different.

[00:07:02] Right?

[00:07:02] I was surprised.

[00:07:04] I'm not going to say what it was at all.

[00:07:05] I don't even remember it all.

[00:07:06] But I know the gist.

[00:07:07] I asked Walt.

[00:07:08] I was like, Walt, do you know your purpose?

[00:07:10] Whoa.

[00:07:10] Walt hit me back with a little mini paragraph.

[00:07:13] And I was like, oh, snap.

[00:07:14] I didn't expect you to come back so quickly.

[00:07:17] You knew it.

[00:07:18] You know it.

[00:07:19] And we never had that conversation.

[00:07:21] And it's crazy to, wow, should we go on a decade of knowing each other?

[00:07:26] Yeah.

[00:07:27] And we've never really had that conversation.

[00:07:31] Yeah.

[00:07:32] Because, bro, because I haven't thought about it.

[00:07:36] And folks, it's on this platform as well.

[00:07:40] The episode with Mark Mears, if you hadn't listened to it yet, it's absolutely worth the listen.

[00:07:45] Go read the book.

[00:07:46] If you're a reader, if you're a content consumer, go listen to it.

[00:07:50] He did the audio.

[00:07:51] He has a book.

[00:07:52] It's a great read.

[00:07:54] I'm like 10 chapters in.

[00:07:58] And again, I'm still.

[00:08:00] And Walt asked me right away, oh, well, what's yours?

[00:08:02] And I was like, I'm still.

[00:08:03] I don't know.

[00:08:05] But I think it's based in teaching.

[00:08:07] Right?

[00:08:07] Because this is what gets me excited.

[00:08:09] Sharing information with folks.

[00:08:12] Helping.

[00:08:12] If I give somebody a little nugget that helped them in something.

[00:08:16] Minor to major.

[00:08:17] That gives me joy.

[00:08:18] That's why I feel like it's rooted.

[00:08:20] But I don't really know.

[00:08:22] You know what I mean?

[00:08:23] I haven't articulated it.

[00:08:25] Absolutely.

[00:08:25] When I was watching the episode with Dre on it.

[00:08:28] And they were talking.

[00:08:29] It just emanated from them.

[00:08:31] To see.

[00:08:32] And that's why he's so successful.

[00:08:34] Because he's doing something he loves.

[00:08:37] Yeah.

[00:08:37] Go check the album.

[00:08:38] It's dope if you're a hip-hop fan.

[00:08:39] And honestly, if you're a music fan, you need to check it out.

[00:08:43] Because they, I'll give, hopefully, they did a track with Sting.

[00:08:48] They did a track with Jelly Roll.

[00:08:51] Oh, wow.

[00:08:52] They did.

[00:08:52] Oh, man.

[00:08:52] What was the other one that?

[00:08:54] It was some others.

[00:08:55] They're not just.

[00:08:55] It's not just boom bap hip-hop.

[00:08:58] It's not Snoop Dogg 20 years ago.

[00:09:00] This is Snoop and Dre on some new shit.

[00:09:04] Oh, wow.

[00:09:05] They saw something amazing.

[00:09:07] And they said they sent the track to Sting for clearance.

[00:09:11] Because they were using.

[00:09:12] And how crazy.

[00:09:14] He came back at them and said, yo, you want me to be on the track?

[00:09:18] Wow.

[00:09:19] How crazy.

[00:09:20] Like, amazing.

[00:09:21] Like, what?

[00:09:21] Yeah.

[00:09:22] Oh, Tom Petty.

[00:09:23] They got another track.

[00:09:24] Wow.

[00:09:25] And they got it cleared from Tom Petty's family.

[00:09:28] Like, yo, I'm telling you that the album is going to be crazy.

[00:09:31] I'm going to be listening to it all weekend.

[00:09:33] Yeah.

[00:09:33] Yeah.

[00:09:35] Drops Friday, December 13th.

[00:09:37] So, I'll definitely be listening.

[00:09:38] This episode is going to drop next week.

[00:09:40] But it'll be right after it drops.

[00:09:43] So, if you haven't heard it yet, y'all need to go listen to it.

[00:09:45] Nice.

[00:09:46] So, yeah.

[00:09:47] Thanks, man.

[00:09:48] And before we.

[00:09:49] We're talking about.

[00:09:50] By the way.

[00:09:50] We're talking about year end.

[00:09:52] And what employees and folks that got jobs and stuff.

[00:09:56] What can we do?

[00:09:58] What do we need to do right now as the year is ending?

[00:10:01] What are the things that we need to be mindful about?

[00:10:04] You know.

[00:10:06] For our finances.

[00:10:07] For our paychecks.

[00:10:08] For just tidying up house cleaning and housekeeping and things like that.

[00:10:13] But before we get into it.

[00:10:15] Let's pay some bills.

[00:10:16] Shout out to TimeTrack Go.

[00:10:18] Yep.

[00:10:18] If you're tired of using messy.

[00:10:21] Doing messy timesheets.

[00:10:23] And having to clock in complicated softwares and systems.

[00:10:27] Tell your employer about TimeTrack Go.

[00:10:30] Because it's an intuitive solution.

[00:10:33] That makes managing employee hours simple and efficient.

[00:10:37] But don't take our word for it.

[00:10:39] Customers have given TimeTrack Go.

[00:10:41] A 4.7 out of 5 on Capterra.

[00:10:44] And they've been awarded badges for best ease of use.

[00:10:47] And best customer support.

[00:10:50] Right?

[00:10:50] So ease of use is good for us as employees.

[00:10:53] And the customer support is good for the employer.

[00:10:56] Go ahead and send this to your employer.

[00:10:58] Send this to your HR.

[00:10:59] Send it to your payroll.

[00:11:00] And here's something that.

[00:11:03] Here's some of the things that the customers are saying.

[00:11:06] Great value.

[00:11:07] Right?

[00:11:07] Good for your employer.

[00:11:09] Best clock in app on the market.

[00:11:12] Good for us.

[00:11:12] Best, right?

[00:11:14] Great time clock for the modern office.

[00:11:17] Good for us.

[00:11:18] And your employer.

[00:11:19] Intuitive and efficient.

[00:11:20] Good for us.

[00:11:22] Simple to use.

[00:11:23] Good for us.

[00:11:24] Priced right.

[00:11:25] Good for your employer.

[00:11:26] And the customer support is awesome.

[00:11:29] And that's good for both of us.

[00:11:30] Because if we have issues.

[00:11:32] One, we could reach out to them.

[00:11:33] Or we can reach out to our team.

[00:11:35] And they're going to be able to get supported.

[00:11:37] And get the issues fixed quick.

[00:11:39] Man, that sounds like you want to have a lifelong relationship with somebody.

[00:11:43] Like an organization like TimeTrack Go.

[00:11:45] Based on all these things.

[00:11:47] Yep.

[00:11:47] Great value.

[00:11:48] All the things you talk about.

[00:11:49] Priced right.

[00:11:50] Simple to use.

[00:11:51] Great customer support.

[00:11:52] Come on.

[00:11:53] What more could you ask for?

[00:11:54] Yeah.

[00:11:55] Yeah.

[00:11:55] So to learn more about a simply better solution for time tracking.

[00:11:59] Real-time reporting.

[00:12:01] PTO automation.

[00:12:02] Payroll integrations.

[00:12:03] And more.

[00:12:05] Go visit.

[00:12:05] I want to take a break real quick.

[00:12:08] Just to let you know about a new show.

[00:12:10] We've just added to the network.

[00:12:12] Up Next at Work.

[00:12:14] Hosted by Gene and Kata Keel.

[00:12:17] Of the Devin Group.

[00:12:18] Fantastic show.

[00:12:19] If you're looking for something that pushes the norm.

[00:12:22] Pushes the boundaries.

[00:12:24] Has some really spirited conversations.

[00:12:27] Google.

[00:12:27] Up Next at Work.

[00:12:29] Gene and Kata Keel.

[00:12:31] From the Devin Group.

[00:12:34] www.timetrackgo.com

[00:12:38] That's T-I-M-E-T-R-A-K

[00:12:41] Go.com

[00:12:43] And start your 14 day free trial today.

[00:12:47] Let's go.

[00:12:48] Let's go.

[00:12:50] Send that info to your employer.

[00:12:52] And tell your employer that they always do webinars.

[00:12:55] To show folks how it works.

[00:12:57] So if you're tired of using paper.

[00:13:00] And not getting paid right.

[00:13:02] Because your time is not right.

[00:13:04] Put them on.

[00:13:05] Yep.

[00:13:06] All right.

[00:13:07] Let's get into the main topic.

[00:13:09] And again.

[00:13:10] We're just going to.

[00:13:11] What do you do at the year end now?

[00:13:13] As an employee.

[00:13:14] Like how do I get.

[00:13:14] What do I do for house cleaning.

[00:13:16] Housekeeping.

[00:13:17] As they call it.

[00:13:18] Yep.

[00:13:18] Walt's going to start us off.

[00:13:20] Yep.

[00:13:21] I got about.

[00:13:22] Eight, nine things for you.

[00:13:25] And Brian is going to finish us out with the rest.

[00:13:28] All right.

[00:13:28] So.

[00:13:29] Yeah.

[00:13:30] Here's some unique and practical tips for employees.

[00:13:34] To consider.

[00:13:36] As we report.

[00:13:37] Approach the end of 2024.

[00:13:39] Right.

[00:13:39] So.

[00:13:40] Update your personal information.

[00:13:42] You want to.

[00:13:43] Especially if you have.

[00:13:44] A employee self-service model.

[00:13:47] Yes.

[00:13:47] At your job.

[00:13:49] Even if you don't.

[00:13:50] Even if you don't.

[00:13:51] You want to.

[00:13:51] Ensure that your address.

[00:13:53] Your name.

[00:13:54] Your marital status.

[00:13:56] Are current.

[00:13:57] And up to date.

[00:13:58] In your.

[00:13:59] Employers.

[00:14:00] System.

[00:14:00] This will ensure.

[00:14:01] Especially if you have a paper.

[00:14:03] W-2.

[00:14:04] And if you elect it.

[00:14:05] To are opted.

[00:14:06] Into.

[00:14:07] Receiving a.

[00:14:08] A paper.

[00:14:08] W-2.

[00:14:09] That it gets sent to the right place.

[00:14:10] And also any other important documents.

[00:14:12] Like.

[00:14:13] What's that?

[00:14:13] 1095 C.

[00:14:15] 1090.

[00:14:15] No.

[00:14:16] 1095.

[00:14:17] Yeah.

[00:14:17] Or it could be 1095 C too.

[00:14:19] As well.

[00:14:19] Yeah.

[00:14:19] Good call out.

[00:14:20] Or I'm thinking 1099.

[00:14:22] That's what.

[00:14:22] Yeah.

[00:14:23] But it could be 1099 as well.

[00:14:25] Those different things can come in.

[00:14:26] You got something to say.

[00:14:28] Yeah.

[00:14:28] Because I'm like.

[00:14:30] You made me think of something like.

[00:14:32] If you don't have employee self-service.

[00:14:34] How do you even know what they have?

[00:14:36] Your pay stub.

[00:14:38] Yeah.

[00:14:38] Okay.

[00:14:39] Look at your pay stub.

[00:14:40] The information that is on your pay stub.

[00:14:43] Is going to translate to your W-2.

[00:14:46] They're going to use that same data.

[00:14:48] To go to your W-2.

[00:14:49] So you may get.

[00:14:50] Your pay stub may be digital.

[00:14:51] If it's not digital.

[00:14:52] And they just hand it to you.

[00:14:53] It's not mailed.

[00:14:55] And they're like.

[00:14:55] Oh whatever.

[00:14:55] I always give them pay stub.

[00:14:56] It's direct deposit.

[00:14:57] A lot.

[00:14:57] I don't need to worry.

[00:14:58] No.

[00:14:58] You do need to worry.

[00:14:59] Because if your pay stub isn't accurate.

[00:15:01] With your information.

[00:15:03] That's going to drive your W-2.

[00:15:05] And if it's getting snail mailed to you.

[00:15:07] It's going to go to the wrong address.

[00:15:08] Yep.

[00:15:08] Number two.

[00:15:10] You want to maximize those tax advantage accounts.

[00:15:14] Yes.

[00:15:15] So use any remaining balances in those flexible spending accounts.

[00:15:20] Those FSAs.

[00:15:21] HSAs.

[00:15:22] Since many of those have a use it or lose it policy.

[00:15:26] Yep.

[00:15:26] So also consider maximizing contributions to retirement accounts like 401ks for additional tax savings.

[00:15:34] If you can.

[00:15:35] Yeah.

[00:15:36] Yes.

[00:15:37] If you can.

[00:15:37] If you're diligent about your 401k.

[00:15:40] You want to max out how much.

[00:15:41] Because there are limits.

[00:15:42] As to how much you can contribute.

[00:15:44] I've seen folks.

[00:15:45] Again.

[00:15:46] If you can afford it.

[00:15:47] If you're already taking advantage of your 401k.

[00:15:48] And you can afford it.

[00:15:50] I've seen a lot of folks like come year end.

[00:15:52] They change their election.

[00:15:54] And they max out.

[00:15:55] They do as much as they try to put their whole check in there.

[00:15:57] And understand.

[00:15:59] For the FSA.

[00:16:00] Understand your deadline.

[00:16:01] Don't panic.

[00:16:02] Because you just ask them with the deadline.

[00:16:04] Because for some crazy reason.

[00:16:06] The FSA.

[00:16:07] They'll allow you to go a little bit into the new year.

[00:16:10] For prior year balances.

[00:16:13] So.

[00:16:14] But not.

[00:16:15] You know.

[00:16:16] It's not a guarantee.

[00:16:17] So reach out to you.

[00:16:18] If you have FSA.

[00:16:20] Reach out to your benefit person.

[00:16:21] Go find out from whoever.

[00:16:24] You know.

[00:16:25] Your FSA card should have a number.

[00:16:28] That you can call.

[00:16:29] And things like that.

[00:16:30] Find out when the deadline is.

[00:16:32] And then sometimes they get.

[00:16:34] Oh no.

[00:16:35] The deadline is 1231.

[00:16:37] But you can submit receipts.

[00:16:39] Until this day passed.

[00:16:41] So again.

[00:16:42] Just understand what that means.

[00:16:44] And is for your company.

[00:16:46] Do not talk to your friend across the world.

[00:16:48] And be like.

[00:16:49] Oh how do you.

[00:16:49] How does your company.

[00:16:50] Oh that must be the same thing.

[00:16:51] No.

[00:16:52] We don't get great.

[00:16:52] Or anything like that.

[00:16:53] We don't live in the same place.

[00:16:55] But.

[00:16:55] You don't even work at the same job.

[00:16:57] Come on man.

[00:16:58] And not to call it out.

[00:16:59] But it's not the same.

[00:17:01] Not to make you.

[00:17:02] Anybody feel bad.

[00:17:03] What we want to point out.

[00:17:05] Is that it's not the same.

[00:17:06] From company to company.

[00:17:08] Everybody's situation.

[00:17:09] And even if you are working for the same company.

[00:17:12] Everybody's situation is not the same.

[00:17:14] I tell my kids.

[00:17:15] They're like.

[00:17:16] Oh dad.

[00:17:16] This one said blah blah blah.

[00:17:18] And I'm like.

[00:17:18] Who said it?

[00:17:19] Your fifth grade classmate said that?

[00:17:23] Yeah.

[00:17:23] Don't listen to them.

[00:17:24] Find out.

[00:17:25] Let's find out for ourselves.

[00:17:26] Okay.

[00:17:27] Yep.

[00:17:27] I agree.

[00:17:28] Number three.

[00:17:29] Review your year to date pay stub.

[00:17:32] Now look.

[00:17:33] You should review your pay stub at all times.

[00:17:35] But for your end.

[00:17:36] You want to.

[00:17:37] Yes.

[00:17:37] Review it.

[00:17:38] Right.

[00:17:38] To verify that your earnings are correct.

[00:17:40] Those tax withholdings.

[00:17:41] Benefit contributions are accurate.

[00:17:43] Particularly.

[00:17:44] This is important.

[00:17:46] Because if you experience any life changes.

[00:17:48] Like a promotion.

[00:17:50] A job transition.

[00:17:51] Or dependent status.

[00:17:54] Update.

[00:17:55] You want to make sure that.

[00:17:57] You're checking all these different things.

[00:17:59] Brian and I have so many stories about.

[00:18:01] Employees.

[00:18:02] That call.

[00:18:03] About the W-2.

[00:18:04] And they.

[00:18:05] Because they weren't looking at their stub.

[00:18:07] Throughout the year.

[00:18:08] And they didn't check it at the end of the year.

[00:18:10] But look.

[00:18:11] Even at the end of the year.

[00:18:12] It's too late.

[00:18:13] Right.

[00:18:13] Yep.

[00:18:14] Depending on what it is.

[00:18:16] Look.

[00:18:16] Look.

[00:18:17] If I haven't had any taxes withheld from my check.

[00:18:20] All year.

[00:18:21] Because I put.

[00:18:22] I check the box exempt.

[00:18:24] Or.

[00:18:24] Or I put 99 dependents.

[00:18:27] How are we dependent?

[00:18:28] A bunch of dependents.

[00:18:29] A million dollars in dependents.

[00:18:30] Yeah.

[00:18:30] I don't have any federal taxes come out.

[00:18:32] And then.

[00:18:32] This big tax bill.

[00:18:34] Yep.

[00:18:34] That I owe the government.

[00:18:36] And I'm caught off guard.

[00:18:38] Because.

[00:18:38] I wasn't reviewing my stub.

[00:18:41] I got.

[00:18:42] Walt is right.

[00:18:43] What he's talking about.

[00:18:44] Is we had an employee one year.

[00:18:46] That went all year.

[00:18:48] Getting the deduction for the wrong state.

[00:18:49] Yep.

[00:18:50] Didn't even live in that state.

[00:18:51] Yep.

[00:18:51] And then.

[00:18:52] They didn't notice until.

[00:18:53] The W-2 came.

[00:18:54] It was like.

[00:18:55] I don't live there.

[00:18:56] But yeah.

[00:18:56] But you just paid a thousand dollars.

[00:18:58] To the wrong state.

[00:18:59] For the whole year.

[00:19:00] Clearly.

[00:19:01] You have not looked at your pay stub.

[00:19:03] Yep.

[00:19:03] He at all.

[00:19:04] He blamed us.

[00:19:05] How come you didn't set it up right?

[00:19:07] Right.

[00:19:07] That's.

[00:19:08] That may be fair for half of.

[00:19:10] Okay.

[00:19:10] I'll take some of the blame.

[00:19:11] But look.

[00:19:12] That's all employees all the time.

[00:19:14] The onus is on you.

[00:19:15] That's your personal information.

[00:19:18] Even if we have some fault in it.

[00:19:20] You.

[00:19:20] We now share the fault.

[00:19:22] Yep.

[00:19:22] You know what I mean?

[00:19:23] Another good example.

[00:19:25] Is.

[00:19:25] If you do have.

[00:19:27] Or just something I thought about.

[00:19:28] I don't know if it was a good example here.

[00:19:29] But if you do have employee self-service.

[00:19:31] Okay.

[00:19:32] Here's your end.

[00:19:34] Get your W2.

[00:19:35] Also.

[00:19:36] Make sure you have all your pay stubs.

[00:19:38] Saved down to your personal.

[00:19:40] Yep.

[00:19:41] Because if you're going to go buy a house.

[00:19:42] Or if you're going to go.

[00:19:43] Do something big financially.

[00:19:45] And you need your last three stubs.

[00:19:48] Or you need your last four stubs.

[00:19:49] And you need access.

[00:19:51] Don't make it a panic thing.

[00:19:53] Where.

[00:19:53] You're going to buy a house.

[00:19:55] And you're going through the process.

[00:19:56] And now all of a sudden.

[00:19:57] You don't have access to your W2.

[00:19:59] You don't have access to your pay stubs.

[00:20:01] And you don't know how.

[00:20:02] Because you never set it up.

[00:20:03] Because oh.

[00:20:04] I don't care.

[00:20:04] I just see the right direct deposit.

[00:20:06] In my bank account.

[00:20:07] Who cares.

[00:20:08] Guess what.

[00:20:09] That's not on your company now.

[00:20:11] To be frantic.

[00:20:12] And panic with you.

[00:20:13] They're going to say.

[00:20:14] Hey.

[00:20:14] Here's the process.

[00:20:16] Go through it.

[00:20:17] Yep.

[00:20:18] You're going to be mad.

[00:20:19] And annoyed.

[00:20:20] Because now you got to log in.

[00:20:21] And verify.

[00:20:22] And two-factor authentication.

[00:20:24] And oh my gosh.

[00:20:25] My address is wrong.

[00:20:26] So I can't verify my address.

[00:20:28] Oh my gosh.

[00:20:28] My social is wrong.

[00:20:29] So I'm trying to verify.

[00:20:30] And it doesn't validate.

[00:20:31] Come on.

[00:20:32] That's what I'm saying.

[00:20:43] Make sure your digital info is right.

[00:20:45] If you have employee self-service.

[00:20:47] Yep.

[00:20:47] If not.

[00:20:48] Review your stub.

[00:20:49] Make sure it's good.

[00:20:51] Yep.

[00:20:51] Number four.

[00:20:52] Check for unclaimed benefits.

[00:20:54] So in this example.

[00:20:55] We're talking about.

[00:20:56] If you want to review.

[00:20:58] Your unused PTO time.

[00:21:01] That is eligible to be carried over.

[00:21:03] Or paid out.

[00:21:04] At the end of the year.

[00:21:05] You want to explore that.

[00:21:06] Additionally explore any tuition reimbursements.

[00:21:09] Or wellness funds.

[00:21:10] That may expire at the end of the year.

[00:21:12] You may work for a company.

[00:21:13] And you may not even know.

[00:21:15] That there's wellness funds available to you.

[00:21:17] That expire at the end of the year.

[00:21:19] Right?

[00:21:19] Yep.

[00:21:20] So look into those things.

[00:21:21] You know what I'm saying.

[00:21:22] So you really want to understand.

[00:21:23] Because especially if you have a policy.

[00:21:25] That's use it or lose it.

[00:21:26] For your PTO.

[00:21:27] You might want to take some PTO.

[00:21:29] Because it may not be calendar year.

[00:21:31] We've been with companies.

[00:21:33] That it's fiscal year.

[00:21:34] Yep.

[00:21:34] And you may not have anything to panic now.

[00:21:37] But you do want to pay attention.

[00:21:38] Can you.

[00:21:39] Really quick.

[00:21:39] Could you give like a short example.

[00:21:41] Of the difference between calendar and fiscal.

[00:21:44] Absolutely.

[00:21:45] Calendar year is calendar year.

[00:21:46] Right?

[00:21:46] New year is December 31st.

[00:21:48] Calendar year.

[00:21:49] Fiscal year.

[00:21:50] Literally your company dictates.

[00:21:52] When their fiscal year is.

[00:21:54] Their fiscal year could be.

[00:21:56] June to July.

[00:21:58] And that's when.

[00:21:59] They have all of the finances.

[00:22:02] Rolling.

[00:22:03] And that's when your PTO rolls.

[00:22:05] Sometime in July.

[00:22:06] July.

[00:22:06] And you're like.

[00:22:07] Why?

[00:22:07] That's our fiscal year.

[00:22:08] You don't.

[00:22:09] Who knows.

[00:22:10] You ask accounting.

[00:22:11] Why it's that way.

[00:22:12] You know what I mean.

[00:22:13] But.

[00:22:13] We've been with plenty of companies.

[00:22:15] That that.

[00:22:15] The fiscal year is not calendar year.

[00:22:17] And our things are rolling.

[00:22:19] In different times.

[00:22:20] Or.

[00:22:20] If your PTO rolls on your anniversary date.

[00:22:24] Yes.

[00:22:25] Which is.

[00:22:25] Wow.

[00:22:26] I don't even remember.

[00:22:26] I've been here 25 years.

[00:22:27] When did I start with the company?

[00:22:28] Oh my gosh.

[00:22:29] Yeah.

[00:22:30] You know.

[00:22:30] At that point.

[00:22:30] You should know.

[00:22:31] But if you just started.

[00:22:32] And you didn't realize it's anniversary.

[00:22:34] And you think it's calendar.

[00:22:36] Or vice versa.

[00:22:37] Whatever.

[00:22:37] So it could be calendar.

[00:22:39] Fiscal.

[00:22:39] Or anniversary.

[00:22:41] Understand what that is.

[00:22:42] Right?

[00:22:43] Yeah.

[00:22:44] Another one.

[00:22:45] I'm sorry.

[00:22:45] It just made me think about it.

[00:22:47] Again.

[00:22:50] To verify that you're making the money.

[00:22:52] That you're supposed to be making.

[00:22:54] Yep.

[00:22:54] Right?

[00:22:55] But.

[00:22:56] Keep in mind.

[00:22:57] That.

[00:22:59] If you are on.

[00:23:01] If you have benefits.

[00:23:02] If you're taking advantage of pre-tax benefits.

[00:23:07] Or for a pre-tax.

[00:23:08] For a pre-tax.

[00:23:08] For a pre-tax.

[00:23:10] On the federal.

[00:23:11] But only on the federal.

[00:23:12] Not on social security and Medicare.

[00:23:15] So.

[00:23:15] Understand.

[00:23:15] Our point is.

[00:23:17] That.

[00:23:18] You can make.

[00:23:19] Two hundred thousand dollars a year.

[00:23:21] Or whatever it is.

[00:23:22] I'm just throwing numbers out.

[00:23:23] Say.

[00:23:23] I'm just throwing round numbers out.

[00:23:25] But.

[00:23:25] You pay.

[00:23:26] Fifty thousand dollars in benefits.

[00:23:28] Your box one is gonna say one fifty.

[00:23:32] Sitzt du wieder an lästig klaren Aufgaben für Arbeit oder Studium?

[00:23:35] Lass dir helfen.

[00:23:36] Von der Galaxy AI auf dem neuen Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra.

[00:23:40] Der KI-Assistent unterstützt beim Lösen komplexer Matheformeln.

[00:23:44] Sowie der Verschriftlichung und Zusammenfassung von Meetings oder Vorlesungen.

[00:23:47] Beim Selfie fehlt das gewisse etwas?

[00:23:50] Einfach mit dem enthaltenen S-Pen einzeichnen?

[00:23:52] Und Galaxy AI vervollständigt dein Meisterwerk.

[00:23:55] Erfahre mehr auf Samsung.de.

[00:23:59] So you're gonna get your W2 box one.

[00:24:02] You're gonna be like 150?

[00:24:03] Where's my fifty thousand dollars?

[00:24:06] You're gonna call payroll and say you didn't pay me right.

[00:24:09] Every year.

[00:24:10] I promise you every single year.

[00:24:11] I get this question.

[00:24:12] January.

[00:24:13] February.

[00:24:13] They say the W2s come out.

[00:24:14] I get at least one call.

[00:24:16] You didn't pay me right.

[00:24:18] Why?

[00:24:18] Oh my gosh.

[00:24:19] Why not?

[00:24:19] I make fifty thousand.

[00:24:21] My box says forty thousand.

[00:24:25] Okay.

[00:24:26] I already know what it is.

[00:24:28] As soon as I hear those claims, I go right to their benefit amounts.

[00:24:32] I go right to their deductions and look at them.

[00:24:34] Yes, you have medical benefits.

[00:24:37] You have and we all know how expensive medical benefits are or can be.

[00:24:43] But the benefit to that is that it that is literally the point.

[00:24:47] It reduces your taxable wages.

[00:24:51] So you pay less taxes on what you make.

[00:24:55] You still made fifty or yeah, you still made fifty thousand.

[00:24:59] Still gross.

[00:25:00] But because you thank you, sir, you grossed fifty and some of the W2s have that on the

[00:25:04] side where it says gross and then minus your medical, the dental vision.

[00:25:13] Okay.

[00:25:14] And there's like a few other ones.

[00:25:15] If you want to get technical, it's called cafeteria one twenty five.

[00:25:19] Cafeteria plan one twenty five.

[00:25:21] You can look it up on the IRS and understand if you want to you want to nerd out.

[00:25:25] That's what it is.

[00:25:26] It's cafeteria one twenty five pre-tax benefits that impact your W2 as it should.

[00:25:33] Yes, sir.

[00:25:34] Number five, leverage end of year professional development.

[00:25:37] So if your employer offers professional development reimbursements or courses, now is a great time

[00:25:43] for you to use those funds.

[00:25:45] Heck yeah.

[00:25:45] Our resources for certifications, our skills, building our training.

[00:25:50] Right.

[00:25:50] Number six, go paperless.

[00:25:52] You might want to consider going paperless, especially for the W2.

[00:25:55] Sometimes you might have it accessible.

[00:25:58] You might have access to it earlier than the one in the mail because sometimes they might

[00:26:03] be available on the system.

[00:26:04] Free game.

[00:26:05] Before.

[00:26:05] That's right.

[00:26:06] The January 31st deadline.

[00:26:08] That's right.

[00:26:08] So option is a great option for those paperless things that you can get.

[00:26:12] I urge it, man.

[00:26:13] Folks, please don't go digital.

[00:26:15] If you don't want to and you can go pick it up without them mailing it.

[00:26:18] They just, again, you're putting your all, all the P, everything that a hacker, a thief,

[00:26:25] a scam artist needs to steal your identity is on a W2.

[00:26:29] Yeah.

[00:26:30] You don't want that floating around.

[00:26:32] Literally.

[00:26:32] Your address is social.

[00:26:34] Everything.

[00:26:34] Yep.

[00:26:35] You don't want that floating around in mail because I believe me, they're going to look

[00:26:39] for it right now.

[00:26:40] These folks, folks who do that are going to start looking in mailboxes come January, February.

[00:26:45] They're looking in your mailbox for it.

[00:26:47] So I urge you.

[00:26:49] Some of us might be forgetful and we will get our check on mail and then put it down somewhere

[00:26:53] and put something else on top of that the next day.

[00:26:55] And then put something else on top of it the next day.

[00:26:57] And then, oh, we got to throw this trash out.

[00:26:59] Next thing, my check, my W2 is in the trash.

[00:27:02] Yep.

[00:27:02] We'll be seeing no more.

[00:27:03] And now you're like, I don't know where I put that darn thing.

[00:27:06] Yep.

[00:27:06] Now you got to need it in the copy.

[00:27:08] And then, yeah, we see it every year, folks.

[00:27:12] We see it every year.

[00:27:13] Number seven, audit your benefits for 2025.

[00:27:17] So a lot of us have open enrollment at the end of the year, the year, right?

[00:27:22] And it starts over, right?

[00:27:24] Like to Brian's point, your company could do something different based on a fiscal year.

[00:27:29] But typically I've seen it on a calendar year when it comes to benefits.

[00:27:33] You know, review those changes to your health insurance, the retirement plans, any of those

[00:27:37] other benefits that you want to elect to ensure that they align with your financial and health

[00:27:42] needs for the upcoming year.

[00:27:45] And you have a note here, Brian.

[00:27:48] Yes, because it made me think about on the HR side, because Walt and I, because in payroll,

[00:27:54] we, you're either, either way, you're, you have a lot to do with HR.

[00:27:59] So you, we always get, I've always seen folks come January, February, or really January.

[00:28:06] Oh, the deductions hit that first couple of checks hit in the new year.

[00:28:10] And they're like, oh my gosh, I don't want these benefits.

[00:28:13] They didn't, they don't anticipate how much it's going to impact their net amount.

[00:28:18] They want it in theory.

[00:28:19] Like when they do an open enrollment, they get excited.

[00:28:20] Oh, I'm getting this.

[00:28:21] I'm getting that.

[00:28:22] I'm going to be healthy.

[00:28:23] I'm doing this, blah, blah, blah.

[00:28:24] Then it hits your check.

[00:28:25] And it's, oh, I can't afford all of this.

[00:28:28] Or it's the flip side.

[00:28:30] Oh, yes.

[00:28:30] And I, and I waived something or I waived something.

[00:28:34] Yes.

[00:28:35] But yes, you, or you waived it or your company has a passive open enrollment where you don't

[00:28:41] have to do anything and it just rolls over, but you didn't want to.

[00:28:46] This is the time before January, ideally to not stress your HR department out to check

[00:28:54] your open enrollment, see what you did.

[00:28:56] Yes.

[00:28:57] And see, Hey, can you send me what I picked, what I elected?

[00:29:00] What happened?

[00:29:01] What's going to happen?

[00:29:02] And also if you had a life change, a life event, a life event, married.

[00:29:08] Oh yeah.

[00:29:08] You only have a certain amount of report that.

[00:29:11] Yeah.

[00:29:11] Your own time.

[00:29:11] So like if that happened around the end of the year and you want to add your dependent

[00:29:15] and to Brian's point, you have a passive enrollment.

[00:29:19] Yep.

[00:29:19] And you forget, like, I need to add my newborn to my benefits.

[00:29:22] I forgot.

[00:29:23] I had a kid and got married.

[00:29:24] Oh my gosh.

[00:29:25] Those are taxable.

[00:29:25] Those are things that impact.

[00:29:28] It happens.

[00:29:28] Yeah.

[00:29:29] To the best of us.

[00:29:30] Yeah, man.

[00:29:30] So that's the point of this.

[00:29:32] This is a great time to really think about it.

[00:29:34] Wait a minute.

[00:29:34] What did I do with benefits?

[00:29:36] Do I want benefits?

[00:29:37] Yep.

[00:29:38] Number eight, plan for tax time.

[00:29:40] So if you worked multiple jobs or you had some freelance income, gig work income, whatever

[00:29:46] it is.

[00:29:46] $99, NW2.

[00:29:48] Make sure all your income is accounted for.

[00:29:50] Consider consulting a tax professional to adjust your withholdings for 2025.

[00:29:55] If you had a large refund or if you owe taxes this year.

[00:30:00] Yep.

[00:30:00] You know, some people want to be right in the middle.

[00:30:02] They don't want too big of a refund and they don't want to owe.

[00:30:06] Yeah.

[00:30:06] And that's the sweet spot.

[00:30:07] Ideally.

[00:30:08] Right.

[00:30:08] Because, yeah.

[00:30:09] And we've talked about it on other shows as well.

[00:30:11] Some folks are in the mind of, I don't want the government with my money.

[00:30:15] Because folks, when we file our taxes, we're reconciling with the government.

[00:30:21] We're really going through a math process to say, okay, government, how much money have

[00:30:25] I given you all year?

[00:30:27] How much should I have given you?

[00:30:29] And where do we stand?

[00:30:31] Do I owe you money or do you owe me money?

[00:30:34] Getting taxes is not a gift.

[00:30:36] No, it's not.

[00:30:37] And look, you may be a nine to fiver, but also still be a business owner like us.

[00:30:43] So you may have to file two separate.

[00:30:46] You may have to file your personal ones by yourself and do a filing for your business.

[00:30:52] Right?

[00:30:52] Depending on your setup.

[00:30:54] No.

[00:30:54] And that's a good point.

[00:30:55] What I wanted to say, but that's great.

[00:30:57] The more complicated it is for your situation, I please urge you, try to find a trustworthy,

[00:31:03] good, recommended CPA that you can work with to help you file.

[00:31:09] Because...

[00:31:09] Somebody who's a certified CPA.

[00:31:12] Certified, reputable, do the reach, get somebody.

[00:31:15] You're going to pay a mint.

[00:31:16] You're going to pay a lot of money, but it's worth it because they're going to save you money

[00:31:21] or get you back a lot of money.

[00:31:23] Yeah.

[00:31:23] Yeah.

[00:31:24] We can tell you firsthand, okay, working with a good CPA saves you money.

[00:31:30] You may have to pay them a good amount, but it's going to save you money.

[00:31:34] And it is, but it's tough finding a good one and whatnot.

[00:31:37] I got somebody good.

[00:31:38] We use somebody that's real good from the business front.

[00:31:41] You want to reach out.

[00:31:42] I'm happy to recommend them.

[00:31:44] But it's important because you don't want to end up...

[00:31:47] You don't want to leave any money on the table.

[00:31:49] You know what I mean?

[00:31:50] So, yeah.

[00:31:51] It's up to you.

[00:31:52] Yeah.

[00:31:52] Number nine, and before I pass the baton here, is address compliance issues.

[00:31:57] If you notice discrepancies or concerns with your pay, benefits or working conditions, use

[00:32:03] your end as an opportunity to document and report these issues for a resolution.

[00:32:07] But Brian has a note here too.

[00:32:09] Before January, again, to allow your payroll and HR team time to fix it.

[00:32:14] Give them a heads up.

[00:32:16] There is time.

[00:32:18] If you tell them before January, they can definitely have time to fix it.

[00:32:21] They may not be happy about it.

[00:32:23] Of course, they would have wanted to know earlier in the year.

[00:32:25] But before January is a good timeframe for them to know so that they can fix it.

[00:32:30] What's up?

[00:32:31] Look, if you're an employee that has a work visa and you might qualify to be exempt for certain taxes...

[00:32:41] Very good call out.

[00:32:43] You just like, oh, you find out.

[00:32:46] Look, you may have the type of job where you're always busy and you just don't have time.

[00:32:49] I understand.

[00:32:50] You find out at the end of the year when it's almost tax season coming up on you.

[00:32:54] And the next thing you know is like, oh, man, I paid FICA.

[00:32:56] It's a great call out.

[00:32:56] I wasn't supposed to.

[00:32:57] I paid this tax and I wasn't supposed to.

[00:33:00] And that's hard to get back.

[00:33:01] FICA is hard.

[00:33:02] Your Social Security and Medicare is hard to get refunds from.

[00:33:05] And that is one of the exceptions, I believe, if I'm not mistaken.

[00:33:09] If you're not supposed to because you're not going to retire here in the U.S., why pay it?

[00:33:15] And if your visa allows you to be exempt, then be exempt.

[00:33:18] Now, again, now if you are, the opposite is also true.

[00:33:22] If you do plan on retiring in the U.S., then you probably do want to contribute to Social Security and Medicare and you're all good.

[00:33:28] So, look, before I pass it on, just understand that these tips that we're giving you are to help you finish the year strong.

[00:33:36] But it's really also to set you up for a smoother start to 2025.

[00:33:41] So just keep that in mind.

[00:33:43] So go ahead, bro.

[00:33:44] No, perfect segue because it's a good time also to review your debt, review your credit.

[00:33:50] Look at your credit report.

[00:33:51] Are there any errors in your credit report?

[00:33:53] There's all these apps and Credit Karma and Rocket This and Intuit That.

[00:33:57] Like all these apps that will help you get a view of your financial picture, right?

[00:34:03] And it's for free.

[00:34:05] You know, most of them, a lot of them, there are opportunities to get it for free.

[00:34:09] So you can check for errors, check for fraudulent activity, dispute any inaccuracies, pay down debt, stratage, make a plan to pay off and reduce your high interest debt, focusing on credit cards and loans.

[00:34:25] And look, do your research here, especially with the number 10 about paying down your debt because most people just want, or most collectors just want some of the money.

[00:34:35] They might not even charge you all the money if you want to work with them and say, hey, look, I can't afford all this.

[00:34:41] Yep.

[00:34:42] Put me on a plan.

[00:34:43] What can we do?

[00:34:44] Put me on a plan.

[00:34:44] Yep.

[00:34:45] And they say, hey, if you pay, you may originally owe us $1,800, but if you pay $900.

[00:34:51] Right now.

[00:34:52] Yep.

[00:34:52] You're good.

[00:34:53] And then we'll take that negative mark off your credit in a little while, right?

[00:34:58] And also, you can write a letter.

[00:35:00] There's this information out there where you can get instructions on what to write and what to say to the credit bureaus and stuff like that.

[00:35:07] And now there's no excuse.

[00:35:09] Take advantage of ChatGPT.

[00:35:11] It probably has a, I'm curious now.

[00:35:15] Before we move on, I need to let you know about my friend Mark Pfeffer and his show, People Tech.

[00:35:21] If you're looking for the latest on product development, marketing, funding, big deals happening in talent acquisition, HR, HCM, that's the show you need to listen to.

[00:35:34] Go to the Work Defined Network, search up People Tech, Mark Pfeffer.

[00:35:38] You can find them anywhere.

[00:35:42] It probably has something to help you write the letters because that was always my pain.

[00:35:48] Like writing letters, I don't know what to say.

[00:35:50] ChatGPT.

[00:35:51] You know what I mean?

[00:35:52] There's a free version.

[00:35:52] You can get a decent letter written, send it out, do all the things, and then start your budgeting for the new year.

[00:35:59] Right?

[00:35:59] If you want to get your money right, what better way is, there is no better way than to start fresh in the new year.

[00:36:05] Right?

[00:36:06] Everything resets.

[00:36:07] You get a good, all right, you get a good plan going and set some financial goals for the new year.

[00:36:14] I'm not saying it's a new year's resolution.

[00:36:16] But look, I'm just, again, searching to our, like I'm working toward articulating my purpose.

[00:36:21] Yep.

[00:36:21] Seeing my vision.

[00:36:23] Yep.

[00:36:24] Right?

[00:36:24] But I cannot forget that I was not here 10 years ago.

[00:36:29] Yep.

[00:36:30] Right?

[00:36:30] I was not in this place where I'm at, where I'm like, wow, this is an amazing place that I'm at right now.

[00:36:35] You got a perspective.

[00:36:37] Yeah.

[00:36:37] It's all perspective, man.

[00:36:38] What's that, bro?

[00:36:39] Yep.

[00:36:39] All right.

[00:36:40] Yep.

[00:36:40] Let's finish it out with this question.

[00:36:43] Oh, man.

[00:36:43] I forgot about the question.

[00:36:44] Are employees or employers more responsible for keeping positive work environments?

[00:36:52] Who's it on more, man?

[00:36:54] Is it the company?

[00:36:55] Or do we, the employees have to make sure we stay motivated and locked in?

[00:37:03] I think it's a catch 22 because I think it's a little bit of both.

[00:37:07] Okay.

[00:37:08] What do you think?

[00:37:09] Man, honestly, I put this one on the employer.

[00:37:13] Really?

[00:37:14] I put this one on the employer, right?

[00:37:15] If I'm not creating an environment that's conducive for my employees to succeed and be happy.

[00:37:21] Look, stressful times are going to come, but how do I support my employees?

[00:37:27] Do I lie to them?

[00:37:29] Do I tell them one thing and do another?

[00:37:32] Do I make them feel that this is a safe space?

[00:37:35] How do I expect them to be positive if I'm always doing the other thing?

[00:37:41] You just made me think of, and I was going to share it in one of our recordings today,

[00:37:46] but I was like, nah.

[00:37:47] Nah, did you hear about that company in India that went viral because they put out a survey

[00:37:52] about how stressful, how stressed are their employees?

[00:37:56] What?

[00:37:57] Bro, a company in India, India startup, take it for what it is, right?

[00:38:03] Culture may be different, maybe normal in India.

[00:38:06] I don't know.

[00:38:06] But this company put out a survey on how stressed their employees are.

[00:38:12] Don't you know they followed up with, effective immediately,

[00:38:15] those of you who are the most stressed are fired.

[00:38:19] What?

[00:38:21] Yep.

[00:38:22] Yeah, I can't believe you haven't come across it.

[00:38:25] I can't believe it.

[00:38:26] Look it up.

[00:38:27] Oh my God.

[00:38:28] I just did it.

[00:38:29] You found it, right?

[00:38:30] It's a beauty startup.

[00:38:33] What was it called?

[00:38:34] Yes, madam.

[00:38:36] Yep, that's it.

[00:38:38] Wow.

[00:38:40] Yep.

[00:38:42] Yep.

[00:38:43] Now, I can, oh, by the way, ChatGPT does have tools to help you repair your credit.

[00:38:51] Good.

[00:38:52] With the letters.

[00:38:52] There you go.

[00:38:53] Yep.

[00:38:53] Just wanted to check that for folks.

[00:38:55] Wow.

[00:38:56] I get from a, because I can be, I can think as a crude business person, no heart, no soul,

[00:39:05] right?

[00:39:06] Just straight business.

[00:39:07] There's a saying that I learned, business ethics is an oxymoron.

[00:39:11] Business ethics is an oxymoron.

[00:39:13] Okay.

[00:39:14] I can think that way, but, and I get what they're, I think that I get what they're saying,

[00:39:19] but that is not the way that you treat your employees.

[00:39:22] That's not the first step you should have done, right?

[00:39:25] They should have, hey, how can we help you not de-stress or not de-stress?

[00:39:30] They went viral because of this, man.

[00:39:32] Oh, Russell Webb put it on.

[00:39:34] Yeah.

[00:39:34] Russell Webb put it on, is the one that posted it.

[00:39:36] That's the first place I saw it on LinkedIn.

[00:39:39] Yep.

[00:39:40] That's wild.

[00:39:41] And even in his comments, people were like, yo, are you for real?

[00:39:44] Is this for real?

[00:39:45] And Russell was like, yes, I'm doing, I'm looking it up right now.

[00:39:47] It looks real.

[00:39:48] Wow.

[00:39:50] Yep.

[00:39:50] Because they were stressed out.

[00:39:52] Yep.

[00:39:54] So people are crazy, man.

[00:39:55] You got, and it's crazy because that's just going to breed distrust and stuff like that

[00:39:59] with your company.

[00:40:00] People now, company, now employees all over are going to be like, I'm not taking those surveys.

[00:40:04] People were already distrusting of surveys.

[00:40:06] Anonymous surveys.

[00:40:07] No, it's not.

[00:40:08] Yeah.

[00:40:08] Like, how did it seem?

[00:40:10] Man, that's wild, bro.

[00:40:13] Yep.

[00:40:13] We can talk about it more on other shows too, but.

[00:40:16] Yeah, we definitely.

[00:40:17] Yeah, folks.

[00:40:17] Sorry.

[00:40:18] We went a little over.

[00:40:19] Hopefully got all good stuff for you today.

[00:40:22] Show year end stuff, people.

[00:40:24] Check your year end.

[00:40:25] Go over it.

[00:40:27] Yep.

[00:40:27] Yep.

[00:40:28] We love you.

[00:40:29] Peace.

[00:40:29] Peace.

[00:40:30] Peace.