Anyone else planning to pull as much income into 2009 tax year?

[opebo]

It seems the unavoidable observation is this - what sort of person thinks about 'tax' when they have an income in excess of 200,000 dollars?

The answer is, of course, the sort of person upon which the money is wasted.  Funny how often it is thus wasted.  Almost the norm.

[opebo]

It seems the unavoidable observation is this - what sort of person thinks about 'tax' when they have an income in excess of 200,000 dollars?

a smart person

But, the point is you only live a very brief time and if your incomes are in the $200-250,000 range, why not just enjoy rather than worry about the tax.

Now, my parents only gross in that range, not net taxable, but sheesh, they don't obsess about the tax - they leave that to the accountant.  Though I have to admit my dad steals hundreds in cash out of the free money box every month.

[opebo]

...though I will order and install a tankless hot water heater before the end of this year in order to get the 30% tax credit...then I hit the energy tax credit again in 2010 with some upgrades to keep my attic cool so that the air turbulence is minimal if an object I want to view with my telescope forces me to view through the air above the roof of my house.

Well that last thing does sound like the extravagance of a true aristocrat, jmfcst, and not a social climber.  Admirable impracticality, and in the service of a truely absurd hobby.

But I would be careful with the tankless water heater - no amount of 'energy saving' is worth feeling cold water on your skin.  Remember the low-flow toilet!

[opebo]

...though I will order and install a tankless hot water heater before the end of this year in order to get the 30% tax credit...then I hit the energy tax credit again in 2010 with some upgrades to keep my attic cool so that the air turbulence is minimal if an object I want to view with my telescope forces me to view through the air above the roof of my house.

Well that last thing does sound like the extravagance of a true aristocrat, jmfcst, and not a social climber.  Admirable impracticality, and in the service of a truely absurd hobby.

I never intended to be a "social climber" - I drive a 97 Corolla, remember?

Yeah, sorry I was unclear.  I was thinking more along the lines of calling you a grind, a toiler, that sort of thing.  Not so much a social climber as focused on acquisitive behaviors - something for which the bizarre obsession with astronomy might be a saving grace (though not if you're pursuing it in the way I suspect you are...)

... My father just ditched his 50+ year old heater for a new one about a month ago...(works great and is more efficient) ...

Oh, it makes me sad to think of old water heaters and toilets being replaced.  Doesn't anyone appreciate the patina of age anymore?

I remember in one section of one of my father's warehouses we once had great racks full of '70s toilets - the wonderful high-flow kind, and all in rich hues of avacado and suchlike.  All lost now, long lost.  Who knows what happened.  I couldn't be around - had to be off chasing tail.