**Apparently, it would take 17 years to pay off my February credit card charges, if I only paid the 2% of balance, minimum. Do you think anyone who accepts this reality is going to care that it is spelled out for them? I don't.

I will take a few days to get around paying it off, as I have since the first day I got my first credit card. It's really a lot easier that way. (I don't buy things that I don't have the cash for).

**Spent money yesterday. Spent about $8 on a giant plastic bin (can never have too many?) I presume I may put some of my photo albums/mementos in there - as I clear off the shelves that were in my bedroom.

I also spent about $8 on a clock. Ah, it's nice to know what time it is again. In the family room.

I am hoping I can find some time to clean up a bit and do some before/after phots on LM's room and our family room.

**Dh is back at 100%, which I am sure I have said. But I just deposited $85 into checking, from Ebay (after fees and all). Woohoo. My Ebay master is back! No Ebay for Jan/Feb, obviously, but we are back on the $100/month profit track.

Haven't missed it because we have been spending so little in the end, with all this medical hoo ha. But obviously that is changing with everyone feeling well. So it's nice to get some financial help again.

**I was able to find a few minutes to run my parents' taxes. My dad was put on disability last May and was laid off eventually. He had more income than I would have guessed, but I think they appreciated the help more than usual. He is DIY all the way - when it comes to taxes. But I always offer to do them since I can whip them out so fast. Nothing like your dad questioning your expertise though - LOL. He will argue with me about silly things. Last year he told me, "I bet you didn't notice we were barely able to itemize - I doubt you looked very closely." Oy vey. Like he thought I just rely on the computer to do it and don't check the numbers. Not the way to do my job! Actually, I noticed! But that's one of his nicer criticisms.

So, it was nice to tell them they got a big fat refund. Since they are usually pretty high income, and well, not so much for this year. I told my dad he could max out his own IRA if he wanted to. Not sure they would want to, but he was skeptical. "Really? Are you sure about that? I don't remember the last time I Was able to get the deduction." Yeah dad, do you remember the last time you only worked 4 months of the year??? But what do I know? As a tax professional and everything...

It was kind of interesting though, because most of my retired clients in similar income/wealth statuses have social security and pensions galore. They pay some serious taxes.

But I looked at my parents return. Too young for social security. Certainly no pensions. Not tapping their 401ks/IRAs. I don't think they will have any taxable income for a while. (My dad is looking at few options but to retire now).

I try to have the "tax talk" with anyone who will listen, but my parents haven't really been listening. They just can't believe it. That they can live on such a SMALL percentage of their usual gross income, without all the taxes. Well, I told them so... I've been telling them so. I told them they would get a big refund. & I am glad they will take advantage and fund their IRAs, one last time. & I think this gives them some extra peace of mind. They could literally live on like 25% of their gross working income. Easy. Which is why they are just rolling with the punches, and will probably be fine.

They will get a break in the interim, anyway. The tax hit will be shocking once they hit Social Security/IRA drawdown age, I am sure. So I suppose I should warn them about that, and hope they listen.