April 15th is a date that generally strikes terror in the hearts of all tax-paying Americans, and I am certainly not immune to those feelings of pending dread that occur each year as this date looms. But this year is different for me, and I am absolutely thrilled that April 15th has finally arrived. Ecstatic in fact.
Did I suddenly decide to become a tax-renegade? Nope, I still had to bend over and grease up for my good Uncle Sam as I do every year (actually worse than ever FWIW).
Then why am I so tickled about the arrival of the Ides of April? Because today marks the first payday in several years that I am not required to contribute any portion of my check to the ex-Mrs. P. in the form of an alimony payment. As a result, I am officially declaring today as "A-Day" (a.k.a. "Alimony-free Day") in celebration.
As of today, my disposable income will begin getting a well deserved (and long anticipated) boost. I have not been totally freed from the ties that continue to bind me to her bank account balance since I am still obligated to cough up a significant child support payment each month, but I really don't mind doing this because it directly benefits my kids' welfare, and I would spend at least that much on them if they lived with the current Mrs. P. and I full-time anyway. However, having been forced to pay her an additional "spousal support" stipend each time I got a paycheck was a different crap-burger to chew on entirely, and I am completely overjoyed to finally be rid of that particular financial burden once and for all. I must say that being liberated like this feels reeeeally good. "Cry Freedom!" I'll not reveal exactly how much this event will be impacting my bottom line each month, but let's just say I can fully relate to how those folks that get to burn their mortgages after making the last payment must feel (and if you were to go calculate the monthly payment on a $300,000 mortgage at 5.75% over 30 years you'd be right in my newly liberated, feelin' good ballpark).
Happy "A-Day" everyone! The drinks are on me. I know it's also tax day and that's a drag, but I must beg you to please try to remain tolerant and understanding if I do spontaneously erupt with a big old ex-pat Texan "Yeeeeeeee-haw!" every now and again today...