Monday, February 10, 2014

Taxes and jobs

New week...yay!

Today is one of the kids' predetermined "late arrival" school days for professional development.  I will say it again....whoever thought having the kids start late (10:30, vs 8am) just didn't think about parents.  *sigh*  While it was nice to not have the alarm go off at 6am, it does throw off the rhythm of the day.

Taxes are almost done.  All the main numbers are in, but I have to fill in a few minor details.  But.......drum roll please.......

Federal:  $2653 REFUND
State:      $117 OWE

I have no idea what happens with our state taxes other than they just go up every year.  We have taxes taken out, and we have EXTRA taken out, and we almost always owe (last year was a rare $34 refund).  I am not sweating this....it isn't that bad.  And our federal refund is WAY larger than we expected (considering I thought we would owe).

We have too many little amounts that we have held on to for one reason or another.  We are going to corral them all, and decide what to do.  I already know that part is going towards new tires for my car.  The tires are still ok for the moment, but I will need new tires (which we were already planning on for later this year....it was just a bummer that we spent $200 of our car savings on the alignment).  And I already mentioned our poor bathroom floor.

The rest....*ducking from the eggs being thrown*....will probably sit in savings for a little bit. 

G-man has applied for a new job out of state, and we will wait until that is decided before we do anything.  If a move is in our future (it is a long shot), then the money will go toward that.  G-man put CT as his second choice office, so if he gets that instead of out of state (they are the same job, just in different locations), we would still lose some money initially.  He would move to a day position, and we would lose his night and Sunday pay.  His base pay will be a lateral move at this time, but the potential path is much greater.  In his current position....he will not receive any raises, ever.  He is at the top of the scale, and his current position is considered a low grade position.

We are trying to laugh if I end up getting a new job at the same time we find out we are moving.  Wouldn't that just be how we roll???

If none of the above work out....the extra money will go toward his car to pay it off faster, per What's the Cost (and Tanner, I haven't had a chance to check out your calculator suggestion!).  We have started saving half of G-man's second job pay (since I increased my hours at my job) to see if we can make it without that money.  If we can, then that savings will go toward either the move, or towards the car.

Anyway you put it...we should know about G-man's job within a month, so it isn't like this will dangle on forever.  But we definitely will have a month in flux!!

13 comments:

  1. There's nothing wrong with leaving money sit, until a better path becomes clear. A lot of my money often sits for a month or two before I reassign it somewhere. The bonus I got back in December just recently got a new home, 2 months later! The important thing is that it is going to a good goal and you're giving yourself time to think about it... especially with as much uncertainty with the job/move situation. I'd rather save save save if moving is a possibility, then be prepared, than not save and get hit with that sort of expense.

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  2. I think that you have a good plan in place. Best not to make major decisions on where to put the money until you are clear about the job fronts. :)

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  3. I think it's a great idea that you hold onto the money until you know the job situation. It will give you a little piece of mind.

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  4. Why would people yell at you for saving the money? That seems like a good idea to me.

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    1. I have been "yelled" at for holding money. Some people feel that it is better to put it on the debt, since it is gaining interest.

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    2. I think in this case, it is best to hold on to the money.

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    3. That's what I think....but like I have said....I have been yelled at. It isn't like we are going to do NOTHING with the money. It will be in a holding account until a firm decision is made, and then it will get used.

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  5. I agree with the previous comments. Good job!

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  6. Nice amount! I think it's a good idea to save it!! If you move out of state are you coming to the south?!

    HS

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    1. The job is in Charlotte, NC. In the past we have talked about actually purchasing a home in SC, as the office is right on the border. SC has lower property taxes. But we also have to look at school and appropriate programming for Bossy.

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    2. Awesome, hopefully he gets it then you are forced to find new work in NC.

      HS

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  7. I love holding onto money and then some freak thing comes along and jerks it out of my hands!

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  8. I think holding on to the money is a good idea --- especially since you can see a situation coming that might incur costs that you'll need cash on hand for. Good luck!

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