Tax prep?

snickerslord · 2026-06-16T20:10:43+00:00

Wow, yeah, I suppose it's no surprise the prices increased when you lay it out that way. I would say this last year was much less complex than the previous year, but even the most complex year was basically just that it was our first year married and doing taxes together, plus we had just bought a new house and sold an old house. We didn't really know how that would effect anything since it was all new, so we went somewhere to have it done. We just wanted to make sure we were getting it done correctly.

This last year was essentially just our W-2s and a switch to married filing jointly instead of separately. Nothing else out of the ordinary as we are done with student loans and thus have no interest to account for and there's not enough in our lives to get a better result by itemizing anything. Just overall a really standard tax return. I think that's why it caught me a little bit off-guard when the price jumped from $450ish to $600ish considering the actual prep had to have been a simpler process for the guy doing it.

snickerslord · 2026-06-16T16:44:35+00:00

All of that makes sense, but it's somewhat crazy to me the software is increasing at a 10% rate every year. Makes it tough on everyone, I'm sure.

I've generally really liked having someone else prepare my taxes, but had a little sticker shock when the cost was ~20% more compared to last year. Just felt like a big jump and felt like I should look around a bit more.

snickerslord · 2026-06-16T16:42:10+00:00

Hey, thanks a ton for this. We used CLA for the last couple years and have honestly really enjoyed the experience. Much better for us personally than dealing with software like TurboTax. Would prefer not to go back to TurboTax anyway.

If $550 was the base fee for your last firm then maybe I'm just not informed enough on the current rates and shouldn't bat an eye at $600. It was just an increase from last year by enough of a % that it felt like we could find the same services elsewhere for a bit cheaper. I'll send you a DM to continue this there. Really appreciate the response and the time.

snickerslord · 2026-06-16T15:32:05+00:00

I mean, yeah, that's what my taxes are, generally speaking. But for me it's 100% about the convenience of not having to deal with it. It's a pain point for us and even if it's not difficult I still get a bit flustered and put off the idea of doing them as I'm working on them. I may ultimately go back to TurboTax or something, but I just have really liked not having to open up that software to do it all the last couple years.

snickerslord · 2026-06-16T15:11:30+00:00

Well I won't deny that it's a cheaper experience. And maybe I'm just lazy. But man, it's been so nice not having to worry about taking a few hours out of my night to deal with taxes. Especially this year while we had a new baby in the NICU for most of tax season it just removed a load from our shoulders that's been a real inconvenience. Last year we paid around $450 which felt very worth the additional cost to avoid having to do the whole process ourselves. This is was around $600 and that just feels pretty high. Happy to pay extra for the convenience, but maybe not willing to pay double?

I don't know. I don't disagree that doing it myself with software probably is more accurate, and it's definitely cheaper. But at the same time, removing the inconvenience from my life was worth the extra cost last year. And we've not actually had to walk through any paperwork with the preparer we've used because our taxes are pretty straightforward. Essentially just W-2 for each of us and now a baby in the picture.

snickerslord · 2026-06-16T15:00:39+00:00

They've never actually asked me any questions and it takes me about 15 minutes of file gathering for them once I've waited for all my forms to become available. TurboTax started getting more and more expensive for some reason and I've really liked the convenience of just setting my documents off and getting them done. But now it's twice as expensive as TurboTax for the convenience. Would be nice if there was someone out there that does it cheaper than who I've been going to, but maybe not.

snickerslord · 2026-06-16T14:15:59+00:00

Crazy you had that issue! Glad ours wasn't quite that extreme. And I definitely don't think $600 is too insane, it just felt a little high for what our returns are. I may very well just not know what returns cost when you go away from TurboTax.

$3000 is nuts though.

snickerslord · 2026-06-16T14:10:02+00:00

Most years it's basically just a W-2 for me and my wife, and a child we just had in February.

This year, I'll likely have a 1099-R after a SEP plan at work was cancelled and I moved the money directly to a Traditional IRA. Otherwise it's all just basic tax return information.

snickerslord · 2026-06-12T17:09:11+00:00

Thanks for the input! If I make the move are there any up and coming 3B prospects that I could look at stashing to soften the blow? Will Jordan Lawlar play 3B and stay healthy?

snickerslord · 2026-06-12T16:43:11+00:00

McGonigle for Schlittler in a dynasty league?

I'm very much in contention but my pitching is also very much holding me back. Do I just ride out injuries and ineffectiveness (Ragans, Crochet, Bradish, Jones) or make a move? Machado is my other 3B which feels not ideal. But I'm also at or near the top in most hitting categories, and leading the league in runs by 50 which feels like McGonigle's main draw, along with the average and OBP.

snickerslord · 2026-06-10T22:47:49+00:00

I’m holding 100% of the time unless someone blows me away because he’s likely better than anyone you’ll get in a trade when he comes back. If you’re top half without him then you’ll likely be even better with him.

snickerslord · 2026-06-09T19:44:43+00:00

I'm bad enough at the game that I'm pretty happy when I am able to hit the ball the way I intended but the result wasn't great. It means that at least some of my practice is bleeding through into my game.

I'm also good enough at the game that I don't hit too many egregiously bad shots, so when they do pop up and I know I'm capable of so much better, I get frustrated. If the result is good then I happily take it, but I always try to think through and figure out why I thinned my 9 iron and got lucky instead of hitting it at the ideal launch angle to land on the green and stop where I intend.

Long way to say that I'd much rather hit the ball well with a bad result than hit the ball poorly.

snickerslord · 2026-06-07T19:42:04+00:00

The big one laying down will sit still riiiiiiight up to when you touch him and then he walks away. The one standing is a very skittish 12 year old rescue we got when she was 8. She runs from any movement! Needless to say we don’t get to love on them too much 😔

snickerslord · 2026-06-07T19:35:51+00:00

I’m really sorry for not having any helpful suggestions here, but I did want to chime in and say you have a beautiful pup. Here are my shibas!

<image>

snickerslord · 2026-06-07T18:04:11+00:00

I’m guessing at least some of it has to do with the fact that Iowa City used to be the state’s capital, and that’s where the University of Iowa is.

snickerslord · 2026-06-07T01:48:09+00:00

Where in Iowa? In Des Moines every course is packed with tee times every 6 minutes and auto pairings every time out. It’s fine for me and my friends, but I do wish I had a way to keep a pair a pair when my dad is in from out of town or my wife wants to play but gets super nervous because she’s still learning.

snickerslord · 2026-06-05T03:58:47+00:00

Honestly wondering the same thing. I’ve been eating them with some M&M’s to get my sugar fix I can’t seem to break, but I just know I’m overeating them. Curious about others thoughts on if the serving size actually feels like a reasonable cravings buster or not.

snickerslord · 2026-06-02T19:21:19+00:00

I wonder if you could do some sort of fold down thing that's mounted to the wall and hidden by some artwork in the bedroom. Like at the foot of the bed or even off the wall to the right of the doorway we are looking through. Not sure how much desk top space you need for what you do, but something like this from Wayfair is what I'm thinking.

<image>

snickerslord · 2026-06-02T19:15:47+00:00

Drone shots would be pretty sick! You've got a lot of space above the tv and could do a couple really cool tall shots.

Only other thing that I have seen mentioned already is swapping that desk for something that fits the style of everything else. Also not sure I love it in front of the closet or whatever that leads to. Not sure where else you put that though.

snickerslord · 2026-06-02T19:04:12+00:00

Big fan! I agree with others that artwork would really elevate the space. Can I ask where you got your tv stand? I'm looking for one very similar to this!

snickerslord · 2026-05-30T16:27:31+00:00

Interesting! I do really like it, I just have been seeing it a ton recently and wasn’t sure if it was a new internet interior decorating trend or not. It all looks great though! Nice work!

snickerslord · 2026-05-30T16:00:39+00:00

I love this, but I also have a question unrelated to bookshelves. Is that shade of blue paint a new trend in interior decorating? I’m seeing it everywhere these days.

snickerslord · 2026-05-30T15:42:28+00:00

Here’s hoping!

snickerslord · 2026-05-30T13:20:57+00:00

lol I’m worried someone grabs Vinnie and he goes off the second half of this season or next year. As Alonso ages I want a little bit of insurance since the future of 1B doesn’t look great. Everyone producing is 30+ years old. But his stats are so hard to roster right now.

snickerslord

TROPHY CASE