On This Day Pre-Y2K

Confused by any of the jargon you see below? Check the Y2K Glossary!

April 11, 1999 Permalink

I did my taxes today. Boy, that really goes to show you what is wrong with our country. That just seems like an awful lot of wealth to be handing over to the government to spend on programs I don’t necessarily agree with. I know this is off the track for Y2K planning, but I think of what I could do with that extra money, and I know I could put it to better use than the government. Of course, I’m mostly upset because I owe just over $1,000.

But you got to be careful, I try to keep a low profile, and part of that means paying your taxes. The law states that you can do everything legally possible to reduce your tax burden, as long as you do not cross the line. So I have a fair amount withheld and this year I am stuck paying more. I guess I over compensated for the child tax credit. Next year, however, will be a good year to under-withhold. Think of what a snafu there will be if the IRS cannot process claims and cut checks in a timely fashion. As I recall, it takes about six weeks to get a refund. You figure every day they miss in January puts them at least two days behind.

—Jack, Diary of a Survivalist, 04/11/99

If the Polly position is correct, I get to continue planning for our semi-retirement in early 2003. (Sell current suburban house. Move in to investment property in the sticks. Earn a little extra money doing some part-time teaching.)

If the Polly position is correct, I will have lost out on potential stock market gains between 1998 and 2000, but my investment capital will be intact.

If the Polly position is correct, my VISA Vacation Points will be used, along with my “stash” of rolled-up coins, to purchase a very nice week at Sandals sometime in 2000/2001.

If the Polly position is correct, I save a shitload of money on my grocery bills for six months in late 1999/early 2000.

On the other hand:

If the Doomer position is correct, and heavily populated areas see a lot of violence, I have a place in the boonies where I can go and stay.

If the Doomer position is correct, I will have lost out on potential stock market gains between 1998 and 2000, but my investment capital will be intact.

If the Doomer position is correct, I lose my VISA Vacation Points, but I still have my stash of rolled up coins. And if it’s *that* bad, nobody will want to go to Jamaica, anyway.

If the Doomer position is correct, I have enough food and other stuff to keep me until the weather gets warm again in the spring.

Doesn’t matter to me which side is correct. I’m prepared for both.

—Jo Anne Slaven, comp.software.year-2000, 04/11/99

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