I was affected by the recent market fallout. We had a particularly good year and we had nearly 19k in taxes due (not what we'd already withheld). Mostly due to planning on my wife and I's part - perhaps poor planning, perhaps not, we rolled the dice.

We shuttered an annuity we had and at the time (mid January) I figured I could make more in the market with that money than pay the taxes on it. It was just shy of $100k. I mean, why loan the government money for 16 months right? So I invested, we did perfectly fine and it did appreciate much more than it would have had I taken 30% off the top. Can't say exact figures without doing a lot of math because I was in and out of things, but the account grew over 40% in that time. I'd probably do it different were I to do it again, as I knew the tax man was coming and to get it to $140k I did increase my tax burden due to selling short term gains and I was sweating the last 16 months. Worked out though.

Now taxes are due, I actually sold 10k worth VERY LUCKILY two weeks ago because I knew I only had $15k in the bank. All in, long story short, I probably broke even re: taxes and the recent downturn and have solid stocks I'm now invested in long term.

Honestly it's my best year on paper in my lifetime. Thanks Obama.