Fred Ecks (![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} fredx) wrote,@ 2007-01-09 10:56:00 |
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Yow, how'd it get to be 2007 already?!
Sheesh, when I wasn't looking, someone updated the year. I need to get used to writing "'07" on things now, eh?
Ann and I are back from Mexico now. As it worked out, we *froze*! I didn't realize that the Copper Canyon isn't far enough south to have the dry winter experienced by most of Mexico. To the contrary, we got hit by two storm systems! The first dropped a bunch of rain down low in Urique Canyon where we were, and blocked the mountain pass out of there with snow and ice for a few days. The second storm came while we were up high in Creel, giving us freezing rain, about 6" of snow, and lots of ice. I mean hey, it was all gorgeous, but we're happy to be home. :-)
In other news, our new personal fiscal years have begun. The time has arrived to make those IRA contributions and HSA deposits. There's still three months left to make IRA contributions for 2006, and 2007 contributions can be made now. It makes sense to contribute as soon as possible, since the savings begin growing in a tax-advantaged way from the date of the deposit. Why wait until April 14th of next year?
Speaking of Health Savings Accounts, I came home to a pleasant surprise. A few months ago, I had my ears cleaned out (one of them had plugged up with earwax). I received the statement in the mail while I was away. It turns out that by using an HSA, I not only am able to pay the bill with pre-tax dollars, but the amount of the bill is reduced to the agreed price with the high-deductible insurer. Therefore, a $110 bill not only is paid out of pre-tax money, but the bill was reduced to $82.50. Very cool. Meanwhile, the money I don't spend from my HSA will grow tax-deferred (just like a traditional IRA), and can be withdrawn without penalty after I turn 65.
So here we are. It's January. Time to put finances in order for another year. And then I get get going on the myriad projects I'm puttering away on the sailboat. Anyone have any fantastic ideas for how to remove a stainless steel clevis pin from an aluminum casting after it's corroded in there by 35 years of salty spray?
Sheesh, when I wasn't looking, someone updated the year. I need to get used to writing "'07" on things now, eh?
Ann and I are back from Mexico now. As it worked out, we *froze*! I didn't realize that the Copper Canyon isn't far enough south to have the dry winter experienced by most of Mexico. To the contrary, we got hit by two storm systems! The first dropped a bunch of rain down low in Urique Canyon where we were, and blocked the mountain pass out of there with snow and ice for a few days. The second storm came while we were up high in Creel, giving us freezing rain, about 6" of snow, and lots of ice. I mean hey, it was all gorgeous, but we're happy to be home. :-)
In other news, our new personal fiscal years have begun. The time has arrived to make those IRA contributions and HSA deposits. There's still three months left to make IRA contributions for 2006, and 2007 contributions can be made now. It makes sense to contribute as soon as possible, since the savings begin growing in a tax-advantaged way from the date of the deposit. Why wait until April 14th of next year?
Speaking of Health Savings Accounts, I came home to a pleasant surprise. A few months ago, I had my ears cleaned out (one of them had plugged up with earwax). I received the statement in the mail while I was away. It turns out that by using an HSA, I not only am able to pay the bill with pre-tax dollars, but the amount of the bill is reduced to the agreed price with the high-deductible insurer. Therefore, a $110 bill not only is paid out of pre-tax money, but the bill was reduced to $82.50. Very cool. Meanwhile, the money I don't spend from my HSA will grow tax-deferred (just like a traditional IRA), and can be withdrawn without penalty after I turn 65.
So here we are. It's January. Time to put finances in order for another year. And then I get get going on the myriad projects I'm puttering away on the sailboat. Anyone have any fantastic ideas for how to remove a stainless steel clevis pin from an aluminum casting after it's corroded in there by 35 years of salty spray?
