This is so bad

[cleolinda]

Oh my God. I just found out that we're going to have to pay $6200 in taxes--in part because we didn't realize they weren't withholding them already from my stepfather's military pension or whatever it is. We're going to get about half of that $6200 back, but that's the problem: we have to pay it all first in order to get any back. And this is on top of the $5000 air conditioner which I still believe was a gigantic ripoff, although it is very nice. I have no idea in the world where we are going to get all this money from, and neither does my mother. Well, she has ideas, but they involve loans and eBay. So... uh. I will be putting some things up for sale shortly. Mostly collectibles I'd been holding on to in hopes they'd appreciate a bit. But I also have a few M15M hardbacks (< 10), and a number of paperbacks (~20, maybe). They're not doing me any good, and since a lot of people can order from the UK but have told me they don't want to, well... this would be your chance.


ETA: I think there's some kind of payment plan involved--a good bit of it upfront, and then six months (?) to pay the rest of it. But then we also have six months to pay off the new air conditioner, and last year the oven died, and I think we have until November to pay that off. It's probably something like $12,000 over the course of the next six months, all told. Yeah, we're horrified. Oh, and we don't qualify for the economic incentive--we make just enough to get ourselves into trouble, basically.

Also, I have some BPAL from 2004 - 2005 I'd meant to sell, I think. Maybe it'll be worth more now that it's aged a bit--pity none of it's Snake Oil, because I hear that's fantastic after a couple of years.

As for the books, I have more than I need for myself, but not enough to go around, really. I'll probably throw the hardbacks onto eBay and see what happens (if you want 'em signed, obviously I can do it, since they're coming from me, but I'll wait until the buyer tells me what they want it to say). I don't know whether I'll set a price (via the Buy It Now option) for the paperbacks or just see what happens.

And of course, if I put anything else on eBay--I have an extra copy of the loaded Snow White DVD Disney put out a while back, for example. You know, random things like that, and a couple of LOTR collectibles--I'll link it here.

Comments

[roseredhoofbeat.livejournal.com]

I bet some autographed copies would fetch a fair price on eBay!

Can you donate plasma?

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

Actually, I can't donate blood--antidepressants in the bloodstream, they won't take it. : (

[sneaky-minx.livejournal.com]

Oh god, hon, that's horrible! *hugs*

I'd be happy to help you out in any way. You're on my f-list, so I'll be able to keep an eye on your posts to see what I can do/buy. Keep us updated!

[belladancerela.livejournal.com]

Uhm...well, I bought m15m! :]] So, technically, I contributed. Hahah.

[polly-moopers.livejournal.com]

Man, that's awful. You could pimp the shit out of this, though-- remember Capewatch? You just have to tap into the deep dark depths of Fandom Crazy.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

Wait, I'm not sure I do remember Capewatch...

[particle-person.livejournal.com]

Wow, sorry to hear that. ursulav just had the same thing happen yesterday. She made some new art to try to cover the costs.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I saw that. My mother was all like, "Sell some news 15Ms to the highest bidder!" But the problem with that is, it's not like a piece of art that you can hang in your home, while other people can look at a scan of it. I feel like if I put a piece up for auction, and the buyer was (obviously) not obligated to share it, I would take so much shit for that. (See also, on a MUCH grander scale, to the millionth power: JKR's "Beedle the Bard" auction.) It's not the kind of thing I would even consider, normally--you start thinking of it when you desperately need the money, but even then, pissing people off wouldn't be worth it, when there's surely something else we can do.

[modpixie.livejournal.com]

oh man! you have my sympathy, and maybe a few dollars if you post your auctions here.

[angelene.livejournal.com]

Ouch. Please pardon my curiosity and feel free not to respond if you feel I'm being too intrusive: I'm not sure how the US tax system works, but... am I right in assuming that's an extra $6200 fee over the 'regular' tax burden you mean there?

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

No, $6200's the tax burden itself. We do have to pay state and federal taxes, though, and you have to pay more or less depending on certain variables. You could get a (partial) tax writeoff for donating to charity, for example, or having home business expenses, or dependents, whereas different types of income (salaries, plus the military pension, in our case) can add up so that you get taxed more. We're in a bracket that takes something like 40%, I think. But then we get some of it back because of various whatevers I'm not even sure I understand. The only problem is, we have to pay the original sum up front, rather than have them factor in the money we'd get back first.

[elisa0984.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry Cleo and I'll keep eyes out for your auctions.

[elisa0984.livejournal.com]

And I'm sure you've thought of this already, but could your BPAL collection stand a culling?

[elbales]

Jebus. $6200? Ow. Uh. Did you know that you can apply to the IRS to do a payment plan? We had to do that once and they were totally cool about it. As long as you don't already have one going, and you've paid as required in the past, they should go for it.

I'd like a M15M book, yes ma'am. How much?

[delle.livejournal.com]

^^ yes, what she said. and tell stepfather to get withholding set up on his pension, or have him start filing quarterly so you don't get slammed again. (I've been in a similar situation, but didn't owe as much as you. DAMN)

Put my name on one of your hardbound M15M and I'll pay you whatever price you want to set on it.

::hugs::

[gypsytemptress.livejournal.com]

I'd love to buy a copy of your book to help out. Just let me know how much!

[quasar360.livejournal.com]

Ditto!

[celticangel76.livejournal.com]

OUCH. That sucks big time. I'll be more than happy to help out buy buying a book or checking out what else you're putting up. I've been meaning to buy the book anyway but just never get around to it.

[sfmarty.livejournal.com]

Have you phoned the IRS? They are often reasonable in making arrangements.

[edenlass.livejournal.com]

now that i have a real job i would love to purchase M15M!

[the_rainbow_jen]

Dude. Suck. So much for the IRS giving money back to stimulate the freakin economy.

Do let us know about the m15m books. I'd totally buy a load as gifts for all my intellecutally highminded friends :)

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

Oh, and we don't even qualify for the economic incentive, btw.

[allie-meril.livejournal.com]

Wow, sorry that happened, Cleo! Lots of the suggestions in the comments seem helpful, though, and I hope your family can find a good solution.

I'm one who actually *can't* buy the book, as I'm a student and do not have a credit card, so if you have enough copies, I'd love to buy one from you. Bonus points that it'll help you out a bit. :)

[bigeyedrabbit.livejournal.com]

OH NO. I really hope it works out ... somehow.

[foresthouse.livejournal.com]

Oh, crap. That really sucks. Post the eBay link or wherever you are selling collectibles, and I'll definitely check it out, although I'm not exactly flush with money myself right now. *hugs*

[tsukisei.livejournal.com]

I'd love to buy your m15m book as well!!

[svz-insanity.livejournal.com]

Cleo, I would love to buy a copy of M15M! I've been meaning to for years and just never got the chance. Please do keep us updated about eBay. I've been indulging in retail therapy since I've gotten into college (my own way of bribing me to keep my grades up and keep senioritis at bay) and it may as well go for a good cause (well... not that the IRS is a good cause...)

[heyorion.livejournal.com]

Ow, that sucks. I will keep my eyes open for your auctions!

[lostieborden.livejournal.com]

I'm sure if you offer some signed copies up for auction, they'd go for a good price!

[plazmah.livejournal.com]

So sorry to hear about this. But I would be interested in purchasing a copy of m15m :)

[all-ephemera.livejournal.com]

I'd say put the books up without the Buy It Now option, set a reserve and include the fact that it could be signed by the author as a selling point.

BPAL can net you a fair amount. I had some special editions from a couple of years ago (like the original Snake Charmer, for example) and they sold well. Over $200 from about 8 bottles.

Good luck, hun!

Another thought, maybe auction off a M15M of the winner bidder's choice?

[particle-person.livejournal.com]

She answered me about that (http://cleolinda.livejournal.com/591302.html?thread=28858310#t28858310) up top. It seemed like a logical suggestion, but those sales tend to lead to wank, as the JKR thing proved.

[acaciakitty.livejournal.com]

Having had to pay in before, I know that awful feeling. I'll keep an eye out for your auctions.

[threeparts.livejournal.com]

I know the m15m thing could lead to wank, but... What if you auctioned a handwritten (and possibly illustrated? Stick figures are all the rage!) one with the understanding that the actual text would be posted online? Or even a short story or poem that you'd written yourself.
You've gained a large, loyal fanbase that believes your writing is taking you places, and something that may have collectible value in future would be awesome. Even if it sells for $50, that's $50 more than you had before.