We knew it had to come eventually, and yesterday, August 1 2016, is a day that shall live forever in Casa Brillig lore as The Day The First College Tuition Bill Got Paid. It was an interesting process, leading me to ponder paying bills in general. Grab a tasty beverage and follow me below the Story Break after a word from our sponsor…
First, K1 had to complete her ‘Payment Agreement’ then name us ‘Authorized Payers’ on her Bursar’s account. We cannot complete this agreement even though we are definitely the Payers for 10 semesters. OK, we’re all set and at least Authorized Payers receive their own notifications when tuition bills are posted, so we don’t have to wait for a forwarded email. K1 would be good about it, but can you imagine if she wasn’t?
Next, I see that a bill is posted. We’ve chosen to pay by the semester since (a) it’s coming (at least for now) out of 529 plans and other accounts we’ve had in place since each child was young; and (b) this saves us the payment plan fees, BoyLet me tell you, that’s a lot of places to the left of the decimal. I remember what it cost ME to attend the same school in the early 80s, and this is… damn. so I sit a while and stare at it. BTW- Mom, if you’re looking down, we DID put it into education funding, like we promised. We also took that trip to Disney, because you wanted us to have fun too. Thank you, and it still would be nicer to have you here.
Now let’s pay this sucker so that in 21 days K1 can move into her dorm room. Wait… first let me go breathe into a paper bag and get some tissues. Twenty One DAYS?!! … OK, I can continue now. Off we go to the 529 website listed on the statement we’ve been getting regularly for a whole lot of years. Wherein I discover I never set up electronic account management. Fix that and look for the Qualified Withdrawal section… there it is… search for Electronic Funds Transfer to K1’s University because that’s the recommended option and saves paper…
Umm, what? That’s not an option?! OK, so what CAN I do? I can have a check made out to K1 or I that WE can forward to the University. Or, we can have the 529 program cut a check to the University directly, but to get it in the 10 day period left because I didn’t start this a month ago we need to expedite it. OR, I can have the 529 people EFT the money to MY bank account, then I can EFT it to the University’s account. Which seems like a tax nightmare waiting to happen come April, and so I need to add “Scotch, really good single malt” to next year’s shopping list for Mr. Brillig, our Turbo Tax wrangler.
Let’s go with EFTing to me… umm, I need to send the first request for an EFT in writing? And it has a 15 day hold period? The f-ck?
And so this is how, in the 21st century, when we can move money around via credit card and bitcoin or other means over the interwebs and never actually see cash, K1’s first bill was paid via a made-from-trees check mailed via the USPS to the same Bursar’s Office where Mom mailed my payments. OK it’s a nice shiny NEW building, but still — some things never change :).
One other thing that never changes, and that’s our commitment at Top Comments to bringing you the finest of Comments, Mojo and Pictures every evening. I couldn’t have done it tonight without the wonderful collaboration of BeninSC!
Brillig's ObDisclaimer: The decision to publish each nomination lies with the evening's Diarist and/or Comment Formatter. My evenings at the helm, I try reeeeallllyy hard to publish everything without regard to content. I really do, even when I disagree personally with any given nomination. "TopCommentness" lies in the eyes of the nominator and of you, the reader - I leave the decision to you. I do not publish self-nominations (ie your own comments) and if I ruled the world, we'd all build community, supporting and uplifting instead of tearing our fellow Kossacks down.
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From kovie:
I nominate this most excellent and pithy comment by lao hong han in vulcangrrl's diary on why Tom Friedman should stop taking advice from cabbies and start getting his nails done. (cohenzee enthusiastically seconded this comment submission!)
With
this comment,
Anne Elk has a new game we can all play. From
Ms Folded's
diary of collected Trump tweets.
Highlighted by NWTerriD:
Is this comment by Craig234 in reply to this comment by Capt Morgan on corporate income taxes. Very well said, Craig234. Taxes with intelligence!
From yours truly, brillig:
mmt006's diary details ex-Christie aide Maria Comella's decision to back Clinton instead of Trump. Bill W muses on a the next possible bit of news from New Jersey. Do NOT be drinking anything when you read it, or you may need a new screen.
For Monday, August 1, 2016, first comments and tip jars excluded. Thank you mik for the mojo magic! For those of you interested in How Top Mojo Works, please see his diary on the subject.
1) I am the mother of a vet, a Marine. How DARE the … by SanJoseLady +214
2) The story has now gone on into its fourth day, a … by teacherken +194
3) They need to stop with “the party of Lincoln.” T … by a2nite +189
4) The affection and respect the Khans are getting … by chicago minx +181
5) I'd say the Republicans have lost the ability to … by JSappAR +167
6) And it’s all Trump’s own doing. It’s awesome, he … by Hannibal +165
6) Josh Marshall, as always, nails it. … by elesares +165
8) “My only regret… … by angry marmot +162
8) Trump needs to calm the fuck down. I'm trying to … by lollydee +162
10) There’s been a lot of discussion of whether to d … by ivorybill +152
11) The words “tone deaf” don’t even begin to cover … by slackjawedlackey +145
12) This could have been a one night story after the … by Jacoby Jonze +143
13) Seems like a bombshell if proven true. by coquiero +134
13) Some douchebag who plays the character of a bill … by CyberMindGrrl +134
15) Happy Birthday Miss Denise! You're the best of t … by surfbird007 +130
16) I don't throw this around lightly, but I believe … by Murchadha +129
17) All the crap theories being passed around on Twi … by teresahill +126
18) They’re the same party that will send your Marin … by ontheleftcoast +124
19) as an old white guy here in the south I get that … by imanoldcoot +137
20) This is only part of the story. What I want to k … by ontheleftcoast +114
21) She’s a nicer narcissist than Trump. I’ll give h … by ivorybill +113
21) Thank you! by Denise Oliver Velez +113
23) To blame Bernie for a systematic and coordinated … by barbard +117
24) His fan base will believe him. Anything goes for … by igualdad +111
24) Are you suggesting that people should vote for S … by Tortmaster +111
26) If Circus Peanut makes it to November, he will m … by Are We There Yet +110
27) That looks like a, uh, really cheerful and welco … by chicago minx +109
28) It is mind-boggling. Of course, we all disagree … by ApostleOfCarlin +108
28) We see now why Trump is saying the election is r … by We Shall Overcome +108
28) It may be a historical fact, but a party of raci … by cwarrdc +108
28) Right. He could of said nothing or gave his cond … by cwarrdc +108
Top Pictures
2016-08-02, courtesy of jotter!