Isn't that something?

I'm an early bird when it comes to taxes. I check mail eagerly in January counting all the tax documents that come in the mail and checking them off my mental list of haves and don't haves. We got our final tax document on January 30 (sheesh, took long enough!) and as of tonight, our taxes are done. What can I say? When we found out the results, I cried. Nick kung-fu-kicked ice off the Jeep once we were outside.

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Here's the frustrating part. Well, there are a few of them, actually. The first: you are only allowed to claim $2500 on student loan interest per return. That, my friends, is only a FRACTION, one tiny fraction, of what we pay towards student loan interest per year (that doesn't even include what is applied towards principle!). Why in the world can we not claim our full amount?! That would substantially reduce our tax liability. 

Here's the other thing...I have spent the last 15 months working 3 jobs, 6-7 days per week to help fund our adoption. I am currently wrapping up my third week working without a day off. I am exhausted. I am a little more snippy than usual. I let many things in my life drop to the wayside to juggle and manage working this much. I'm not saying this for a pity party- I am choosing to do it because I believe our child is worth giving every ounce of everything I have. I attempt to maintain my sanity knowing this is temporary (although the last 15 months has felt anything but temporary). Anyway, back to my point. It feels like a big old kick in the pants.

Are you wondering yet if we owe on taxes or are receiving a refund? Oh friends, we OWE. We owe big time. And I just have a hard time feeling good about working so hard just to pay more.

**Here's my disclaimer: I don't have a problem contributing money to the government or paying taxes. I know, at the root of our U.S. government, we are lucky to have a diplomatic system in place. It just feels pretty crappy to work so hard and feel like you're not moving forward or getting ahead. I also realize I am fortunate to have the opportunity to work multiple jobs and make additional income... This isn't a political debate. All I'm saying is it sucks to owe more money because I put out extra effort.**