In the process of cleaning stuff out of the house, I came across my blog. Imagine that... just over 2 years from my last post. (Major eye roll inserted here.)
My last post came in January of 2017, just after the inauguration of President Donald Trump. In that regard, it has certainly been an interesting 2 years but this post is not going down that avenue.
In late January of 2017, I took on a new role at work that occupied my time and kept me hopping long enough that I got away from writing and posting anything to the web. Needless to say I have missed it and now feel a little hesitant to jump back in. Kind of like my weight gain, and lack of exercise during the same hiatus from writing. It is hard to get going again, but all it takes is one little course correction and we can get back on track.
Speaking of course correction, I am using this blog post as a means of procrastination from getting back onto completing taxes. Thinking I should have paid more attention to the news reports about changes to the withholding amount during the year.
Turns out that is a big understatement as the amount to be paid for federal leaves my beloved and I a little perplexed and disjointed about the whole thing. From what I hear around the coffee machine at work and news media, we aren't the only people who found themselves at the toll booth of federal tax liability.
This may lead to a course of action to move away from the tax software and contact a tax professional. Not that we feel they will be able to find the magic method to drastically reduce or reverse the liability, but rather aid us in adjusting our exemptions and withholding to avoid a burden such as this in the future. A road map to less stress and worry for next year at this time.
Better to find a new route than to curse the pothole....
It seems the small changes being applied started last summer when I did in fact take a wrong turn.
We were in Sandusky, OH visiting my wife's family. My mother in law has not joined the digital age, thus she has no internet or WiFi. Hard to believe but it is true. In fact, she chooses to curse the internet as it has ruined everything. It seems that Nanny is no longer able to get a JCPenney Catalog because of the internet. That, in and of itself is indeed a travesty.
In search of WiFi to complete some certification training, I went to the McDonald's located on the Cedar Point Causeway. Upon purchasing a coffee and snacky, I inquired about the WiFi access. The very helpful employee who just served my Egg McMuffin looked at me and gave me an honest and accurate response. She said, "Our WiFi can be problematic." Joy not sparked. The next hour of start and stop video presentations left me convinced that 'problematic' was a gross understatement.
A quick search of the area revealed recommendations of a coffee shop in revitalized downtown Sandusky. Perfect, plug it into the GPS and off I go. Out of the parking lot and a right turn onto the Causeway and I will be there in less than 15 min. "Ohhhhhh, was I supposed to turn left there?"
No worries, we will turn around at the next opportunity and course correct. Then I noticed all of the traffic cones in the median. With the bay and Lake Erie on the right and no outlets to the left, I could only go forward, I couldn't go back. As the roller coasters began to rise into site in front of me, I knew I was getting close to the parking lot and would be able to swing around. Only after issuing the only phrase one can possibly say in the parking lot of an amusement park. "Look kids, Roy Wally World." I digress.
As I approached the parking attendant booth, I rolled down the window and chuckled as I began to explain my dilemma to Mary. "Well Ma'am, I missed a turn on 1st Street and had no other opportunity to turn around. Can I just swing through the lot and out the exit.?"
Mary looked at me and deadpanned, "No, we have a no-turnaround policy and you will have to pay the $20 parking fee."
My chuckle started to wither and die in my throat.....
Then before I could offer my best challenge to this outrageous policy, Mary smiled and said, "just hold onto your receipt, drive up to the end of the curb, turn left and left again to come back along side the other side of the building and the attendant will refund your money."
I blinked, smiled and said, "Ok, Sounds great!" and I thanked Mary for her time and information as I handed over $20. As Mary handed me my receipt, she commented, "Boy, you are much nicer about this than most people."
I explained to Mary, I saw it as being my issue because I was the one who missed the turn, which was certainly not her fault nor justification for me to curse her or the policy for no free turnarounds. (Which, I am certain, is in place for a reason.) We thanked each other and I made my two left turns, received my refund and on my way.
Through the last half of 2018 and especially going into 2019, I have thought about that exchange with Mary. We often take wrong turns. Whether driving, taking care of our health, tending to our taxes or finances, a wrong turn can take you down a road to a point you don't particularly want to find yourself.
With a little self assessment, admission of ownership for the wrong turn, application of a little course correction and you can find yourself back on the path to your desired destination. More importantly, you can feel good about not blaming the 'Mary's' of the world for the 'wrong turns' we have taken.
Small changes have a big effect....
Now, about those taxes... deep breath.
