. I also have about 13,000 in my 401K account that I will either have to rollover to an IRA or take the distribution from my old job. I 'think' it would be best that you roll it over, and totally avoid distribution. From the link below: "Your 401k withdrawal options are as follows if you are under 59 � -Take a lump sum distribution, in which case your 401k plan provider will write you a check for the value of your account less a 20% withholding tax mandated by the IRS, and a 10% withdrawal penalty. The 20% tax that is withheld, but NOT the 10% penalty, will be counted against your income tax payable or will be counted towards any refund due for the tax year when you file your tax return. Some 401k penalty free withdrawal exceptions are here. -You can do nothing and leave it with your previous employer as long as the amount is greater than $5,000. Amounts less than $5,000 will usually be distributed to you, less a 20% withholding tax, regardless of you age. (Check with your plan sponsor) -Do 401k rollover into an IRA or a solo 401k (if you are planning to open your own one person business) Here is a link that might be useful: 401k Withdrawal Options

Exellent reminders, Auntjen and Golddust. Here's a graph and text outlining the situation in Europe. One sentence that stood out for me in the article was, "...In Europe, prices are roughly double the US due to the tax, but the anger is not so palpable..." Here is a link that might be useful: European economy

This has been the same petsitter I have used since 1999. Never a problem before. When she started with me she was a single mom of 2 high school boys getting ready to move on to college. She has now remarried and her husband has come with her the past two times she has sat for me. You cannot tell me that between the two adults, they couldn't get a plan together? She has a cat, I hate to even think how ineffective she would be if her own cat got out. I called several times from the boat, and she was fine. On Wednesday nite when I got a cell signal and called her, I could tell in her voice that something was wrong, but she kept telling me all was well. I was suspicious, but I thought perhaps calling her so late, I had just caught her sleeping - Alaska time is 4 hrs behind East Coast. I called again the next afternoon when we were in spot with cell service (on an expedition cruise - so not many cell tower signals when you are on a small boat adventure). When I called the next day she acted oddly again and I kept asking her if everything was alright. "Yes, I am just sick". "Are you sure, your voice doesn't sound right, is everything and everyone okay". "Yes, just not feeling good". She was very short with me. I knew then that something wasn't right. I immediately found my SIL on the boat and had her call the house as her dog was here for a few days while her petsitter was away. She then called to see how her dog was and said I was on a hike. Sitter fessed up to my SIL while I was actually sitting in the wheelhouse hearing my SIL's end of the conversation. I immediately had SIL give me the phone. Explanation through sobbing about what happened. Didn't want to ruin your trip, yada yada. I freaked out on her I told her I wanted her to pull herself together and stop crying and start acting like an adult - this woman is 50 yr. old school teacher. This was Thursday late night Eastern Time and cat was gone from Monday p.m. - too many days. She had done nothing except look around the yard and obvious places around the house. I went off on her (badly, I am embarrassed to admit) and told her to put the cat box outside, call the shelters, call the police and ask if anyone had reported seeing him or if they picked him up. I then called my parents to come to my home and pull out the beds - look well throughout the house to be sure he wasn't hiding, ordered 3 live traps from my exterminator, and asked petsitter to put DD clothes outfront. At that point she was fired. DH was out on actual excursion with a naturalist. Told him when he returned and we decided not to tell my DD until we were home. Still had 4 days to go. It was hell for the rest of the time as we had a full 24 hours of travel with a redeye coming in on Sunday morning and then a 2 hr. ride home from the airport. My DD was continually telling me how much she missed Louie and how she hoped he would like the souveniers she had gotten him. She had found some soft animal birds that chirp. I was physically ill when I had to lie to her. Lying to me is the number one no-no. DH feels torn. Understands that petsitter was trying to not ruin our vacation, but is upset at her inaction. We found the cat within 14 hours of arriving on terra firma at the house. I just felt that she could have done more. There are plenty of photos around the house of the cat, she could have made flyers, she could have done more. I kept checing back with her asking her if she had called the shelter again. Her answer was I left your phone number. I freaked again and told her I wanted her to call 2 times per day to each shelter and the police station that they were not going to call us. She was just plain lazy in this situation. At 4:30 p.m. eastern time the traps hadn't shown up. My exterminator is my neighbor, petsitter says I'll find the number in the phone book. I told her NO WAY - WALK UP TO HIS HOUSE, KNOCK ON THE DOOR AND TELL HIM WHAT IS GOING ON. She did and the traps showed up poste haste and my neighbor actually check the traps at 11 p.m. each nite to be sure the cat wouldn't be stuck in one all night should he go in. I will not have her back again. No bail money needed, just have no confidence whatsoever in her for future needs. I will find another petsitter, as I prefer to have my pets at home while I vacation. I do not board my animals, never have, never will. I am not going to lose confidence in all petsitters because of this petsitter's inaction. The lady who runs our shelter's adoption at the Petsmart remarked she should be shot. I think so too, but I am just so thankful we have him back that I am chalking it up to a terrible experience from which I learned a very valuable lesson and DD cat is home. Had this turned out differently, I may have needed some bail money - big time. Thanks for the positive responses. I hope the hints for looking can help someone should they face the same horrible situation.

Nikki I feel for you. My DH has been looking ever since we moved to the country. It's rough all over but hopefully you (and everyone who is unemployed) will find something soon. SamKaren your resident DJ