The Kangaroo Part 14 – Income Tax Refunds

By

Stu Silver / “Uncle Zally” Zalman Velvel

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It was 5:30 AM on the ides of March, and I was back at the Kangaroo Convenience Store in Ocala, Florida. I asked the store manager whether there really was a Peruvian coffee, and he showed me the package it came in. It turns out Peruvian not only exists, but is also organic. Live and learn.

 

I wrote down a few days previous another topic I wanted to write about, but this morning it felt artificial to plan a topic, instead of letting it flow in from the ambiance of The Kangaroo.   

 

Look, I even took some  pictures of the store, so that you could get a feel for The Kangaroo, too. Maybe it will lead you also to thoughts and feelings that you will need to write down and share with others.

 

On this morning, while I was waiting on line to pay for my Peruvian coffee, I overheard a construction worker behind me talking. He removed all his dependents on his W-4 form, so he was getting back a large income tax refund. He was using the check as a down payment on a new truck.

 

I smiled. Because of people like him, we sold mobile homes in our parks, and rented mobile homes on private land, at a record pace in February and March. Both groups of our customers, owners and tenants, received income tax refunds from Uncle Sam and Auntie IRS, and they applied their windfall to down payments, or security deposits.

 

If you read my very first article in what has come to be the “Kangaroo Kronicles”, you know that in many cases, the down payments were the same amount as security deposits and first and last month’s rents, depending on whether someone wanted to own their own home at the end of three years, as opposed to stacking up rent receipts, and not being responsible for owning a home. You also know I feel proud to be able to help the working people of this great country own a home that they can afford, or rent one, whatever the case may be.

 

Why were so many of our customers waiting for income tax refunds to take advantage of our easy seller financing, or low rents? Don’t they understand that AN INCOME TAX REFUND IS AN INTEREST FREE LOAN TO THE GOVERNMENT?

When you allow the government to take more than their fair share, you are in effect lending to them with zero percent interest. If the reverse happened, and you underpaid your taxes, Uncle Sam and Auntie IRS do not reciprocate. You will pay interest and penalties, or go to jail.  

 

Can’t our customers save money on their own, instead of being over-withheld income tax on each paycheck for 12 months?

 

Unfortunately, no.

 

Let’s face it, saving money is damn hard. Why?

 

Two reasons:

1-   Some of the greatest creative minds in our country think up new and exciting ways, every day, to get you to spend all your money, and convince you how happy you will be as soon as you do.

2-   It’s easier to have fun today, have faith in the moment, and forget about tomorrow, when God knows what will happen.

 

The first reason lurks all about us. Look how pretty and exciting the packaging and videos are in advertising. Coke is the “real thing” and will make you happy. Oil of Olay will take away your wrinkles and make you look and feel younger. McDonald’s will give you a well-deserved “break today” and bring your family closer together.

 

Even the Kangaroo participates in this big time. The picture on the left is the checkout counter. Look at it. They have cookies, cakes, and candy bars staring at you, waiting to ensnare you when your wallet is open and your resistance lowered.

 

Everything is designed to make you happy now. NOW. Right now. Now now now NOW NOW!

 

What about second reason it’s so hard to save? It’s useful to point out that believing “It’s easier to have fun today, have faith in the moment, and forget about tomorrow,” is the most common justification for taking drugs. Nobody wants to be addicted and a slave to chemicals, yet millions are, because they are absorbed in the Now and want to forget about tomorrow.

 

Practically speaking, I am ready to admit it’s better to have more taxes taken out of your paycheck, so you are forced to save, if that is the only way someone can save, because they don’t have the discipline or willpower to do it on their own … especially when some of the best minds in this country are creating powerful motivation to stop you from saving.

 So if you need to give an interest free loan to the government, it’s okay. At least they will pay you back in February. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for a few relatives and friends I have known.

 

 

Then, if you use that income tax refund as a down payment for your own home, where you can raise a family with peace and security, this is something good that will live on for a long, long time. Just like the little baby kangaroo in his mother’s pouch.

 

What do you say, mate?

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