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Dora Said:

Post Office Jobs?

We Answered:

I can sympathize with you. I was recently laid-off for the 6th time in 10 years from a high-tech company.

Hang tight on the application materials. The federal government is always very slow in responding to requests. The usual response time for the government is about a month.

I would recommend asking your local post office employees about the process...try your own mail carrier when he/she delivers your mail. They'll give you some good advice.

Aaron Said:

Please help me fix my laptop.?

We Answered:

Sounds like it may be overheating. Try cleaning out all the dust which may be blocking any ventilation vents/holes. Also make sure the laptop is setting on a hard flat surface (NOT your lap or a pillow or tablecloth). Listen and feel for any fans running. There should be some warm air blowing out from the side vents. You should be able to hear a fan running.

Terri Said:

Question on itemizing taxes..?

We Answered:

You should do whatever gives you the higher deduction, but you can only deduct medical expenses that are over 7.5% of your income, so much of those insurance premiums won't be deductible. And the use of your phone and internet for the project doesn't mean it's ALL deductible, just the part of the Internet cost that's business use. If the phone is your only line, it isn't deductible at all. And business expenses that are for a job as an employee, with a W-2, are only deductible for the part that's over 2% of your AGI. With 2 W-2's, especially if you got unemployment for the 6 months, it's pretty likely that your allowable deductions will be under the standard deduction of $5450. But calculate what your deductions would be.

Your question is a little confusing - you say you work as an IT consultant, but say you got W-2's. If you work as an employee of a consulting company, Suzan's answer has a number of things that aren't correct.

Chad Said:

Just started the Reserve Agent process w/ Farmers Insurance....is this a bad idea?

We Answered:

Don't pay any attention to the negative web site, Farmers is a respectable organization and will provide you with good training and try to make you successful. It is hard work and I'm not sure you will have a lot of time down time to look for other employment. If you follow their procedures and are not afraid of talking to people you can develop a good business with an excellent income but it may take you several years.