Last Friday was payday for my co-breadwinner and me. So naturally, when I logged on to our bank account, I was expecting to see a balance approximately 16x greater than its pre-payday level. Imagine my surprise when the amount was more like 30x increased. The substantial deposit was explained by one line, “IRS Tax Refund.” Woohoo! Free* money!
No matter how badly I want an iPhone, we’ve already put our stimulus package (teehee) in our *yawn* savings account. I know, I know, that’s probably not what the guv’mint had in mind when they said “stimulate,” but since our savings account is a.k.a. “the Beckendorf home-buying fund,” in the end I figure we’ll be contributing the biggest stimulus of our short lives to the economy. So there. But I do still really want an iPhone.
* [I am fully aware that funds the government "gives" us are not actually "gifts" and are far from "free," but I'll spare you my rant about the taxation system. "Free money" is just what I always say about unexpected income, whether earned or not. If it's not written down in our budget, it's free money! For example, I return something I bought on debit for a cash refund = free money. Or (true story) I see a wad of bills near the curb while driving along Virginia Drive, stop, see that it's four twenties, can't see a soul to whom it could belong, realize the apartments behind me are probably crack houses and pocket the cash = free money.]
erin says:
I LOVE “free money” and I use the same loose definition you do.
Any time I get a cheque (I am Canadian, that is not a spelling error) from the gov’t, it’s “free money” even though, in reality, it is a REFUND.
I supposed I SHOULD be putting those free monies into opur savings account, but somehow dinner out or new toys (models and supplies for my Jason or beads and supplies for myself) are too tempting.
Good for you guys for being so wise.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Margins. says:
Yay for money. I deposited some dough into my savings a couple of days ago, because you know, I’m a responsible college student, and it felt oh so good.
Oh man do I love your wish list. Love the WhizBiz. Ha. I may have to invest.
May 15th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Margins. says:
I was checking out my spam and came across one that was effing hilarious:
“Serious stimulation awaits you”
Little red riding hood never rode that much until she made friends with me.
Oh geez-us. Reminded me of your spam post and thought I’d share. Sorry if it’s too much to handle. Ha.
May 15th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Avenue says:
Ha! Little red riding hood…. Oh my. They just get more ridiculous. Thanks for sharing.
But yeah…we’re really not all that responsible about saving, though. We pretty much just started cramming about a month ago when we decided to try to buy a house. Half my reason for posting this was as a sort of accountability — so, you know, if ya’ll see me posting about my new iPhone before I’ve posted about our new home…you have my permission to reprimand me. Harshly.
May 15th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
peaches says:
you were coming to my house when you found that FREE money!
i remember that!
heeheehee.
May 31st, 2008 at 5:55 pm