TGIF

TGIF! This weeks quote. “You have to go broke three times to learn how to make a living.” Casey Stengle

Today is the traditional last day to get your taxes in but because it is Emancipation Day in Washington, DC we get a reprieve until Monday the 18th. As many of you know the restaurant is my hobby, my true love. What I do for a living is taxes. After seeing almost 900 people this season I can only hope that I was able to impart some wisdom to my clients, some tidbit of advice that could make their lives easier. The one constant I try to remind my clients is failure is not fatal, nor is it permanent. I am living proof. I have had to struggle mightily to overcome obstacles I put in my own way. And each of us struggles every day to find a purpose, to make a difference, to find their way in this sometimes crazy world. Tax time may seem like a weird time to reflect on our lives but it may be a good time to get a clear picture of where we were and to think of where we want to go. Most of the questions I answer have little to do with actual money but with quality of life. Does a second job really help me, does my spouse working while we pay childcare make sense, what can we do to improve our situation. I try to be pragmatic. Money isn’t everything. There are accounting reasons and equations I can use but I always tell my clients that it is real life that matters. That they should try to find a balance between what makes financial sense and what works for each of us. As I said before I have placed obstacles in my way. Working for money only led me to more destructive behaviors as I rationalized that I deserved better. I have found more happiness in the past two years than I think I have ever had in my life. Not because what I did made financial sense but what I do makes me happy. And strangely what makes me happy has increased my financial security. And hopefully that is the message I can impart for today. Try to focus on whatever makes you happy for life is too short to only worry about money. Learn how to make a living so that you can also have a life.