Dear Santa, I want a fully funded 401k please

Dear Santa Claus,

First, let me say that I’m a big fan. Ever since seeing Tim Allen and Martin Short duel for your position, I’ve felt a renewed vigor and belief. So I thought I would drop you a line this year and make a few requests.

1) A fully funded 401(k)

I’ve tried to be a good boy. Before my company was spun off in the 2nd quarter, I diligently contributed to the company 401(k), despite the terrible array of investment options. But since the spin-off, we haven’t had a 401(k). In fact, Prudential is now sending me letters telling me to roll my 401(k) over to someone else. Apparently, I don’t have enough money for them. So I would have kept contributing if I could have. So will you please fully fund my 401(k) please? Don’t worry about the company match.

2) A Roth IRA for the wife

Once our 401(k) disappeared, I started making contributions to my Roth IRA. Unfortunately, my wife still does not have a Roth IRA. Having a shiny new Roth IRA at, let’s say, Vanguard with a couple of index funds would be great. Just something to get her going. She’s running her own business though, so maybe a SIMPLE IRA would be better. I’ll let you decide. I mean, you seem like you are pretty financially savvy. You’d have to be to finance the production of million of toys each year.

3) Better health insurance

Since I’m talking about my job, our health insurance isn’t that great either. I know that I should just be grateful that we have health insurance, but can you really call a $5000 deductible insurance? For example, my wife has scoliosis and had started going to the chiropractor regularly since the pain was increasing. She was just making progress when I had to tell her that she needed to stop going for at least a couple of months. We simply have no way of paying for her to go twice a week. I’m willing to do my part to earn some extra money, but a better health insurance plan would go a long way.

4) An emergency fund

As I’m sure you are aware, I’m currently studying to take the GMAT this Saturday. Realizing that I needed some extra help, I signed up for the Kaplan Advanced GMAT prep course, which I highly recommend to any of the elves looking to change careers. Paying for the GMAT, the prep course, two new tires, and medical bills has depleted our emergency fund. So maybe I’m pushing my luck, but a replenished emergency fund would make sleeping at night easier. Think of the children.

5) Dems to sign-off on tax cuts

I was planning to ask for extended tax cuts as well, but it seems that President Obama and the GOP have decided to give us an early Christmas present. I was just hoping for the extension, so the Social Security tax cut, the equivalent of a 2% pay raise, was a very pleasant surprise. Though, the Democrats need some persuading. So maybe you can threaten them with some coal.

6) Maybe an up-swing in the housing market

Last, but certainly not least, is there anything you can do about this housing market? Our home is two years old and we are underwater. Hoping that we were just a little underwater, we had an appraisal to find out what our home is currently worth. I think I was better off not knowing. What’s really frustrating is that we are responsible and our irresponsible neighbors who bought a home they couldn’t afford have caused home prices to drop. So maybe you could just leave Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University under everyone’s Christmas tree this year.

As you can see, we have a number of financial goals and challenges that we are facing as 2011 draws near. And although I’m gainfully employed, my pay just doesn’t quite cut the mustard.

Anywho, I’ve rambled enough.

Thanks Kris (can I call you Kris?)

Adam

P.S. A couple shares of Berkshire Hathaway would be cool too, but whatever.