This is my first time trying to respond to a post like this, so if I'm doing it wrong, I'm sorry. I just wanted to let you know that I'm writing down that quote about being gentle with yourself. It's what I've needed to hear and begin to live by. It's always been (too) easy for me to point out my own faults, but… Read more

Mine are ridiculously complicated, with multiple Schedule C forms, forms D and D-1 for stocks, the whole schmear, but I still do my taxes myself because the IRS has its free-file fillable forms that make it super easy. Sounds funny to laud the IRS for doing something right, but that product is awesome. Totally… Read more

If you have a complex return consider doing the first pass yourself and then work with your EA for a reduced fee to finalize. You're doing the grunt work yourself so it takes them less time. Read more

Ah, yes. Jealously of time/friendships. Definitely a problem of mine. I've long since been stuck on the acceptance/conscious phase. However, knowing what to do after you recognize it is a definite problem of mine. Read more

that's exactly why we're paying someone this year. It's the second time we've paid and not done it on our own. The first time was early on in our relationship where we were both doing more contract work and less full time work. I'd rather have it on someone else this go round, than have Irwin R Scheister knocking on… Read more

Thanks for the article! I love to read stuff about understanding other people's perspective and how to be a better person. I read the "Art of Happiness" by the Dalai Lama and there were SO many points that I just didn't understand. The whole book is an American asking him questions and the Dalai Lama stating that… Read more

This is what I'm working on (my hot button is Miley Cyrus. What the hell does that girl...ahem...) So here's the deal: I pay exactly ZERO attention to those people. I don't buy magazines about celebrities, I don't click on articles about celebrities I don't like, I leave them alone, and then they are not part of my… Read more

I had two dogs that would do this. One was a black lab and the other was a cocker spaniel. The cocker spaniel couldn't fetch as far as the black lab, so the black lab would swim all the way out and grab it, and the cocker spaniel would steal it mid-water and come back triumphant. The black lab was simply overjoyed…

I don't think it's appropriate to publish, but I thought you should know that in the last week or so, your articles in my feedly feed are not showing the picture. The frame comes up, but doesn't show the photo. I can see the text. This seems to only be happening to your feed, not the other 90ish feeds I have. … Read more

Another reason is that the tax preparers I've been to in the past didn't show me anything that I couldn't have done on my own. And I stink at accounting to begin with. Read more

You are right. The number of people who like doing their own taxes is only approximately zero because there are a few of us weirdos who do sort of enjoy it. Read more

Very timely, even eldest children suffer from this! It started for me when my siblings got on much better with each other than with me and its been a struggle ever since. Thanks for sharing! Read more

Buffering these quotes now! :D Read more

Thank you for being brave enough to share this! I have also been using the "tagging" of a negative emotion to keep it in control. Acknowledging that you're feeling it but not letting it take over your mindset and actions. Fantastic article! Read more

Well said. Coming from a family that actually pitted the kids against one another , on a point system, for everything from grades to social skills, to appearance, this hits home. You choose to be jealous, when instead you could acknowledge your own strengths as well as others. Such a strange way to live. Drive is… Read more

GREAT ADVICE! Read more

That was my favorite part. It made me think we might be from the same family. Just replace "brother" with "sister," "Christmas" with "Chanukkah," and "Ratchet" with "Kirsten the American Girl Doll." Oh, and it wasn't an inter-sibling gift - it was my parents giving it to their youngest! Read more

Nice job Melanie. It's important to note that these beneficial practices are available to anyone without the spiritual overtones as well. I personally like the religious overtones, but there's nothing exclusive about them. :) Read more

Great article! Read more

I've heard the short phrase "to compare is to despair" many times, but I like the longer quotes better. Thank you for the reminder to be grateful instead of petty and resentful. :) Read more