Saturday, March 20, 2021

The Saturday Morning Post - Random Rambles


US tax returns are due in less than 30 days. My tax returns are done and filed.  I always dread doing them, but our life has become simple, and the returns are fairly easy to do.  Only one complaint, we can't afford the government I want, on what I ended up paying. Not that I won't put the refund to good use.  

Only once in my adult life have I paid someone to prepare my taxes, actually I paid two people that year.  One was ultra conservative, the other one ultra liberal in interpreting the tax and accounting rules, ultimately that year, I did them myself meeting the two in the middle (and that was 35 years ago with no audit, so I must have hit an acceptable balance.) With modern tax software most tax returns are fairly easy to do.  

We have had some wonderful weather recently, after a long cold winter. One day recently after my daily walk in the swamp, I put the top down on the car and took a slow drive.  About 10 minutes into the drive, I looked up and was filled with Joy. I love my little convertible (cabriolet.) It is a dozen years old. I had long wanted one.  The first time I got serious about one, my ex, shot down saying "that is something for you, we should spend money on us." My father poo pooed the idea, convertibles are impractical.  When I told my sweet bear I was thinking about buying one, he said, "do you want to go shopping on Saturday?"  The second Saturday, I bought the one.  That was just over two years ago. I am so lucky, he supports me in owning an expensive toy. I do so enjoy putting the top down on a pretty day.  Even if the car has absolutely no trunk (boot) space.  Even with the top up, you can't stand a bag of groceries up in the trunk. A suitcase, would have to go in the back seat.  But we have practical cars, for practical days. 

A little last minute news, I am getting my first COVID vaccine today!  As instructed by my doctor I signed up on the waiting list in my county 42 days ago.  At one point, it looked like the wait would be 100 days, the supply of vaccine has expanded, things have really sped up.  When I looked at the website last weekend, it looked like I was still a month away, and late Thursday afternoon an email popped up, telling me it is my turn.  I need to think about what I most want to do, when I have had the second shot, ride the subway train into the city, go out to lunch in a nice restaurant are near the top of the list.  I am not sure when the museums will start to open, or the Kennedy Center with live music.      

 





 

18 comments:

  1. My taxes were done so early...its seems like a lifetime ago already. The return even came back very fast.

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    1. I often put off doing them, then the forms are often easy.

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  2. Ugh, taxes. We have to file in both Spain and the USA... and haven't begun. We don't have to double pay, but we do have to double file. And ours are a bit confusing, so we currently pay two accountants. We SHOULD BE rich. Enjoy today's shot in the arm!

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    Replies
    1. We are down to just one state to file in, we had a few years of federal and two state returns. Glad you are not double taxed. Given time the accountants will be rich.

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  3. Anonymous3/20/2021

    If my partner suggested an opening roof, I would reply it is either too hot or too cold here for one. We would buy a car with an opening roof and I would say, how cool is this opening roof.

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    Replies
    1. My practical car, has a sunroof.

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  4. It's lovely to give yourself little indulgences in this life. Enjoy your cabriolet!

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    Replies
    1. If we don't treat ourselves, who will

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  5. my preparer has our tax stuff; we should have it for electronic submission next week.

    after the second shot, you still have to quarantine 10-14 days, then wear a mask & social distance outside. remember, the MAGAts refuse to get vaxxed and therefore are a danger to us all.

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    Replies
    1. I am still not going into a crowd uncovered.

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  6. Our taxes have been done and the refunds already banked.
    I've never had a convertible, but I love a fully open sunroof on a glorious day.
    Good for you with the vaccine! Enjoy your time "out".

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    1. Refund posted Friday after I wrote this post.

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  7. I am glad to read you are getting your shot
    For decades the same fellow in IL did my taxes; we watched each other age. When I married Someone he insisted on taking over. I sometimes feel bad I suddenly disappeared on the accountant.

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    1. With Someone's background, I can imagine he is very good at taxes.

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  8. For my last year in high school, my dad got me a Tempest (Pontiac) convertible that I drove that whole school year and then after I got a job, I bought it from him. I LOVED that car. I was living in Illinois then so I know what you mean about putting the top down for the first time in the spring. What a feeling.
    Good luck with the new shot. I got my second 3 weeks ago and I'm gradually slipping into going places again. But, I still haven't braved a restaurant.

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    Replies
    1. The Tempest was a big car, lots of fun. It will take time to slip back into moving about.

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