Yeah, we all know that one.  Muzzling oxen as they tread out the corn – labourers being worth of their hire and all that. 

In short what we purchase, what skills we need to procure, we must ensure that those providing them are paid; and paid a fair wage to boot. 

So, when we were creating our budget to self-publish, we did indeed make an error of some magnitude.

Our calculation, our proposal, it had numerous stages, capture of the pertinent was (we hoped) complete.

Indeed, the list of tasks remain unchanged – just our estimation of the coins required to complete them woefully negligent.

It is an oversight common in too many projects – and it is one that will cause a significant pause to be inserted into this one.

Money, despite political promises, doesn’t materialise because we want it to, and real folk must live within their means. 

Self-publishing starts on a deficit, a minus in the column that we accept because we assume that the payback will happen, or that the loss of investment can be endured.

Even if this is a project of extreme vanity, it cannot become a bejewelled white elephant. 

ATMs that are remote, isolated, easy dug out with my neighbour’s tractor and scoop are now of more interest than they ever were.  

Stay safe – remain sane!