I sniveled about this once before, but as it is tax day, or the traditional version thereof, it's on my mind again. I have not yet done my taxes, as I am missing a couple documents needed to complete them. So I went to file the requisite extension form today and of course, if you're going to file for the extension, you have to pay the taxes at the same time, or some reasonable approximation thereof. I have no idea what I might owe in taxes. I have never had to PAY at the end of a tax year, you see. I have always been one of those who let Uncle Sam sit on enough of my money that I would be without sin come tax day. But two things happened last year... one) I cut the withholding back; and two) I started making about twice as much money. Even if you were making dirt, so all you have after doubling is double dirt, that is enough more to change a person's whole orientation to well, everything.
For instance, my daughters' 13th birthday happened to coincide with the opening of the new Ruth's Chris Steakhouse here in Naples, so I took them to Ruth's for their birthday. If you are not familiar with Ruth's, it is the sort of place where you can go and have nothing but a massive slab of dead animal. If you are of the carnivorous bent, you needn't complicate your mission with a lot of rabbit food, fancy accompaniments, flourishes, finishes or even a smear of sauce. That is because everything at Ruth's is "all a la carte," an arrogance in fine dining that I personally find rude, actually a culinary offense, but what do I know? Maybe some people are offended by the presumption that they might WANT a salad or some roasted asparagus with their dead cow. Indeed, if you are a carnivorous purist, you can just go right on over to Ruthie's and have yourself a $48 t-bone steak, and they won't even trouble you with a sprig of friggin parsley.
So this is where I took my nit-picking particular little princesses for their very first birthday as legitimate TEEN-agers. They were the very first diners at the new Ruth's, in fact, and since I wanted them to enjoy their birthday, I said I would not be a heinous tightwad for once, and told them they could have whatever they wanted. Including sauces and beverages, (dessert was on the house on account of it was their birthday, though I know for a fact they do not always do that). HA! Yeah, so dinner for four, $245, plus tip at 20 percent, you do the math. I can't think about it. It's not like I don't have debt for chrissakes. To my MOTHER, for chrissakes. I am having serious shame about that meal, even now, three weeks later. At the time, I just swallowed hard. Smile, nod, keep walking.
But the point is, this is not something that would have even been a possibility six months ago. I admit that I took utter leave of my senses, but this was an indulgence for my girlies that, while it will not happen again, seemed somehow worth committing at the time. That is all. I have a spartan lifestyle still, but I make enough money that I can occasionally commit indulgence. It is also enough that I have to turn over about one-third of it to the government in taxes, and I may have insufficiently prepared for that bite, so I will be writing a check tonight. To Uncle Sam. For the first time ever. And I am not bitter. No sir, not at all.