If you can call laundry, menu planning, and rose pruning "freedom." We can be jolly and say "you have land and roses for a beautiful summer," "you can pay for utilities," "you have food with which to plan meals" and get our attitude of gratitude out of the way early.

I bought 100 shares of PID (PowerShares International Dividend Yield) this morning. I'll be photocopying my taxes and schedules, sending away for a citizenship certificate for the lad, listening to vintage jazz and cleaning up.

I learned that although my contract's 401(k) fund options are sucky (below average performance, only one index fund option for a category I'm already overweighted in, 12b-1 fees, front load fees: ick ick ick), my 457 plan allows for rollovers! So I can just pile up cash without investing it in anything other than "Stable Value" for a year, get a company match, and then roll it into my most excellent 457 plan. Or maybe into my Rollover IRA, which has all of one cent in cash.

I also did an energy audit for the home. We're using much less electricity than other homeowners, somewhat less water than
homeowners, but we're dead average for natural gas usage. This concerns me. I'll have to play with the thermostat some more. On with the windows research!

So no exemptions for the job, 10% 401(k), medical deducted at $63/pay period. $1200 Roth 2006 contributions remaining, $872 due April 17.