Making Money

That's right. Erin is finally making money for doing what she has all this education to do - counseling. Well, the actual giving of therapy on a long-term basis to improve people's lives is still volunteer work, but at least she's getting paid to do administrative stuff and handle one-time crises. She's technically "counseling director" for the counseling ministry at our church here in Amsterdam. Interesting that we had to move across the ocean to another country for her to obtain all this prestige and wealth. OK, so "prestige and wealth" might be taking it a bit far. Anyway, she is really enjoying her job and the opportunity to use her skills and education.

The first paycheck hit the bank yesterday, bringing with it the realization that taxes will have to be paid on these earnings. The matter is complicated by the fact that, while John's company takes care of all the tax filings for his earnings, there is no one to help us figure out what to do with Erin's income. Supposedly the church can file a form so that she doesn't have to pay taxes in the Netherlands and the U.S. and, let's face it, with the high tax rate in the Netherlands (being socialist and all) plus U.S. taxes, there really would be nothing left of Erin's already tiny paycheck.

Do they even call it a "paycheck" in the Netherlands? There are no such things as checks in this country. In fact, we were discussing just the other day the great efficiency of not ever having to write, deposit, or deal with checks. People here simply get your bank account number and put money directly from their account into your account, or vice versa. When paying for items, you can just use your bank card, credit card, or chipcard if you don't have any cash on you. Furthermore, stores never have to deal with bounced checks. It's genius. Why isn't the U.S. on this bandwagon?

Now that we have dealt with so many different areas of red tape, rules, and government ridiculousness in the Netherlands, we feel the whole tax thing will eventually work out. It's the fact that we will also have to work with the U.S. government in this case that might make things a bit more frustrating. Erin just wants to find a way to keep some of the money she's making without being sent off to jail for tax evasion! Oh the joys of finally making money.