Look!

See that? Isn’t it pretty? And it’s mine, ALL MINE!!! Woo-Hoo!! The bike is a 2008 Trek 1.2 WSD, Trek’s entry level designed-for-a-female road bike. Yep, a real road bike, with skinny smooth tires and curlicue handlebars.

I’ve never had a road bike before, but I’ve wanted one for so long. I kept putting off purchasing one, because they are so expensive (yes, way more so than a mountain bike or a hybrid), but although I complained about the price, I was never closer to actually getting one. I finally realized that, in my head, I may never be able to justify the price, and if I really wanted one, I should just go get it and figure out how to pay for it later. So I did! And by the way, where is that economic stimulus payment already?

I’ve already been out on it a couple times, and I will go out today to, providing the rain holds off…I’m still a little afraid of those tiny tires! It feels so light and smooth and nearly effortless, compared with my old piece of junk hybrid. And because I bought it from a bike shop (as opposed to, say, Wally-World) there were experts to help me find the right fit. I tried a couple sizes and brands, and I could really notice a difference in the geometry. I get free adjustments and tune-ups for a year, and all the components have been tweaked to fit me.

I’m panning to use this bike to train for my big triathlon debut…you know…someday. And I’m planning to ride it to work. The trip is about seven miles, one way, but it has one big huge hill, that I don’t yet know if I can do. I plan to find that out this weekend, and if all goes well, I’ll be riding to work on Monday! I have two coworkers who also live in this town and are talking about riding to work throughout the summer, so that should be fun, and we’ll help keep each other motivated. I’m going to have some killer legs and a smokin’ behind (oh, yeah, I bought the shorts, too), and I won’t be buying so much gas for the station wagon.

I’m so excited!! See you on the road!

Ouch! My shoulder hurts

“Every now and then you feel
The weight of the world upon your shoulders.
I’m not gonna let it get me down on this,
Or any other beautiful day.”
~Eric Brengle (Beautiful Day)

Three trips to the doctor, to diagnose tendonitis and prescribe drugs: $273

Seven visits to a physical therapist, who told me yesterday, “I give up. There’s nothing more I can do for you”: Several hundred dollars.

Motivation to finally get serious about finding a new job: Priceless!

Taxes!

“All your investments are turnin’ sour.
Kinda spoils your happy hour. “
~Bonnie Riatt (Hell to Pay)

My first retirement account was set up while I was living outside the country. My parents met with their financial adviser, determined a game plan in the “best interests of my financial future”, and sent me papers to sign. I was 22, far away, and confused; I signed the papers without fully understanding what was written. To this day, I’ve still never met that adviser, and the statements are still mailed to my parents’ address, two states away.

About a year ago, my parents had a meeting to discuss their finances, and they also asked about my account. The adviser told them that the wrong type of account had been set up for me and should be changed immediately, as it would be most beneficial to me in the long run. This time around, I had enough knowledge about retirement accounts to understand why the change should be made, although I still do not understand why the account wasn’t set up right to begin with. Absent from the meeting, I didn’t have the opportunity to ask questions, so again, I just signed the papers and mailed them back.

Fast forward to yesterday. I finished my taxes! And I owe money! A lot of money. Nine. Hundred. Dollars.

My Traditional IRA, where taxes are paid upon withdrawal, was converted to a Roth IRA, where taxes are paid before deposit. I grudgingly admit it makes sense that I owe taxes. It does not make sense that this wasn’t clearly spelled out a year ago, so I’d have time to set money aside. In the near future, I will be firing my parents’ financial adviser.

But first, can I borrow some cash?