It's Taxing.

When we began the Peter Pan Project, we wrote to all of our friends and family and asked them what they thought it meant to be an adult. (Most of you know we did this, but if you're just tuning in, that's how we got started.) Anyhow, almost every response had something to do with finances. Such as, "You've become an adult when you are financially secure, and you don't have to depend on your parents to help you out."

Originally, we planned to have an entire section of organizing finances, doing taxes, and planning for financial stability. But then, we realized there was much more exciting fodder for the blog in our everyday lives, and finances are a major snoozefest.

However, it was worth a mention and it works out that, in light of our slightly skewed schedule, it falls in the same month as taxes--which makes it somewhat relevant I guess. It's also relevant because I have a financial planner that I had an initial meeting with who has been stalking me to "take some time to worry about me" and make time for a second meeting. I like how they use the fear factor in sales..."What would happen if you were unable to work and bring home a paycheck?" (Well, I'd probably move into a van down by the river...) or "If you haven't started thinking about retirement, it's already too late." (Well, maybe if I held a job for more than 10 month increments, we could start talking 401K) It's all based on the premise that eventually you will most likely become disabled, and/or die. I"m glad we cleared that up.

So this year, I was lucky enough to have only 2 W-2's which made it much less confusing than last year when I had 4 W-2's and 2 1099's. What made it a little more sticky was the fact that I lived in both NYC and Florida. Different tax laws. Apparently in New York City, they pay you much more money, but take just as much back--I mean who else is going to pay for new bucket seats on the 6? In Florida, you make less money, they take less back. So somehow this year, I had a little tax evasion situation on my hands. I received a form saying that I owed the IRS $319.00 because there was W-2 that was not entered properly last year, and income that I hadn't claimed (Ha! I knew it sounded too low.) And in addition to that, I owed the state of New York $250.00 for I don't even know what. So 2 different checks going two different places, not to mention my tax return coming into my bank account, Turbo Tax being taken out of the return, and probably some other money taken out for something, somewhere.

It's things like this that make me yearn for younger days. When you just brought these confusing forms to your parents and they filled them out for you. Like immunization records. Who ever thought twice about those? You just stuck them in your Jansport, plopped them on the dining room table, endured a few Hepatitis shots, and you're all set.

So when I think about finances, I do feel pretty adult. I live a cash only life, meaning I don't use credit cards, and have no debt. I also am completely financially independent, except for when I make my boyfriend buy dinner. I haven't accepted money from my parents in many years. I file taxes. And granted, I don't have as much money in my bank account as I'd like to have, but that's all coming in due time.

Soon...let's say in the next 10-50 years...I'll be a mom, and I'll have to worry about all the annoying paperwork for someone else. So I better start practicing on myself I guess...and a phone call to that financial planner might not be a bad idea.