For the past few years I've always looked forward to this time of year. Not because I enjoy the freezing blasts of wind or seeing knee-high piles of greyish-brown snow. It's tax season and I mailed my tax returns in today. I've always gotten sizeable refund because of Lifetime Learning Credits and this year is no exception.

The joy is transient, though, when I consider the source of the money. How is it that I can get so excited about receiving the money that should have been mine all along? I'm not eligible for Social Security benefits like Medicare yet I still fork over a thousand dollars each year of my hard-earned money. I guess I should just be glad the government is willing to give me anything at all.