Once you get big enough to outsource, pay your colleagues or partners on time… Nothing will burn your bridges quicker than referring to the ‘global financial crisis’ or saying that you ‘went on holidays’ if the people that are working with you don’t receive payment in a timely fashion.

I’ve always paid my own partners as soon as I receive their invoices; I have sufficient  capital to work this way, and I also realise how timely payment not only keeps your books balanced, but that it also builds a better working relationship with your peers.

Honest business  is good business.

Hello reader! (new Berliner?)

Not only am I interested in how you found this site, but more importantly, I would like to know if it helped you in some way. My immigration experience has hit a plateau since the last couple of months (stable work and living situation), so my posts have been pretty quiet (okay, nonexistent). Anyway, you’ll find my email on the about page under the tab to the right, and since I write this journal to provide people with help by criticising my own examples, I would love to know if you managed to learn from my experiences.

It worked! I sued the deadbeat, and he paid me out in full, including legal fees. If you are working in Germany and you get the run around by someone, then they are legally liable after 30 days. I recommend using this service to get what is rightfully owed to you!

Congratulations, America! Let’s get your country back on track!

Well, it finally happened. A bullshit company tried to stiff me for close to 2,000 euros, so I sued them. Surprisingly, however, they have already paid about half of what they owe me, even though it is around 3 months overdue. If you are doing business in Germany and writing invoices to companies, then I recommend that you a) make friends with a lawyer, and b) inform yourself about what a Mahnung is and what Schuldnerverzug is. This is information about your right to officially inform a client that they better pay up, and what steps you can take to retrieve your hard-earned cash. You should also read about Inkasso to understand more about the powers you have to collect your dues.

So now that I’ve set up a trading account at my bank and traded successfully for nearly a year, Sparkasse wants me to fill out this form declaring my tax status as a foreigner. As usual, the form lacks clarity and sense (it doesn’t even feature instructions - you have to look for those elsewhere), so I’ve found a page online with tips for Canadians on how to fill it out.

Interestingly enough, it all seems to be mostly U.S. tax law for the IRS, so I’m a little puzzled about why it involves me… I’ll fill out only as little as required and send it back to my bank. For most of you who have read this blog, you know that I hate tax (tax is theft imposed on you via coercion by a handful of illegitimate ‘elected’ individuals), but I’ll play along until I naturalise…

Thanks to Juna for the link support:

somehowjewish.blogspot.com

Toda raba!

My new project:

canadiansinberlin.com

Yes!!!

I finally got it after nearly 4 months of waiting (!). I’ll scan it in and post an image just so everyone can see how cool it is, and also just to prove that it’s possible. Now I just need to buy myself a stylin’ car!