Beware of the Ides of March

March is becoming crazier by the minute!

So if my looming graduation and employment search aren't heavy enough, let's see how much more we can toss into the heap.

My son has been frantic with scholarship applications/interviews/auditions. There's a few small, local scholarships that he's writing essays for, but the big ones are his vocal and video production auditions. Decisions will be made soon and we've got to find time to squeeze a few more opportunities into the schedule before they slip away.

Then there's trying to get my taxes done so that we can file for his FAFSA considerations before the April 1st deadline (don't you find it interesting that April Fool's Day is the deadline for financial aid considerations - hmmm). That's becoming quite an interesting bear in and of itself.

In order for me to be able to pay the bills and go to school at the same time, I've had to liquidate my investments and the majority of my retirement. Now comes the tax bill. Only once have I ever had to pay into State but never Federal. This year is changing that and scaring me to death.

But it's got to be done in order to have any hope of my son receiving grant money to help pay for college expenses in excess of scholarships. Now the question is how the tax man is going to get paid.

Another hurdle to overcome in this amazing year.

So with my graduation, my employment search, taxes due, my son's scholarship deadlines, FAFSA deadline, his graduation, etc., etc., etc., I'm really feeling the pressure this month.

Beware of the Ides of March!

Here's hoping I won't suffer the same fate as Caesar.

Visiting With Uncle Sam

Worked on my taxes today after spending most of the day job hunting.

Yes, it's that time of year again when Uncle Sam comes a'calling. I'm getting a decent return this year, thank God. It will come in handy during this time off.

Of course, I'd originally planned to utilize it for more important things, namely upcoming annual bills for home insurance and the other half of my property taxes on this new house.

Guess it isn't so new anymore since we've lived in it over a year now. Wow - I remember when it felt like we were never going to feel settled here. Now I can't believe we survived so long in that little-bitty house.

I'd love to have that little-bitty payment right about now. But I digress.

I tried out that free Turbo Tax online form. Pretty slick! For my entire life, I've always done my own taxes. Figured it would be fun to try this at least once, especially since it was free (fed return anyway). Easy to do, but it makes me feel weird not having done the calculations myself.

My anality is showing again.

So I went to print it out and my ink cartridge ran out and needs to be replaced. Wal-mart will be calling come morning.

Uncle Sam will just have to wait one more day.