Trying to complete my taxes "early" (on April 14th instead of April 15th, which is when I usually do them)! My eyes are bugging out, and my shoulders are stiff. I would like to give the award for the most ridiculous, mind-boggling, and nonsensical form/worksheet to Schedule D from the IRS and the worksheet 22-1 for determining if any of your Social Security benefits are taxable. How are the many incompetent United States citizens doing all of these crazy math calculations!?!?!?
The Sistine Chapel (book), text by Fabrizio Mancinelli of the Vatican Museums. Not too much text and great reproductions. Shows how the cleaning has improved the paintings on the ceilings. Even though I went there last year in May, it is nice to have a real up-close-and-personal view.
The girl on the train (book), by Paula Hawkins. Didn't really read every word, since the book became due at the Vineland Public Library. There were several woman and the book jumps around from their various perspectives. I couldn't keep track of the dates and whether they were important. Our main protagonist was not very likeable....she drank was too much. She becomes obsessed with a woman she sees from the train and imagines her perfect life. Then circumstances bring her rather too close to this woman.
Lila (book), by Marilynne Robinson. A lot of musings by Lila, who was stolen as a baby, lived a hard life and ends up married to an older man, who is a preacher in the small town of Gilead.
Showing posts with label taxes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label taxes. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Monday, April 14, 2014
35 million of us
This is now many people are filing at the last minute. This is how I have been every year of my life. It really ruins the days approaching April 15th. Tax preparation, like cooking dinner, can expand to fill up all of the available time. I did it and redid it and had great nashing of teeth, alternating between thinking it was IMPOSSIBLE for me to do and then perhaps possible. I just don't like the RESULTS...as in owing almost $4000. BUT, I am going to pretend I didn't notice that you should pay penalties for this. (Isn't that just like adding INSULT to INJURY!)
All is not lost. I shall proceed to ask Social Security to take hundreds of dollars from my measly paycheck each month so that I can come out perhaps about even next year. Came to the library and attempted TaxAct, a free service. But I kept going around in circles and getting sort of like error messages. Then I switched over to fillable forms, but that got on my nerves, too. SO, I am back to copying each form over in blue or black ink and sending it by US mail. See, once I go online, I will no longer receive the booklet in the mail and I really look forward to reading the booklets from cover to cover (twice).
The museum of extraordinary things (book), by Alice Hoffman. Liked the title and I like all fiction writers with the first name of Alice although I have trouble telling one from the other. The book takes place in the New York of the early 1900's and the Hudson River figures prominently. Also freak shows and the Triangle shirt waist fire and mean fathers and daughters who swim like mermaids and want more out of life.
Today went on an excursion with some friends...to the National Archives of Philadelphia (a well kept secret) and to the Reading terminal market. We went to see an art exhibit called Archives alchemy. The archives was getting rid of a lot of stuff...books, papers, microfilm. They donated it to an artist group called the Dumpster divers and suggested that they make ART from those materials. My friend had one of the best ones.....they really used to wrap things in cotton and secure them with cotton RED TAPE. She somehow got words on the red tape and hung it like a door screen, weighted down with US and foreign coins. It was called, "No scissors sharp enough to cut the red tape of immigration". There was a lamp decorated with microfilm and microfilm reels going all up the pole. The exhibit has been extended until the summer and the end will coincide with the closing of this branch of the archives. They will be merging with another location which is in some far away Northeast section of Philly. A handful of archive locations are being closed down for budget cutting. Sad.
All is not lost. I shall proceed to ask Social Security to take hundreds of dollars from my measly paycheck each month so that I can come out perhaps about even next year. Came to the library and attempted TaxAct, a free service. But I kept going around in circles and getting sort of like error messages. Then I switched over to fillable forms, but that got on my nerves, too. SO, I am back to copying each form over in blue or black ink and sending it by US mail. See, once I go online, I will no longer receive the booklet in the mail and I really look forward to reading the booklets from cover to cover (twice).
The museum of extraordinary things (book), by Alice Hoffman. Liked the title and I like all fiction writers with the first name of Alice although I have trouble telling one from the other. The book takes place in the New York of the early 1900's and the Hudson River figures prominently. Also freak shows and the Triangle shirt waist fire and mean fathers and daughters who swim like mermaids and want more out of life.
Today went on an excursion with some friends...to the National Archives of Philadelphia (a well kept secret) and to the Reading terminal market. We went to see an art exhibit called Archives alchemy. The archives was getting rid of a lot of stuff...books, papers, microfilm. They donated it to an artist group called the Dumpster divers and suggested that they make ART from those materials. My friend had one of the best ones.....they really used to wrap things in cotton and secure them with cotton RED TAPE. She somehow got words on the red tape and hung it like a door screen, weighted down with US and foreign coins. It was called, "No scissors sharp enough to cut the red tape of immigration". There was a lamp decorated with microfilm and microfilm reels going all up the pole. The exhibit has been extended until the summer and the end will coincide with the closing of this branch of the archives. They will be merging with another location which is in some far away Northeast section of Philly. A handful of archive locations are being closed down for budget cutting. Sad.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
The masochism that is doing your own taxes
Why am I doing this? Is it FUN reading the booklets from cover to cover each year, twice? Am I good at math? No, no and no. Double checking my numbers in order to get the amount down that I owe, I am only finding mistakes that take me in the wrong direction. Certain mind fucks like....why do I have to pay taxes on dividends and gains NOW and then again when I cash them in? It seems wrong, so wrong. Just learned about a new form, 8949, so you can summarize from this one onto schedule D. Why did I ever think that my life would get less complicated after retirement? It still seems to be getting worse every year. I seem to owe over $3000 and that is giving me a royal pain in the ass.
We are water (audiobook), by Wally Lamb: It seemed way too long. Excruciating in spots and I wanted it to be over. Then it got OK again. Story is told from too many viewpoints and jumps around in time. First I liked it as it just went from husband to wife and you saw how they got to be the way they are. Then the kids got into it and the new girlfriend and the evil cousin. The basic theme is family secrets and how they mess up generations of people. I felt a bit more sympathetic when I listened to the interview with the author and found that he teaches writing in a women's prison and has second-hand knowledge of abuse issues with a great proportion of the prison population.
Warm today, too warm. We had guests at breakfast, which was very nice since out breakfast club has been decimated by illness and death. Sat out in the back yard as I ate my lunch and was pleased to hear only birds and cars, no barking dogs or cursing neighbors. My neighbor left me a variety of gorgeous daffoduls in a honey jar. He's a sweetie.
We are water (audiobook), by Wally Lamb: It seemed way too long. Excruciating in spots and I wanted it to be over. Then it got OK again. Story is told from too many viewpoints and jumps around in time. First I liked it as it just went from husband to wife and you saw how they got to be the way they are. Then the kids got into it and the new girlfriend and the evil cousin. The basic theme is family secrets and how they mess up generations of people. I felt a bit more sympathetic when I listened to the interview with the author and found that he teaches writing in a women's prison and has second-hand knowledge of abuse issues with a great proportion of the prison population.
Warm today, too warm. We had guests at breakfast, which was very nice since out breakfast club has been decimated by illness and death. Sat out in the back yard as I ate my lunch and was pleased to hear only birds and cars, no barking dogs or cursing neighbors. My neighbor left me a variety of gorgeous daffoduls in a honey jar. He's a sweetie.
Friday, June 7, 2013
Me and all the other losers (weirdos?)
Being amongst the people-who-don't-have-computers-at-home is an ignoble accomplishment. As I look around me, there are some real strange dudes and,not necessarilly people around whom I enjoy being. In fact, PEOPLE are getting on my nerves more and more. Last night attended a free demo on Windows 8 and a woman behind me was sniffling and chewing gum noisily. The other attendees were old and strange, except for one sort of youngish couple. The instructors down at the Cape May County Library technology center, however, are young men, just brimming over with information and willingness to share and help. Too bad it involves an hour drive from Bridgeton to Cape May Court House.
Book review: Stranger here : how weight-loss surgery transformed my body and messed with my head, by Jen Larsen. I must return this book today as it is OVERDUE. I borrowed it from the Vineland Public Library (613.24 Lar) I wanted to read this because she was a librarian, lived in San Francisco and had weight loss surgery, to which I am sort of opposed. I figure, if you are going to have to eat less and exercise, why bother getting surgery, why not just DO IT? She details her transformation and her breakup with her long time boyfriend and her poor eating habits, even after surgery. I was amazed to learn from the dust jacket and flap that she now lives in Utah and is a lesbian. I didn't see THAT coming. I learned the jargon of these many patients, including the desire for Onederland (once you get below 200 pounds) People who have undergone these surgeries seem to be obsessed with it (even five years out) as they used to be obsessed with dieting. One of her large friends is worried about the changes in their friendship..."I wanted to tell her how I had no controls, no checks, no balances, no boundaries. There's being fat, and there's being on a runaway train. I had to get the surgery. And I was so sorry." I know that feeling.
Still working on my taxes. As I get closer to sending it in, I have totally forgotten WHY I did WHAT and fearing that it is WRONG. It sure is complicated! I really should do it online next year, because I think that is what THEY do and then they find all of my mistakes. My philosophy on taxes is....DONE is better than RIGHT. Also, a little known cheap way to do your taxes is to just send it in and then they redo it and send you the amount of money THEY think you should get back. This is CHEAPER than paying H & R Block $250 to help me. I know I should get some help about every five years, but by the time I get around to looking for someone to help, it is April already.
Book review: Stranger here : how weight-loss surgery transformed my body and messed with my head, by Jen Larsen. I must return this book today as it is OVERDUE. I borrowed it from the Vineland Public Library (613.24 Lar) I wanted to read this because she was a librarian, lived in San Francisco and had weight loss surgery, to which I am sort of opposed. I figure, if you are going to have to eat less and exercise, why bother getting surgery, why not just DO IT? She details her transformation and her breakup with her long time boyfriend and her poor eating habits, even after surgery. I was amazed to learn from the dust jacket and flap that she now lives in Utah and is a lesbian. I didn't see THAT coming. I learned the jargon of these many patients, including the desire for Onederland (once you get below 200 pounds) People who have undergone these surgeries seem to be obsessed with it (even five years out) as they used to be obsessed with dieting. One of her large friends is worried about the changes in their friendship..."I wanted to tell her how I had no controls, no checks, no balances, no boundaries. There's being fat, and there's being on a runaway train. I had to get the surgery. And I was so sorry." I know that feeling.
Still working on my taxes. As I get closer to sending it in, I have totally forgotten WHY I did WHAT and fearing that it is WRONG. It sure is complicated! I really should do it online next year, because I think that is what THEY do and then they find all of my mistakes. My philosophy on taxes is....DONE is better than RIGHT. Also, a little known cheap way to do your taxes is to just send it in and then they redo it and send you the amount of money THEY think you should get back. This is CHEAPER than paying H & R Block $250 to help me. I know I should get some help about every five years, but by the time I get around to looking for someone to help, it is April already.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
I gotta get out o'this town, if it's the last thing I ever do
Mexican doorbell at 6:30 AM. Car horns honking, then loud Spanish rap coming from car waiting for whoever (whomever?). Then more honking. People are really inconsiderate around here. I just try and WAIT them out.
The good news is I finally made a plane reservation. The bad news is that I can't find my passport! And there is a possibility that it has expired. Was gonna go home and tear apart my house tonight but going out to dinner instead. Which of the 52 piles is it at the bottom of? Between the taxes not done and the passport not found, I am feeling somewhat frazzled. But I could have worse problems....like no legs.
I hate, hate, hate our tax system. Totally convoluted and confusing. Called up an accountant hoping that she would know what I need to declare for my pension, but she didn't seem to have a clue. I am sure if I contact my employer they will just say they can't give tax advice. I am probably one of the few people who read the booklets cover to cover. Did you know that you MUST declare all of your income from:
- bribes
- kickbacks
- illegal drug sales
The good news is I finally made a plane reservation. The bad news is that I can't find my passport! And there is a possibility that it has expired. Was gonna go home and tear apart my house tonight but going out to dinner instead. Which of the 52 piles is it at the bottom of? Between the taxes not done and the passport not found, I am feeling somewhat frazzled. But I could have worse problems....like no legs.
I hate, hate, hate our tax system. Totally convoluted and confusing. Called up an accountant hoping that she would know what I need to declare for my pension, but she didn't seem to have a clue. I am sure if I contact my employer they will just say they can't give tax advice. I am probably one of the few people who read the booklets cover to cover. Did you know that you MUST declare all of your income from:
- bribes
- kickbacks
- illegal drug sales
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Anonymous blogs
Wrote to a guy who HAD a blog to ask some questions. I liked his sense of humor and his self revelations. He immediately responded with a long email which helped me. He started off with an anonymous blog. The more his friends discovered it, the more he had to censor himself. This is my problem. So, I am going to make my blog public again but STOP TALKING ABOUT IT. I have learned that I really don't want criticism. That is why I don't work!
According to statistics, most people abandon their blogs after 2 or 3 months. I still feel like writing, despite my recent crisis of purpose.
It was so great to see so many friends over the weekend. Since Monday things not going so well. Spent an entire afternoon struggling with the tax stuff at the library and they didn't have a calculator to lend me. Finally had to send off an extension form even though I do not believe in extensions. Now that the post offices all close at 5, that was my deadline. After spending 5 hours on it, I ended up brain dead, pissed off, confused, and a bunch of other negative emotions. Then I went to my book club and couldn't think of much to say about the book, Zuka and the fire of life, by Salman Rushdie. Today I woke up with noises of butchering of trees. Went outside and found out it is MY neighbors with three types of heavy equipment going a bit overboard, if you ask me. They proceeded to destroy a quite lovely fir tree because the owner wants to put a DUMPSTER back there, so he can renovate the downstairs apartment (and thus give me DOUBLE the trouble). I had to take an anti-anxiety pill and leave home to get away from the noise and the thinking about it.
According to statistics, most people abandon their blogs after 2 or 3 months. I still feel like writing, despite my recent crisis of purpose.
It was so great to see so many friends over the weekend. Since Monday things not going so well. Spent an entire afternoon struggling with the tax stuff at the library and they didn't have a calculator to lend me. Finally had to send off an extension form even though I do not believe in extensions. Now that the post offices all close at 5, that was my deadline. After spending 5 hours on it, I ended up brain dead, pissed off, confused, and a bunch of other negative emotions. Then I went to my book club and couldn't think of much to say about the book, Zuka and the fire of life, by Salman Rushdie. Today I woke up with noises of butchering of trees. Went outside and found out it is MY neighbors with three types of heavy equipment going a bit overboard, if you ask me. They proceeded to destroy a quite lovely fir tree because the owner wants to put a DUMPSTER back there, so he can renovate the downstairs apartment (and thus give me DOUBLE the trouble). I had to take an anti-anxiety pill and leave home to get away from the noise and the thinking about it.
Friday, April 12, 2013
Millville, the next best thing to Washington, DC?
I am referring to the cherry blossoms I saw everywhere on the way to the Millville Public Library today. It is grey and raining but they still looked beautiful. Never in my life have I planned a trip or gotten to DC at the right time for the cherry blossoms.
Paris, here I come? I am seriously "vacation planning impaired" but now I have a goal, albeit a bit late. Some friends are going to be in Paris and have invited me to stay with them for a few days. Can I do it? Can I overcome my terror of any price over $1000 and actually commit?
In a rush today. If I devote ENOUGH time to exercise and online activities, there is practically no time left over. Thus, I find myself in a fix with my taxes incomplete. Now, this is not uncommon as the earliest I have EVER filed is April 14th. I used to say I was doing it so as to have compassion for the library patrons who would be rushing into the library at 8:45 PM on April 15th yelling, "What form do I need?" It makes me anxious to realize that I will have limited time for my OTHER important activities from now until I am finished. I don't believe in extensions, because I know myself well enough to know that I would need an extension to the extension. Unfotunately, I have MANY plans for activities in the next few days.
Paris, here I come? I am seriously "vacation planning impaired" but now I have a goal, albeit a bit late. Some friends are going to be in Paris and have invited me to stay with them for a few days. Can I do it? Can I overcome my terror of any price over $1000 and actually commit?
In a rush today. If I devote ENOUGH time to exercise and online activities, there is practically no time left over. Thus, I find myself in a fix with my taxes incomplete. Now, this is not uncommon as the earliest I have EVER filed is April 14th. I used to say I was doing it so as to have compassion for the library patrons who would be rushing into the library at 8:45 PM on April 15th yelling, "What form do I need?" It makes me anxious to realize that I will have limited time for my OTHER important activities from now until I am finished. I don't believe in extensions, because I know myself well enough to know that I would need an extension to the extension. Unfotunately, I have MANY plans for activities in the next few days.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Friends
Gee, somebody wants to be my friend on Facebook. That makes me feel good, even though I rarely look at Facebook. I should be into it, as I specialize in superficial relationships. But whenever I look at it, news streams by about people who are totally marginal in my life. I did get contacted by an old college friend. I do love when that happens. Then I ran into an old high school friend at yoga. Now we are getting really far afield. I didn't even recognize her.
Finished an audiobook of Here lies the librarian, by Richard Peck, read by Lara Everly. I had trouble paying attention to it at first, but then I got into it. It starts out with a tornado, making me think that maybe I had gotten the discs messed up. But no, it was disc number one. Of course, I picked it up at the Vineland Public Library (AUD CD YA FIC Peck Richard) because I love anything to do with libraries or librarians. Actually, the librarian referred to is already dead and buried at the beginning of this book, but there is a continuing library theme. Pewee is a tomboy and Jake is her brother. They seem to be orphans and run an auto mechanic business. Some lovely young ladies tour through town to look at the tornado damage and they become acquainted. The young women are students of library science. They end up getting hired to reopen the town library (from which Peewee has been banned for life at the age of 10 for bad language). There is also an automobile race, a wicked family of rival auto mechanics and a possibly budding romance between one or more of the girls and Peewee's brother. This all takes place in Indiana in the early years of the 1900's. It is a delightful listen.
Taxes, taxes, taxes...I really should get help with my taxes but am reluctant. Should I get someone I KNOW or someone I DON'T know? Life gets more complicated every year and especially last year simce I retired in the middle of the year. And it is already almost MARCH. Yikes. I am about to panic. I dutifully try and read the booklets cover to cover and it is very time consuming. The federal booklet isn't even available yet! I know once I do it online, I will never get a booklet again. Thus, my stubborn desire to continue doing it by hand.
Finished an audiobook of Here lies the librarian, by Richard Peck, read by Lara Everly. I had trouble paying attention to it at first, but then I got into it. It starts out with a tornado, making me think that maybe I had gotten the discs messed up. But no, it was disc number one. Of course, I picked it up at the Vineland Public Library (AUD CD YA FIC Peck Richard) because I love anything to do with libraries or librarians. Actually, the librarian referred to is already dead and buried at the beginning of this book, but there is a continuing library theme. Pewee is a tomboy and Jake is her brother. They seem to be orphans and run an auto mechanic business. Some lovely young ladies tour through town to look at the tornado damage and they become acquainted. The young women are students of library science. They end up getting hired to reopen the town library (from which Peewee has been banned for life at the age of 10 for bad language). There is also an automobile race, a wicked family of rival auto mechanics and a possibly budding romance between one or more of the girls and Peewee's brother. This all takes place in Indiana in the early years of the 1900's. It is a delightful listen.
Taxes, taxes, taxes...I really should get help with my taxes but am reluctant. Should I get someone I KNOW or someone I DON'T know? Life gets more complicated every year and especially last year simce I retired in the middle of the year. And it is already almost MARCH. Yikes. I am about to panic. I dutifully try and read the booklets cover to cover and it is very time consuming. The federal booklet isn't even available yet! I know once I do it online, I will never get a booklet again. Thus, my stubborn desire to continue doing it by hand.
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