INPUT ARTICLE: Article: You can figure out gross pay for the year, month, two weeks, week, even day if you desire, if you know how many hours you worked during that same period of time. As an example, let's say you worked 25 hours last week for a part time job in fact, you've worked the same 25 hours per week for the past year. If you work beyond your standard number of hours for a week, or work on a weekend, holiday, or other non-standard time period, you may receive additional gross pay per hour. Overtime is often calculated at a factor of 1.5 times, meaning 1 hour of overtime is paid the same as 1.5 hours of normal time. Double-time is, not surprisingly, multiplied by two. Talk to your employer about the rates for your job. While part-time workers don't usually get much overtime, let's assume that five of your hours last week (and each week for the last year) have been "double-time." Because you were paid double for five of your 25 hours last week, it was the same as working 30 hours at regular pay ([20 x 1] + [5 x 2] = 30). Consult your pay stub or your employer if you do not know your hourly pay rate. In our example, let's make your pay rate $13.50 per hour. Therefore, 30 x $13.50 = $405. Over the past year (52 weeks), the total would be 52 x $405 = $21,060. If math is not your strong suit, or you have a lot of overtime, etc,. to factor in, there are easy-to-use gross pay calculators available online. Gross pay includes everything you earn for your work and subtracts nothing. If commission is a regular part of your earnings (if you are in sales, for instance), you may want to try tracking your commissions for a month or a few weeks, then look to see if there are any trends. This can help you if you are trying to plan for the future or earn a specific amount of gross pay. Let's say that you earned a $45 productivity bonus last week, and have been consistently productive and earned that same $45 each week for the past year. Your new totals, then, are $405 + $45 = $450 weekly, and $405 x 52 = $23,400 yearly. In our example, therefore, your weekly gross pay is $450; yearly, it's $23,400. This is what you earn during those time periods before any taxes or other deductions are taken out. If you are a legal hourly employee in the U.S., you must receive a pay stub (paper or electronic) with your payments, be it weekly, bi-weekly, or other. This will show your gross pay for the period. Each year at tax time, you will also receive a W2 form from your employer to use when filing your federal, state, and local taxes. This shows your total gross pay at that job for the past calendar year.

SUMMARY: Add up your hours for the desired time period. Factor in any overtime or double-time hours. Multiply your hours by your hourly pay rate. Add on any tips, commissions, or bonuses during the chosen time period. Compare your calculations to your pay documents.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Measure 23 feet (0.610.91m) from the leader, or the main vertical stem of the tree, then place your hand or pruning saw against the underside of the branch. Move the saw back and forth to cut a notch 1/3rd through the underside of the branch you want to cut. Cutting a notch in the branch will protect the bark from breaking apart. If you're cutting smaller branches you don't have to cut a notch and you can use hand pruners. This relief cut will prevent the branch from breaking and splintering when you make your final cut. Measure 6 inches (15cm) down from the notch and use a saw to cut off the end of the branch. After making your relief cut, your branch should be a nub with a notch cut into it. Make sure that the area under the branch is clear of people and objects. Find the branch collar, which is area of the branch where the rough bark turns into smooth bark. This should be a couple of inches away from the leader. Keep the branch collar intact when you trim so that the tree heals fully. Use your handsaw to cut off the remaining portion of the branch. Don't cut the branch too close to the leader or it won't heal properly. Over-pruning the tree could weaken it. Whether it's a young or mature tree, avoid cutting away a lot of the branches at once. If you want to cut down a tree significantly, you'll need to spread the pruning out over several seasons.

SUMMARY:
Cut a 23 inches (5.17.6cm) notch into the bottom of the branch. Cut through the branch 6 inches (15cm) from the notch. Cut the branch off the leader. Don't prune more than 10%-15% of the foliage per season.