We received a notice over the weekend that our economic stimulus check should arrive “by May 30.” This is very exciting for me, since I figured we wouldn’t see the thing until sometime in July. I’ve always been the primary filer (since I make most of the $$$), and the last two numbers of my SSN put us in July for receiving our economic stimulus tax rebate.
So, even though the IRS transposed two numbers on our address and the notice (and likely our check) went to the neighbors across the street, I’m feeling very optimistic. For myself. Because I don’t …read more

If you’re like me, it’s time to make an adjustment in the monthly budget. The dairy that we use is announcing increased prices on milk, cheese and eggs. And the fuel surcharge for delivery has gone up. Again. Not that we mind that much. After all, we like supporting local businesses — especially those with sustainable practices. But it does mean that we’re making adjustments.
But we’ve noticed a change at the grocery store as well. Food costs more. And we all heard about that panic-induced trend to hoard rice a few weeks ago. (Disclosure: I did not hoard rice. There …read more

If you have waited until today to pay your taxes (or file for money back), you are probably wondering why you waited until the last minute. Again.  (Incidentally, I don’t wonder this; I get everything ready to go and then don’t mail it til the last day. It’s purely psychological. It sort of makes me feel better.)
But there are some things you can start doing now to ensure that next year’s Tax Day isn’t quite so onerous.

Get organized. Look through your tax return. What sorts of things are you deducting or getting credits for? Throughout the year, keep receipts from …read more

So the letters telling you that you need to be filing your 2007 tax return in order to get the economic stimulus tax rebate should be on the way. Want to know how much you’ll get? Check out this handy economic stimulus tax rebate calculator from the IRS.