April 15th: Day of Reckoning - have a drink w/me

[Scanner]

Well, I consider April 15th more a day of reckoning that Jan. 1 because it forces you to take inventory. I thought I'd share with you all my successes and failures.

I know this is a financial forum but I thought I would share other aspects of life, since there is more to life than money. But I'll start with finances:

Financial

Successes

- Contributed $8,000 to both Roth IRA's and maximum to DW's 403(b)
- Contributed $15/week to both 529's
- Redeployed portfolio successfully to include commodity
- accomplished this on 8K less than we made last year
- Small tax refund of $800 making my quarterly estimates good for the most part


Failures

- Still behind on college accounts, esp. 10 year old
- Business had 20% drop in revenue last year (overhead dropped too)

Physical

Successes

- Lost 20 pounds after 3 day fast
- Started regimen of baby aspirin and flaxseed oil
- Increased energy post-fast
- restarted vigorous exercise

Failures

- Still have ways to go to improve fitness and health

Mental

Successes

- Read a few books

Failures

- Need to expand horizons - explore idea of becoming a semi-expert on an area of history

Spiritual

Successes

- Completed 3 day fast and reconnected with spiritual side

Failures

- Regular church still eludes me

Family

Successes

- Managed 10 days of vacation last year
- Put downpayment on family pool for backyard
- Transitioned from shock to welcome for 3rd baby
- Put hardwood floor down in 2 rooms

Failures

- Family life remains too hectic
- Regular dinners only happen 1x/week
- Gaps in oldest one's supervision (left alone 1.5 hours/day during school)

Career

Successes

- Beginning new business/intellectual endeavor w/ an old colleague/friend
- Became board eligible for a career related certification

Failures

- Business is suffering healthcare challenges

Social

Successes

- Rekindled old friendship

Failures

- Have no friends other than virtual, LOL

[sweeps]

[PauletteGoddard]

Here's a recipe for an Income Tax Cocktail:

1 dash Angostura bitters
The juice of 1/4 orange
1/4 sweet vermouth
1/4 dry vermouth
1/2 dry gin

Shake well and strain into cocktail glass.

I just saved blog readers a moany groany post (for a change. usually I am not that generous) and will focus on my successes. My failures I revisit and berate myself mentally daily, in lieu of parents to do it for me (which is why I drink an Income Tax Cocktail):

40% hourly rate increase since November 2005
Get occasional recognition awards at work for superlative customer relations and service: believe it or don't!

Best year ever for adjusted gross income: saved 20% of gross outside retirement accounts, 20% of gross inside as well...
Made maximum contribution to Roth IRA for 2007

Started Direct Stock Purchase Plans for some recession-proof, global companies, others in blue chips.

Went on vacation of a lifetime: driving down and up Pacific Coast in a convertible, visited some wonderful locations and stayed at marvelous accommodations. Now I know what sunshine looks like!

Made energy efficiency improvements. Shame they're not really showing up on my bill... However, I am spending $584 less per year on energy than the average residence in my area.
Reduced # of car tank fill-ups per year from 70 to 17.

Went back to church, alone, last month for regular service. Now the husband and boy, unwashed heathens, want to join me.

Reconnected with friends of my late parents. They recognized me right away, after thirty-two years!

Grew yummy tomatoes.

Found time to volunteer at child's school, despite working full-time.

Am steadily finding local kindred spirits, despite having so little time.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I'd like all readers here to know that dry vermouth is not just a mixer. It is good all by its lonely self. I'm fond of it.

The new year is in September for me. Maybe I'll do an assessment then.

Scanner--- "Lost 20 pounds after 3 day fast." This has to be a typo.

[Scanner]

I should qualify - lost 9 pounds after doing 3 day fast (mostly water) and then continued to drop 11 more by eating low carb + exercise.

[jIM_Ohio]

I see your drink and will raise you two. Sometimes one does not take the edge off.

[LuxLiving]

Hey buddy don't you need a coaster for that?


Good job all you Great Successes!

Cheers!

~Lux

(excuse me while I sip my rootbeer foam!)

Weight loss? Never heard of it.

[Scanner]

You want to know another funny thing regarding the physical? My other virtual friends make fun of me for this. I went on my fast and low carb diet - I have lost my taste for beer.

I mean. . .and I used to love beer, even before I was on low carb. Prior to my low carb days I used to love to eat 2 Snyders Hard Pretzels with a glass of American beer, near freezing.

Now. . .I could care less.

But my taste for it is just up and gone. . .I don't want it anymore except maybe on a hot summer day after mowing the lawn. That will probably be the next time I drink a glass.

I am drinking a glass of. . .get this. . .red wine at night.

Ohhhhh. . .I have been fully domesticated.

[sweeps]

Watch out, Scanner, we may have to take away your man card.

[Broken Arrow]

Congrats Scanner. From my viewpoint, I think you're doing great.

[jIM_Ohio]

Scanner- it the right crowd I like a glass of wine too. But I will never stray far (I HOPE) from my taste and love of Sam Adams beer.