I've gotten lots of great feedback from readers who checked out MileIQ! I'm so glad you're finding it useful — and if you missed what all the fuss is about, check it out here!
In keeping with the practical theme, let's talk about pay stubs. It's always exciting to get money in the mail, and I've been guilty of being so happy about it that I don't bother to make sure I've been paid correctly.
It’s a bad habit, because in the random sampling of times I have checked, I’ve found errors. Missing overtime, missing agent commissions, even whole episodes I’d never received residuals for. This week, I got a residual check that seemed a little low. Upon closer inspection, I saw a deduction line item called “Minors Trust Fund,” indicating that I’d been marked as a minor in the payroll system and money was automatically taken out and set aside in a separate fund.
We hear people say ‘it’s a business’ all the time, but what does that really mean? Part of what it means is being our own accountants. It’s our responsibility to check every payment we receive for accuracy, and to address any problems quickly. SAG/AFTRA has a form http://www.sagaftra.org/residual-inquiry-form you can fill out if you have a union-related question about residuals. You can also call the payroll department for the payment in question at the number on your pay stub.
So while you’ve got all your paperwork out for tax prep, take a little extra time to check those pay stubs. If you find something confusing or wrong, call. You may get a little extra money in the mail — and you will cultivate a habit that will keep paying off as you keep working.