Welcome to WAGES{XE " WAGES"} and I would Like to Thank You for you interest in this program. First I would like to give you a little background {XE "background "}on how Wages was developed. I am an Independent consultant. When it came time for each new contract, I would spend a great deal of time with prospective clients upon discussing their Technical needs and how I could help them. While this was usually the most time consuming factor, the most non-technical part came upon agreeing upon a reasonable rate. From my perspective, the length of contract always was taken into consideration while negotiating a proper rate.
I usually approached the negotiations with figures in mind, get the rate and time frames agreed upon, then get back to the office and start figuring out Taxes, Expenses and Salary Distribution{XE "Salary Distribution"} with regards to percentage savings and Salary distribution.
This was a time consuming procedure. I had enough. I decided to write a program to accomplish this task. There was the birth of WAGES. The first version was written in Borland's Turbo Pascal{XE " Borland's Turbo Pascal"} for DOS using their Turbo Vision. This worked quite well, but other consultants saw the product and a few have purchased it, but most were asking if I was going to port it to a GUI interface{XE " GUI interface"}.
After about 5 inquiries into the GUI Idea, I decided to put out the next version in OS/2 2.0{XE " OS/2 2.0"} using Presentation Manager using the IBM C Set/2 compiler{XE "Presentation Manager"}. I am also planning a Windows 3.1 version soon. The response has been very favorable with the few who have seen it and helped me Beta Test it.
This program is available as shareware, and if you like it, you are encouraged to register your copy{XE "register your copy"}. See the Registration details{XE "Registration details"} at the end of this document.
Once again; Thank You for your interest and support.
Overview{XE "Overview"}
WAGES has 2 Major menu options{XE "menu options"}. The first being the Entry{XE "Entry"}, the second being the Display{XE "Display"}. The Entry has two options; Wage and Personal. The Display has only one; Earnings Summary. Each option has its own On-Line Help{XE "On-Line Help"} to aid you along; however, this document should be the best aid.
Entry Menu Option
The Entry Menu Option, will allow the user to enter Wage critical information. Wages does have each entry value set at a default; however, upon your entry these values are replaced with your values. These new values are stored in a file WAGES.GAB{XE "WAGES.GAB"}. While this file is important, do not be upset if you accidentally erase this file, WAGES{XE "WAGES"} has its own "Factory Set{XE "Factory Set"}" default values.
Wage Entry
Wage entry{XE "Wage entry"} is the quickest and probably most frequent Dialog Box Routine you will use. The entry options in this screen are the Rate and Hour values. The rate can be anything you have negotiated, the hours depend on your personal work week scheduling. Or in Paycheck terms, how your are paid a salary. For example By-Weekly {XE "Bi-Weekly "}would be 80.00 hours.
Personal Entry
Personal entry is the "Tax Critica{XE "Tax Critical"}l" entry procedure. This is where you would enter your filing status as well as your number of exemptions. Most of the fields are pretty self explanatory except the Factor field. Let me explain.
The Factor field was created for the sole purpose to let me know how much of a salary I could pay myself and still have enough left over for time off as well as Income, Employment Taxes{XE "Employment Taxes"} along with Insurance {XE "Insurance "}premiums. The key is to look at the Earnings display and in the lower right corner under the Employer Balance. This value would let you know if you were taking too much salary and not leaving enough out for Taxes and/or expenses.
Display Menu Option{XE "Display Menu Option"}
The Display of the Earnings Summary is the heart of the WAGES program. It gives you an instant picture of where you stand with relation to Client Billing vs. Salary.
Earnings Summary{XE "Earnings Summary"}
On the top of the Dialog Box shows you what was entered in the Wage Entry{XE "Wage Entry"} screen. Under the Summary section; you will see the exemptions claimed. (Note: that this is what is declared on the W-4 form{XE "W-4 form"}. The Billing Summary{XE "Billing Summary"} shows the actual amount you should receive from your client for that Hours, time period.
The Salary Figure{XE "Salary Figure"} will show the percentage difference with respect to the Factor field{XE "Factor field"}. The Check Figure{XE "Check Figure"} will show what you would actually receive for that time period as a paycheck. All deductions are shown in the Withholding {XE "Withholding "}section of the form. The Annual section, will show how these figures would add up if the contract would last for a year. The Monthly section show what you would gross{XE "gross"} and clear{XE "clear"} per month at the stated rate and hours worked.
The final display is the Employer Balance{XE "Employer Balance"}. This will let you know if you are saving too much money or not enough. If the number is negative or extremely low, you are taking too much out as a Salary. If the number is exceptionally large, you maybe saving too much.
Exit Menu Option{XE "Exit Menu Option"}
This option will quit the program and write out the latest information to a file for future reference.
As stated earlier, this program is Shareware, thus is subject to registration. I have managed to make the concept of registration and future upgrades a reasonable option. Here is the proposal:
You are granted a temporary license to use this product. If you like it you may register your copy for $35.00. This grants you a single user license. The privileges of this license will enable you to have All Future Upgrades to WAGES for OS/2 be automatically sent to you FREE of any Charge. Your $35.00 is a One Time Registration Fee for that product. The second privilege is to receive any other version of WAGES at a 10% off the normal Registration Fee. This includes the DOS version as well as the future Windows 3.1 version.
If you would like a copy of all the source including Make, header, C source, RC and DLG source; that can be purchased separately for $55.00.
All prices include shipping and handling.
I do accept VISA & Master Card. Phone orders are accepted 24 hours a day 7 days a week at 708-747-8337. If there is no answer or the line is busy you may leave a phone mail order automatically. If you would like to mail in your registration, complete the form below.
Once again Thank You for your interest and support.
Registration Form for WAGES
Name ___________________________________________________
