Emails with Instructions I Ignore

I have another piece of evidence that algorithms are not running my life. I keep getting emails telling me that a certain company's software will give me a maximum tax return. It seems there is some sort of agreement between the company I work for an a company that markets tax software. I saw that when I got my W2 online, but soon discovered that I couldn't complete my taxes with the free version, so I went back the Free Fillable Forms to do my taxes again. I didn't get a refund. I haven't for several years, but I don't mind, because I end up paying a few hundred dollars, which means I don't owe a penalty, and I haven't been loaning my money to the federal government for free.

I filed my taxes over a month ago, but I still get emails telling me about that maximum refund. It seems the company doesn't know I already filed my taxes. It only knows I didn't file using its software. It probably doesn't cost the company anything to keep sending me useless emails, so the error doesn't matter, but it does illustrate the weakness of the algorithm.

I could, perhaps, use an update in my personal algorithms. I noticed the other day that I am sending my daughter more money than I am putting in my retirement account. At my age, I should be almost panicking at how little I have in the retirement account, and my daughter seems to be getting along just fine. I may have to address this situation. Maybe after my wife finishes her class this summer. We are saving up to pay the tuition. Then she plans to start making contributions to her retirement account at work. I could adjust mine at the same time. Between us, we could put so much money into retirement accounts, we may someday be able to retire.

I also get frequent reminders that I'm not putting the maximum contribution allowed into my retirement account. That comes from the company that administers my retirement account. They aren't pushy emails. They are gentle reminders that I could put more in. And that at my current level, both the balance and the rate of contribution, are below the stated goal I should have for when I turn 60. From where I am, I'm not likely to get where the emails say I should be by then, but I would get closer if I contributed more.

I think my contribution may jump up a percent next month. I think I set it up that way. I haven't checked. I'll see what happens when I get there. That's a problem with my internal algorithms. Review of status is not a frequent subroutine. I have a book to read.