Patience is one of those virtures that I struggle with on a daily basis. Just ask my husband... I believe I would be so much better off financially if I mastered just this one virtue.
I was doing so well this week. Spending completely under control. Until I got impatient. Impatience always leads to financial mistakes for me.
Yesterday I was working with TurboTax and trying to download the *free* state that came with the Deluxe version. I was anxious to see how much I would be getting back from state as the federal amount was already at $4000.00 (oh happy day!) When it wouldn't download properly, I called the helpdesk at Intuit. I ended up talking with a lovely, elderly woman who, unfortunately, knew nothing about downloads. I had to repeat myself about 10 times before she understood the problem. (And even then I'm not sure she did.) After about 30 minutes, I said I would try to figure it out on my own (which really meant I would call back another time to get another representative who may know what they are doing). The woman did mention that I may have a faulty disk, or that the security on my computer was blocking the download.
Perhaps my stand alone computer was not working properly? I sat there for a couple of minutes, still very anxious to find out what the State return would show. My impatience grew stronger until I decided to purchase another copy of Turbotax ($59.95..$10 more than what I paid at BJ's) and download it on my new laptop. It was hard for me to pay again for this program, but I wanted the state information...NOW. As I was downloading the new Turbotax, Norton Securities popped up on the screen to say my computer protection has expired. Ugh. My husband was suppose to do this days ago. Because I was downloading Turbotax and I needed the security, I quickly accepted the new subscription ($49.99). Okay, so now my impatience has already cost me $110.00. I quickly dismissed that sick feeling in my gut, and concentrated on how happy I would be when I looked at my state return. (We've always gotten money back from state).
As I inputted all the information, I happily started to download the state. It didn't download. In fact, it was doing the same thing my other computer was doing. This has to be a mistake...so I got back on the phone with Intuit, with a new rep, only to find out that the Virginia State return is not ready yet. BLAH!!!!!
To make matters worse...my husband was going to install Norton that evening and had a coupon code to download the security system on three computers for $40.00. Good grief.
I'm sure I'll eventually find out what I'll be getting back from State, but unfortunately it will be $110 less than what I could have had to spend.
Sigh.
Have you ever made bad financial decisions because you were impatient?
21 comments:
OMG, that so sounds like me!! I get to the point where I just want it DONE and off my plate to heck with the cost. Hubby has the pleasure of doing taxes this year, we have to file in 3 different states one is for VA!! so it will cost some $$ to get it all downloaded, I will let him know Va is not reday yet. Thanks for the info. Our spending is going pretty good so far but its early yet!!
I'm dealing with the patience thing right now too! I want so many things for our new house but the money just isn't there so I have to be patient and buy them gradually. But I want them now!!
Uh, yeah! Unfortunately! I am getting a little better though, albiet this still happens too often for my comfort level.
Oh that sucks! :( I think we've all done this before, but I *really* try not to now because we don't have the $$ to burn on such a tight budget. Really unless it's urgent, I'd rather keep the $$ in my pocket. I have faith that we'll receive what we want & need, in good time. :)
oh no! I am doing way better - now to teach my kids!!
@Debby, So glad things are going well!!
@Cynthia, I remember feeling the same way when we bought our home...a bit of some unsolicited advice to you...Take.your.time. Really. Your tastes will change and you will be so glad you waited! :)!
@Jennifer, Admitting my problem is the first step in controlling it, right? Glad you are *getting better*! :)!
@Denise, Somehow I knew you were the patient one! If you can figure out how to instill patience in your kids, will you let me know?? :)!
@Carla, You definitely have the patience virtue!! :)!
If you asked my husband what my number one flaw is, he would answer without hesitation . . . patience. :-) Or, lack thereof.
I have made many, many mistakes over the years. A classic for myself. . . I work for a company that gives out stock options. They vest over the course of five years. Immediately upon my initial stock vest, rather than looking at the existing stock price, coming up with plan, talking to anyone else, reading reviews of how the stock was expected to perform later that year, I sold all of it & paid off my one student loan. That was at 6% interest.
Of course, the stock rapidly grew in the next few months, and had I used just a bit of patience and done even the most minimal research, I would have known that. I would have made 6x what I did initially. It ended up costing me close to $100K. I was 25, and making just under $30K/year. HUGE lesson for myself. And I still think of what a fool I was.
Been there- done that. How about buying furniture whithout measuring because you know for sure it will fit, getting rid of the old, having the new delivered & realizing it doesn't fit! Slow & Steady wins the race!
Eek!! Damn that's a costly one. I get the impatience thing too. Happens all the time. Sometimes it's a little bit and sometimes it's like yours. I just try and make sure I don't have money accessible when I'm in a really tight spot and know I can't afford to be impatient.
Ouch - and please don't beat yourself up over this. The story of the tech support call did almost make me cry though as I hate calling them for the very reason that they never seem able to help.
I feel your pain---I also feel a part of your frustration.
We used to get W-2 the first paycheck in January. Now we get them at the last possible minute----Jan 31. Drives me crazy! I have to wait until Feb 1 to do my taxes. Since we sold a lot of stock last year- we may have to pay.....but I have to wait to see!
AGGGG!
Yes, I have been impatient and it has cost me, but I am slowly learning. Remember the car I totaled about 18 months ago. I made myself drive a 20 year old beater until I paid off a truck so I did not have two payments. Boy was that hard and I hated it. But it was worth it. I always owe the state money and rarely get money back as we always pay quarterlies for the business. Why are you letting the Feds keep $4000.00 worth of your money all year? Up your deductions. You could have about $350.00 more per month and get nothing back. Unless you like to use it as a savings account. But they pay you no interest. Okay banks really don't pay you interest either!
@Hawaii, Wow. $100,000??? At least you paid off your student loan. :)!
@The School Nurse, Oh.my.gosh. I've made so many decorating blunders...many dollars spent on stuff that didn't look good!
@Mutant, Yes, well I'm slowly learning. I think I'll go hide my debit cards...
@Juhli, I was so frustrated but thankfully I had my *edit* button turned on....:)!
@Janette, I don't have the w-2s...I use the last paycheck stubs...still in the preliminary stages...
@Kim, Yes, last year we broke even. This year we spent more on pre-tax deductions (higher medical deductibles...). We actually made less than last year because of it! We may adjust for next year because I'd rather have it upfront too!
Yes, we all make impatient mistakes. Me included. For me, the way I reign in my impatient spending is by making it very difficult for me to spend it in the first place! You have too much money available at your fingertips.
As soon as I come into money, ALL of it goes into a money market that only permits 5 transfers. That means 1 per week and 1 emergency. So, I plan out the week and if I don't have enough, I have to wait. You'd be amazed at how prudent I have become by waiting.
I wonder if we total up all those impatient purchases we all have made, how abundant our emergency funds would be! Ha!
I don't start my tax returns till after Jan 31st. By the time I get all the bank statements,property taxes, W2's, yada, yada, yada, I can't get a good estimate on our taxes. I already knew my state download is never really ready till February anyway.
Live and learn. That's what I always say.
@Morrison, Okay, I just had an Aha moment! I need to send most of my money to my ING account...and only spend what's left...GREAT idea Morrison!! :)!
"Have you ever made bad financial decisions because you were impatient?"
More times than i would like to admit Sharon! But nothing too costly thank goodness. I'm like Morrison...as soon as my pay hits my account the automatic transfers kick in for payments to my savings accounts (ING) and debt repayments. Can't spend what I don't have access to!
I refinanced our house and spent a couple grand to do it only to move 4 months later. Yeah, that hurt!
Maybe I'm the only one that would do this but I would call TurboTax and ask for a refund. You wouldn't have bought it if their rep would have told you that it wasn't out yet for VA and suggested that it was your faulty computer. If she would have been competent, you would never have tried to download it again. They are still getting your money for the original one you purchased.
@Jane, I think I'll start doing this!
@ND, I just may do that. $60.00 is $60.00.
Yep, been there done that! More than once, or twice... or a million times!
My mind rationalizes things to my benefit even if it is a decision that with time might not be the best.
It's okay Sharon. don't beat yourself up about it. You are definitely not alone girl.
oh no!!!! Sharon I am the same way!!!! Just deduct that amount in your mind when you find out your state return!!! :) I too am ready to find out what we will get back & even more so excited to get it! haha...
Oh, heavens yes. Impatience is an on-going battle. Sometimes my wife and I won't even take the few minutes to look at the grocery ads before shopping even though we can easily save $10-$15 every week on the "price match" system at Wal-Mart.
By the way, a great, free, anti-virus and spyware program is available from Avast. I replaced Norton several years ago since the free program is every bit as good.
Post a Comment