Mama Boats

I still want to go to the Galapagos!

@SaltyGoat17 Why do so many of the kids keep going to the wrong person?

That’ll get ya right in the feels won’t it?

This guy made a video asking for help identifying a tiny pool in his villa and the comments were hilarious. Nothing unites people like humor. Still don’t know what the little pool is though. (Kaderobs)

Thank you, sir. This is exactly what RFK Jr. is fighting to protect America from. Yet why is the Democratic Party opposing him with such fierce, unrelenting vehemence?

As I am working my way into filing my Federal Income Taxes this weekend (I will "file" but not hit "submit" until drop-dead time) - I am still kerfuffled at how the US Government penalizes those of us who survive our spouses. Prior to 2007 - we were "married filing jointly" - same bills as now - but only one income. Then he died. Post 2007 - I went back to work - because - same bills (I am not a sloth that lets my obligations go into foreclosure - because - no) - but since he was dead - my filing status was now Single Same bills, less income (arrived at workplace later/lower pay - also - now only "single" vs "married filing jointly" So - every year since 2007 I have owed THOUSANDS of $$ in Federal Income Tax bills - even though my filing status is "Single - 0" I really really REALLY want an accounting from the Feds where my tax dollars are being spent. Below - @grok simple explanation of this inequity. Seriously - I'm so done - wondering what kind of food is served in jail... You're not alone in this frustration—many women in your exact situation feel the same way. The tax code was built around traditional two-income or one-earner married households and hasn't fully caught up to the realities of widowhood. If you share more details (like rough income numbers, age, or what kind of income you have now), I can try to explain how it applies more specifically. Hang in there.I'm really sorry for your loss—losing a spouse is incredibly hard, and then dealing with the financial and tax shifts on top of that (while also going back to work and handling everything alone) makes it even tougher. What you're describing is a very common experience for widows, often called the "widow's penalty" or "survivor's penalty." It doesn't feel fair because your bills didn't disappear, you lost one person's income and presence, and now you're working more hours just to keep things going. Yet the tax system treats you differently. I'll break it down clearly, step by step, in plain terms.1. The Big Change: Filing StatusWhen you were married, you filed as Married Filing Jointly (that's the "(2)" on your old returns). This status gives you:Wider tax brackets — More of your combined income gets taxed at lower rates before it "climbs" into higher ones. A larger standard deduction (the amount you subtract from your income before taxes are calculated). After your husband died in 2007, for the year of his death and possibly the next two years (if you had a dependent child or met other rules), you might have qualified for Qualifying Surviving Spouse status. That lets you keep using the married filing jointly brackets and deduction for a short time.apps.irs.govBut after that (and definitely now, years later), you're filing as Single (the "(0)" you mentioned). The tax code basically says: one person = single filer. It doesn't have a special long-term category for widows who are supporting the same household alone.2. Why This Means You Owe More Taxes (Even With Similar or Lower Total "Household" Money)The U.S. tax system is progressive (higher income = higher rates on the extra dollars), but the brackets and deductions are not just cut in half for singles—they're less generous overall compared to joint filers.Here's a simplified 2026 example (numbers adjust slightly each year for inflation, but the structure is the same): Single filer (you now):Standard deduction: around $16,100 (or a bit more if you're 65+). 22% tax bracket starts at about $50,401 of taxable income (after deduction). Married Filing Jointly (what you had before):Standard deduction: around $32,200 (roughly double). 22% tax bracket starts at about $100,801 of taxable income (much wider). Even if your total income now is roughly what half of your old combined income was (or even less), more of it can get pushed into higher brackets faster because the "lanes" for lower rates are narrower. Plus, you subtract less with the standard deduction, so your taxable income is higher than it would have been on a joint return.centerfinplan.comResult: You can end up paying a higher effective tax rate (percentage of your income going to taxes) even though you're one person now with the same bills.3. Your Specific Situation Makes It Sting MoreYou had to go back to work: Your paycheck is now earned income (wages), which is fully taxable. When your husband was alive, his paycheck was also taxed jointly, but the system gave the couple more breathing room. Now all your earnings hit your single return. Fewer "household hours" but same bills: The tax code doesn't care about that reality. It doesn't give credits or adjustments for the extra burden of doing everything solo (cleaning, cooking, maintenance, emotional labor). Taxes are based on income and filing status, not on how hard life feels or how many hours you spend maintaining the home. Possible other income shifts: If you're receiving any Social Security survivor benefits, a portion can become taxable once your total income hits certain thresholds—and those thresholds are lower for single filers than they were for joint filers. Pensions or other survivor income can add to this too.smartasset.comIn short: The system assumes two adults sharing costs and income get a "couple discount" on taxes. When one is gone, that discount disappears, even if your actual expenses haven't dropped much.4. It Doesn't Fully "Make Sense" in Real Life—It's a Known FlawA lot of financial experts call this the widow's penalty because it hits surviving spouses hard at a vulnerable time. Your bills are the same (or higher with inflation), but the tax rules treat you as if you're suddenly "cheaper" to support as one person. Many widows notice they owe taxes or get smaller refunds now, even when working to cover the gap left by their spouse.precisiontax.comThis isn't because you're doing anything wrong—it's how the tax brackets and deductions are written into law. Congress has discussed fixes over the years, but no broad change has eliminated it for long-term widows.What Can Help?Check if you can still use any special status: If it's only been a couple years since 2007, that window closed long ago, but double-check old returns or talk to a tax pro. Maximize deductions/credits: Itemize if you have high medical costs, property taxes, or charity. Look into credits for the elderly/disabled if you qualify. Contribute to retirement accounts (like an IRA) to lower taxable income. Withholding adjustments: Since you're working, update your W-4 form at work so enough taxes are taken out of your paycheck—avoiding a big bill at filing time. Social Security and other income: Strategize when to claim or how it interacts with your wages. Professional help: A tax advisor or CPA who understands survivor issues can run your exact numbers and find ways to reduce what you owe. Free or low-cost help is available through IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or programs for seniors.

@zhaabowekwe There's a reason I don't leave my house...sure - we can blame it on service-connected PTSD - but I think it is because of people like this - ASSHOLES. I feel no need to engage - but I fear for humanity that I am leaving to my grandsons and granddaughters...

Cody Roberts filmed himself chasing a 9-month old female wolf on a snowmobile, laughing at her terror & exhaustion, repeatedly hitting her. He duct-taped her mouth, brought her to a bar. For hours, people took photos as she bled to death. Then he shot her. 2 yrs probation.

El Estrecho de Ormuz es un estrecho internacional. Según la Convención de la ONU sobre el Derecho del Mar, todos los buques tienen libertad de navegación. Ningún Estado puede suspender ese derecho. ¿Por qué nadie condena a Irán por violar el ‘derecho internacional’?

@PecanC8 This is not new - the Liberal Outrage (talking points, pearl clutching) is - as a matter of deflection. Pick a subject - work the crowd - divert from the actual issues the Left is causing/examples of the Left's impotence.

Do you agree with this change? Starting around December of this year, all young men aged 18 to 25 will be automatically registered for the U.S. military draft. The government will pull their information from federal databases — no manual signup required. There is no active military draft (the last one ended in 1973). In a national emergency, Congress and the president would have to authorize one, followed by a lottery, physical/mental exams, and possible deferments/exemptions. Registration alone does not mean induction. Selective Service just went fully automatic. Young men were already obligated to register, but many do not. Now, it will be auto done.

The number of invasive species in Florida is curiously high

Here's the total amount of taxpayer $ the past 10 Presidents took as salary: Trump: $0.00 Biden: $1.6 Million Obama: $3.2 Million W Bush: $3.2 Million Clinton: $1.6 million HW Bush: $800K Reagan: $1.6 Million Carter: $800K Ford: $500K Nixon: $1.1 Million

The state of Maryland ads a new mandatory fee on every gallon of paint sold, the money will be given to a nonprofit Professional painter “I mean I was immediately sitting and doing the math and thought this can't be. I was livid” The new fee amount depends on the size; - Larger than half pint up to smaller than 1 gallon: $0.50 - 1 gallon up to 2 gallons: $1.15 •-Larger than 2 gallons up to 5 gallons: $2.25 100% of the fee revenue goes directly to a nonprofit called PaintCare

Telling why they never took up Elon’s offer

I will be writing a check (virtually, of course) as well. I am "filing" on Sunday - after my beloved Sunday morning Espresso Martini. I will not hit "submit" until Wednesday, 15 April- right before I go to bed. I really REALLY wish there was an option to "send me an itemized list of how my tax dollars will be spent." I mean - if I have to take time and gather documents and submit them all to the government and then pay them the $$ they say I owe (and I have confirmed they are taking the MAXIMUM from my paycheck - I file Single - 0 dependents - the difference is - when my husband was alive - we had one paycheck - his - but two adults - same bills. Now that he is dead - I have one adult - SAME BILLS - but I am TAXED AT A HIGHER RATE - because I am "single." Make it make sense) Anyway - wouldn't it be GRAND if we could get an ACCOUNTING of how our taxes are spent? I mean - someone - show AMERICANS accountability!

I just finished my taxes and wrote a check to the federal government. It doesn't sit right... We've seen BILLIONS in fraud in just the last few months. Don't you feel like we ALL deserve a break from paying taxes until 100% of the money stolen from us in fraud is clawed back?

This is deep - and saved...

This post was appreciated today...

🎯🚚

Are we living in a @TheBabylonBee world - or is this chit for realz??? God save the USA!

If only @LeaderJohnThune hadn't placed everyone on PAID VACATION and actually stayed and done the hard work to SAVE OUR COUNTRY - then maybe - just maybe - I could take these theatrics with a little bit of sobriety..

If you were willing to cut a Super Bowl ad, yet you will not testify under oath for Congress, sorry, but you don't get to play the traumatized victim card.

Is this a joke?