All ready for Christmas, I suppose. Seems more low key than usual. I really haven't had to do much of anything and don't plan to do much else. Did 100% online shopping, so why it seems easier. Dh would run my errands for me otherwise, probably. So, low key regardless.

Kids' classes just collected money for group gift.

Even for his family, his sister did the work and we are just reimbursing her. We had been doing big gifts in recent years (in return for many vacations, etc.), and there was talk of a big e-book gift or something like that. At first I wasn't thrilled, but the truth is it is a drop in the bucket compared to their generosity this year. So, whatever. But in the end we just did something more modest. Phew!

I have to wrap a gift certificate for a co-worker, and write a check for my boss' gift. That's about it!

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You know that annoying Chase commercial with all the "I am making deposits from the bathroom" talk? How exciting it is you can make deposits from anywhere?

It is an annoying commercial, but it rings true. Since I can scan my deposits (& don't have a smart phone), it's not exactly the same. But I have delighted in teasing the kids - telling them we have to go to the bank - and just taking them upstairs to the scanner. I am sure the novelty will wear off eventually.

My mom's checks have been more finicky - she pays half our cell phone bill (every other month - we share the cell plan). Needless to say, glad I only ask for it every other month. My paychecks go through smooth, which is good since those are the most frequent deposits I have.

Knock on wood, but I have never had to walk in a deposit since the scanner option. May take a few tries, but they have all gone through.

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I did my taxes today (preliminary) and am only getting back $1500. I had estimated $2k, with all the medical bills. I guess I estimated high. Not sure where I went wrong, but works out since so many other things have gone the other way this year.

I still think I can scrounge together $3k for our ROTHs. This takes care of half.

As far as next year, lord knows, huh? I met dh for lunch today and we griped about Congress and politics. The tax delay affects me so much, I am just really grumpy about it. "Wah wah, you drug your feet on this stuff ALL YEAR and this might affect your Christmas????" Don't get me started!

Anyway, I suppose maybe I kept the large refund knowing the making work pay credit expired this year. (I don't remember, but makes sense). If the other tax rates stay the same, I would be break even for 2011, except we will probably have more medical bills. But, again, I won't mess with my withholding for such a one-time thing. So, I think I will keep it the same for 2011. (Also, I read that state tax rates were going down, but I assume that has got to be really temporary - so again - will just keep paying in the same rates). Hedging for higher taxes in the near future, I suppose.

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I've mostly ignored my retirement this year since I haven't contributed much.

I probably am due for a rebalance. International seems to be really down for the year.

I finally got my retirement funds in hand (boss terminated plan). Only real difference is I have full control over it (versus none, before). I need to determine how I will invest these new funds, and how I will change my other allocations, accordingly.

I am thinking of shifting dh's retirement 100% into Target retirement funds. (Right now he has a 3-fund "lazy portfolio."). Done this way since he knows nothing about investing.

Though honestly, my best fund of late is my T Rowe retirement (has performed much better than Vanguards, in the short term anyway).

I may shift my stuff into the "lazy portfolio." In my ROTHs I have more managed funds and other stuff to consider in the rebalance.

All I know is I have to look at the big picture and rebalance everything.

I received enough money I can buy admiral shares to keep costs down. I am excited about that.

On the flip side, I won't add much to it because it is a regular IRA. We are in the bottom tax brackets, which doesn't make regular IRA contributions appealing for the moment.