I’m in the middle of a crazy work period, with long and busy days.
In the meantime, I still have other obligations, some of which won’t wait until I go back to a lighter work schedule.
While people talk about taking care of the big things (housing, cars) and letting the little things work themselves out, I am getting pretty anxious about taking care of business. I have to tackle those little details that cause so much pain when you miss them.
Insurance woes
It’s Open Enrollment Season. That means I need to sign up for insurance before time runs out. I have no desire to go without health insurance. I also have to figure out how much to put aside next year for my FSA (flexible spending account).
That leads me to realize that I still have to get money back from my FSA. Earlier in the year, I couldn’t find the associated charge card, and paid for some expensive co-pays on my personal credit card. Since an FSA is a use-it-or-lose-it account, I really need to fill out the right forms to get my money reimbursed before the deadline. I would be pretty annoyed if that money disappeared when I was entitled to it.
Taxes, Taxes, Taxes
As we approach the end of the year, it’s also time to make sure tax-related issues are squared away.
I’m kind of sure I’ve taken care of estimated tax payments. But given how crazy life has been since May, I’m not 100% sure. I will need to check this soon–any day now, once I have 15 uninterrupted minutes at home.
Giving gifts
It’s also time to think about charitable donations. I usually write checks for my smaller donations, though last year I started giving through work also (more on that another day).
However, there are a few groups I donate more substantial sums to. For them, I donate stock shares instead. If these shares have appreciated significantly since I bought them, it is a good deal for me:
I can donate a large amount if I donate enough shares. Because I donated the shares directly, rather than selling the shares and writing a check, I don’t have to pay capital gains. The charity gets to keep all of it, so they are happy too.
It’s pretty nifty, but I have to double check the donation instructions every year, and then sign a letter to get this done. Each step is maybe 5 minutes, but when life (work) gets busy, it’s all too much.
Work
Of course, work is also an issue.
This seems to be the time of year with lots of deadlines and forms: signing malpractice insurance forms, finishing required learning (another reminder that washing your hands is key), getting all my CME for the year, performance reviews. Again, most of these aren’t hard, they just take attention that is in short supply right now.
And since I’m working long hours with teaching responsibilities, it doesn’t seem like I have enough energy to deal with any of those.
Thanks for listening. How is the end of your 2019 going?