I just computed my taxes and filed them. Woot! It always feels good to get them done and out of the way (and get a little cash back). Here's the breakdown:

Federal: Owe $34
State: Refund $449
Total Refund: $415
Minus TurboTax and Filing Fees: $64.90

Net Refund: $350.10

Not too bad. A few years ago, I realized that I was getting about $3,000 back every year. Since that's just an interest fee loan to the government, I upped my exemptions so that they would take less money out of my paychecks. So, now I owe a tiny bit to the Federal government and get a little chunk back from the State government. I think that this is a good level because if I upped my exmptions again, I'd owe even more on the Federal side and may even owe on the State side.

Wow!! INGDirect lowered their interest rate twice in less than a month!! On December 30, it was lowered to 2.5% APY and on January 20, it was lowered again to 2.4% APY.

Hmm....perhaps I should be looking for another savings account that pays a higher rate. I'll have to look around to see what my options are. Anyone have any ideas as to what could be better and just as easy to use as ING?

I paid off my credit card last month. It just showed up on my credit report and increased my overall score from 767 to 780. I expected a little more, but I wasn't sure how much it would affect the score. Still trying to hit that 800 mark. This is a good step, though!!

My boyfriend and I are going to the Inauguration on Tuesday, so I wanted to buy a warm hat and some hand warmers. Today, we went shopping at Pentagon Row and parked on the street. Unfortunately, the parking meter had a 30 minute limit. My boyfriend was convinced that the parking meter police wouldn't be around, so I didn't run out to pump more quarters into it. Needless to say, I ended up with a parking ticket. There goes $25!! And I didn't even find a hat or any hand warmers!! Ugh.

Seriously, I've been to 2 REI stores, 1 Hudson Trail Outfitters, 1 Target, 1 TJMaxx, and 1 Sports Authority and ALL of them have a very limited selection of hats and absolutely NO hand warmers. I guess I'm a little late. I did get a goofy hat that I didn't really want, but I'm going to need something to cover my head on Tuesday. Better something than nothing. Oh, well.

My second textbook sold last night!! I'm surprised at how fast they both went. I didn't make any money overall, but I only lost $2.25. Paying that much for two textbooks isn't bad at all! Here's a more extended breakdown:

I'm pretty pleased with this. I've never sold anything on amazon.com before. It's easy, but their fees seem a little high. Oh, well. The textbook that I'm using now might be interesting. It's a beast and cost me $83.99!! I'll let you know how selling that one goes in March.

I just sold one of the textbooks from my previous class!! It only took two days on amazon! Better than that, I actually made money on the deal: $2.83. Not a lot, but it's still a profit. Here's the breakdown:

I'm estimating on the shipping costs. I'm hoping I can fit the book into one of the flat rate envelopes. If not, my profit will drop a little, but I don't think it would be negative. Either way, I'm pleased with the situation!!

I have a meeting tonight at 5pm. Because of the late time, there will be free pizza and beer. And while I really appreciate that, I'm trying to eat healthier right now and lose some weight. It seems rude to bring something else to eat with me (and I'd have to go buy something), so I'll just go ahead and eat the pizza (and drink the beer, of course!!).

What do other people do in these situations?