Hi Folks !!

Thank you for being my subscriber!! This month I've got some info for AOL'ers in regards to their private information; three updated forms (and if I do say so myself they are pretty good looking forms now :); some special Father's Day offers and a request from a class at the DeVry Institute of Technology for some help on a project they're working on. Our kidlets will be out of school on June 20 and won't go back until sometime in August so, I'll be a little slower helping folks and answering questions for a little while as we'll be enjoying the summer together while trying to avoid this heat, ugh! Take care and have a terrific day and week!! Diane

1. Attn: Did AOL sell your information?

The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee met recently, with possible 'spam' legislation the topic of discussion. Ted Leonsis, Vice Chairman of AOL was present, as was self-confessed mass spammer Ronald Scelson.

During the hearing, Ronald Scelson claimed that AOL sold him the company's entire customer directory. Leonsis (remember he's the vice chairman of AOL) when given the opportunity to deny Scelson's statement he did NOT deny it.

The full article is here, http://dc.internet.com/news/article.php/2210551.

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2. Updated Forms

I've updated a few forms so if you've purchased one or more of the following forms please send an email to UpdatedForms@thecontractorsgroup.com with your order information and I'll email the updated forms to you...

• Employment Application
• Estimate WorkOrder Invoice triplicate form
• Prevailing Wage Report (This form is sharp!)

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3. New FAQ pages for our construction forms

I've been working on putting together a 'frequently asked questions' section for users of our construction forms and documents.

I have 13 questions posted so far (and answers... ;) and I'd like to invite anyone and everyone to take a look. If you have a question that isn't listed, please do contact me so that I can help. :)

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4. PayCycle

We've been using PayCycle for my own payroll checks since September 2002 and we couldn't be more pleased with them and their services.

They're nothing like ADP and much less expensive too! There are two plans, one is $19.99 and the other is $39.99, per month. Some folks say "But that's an additional $20 (or $40) that I'll be spending monthly to do my payroll.".

Those folks would be right if there wasn't the fact of how quickly you get your payroll done. I'm not kidding when I say that from start to finish it'll take you only 5 minutes to do your payroll.

But, anyone who has done payroll knows that that just isn't possible, there's no way a person can get their payroll done in 5 minutes, right?. Wrong!

I go to the PayCycle website and sign in. From there I can create my paycheck by clicking just ONE link! I can print out my paycheck onto a company check or I can use automatic deposit.

The PayCycle system does all of the calculations needed when processing paychecks. It then creates paychecks using the calculations, and you can print those paychecks on your own checks on your own printer (or by hand if that's how you do it).

Not only that but it also prefills all of your payroll tax forms for you to print and sign and mail to the tax authorities with your payment due. We are actually doing our filings and payments online through PayCycle.

No printing of checks or forms, no stuffing the envelope, no performing the ever-dreaded task of 'licking the envelope flap', and no stamps!

It's all done instantaneously, online! Follow this link to read more and check out their special one month free trial. Use it for a month, if you don't like it you don't pay for it, it's that simple! :)

Check it out soon and before you know it you'll no longer dread having to do the payroll... I know I don't anymore...

ps: They service all 50 states and the DC !!

PayCycle, The '5-minute' Payroll Solution for Your Small Business

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5. Father's Day Specials

Dad's Day is almost here... If you're looking for great gifts for the perfect Dad, check out what we got for Dad this year:

	We got Dad the Best Buddies T-Shirt, but sshhh! Don't tell him! They've also got Daddy's Little Girl Shirts and Mugs too!
	Last year we got Dad the Gourmet Burgers from Omaha Steaks and they were absolutely outstanding. This year we're going for the Top Sirloin Steaks! How can you not with this special: Buy One, Get One Free! WOW!
	Father's Day Sale at Bass Pro - Up to 50% Off! The Bass Pro Father's Day gift guide is the perfect place to find the perfect gift for dad. They've discounted some of their best selling products and created a gift guide with "Gifts under $25, under $50, under $100, and over."

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6. Online Calculators

Have you checked out our online calculators yet? Check out this one:

Bid Your Jobs To Make A Profit

Use this Calculator to determine the correct markup for your company in bidding jobs. You set your desired profit levels and volume – the calculator tells you exactly how much to markup your work.

It’s also the perfect planning tool: You can evaluate how much you would need to increase your markup to cover the cost of a new vehicle or to pay yourself a higher salary. It’s flexible to handle any type of building trade or remodeling business.

These Online Calculators work online. You actually purchase usage by the day, as shown below:

Please click here to take a look at the Job Bid Calculator!

7. DeVry Institute of Technology Needs Your Help!

I was contacted by Davin Bangsund of the DeVry Institute of Technology. He asked if I might be able to point him in the right direction to find some answers and I thought who better to present his questions to than my own readers! Here's a chance to help some up and coming construction professionals:

I am preparing a project management assignment with a group of students at the DeVry Institute of Technology. The class is a Project Management class for a Business Degree. Currently, we are preparing a budget for an imaginary hotel/parkway/campsite project.

It is designed for hotel accomodations as well as outdoor and camping activities. We are developing a cost and budget section on our report now, and have already designed the management qualifications and task schedule.

We have been looking online and have found an abundance of help on financial statements, but have been having problems with appraising costs to excavate, construct a hotel, landscape, etc.

All we are looking for are ballpark figures on cost so we can budget and finance them.

Here are the projects we intend to attempt:

* A 3 story, 75' square hotel... basic construction only
* Excavation for a one level (20' deep) 40' x 60' underground parking lot
* Cement construction for underground parking
* Cement Parking lot approximately 100' x 175'
* Landscaping for 150' x 250' grassy field

--- Eventually we may be looking for a breakdown of costs of labor, material, legal, etc.

Okay readers, if you can help please send your email to Davin Bangsund at davinbangsund@hotmail.com Thank you for your time!! Diane

Well, that's it for this issue. Thank you for reading and I hope you have an outstanding day!!
Take care, Diane
--
Diane Dennis
http://www.thecontractorsgroup.com
760-243-6949

TheContractorsGroup was created to support construction professionals with
their day to day administrative functions. Thank you for being our
subscriber.

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