Go Help Someone Else

Part of why I started this blog is to record my mistakes. I know that most people don't like to be reminded of their errors, but learning from your mistakes when they are minor, is the key to avoiding major ones later on. So here goes.

I of all people with my anti-government and libertarian beliefs should know better than to trust any of my money to a government program, and that failure on my part just cost me $900. When I was with my previous employer, I had been using a Medical Savings Accounts program to save money for deductibles and other medical expenses that were not covered by my insurance. It seemed like a smart play at the time. I knew it was a use it or lose it proposition, so I didn't put any more into it that I though I would need.

Up till this point everything is fine. Then, back in April, I lost my job. That's when I found that I could not turn any expenses in after April 3, my last working day at Flowserve. Before April, I didn't have much, after April, I had several thousands in medical expenses. More than enough to get reimbursed the full $900 I had put into it. Short of committing fraud, I now have no way of getting that money back now.

Well, paint my face red and spank my but I'll not make that mistake again! I'm not talking about just MSAs, but anything were the government wants to "help" me out by holding my money for a while. No MSAs, 401ks, IRAs, and as much as I can manage it, no income tax refunds. I can't get away from paying taxes, but I'll minimize how much they withhold from my check.

With the national debt rising faster than even the printing presses can keep up with, I'll not trust anymore of my hard earned money to Uncle Sam then I have to. It's an awful lot like trusting your wallet to a meth head. Nothing good is going to come of it.

I can save money on my own, thank you very much. Go "help" someone else.

R.E.A.L.