Apparently, last Monday 15th January 2018 was the most miserable, depressing day of the year. I asked myself why? They tell me it's for a number of very good reasons ...
Bulging waistline that won't go away, a storm of Christmas credit card bills causing havoc on bank account balances, its cold, wet, windy and very, very dark.
Some clever boffin has even worked out a formula to prove 15th January was the day: [W + (D-d)] x Tq ÷ [M x Na] where W represents weather, D means debt, d equals monthly income, T is the time since Christmas and q is the time period since we’ve broken our New Year’s Resolutions. M stands for motivational levels, and Na is the feeling of needing to take action.
But there is so much to look forward to as well. While sitting in my office here in Milton Keynes, I really can feel the buzz. Yes, we have 53 tax returns to do in a week, but that's good for an accountant in January!
"For those who are burying their head in the sand, you will feel a lot better when your tax return is filed!"
The snowdrops are coming out, the London boat show has been a success (Sunseeker are still trying their best to sell me a new boat!), and I have just read a newspaper article on the UK's new silicon valley and Milton Keynes is right in the middle of it.
According to the Centre for Economics and Business Research the economy of the Cambridge-Milton Keynes-Oxford corridor is predicted to grow 2.3% in 2018 faster than London, Birmingham and Manchester.
There may be gloom out there with the Brexit uncertainty but I have been encouraged by the number of people knocking on my door seeking startup advice. The range of proposed businesses is diverse, but for those considering developing a product or service, do remember that there is still EU money in the form of Research and Development tax credits.
This is the only Blue Monday we need to care about!
For those still in a gloom why don't you try eating a banana for lunch? It will help lift your serotonin levels. Also, take a walk after eating your banana to get some fresh air (and sunshine), avoid social media, buy your loved one some flowers ... and finish your tax return!
Roger trained at Edward Thomas Peirson & Sons in Market Harborough before working at Hartwell & Co, followed by Chancery, as a partner. He started Essendon Accounts and Tax with Helen Beaumont in 2014 as a general practitioner with a hands-on approach.
Roger loves getting his hands dirty, working with emerging, small-to-medium and family businesses to ensure they receive the best possible accountancy advice. Roger utilises an extensive network of business contacts to leverage the best guidance and practical solutions.
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