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Sacrifice Determines Value

10.08.2010 by Matt Jabs //

In the comments of a recent DFA article – highlighting how we always have options to help us overcome fear and unhappiness – one DFA reader tells of his lack of financial resources necessary to receive a degree he’s interested in.  My reply to his comment made me realize how perfectly personal sacrifice determines value… which is a concept well worth an article all its own.

Here is our comment exchange:

Comment: You know, I really like the way you track your financial progress openly and publicly like this. I especially like the “education loan” part, I think that’s the amount that I have to churn out if I want to get the advanced degree that I have been eying for the last 4 years.

My reply: Thank you, putting the information out there helps me to better realize my mission and reach my goals. I would encourage you to think long and hard before taking on new debt. I hope that you come away with the understanding that you should avoid paying later. If you want the education, save, work, and pay as you go. That way you value the education more because you are FULLY aware of how hard you are having to work to get it. Where as, if you get the education before paying for it, not only will you have to pay it back later at the expense of freedom of choice, but you run the risk of not valuing it as highly since you haven’t sacrificed for it yet.

What do you think?

Do you value things more if you sacrifice to get them as opposed to getting them, then having to pay for them later?

Categories // Debt, Savings Tags // Debt, sacrifice, Savings, student loan, value

My Property Taxes for 2009 Decreased

02.27.2009 by Matt Jabs //

Yesterday I received my yearly property tax adjustment from my township. I was happy to see that the taxable amount of my home decreased by just over $6,000 for 2009.  What does that mean to me?  It will decrease my yearly property taxes by around $240 for 2009.  Although I would have liked to see them decrease more abundantly, so they more accurately reflected the current worth of my property, I’m simply happy they decreased at all!

How about you?  Did your property taxes decrease, and if so, by how much?

Did  you know that if you think your property taxes were not correctly assessed you can appeal the matter with your state tax tribunal?  The appeal process differs from state-to-state, but in most states you must file your petition by the middle of March of the current year.

I live in Michigan, so I will use my state as an example.  Per the State of Michigan website, “Property tax appeal” means any proceeding relating to real and personal property assessments, valuations, rates, special assessments, refunds, allocation, or equalization or any other proceeding brought before the tribunal under the state’s property tax laws”.

THE GENERAL PROPERTY TAX ACT of 1893 Section 211.154 Titled “Incorrect reporting or omission of property liable to taxation; placement of corrected assessment value on assessment roll; certification of taxes due; change in assessment; collection of additional taxes; penalty and interest; refund of excess tax payments; appeal.” states:  (7) A person to whom property is assessed under this section may appeal the state tax commission’s order to the Michigan tax tribunal.

This link lists all the forms you need to file and lists the “Top Ten Reasons Why Your Stipulation Will not be Accepted”.

Personally, for the minuscule amount of money it would save me, I wouldn’t put myself through the trouble and all the legal headache to most likely be denied in the end.

Would you take the time to appeal your property tax amounts?

Categories // General Tags // home, property, Taxes, value

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Content on Debt Free Adventure is for entertainment purposes only. Rates & offers from advertisers shown on this website may change without notice: please visit referenced sites for current information. Per FTC guidelines, this website may be compensated by companies mentioned through advertising, affiliate programs or otherwise. We respect your privacy. Privacy policy.

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Disclaimer

Content on Debt Free Adventure is for entertainment purposes only. Rates & offers from advertisers shown on this website may change without notice: please visit referenced sites for current information. Per FTC guidelines, this website may be compensated by companies mentioned through advertising, affiliate programs or otherwise. We respect your privacy. Privacy policy.

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