I'm One of Those Broke, Annoyed People Now

I have a character flaw. Well, that's being generous - I have several. But the one I want to talk about is my inability to tolerate dumb people.

Over the weekend I received an envelope from the former owner of my house. I opened it and inside was an open bill from San Diego Gas & Electric. No note. The bill was addressed to the former owner and sent to her personal residence (my house had been an income property for her).

Now I had just gotten my bill for the house a couple days before, so I knew this wasn't mine (plus I've already paid a month of bills on this house; I switched the electric over to my name during escrow). But apparently she thought the bill she got was for her former income property (the bills NEVER went to her; they went to her tenants). Even though it was sent to her own home.

I was super annoyed. One because it should have been obvious to her it was her monthly bill for where she lives. Two because she didn't even have the good manners to send a note. Just to be certain, I double-checked the meter numbers on the bill she sent me with the ones on the house to confirm they didn't match, then I emailed her realtor and gave him the scoop and asked him to inform his client that I wasn't taking responsibility for her bill.

Typing it all out, it sounds like a petty thing to get annoyed about. Maybe even an honest mistake. But I don't know how to deal with people who aren't smart enough to first call the bill company to confirm things before you burden other people with unsolicited mail. Without notes. Pay your damn $86 bill, lady.

First Mortgage Payment
I made my first mortgage payment this week. Living on one paycheck a month sucks. On the other hand, I have to remind myself that according to Zillow.com, the value of my house has gone up about $100k from what I paid for it 6 weeks ago. I know it's just an estimate and not what I could really get for it right now, but that's pretty cool! I know I could sell it today for more than I paid for it and it's comforting knowing that I can't lose money on this investment because I got such a killer deal.

Where's My First-Time Homebuyer's Check?
As a first-time homebuyer, I get to take advantage of an $8000 tax credit which I am able to claim with my 2008 taxes rather than waiting for when I do my 2009 taxes next year. I just had to file an ammendment to my 2008 taxes which I had already paid in February.

I did this during the first week after I closed on my house. I mailed in my ammendment 1 day after a friend of mine mailed in his. He got a letter last week saying his ammendment had been accepted and got his check 2 days ago. I've yet to get a letter or a check! I though mine would be right behind his.

I'm a little jealous that he already got his and annoyed that whatever processing is in place for these checks. Realistically, I didn't think my check would show up 1 day after his. But I hoped.