I'm usually thrilled to do my taxes. Why? Because of the big check that comes my way afterward, mmkay? I'm poor and overtaxed, so they give me some money because they feel sorry for me (well, not quite, but you get the picture).
Last night, however, I about had a melt down. I've been really stressed this past week (quarrels with friends (now bandaged, but still bruised), um, er, OTHER things (ladies, you know) and then money). It seems there is never enough money to live comfortably. Always just enough to scrape by (and I've got the raw skin to prove it) and make you really anticipate that next paycheck. Try planning a wedding with NO money saved up and you're just asking for disaster, right? Right.
But I've been chirping that I'll use my income tax for our wedding. So, that's almost stopped me from pulling out my hair and having stomach aches because of stress. Until last night. I got online to do my taxes (like I always do) and when it was all said and done, it said that I OWED money.
Could someone please staple my heart back into my chest, please. You'll have to use the defibrillator first, though.
I actually broke down and bawled. My fiance freaked out (he can't stand it when I cry) and tried to calm me. But you know men, they never say the right thing when you're half hysterical. I just kept screeching, "Kick me while I'm down, God. Just kick me while I'm down."
Jake (the fiance) then said the unthinkable, "It's not a big deal, babe. We can just get married at the courthouse. We don't need all that fancy ceremony stuff."
Silence. Then. Explosion. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I AM ONLY GETTING MARRIED ONCE AND I PLAN TO DO IT HOW I WANT IT, OK!!!!????"
He stared at me like I'd lost my mind. Which I had. I'm a little bit calmer now, but still upset. I'm just hoping that I messed up and all will be resolved with a professional accountant. I honestly do not make enough money (especially AFTER taxes) to have to give the government more. And you IRS cronies can make a note of that.
::Deep breath::
Ok, I'm calm now. This will be resolved. Please, dear God, let this be a mistake because it's really going to suck otherwise.
UPDATE: I'm still screwed. Apparently, I did know what I was doing and I still owe money. The accountant told me that I probably filed for more deductions than I should have on my W-4 and when I didn't file for them when I did my taxes, that's what screwed me. I have no idea how I ended up doing that, but the point is that I messed up and I still owe money. Goody. (I redid my W-4 today as soon as I got to work and even added that I wanted them to take out extra taxes, just in case.)
However, I was rewarded with a moment of realization on how much my fiance loves me. When I got home, he'd made a list of all the wedding expenses and how we were going to pay for them. He's going to sell one of his guns (and for him, that's like severing a limb) and use that money to pay for my dress. We're re-evaluating what matters most to us on the wedding and going from there. Now that I feel like we're on the same page, I'm calmer and I don't feel so alone and overwhelmed now. It still sucks, but it's gone down from heart-attack strength to stomach ache. An improvement. :)
Oh yeah, the taxes really punched me in the face, too. Apparently we are getting less back because of the tax credit thing where we haven't had as much taxes coming out of our checks, I guess. But also, since I moved in with my fiancee last year and everything was in her name, I couldn't claim that I paid rent or anything even though I did, so now I owe the state and I'm getting a couple hundred bucks on federal. I was planning on using tax money for my wedding, too. I haven't even bought the ring. (Luckily she wants to use her dad's old ring . . .if he can find it.) We were going to go on a honeymoon out-of-state, but now we may not be able to unless we can convince some people to go with us (and to agree on a place to go.) Even though my g/f and I have now moved in with her aunt, and her aunt has been making us pay a pittance to live there, I still have nothing, somehow. It's a constant stressor, all the time. Lame. I don't know what we can do except keep on fighting and especially keep on writing and hopefully get out of this mess!
ReplyDeleteBrandi, I'm so sorry you're going through this. I know how stressful this stuff can be. I'm sure that a professional will be able to straighten all this out for you. There may be credits that you didn't even know you were eligible for.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the wedding planning goes, let me tell you, I'm an expert on getting more bang for my buck. If you need any tips, just email me. Seriously. I saved thousands on my wedding and still got all the bells and whistles. Trust me. I'm poor too.
Thanks, guys. It sucks because I was already going the "cheap" route before and now I have to tighten my wedding garter even more. (Har har.)
ReplyDeleteBut we'll make it work. Somehow. We're scrappy and we'll get it done. :)
That's a real bummer, Brandi. I haven't done my taxes yet. We're still waiting on one of my husband's W-2's. Then because of the multiple state thing, we're going straight to an accountant. I don't feel like breaking my brain. There's too many things this year we could mess up.
ReplyDeleteMy wedding was on the extreme cheap, too. I made my own wedding dress for one thing. I can help with any sewing, especially anything that doesn't need fittings, like decorations. I also have several little crochet things I could make for deco. Just send me a PM on the forum about your theme, and I'll tell you what I can make. I work cheap for my friends. ;D
And it sounds like you have a great guy there. That is one of the best things in life.
Brandi,
ReplyDeleteOf course you'll make it work! Somehow these things just all work out. But you needn't think you need to go the cheap route with your wedding. Talk to all the local hotels and see if they have any promotional packages. Because of the date of our wedding, my husband and I were able to get prime rib and open bar for the reception, and the honey moon suite all complimentary through the hotel's winter wonderland package.
You can also make your own invitations. Invite your bride's maids and maid of honor over one day to put them all together (those scrap booking supplies can make really cute cards). And finally! If you have a David's Bridal near you, go to it. They always have their $99 gown sales. I bet, all told, you could have a spectacular wedding for well under $4,000. Considering the average is about $20,000, that's pretty good.
Good luck! And let us know how it goes. We're all willing to help if you need it! :)