Taxes are the price of living in a civilized society. I'd be happier with them if this actually were a civilized society.

You do not want to get me started on the economic stimulous checks. The government is spending millions of dollars we don't have to pay out millions of dollars we don't have. It would have been way cheaper and probably as effective to hire people to dress up in jester suits and skip through the country throwing money. Do you know how the government used to stimulate the economy, back before it was run by people who believe government is evil? They used government money to give people jobs like working on our crumbling infrastructure.

Second weird compliment of the day, "Whenever you wear that top, I can't help stare at your breasts! They look fabulous!" (From a woman on my team who's my friend so not pervy.)

My brother went off on me last night about government-funded programs. Eventually I cut him off and said, "You know, you have a sister who is functioning (healthcare), living under a roof (social security), and going to college (MassRehab) thanks to government-funded programs, so I'm the wrong audience for this rant."

Although -- this is my ideal plan -- once I pay off my credit card, I'll start saving for my next car, because I *really* want to pay cash for it (rather than finance it), if at all possible. I know that's pie-in-the-sky, but I really want to shoot for it.

I've got a lot longer on my current car payment (only halfway through), but I'm hoping to get it paid off at least a year early. After I do have it paid off, though, I'm planning on doing what your goal is, Steph. My goal is to continue to put aside my monthly payment into a savings account and have enough in there when the Civic finally gives out (hopefully, not for a very long time!).

When I do get my $600 this weekend, it'll mostly go towards my last credit card to pay it off. I also have to take my cat into the vet to have a lump looked at, and if that proves to be just a reaction to her rabies shot, I should have enough left over to send a few dollars to a few charities/websites.

Taxes are the price of living in a civilized society. I'd be happier with them if this actually were a civilized society.

You do not want to get me started on the economic stimulous checks...

Once again, Ginger and I are the same person!

Your liver might not think so, but other than that it sounds OK.

I'm not planning on drinking it all at once. In face, I bought it a week ago and haven't opened any of it -- but I'm now stocked with the fancy-schmancy gin, wine, Jameson's, and Pimm's. Pimm's says summer to me, and Jameson's fueled a lot of porn-writing, so I'm looking forward to having the time and circumstances to crack them open!

I am Ginger and javachik.

I'm also Kristin, with the bitterness about 2008 and money and the paying off of loans. Our finances are in such a fucking mess that it's completely not worth going into, but suffice it to say that (a) the debt-consolidation loan that was supposed to lighten our burden a couple of years ago is killing us, and there's no way out from under it, and (b) if we ever see a penny of that ridiculous stimulus check, I will laugh and laugh and then drop dead of astonishment. If we do get it, it will just about cover either two months' debt consolidation payment, or one month and two or three days of Matilda's daycare.

Also, I have to pout just a bit about Teppy's old car Sherman, who died just in time to kill her budget for the year and prevent her from coming to our wedding. Sherman, Sherman, you couldn't have hung in there for just a couple more months? Six lousy weeks? Phooey on you!

Emily, those booze purchases sound like a fine and wise investment!

Also, I have to pout just a bit about Teppy's old car Sherman, who died just in time to kill her budget for the year and prevent her from coming to our wedding. Sherman, Sherman, you couldn't have hung in there for just a couple more months? Six lousy weeks? Phooey on you!

I know! Having my beloved Sherm die on me was bad enough, but to do it at the exact time that it did, in such a way as to screw my finances for literally a year (maybe 18 months) was *crushing.* Very seriously. Not going to your wedding just about killed me.

But then you came to the DC F2F, and it helped me get over my crushing disappointment. (Although it's possible that what *actually* helped was that amazing corset you were wearing -- was it the Trashy Diva one? SO. COOL.)

I'm the wrong audience for this rant

How did he react? Sometimes I just can't believe people.