I used Turbo Tax and e-filed, and got my refund directly into my account yesterday, exactly when they said it would show up! So, take notice of my emergency fund total to the left ... it is now $1,500 instead of $0!! I also was able to update my challenge fund, since I got a $10 check this week from Opinion Outpost. The "Save Yourself" account is at TD Ameritrade, and it's the Suze Orman deal where if you put at least $50/month into the account for 12 consecutive months, they will add $100. I set that up when I started my job back in October. So, I am feeling pretty excited! Now I can really focus more on paying down the debt. I will update that total at the end of each month.

After my last post about not getting an ICP, scfr asked what an ICP is. It stands for Incentive Compensation Plan, and it's a bonus plan my company has in place to award cash bonuses to employees based on the previous year's performance. There is a target amount set up at the beginning of each year, and based on how the company does that year, the Board determines what percentage of the target amount each employee will receive. I believe in 2006 (or maybe it was 2005), everyone got 250% of the target amount! This year it was only 57%, and mine would have been prorated because I started in October, so it wouldn't really have been that much. Anyway, it doesn't matter now, so I am looking forward to getting the full amount next year! They also either give an extra percentage (or take away an extra percentage) based on the employee's year-end performance review. It's really an interesting set-up, since I have never worked for anyone who determines bonuses in that manner.

As it turns out, I was not eligible for a merit increase either, based on my start date of October 8 and missing the Oct. 1 cutoff, etc. (basically the same reason I did not get an ICP award). The person who told me I would be eligible for a merit increase is actually in H.R., and she felt really bad about her mistake the next day, when I told her that I'd learned that morning I would not be receiving an increase and why! I was a little resentful initially, but it was just a mistake on her part (and heaven knows I have made plenty of those!), and I decided I just need to concentrate on the positive, which is that if I had not gotten this job, I'd still be working in my old job at less than half the salary I now receive!! I really am fortunate now to have the job I do, and I want to make the most of this opportunity. I am excited about what this year holds for me, and it's up to me to make it the best it can be! (Thanks to baselle for telling me how to get the smileys!)