Last year was a great year for us. Our gross income went from $105K in 2006 to $142K in 2007. Unfortunately, our marginal tax rate also went up from 9.2% to 14.2% because of raises a little bit of OT. Our AGI was $122K. So when we did our taxes we got back $3200 but owed the state $207. Still not bad considering our income went up significantly. That will go up again this yea. We still claiming 1 exemptions on our withholding so not to owe money and we preferred this option. Plus we'll get another $1800 in May from Bush's stimulus package. That's a total $4792. I know most people hate the idea of loaning the government money for free. But for us, that's really the practical solution because we stress more on "owing" than how much interest we'll get in invested interest.
It's a good thing that we get money back each year because that funds our property tax and family vacation every year. We're not a big spender; we don't stay on fancy hotels, or fly to exotic locations. We preferred to drive instead. For example, last year we took our kids to see the Grand Canyon and Lego Land near San Diego. On the way to Grand Canyon we stopped to Las Vegas and Hoover Dam. I think my wife's enjoyed it more than my kids since she hasn't seen any those places before. It was a blast!. The year before that we visited my wife's relatives living just outside Seattle WA. On the way there, we stopped to see Mount St. Helen. That was the highlight of the whole trip for me. From there, we drove straight to Seattle and stayed there for a week. I also finally got the chance to visit my Aunt who I haven't seen in decades. She lives just outside Vancouver BC. That was really fun.
This year, we might spend few days to Disneyland or San Diego Sea World. But were also thinking of renting a beach house in Oregon for a week just to get away from NorCal. So we're looking forward to that, but we haven't found a place yet. So if anyone know a place in Oregon to rent a nice beach house with excellent view, please share them.
Finally got our refund!
March 29th, 2008 at 04:51 pm
March 29th, 2008 at 06:01 pm 1206813708
But yeah, weekends in Tahoe, Monterey, etc. are generally more our style than big vacations. IT's nice to just hop in the car for a few hours. Oregon coast is beautiful. SO Cal/Vegas are always fun. & these aren't terrible long drives...
March 29th, 2008 at 06:18 pm 1206814694
http://www.tututun.com/
March 29th, 2008 at 08:42 pm 1206823376
Probably in the few years we plan take a month vacation in Spain. We have some relatives living in Madrid so we're trying to save for that.
March 29th, 2008 at 10:06 pm 1206828376
March 30th, 2008 at 01:59 am 1206842378