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Originally Posted by bucky
I would suggest digging deeper into the ledger. Most, around me anyway, do not report officiating income for tax purposes.
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What other officials do in this regard is not my concern.
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Indeed positive cash flow but...at what actual expense. There is a looooong list of hidden costs but, to name a few:
Physical toll - knees, hips, etc.
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Which could also be a concern with any number of other activities (running, skiing, auto racing, etc.) Alternatively, what about the physical toll from NOT exercising and sitting on the couch all day watching TV or playing videogames?
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Mental stress from countless sources from the minor (keeping an availability calendar up to date) to the major (ejecting several players for a fight)
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I keep a calendar up to date for my regular life anyway. And officiating is actually a stress RELIEVER for me. I actually really enjoy the high-stress moments when everyone else in the area is going crazy and I'm the calm center of the universe.
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Actual money made per hour (remember to include packing a bag, laundry, driving to/from game, meeting attendance, shopping for gear, camps, emailing a partner, and all the other tiny bits of time involved)
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Yep, it takes time... so do any number of other hobbies and activities that would actually COST me money to participate in.
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Impact on life - work, sig oth, spouse, kids, etc..
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A valid concern, and one that requires constant communication with the family. Since my son was born, I've cut back my officiating by about 70% so I can spend time with him (and also to give my wife time to pursue her hobby, which she also makes money doing). But, again, any activity or hobby can have detrimental impacts on your life if you let it.
It does, of course, help that my job is flexible enough to allow me to leave early on the occasions that I need to do so.