Taxing thoughts

Well, I knew we were going to have a quiet New Year's Eve at home without going out on the town. But in the end there were more compelling reasons to avoid splashing out on celebrations . . . car tax.
Yes, the current tax expires today, and the prospect of finding £265 to relax the car for another 12 months rather puts a dampner on taking to the town for a celebratory evening.
Fortunately we knew very well that the tax is due for renewal, but when it comes time to pay up, it still hits hard on the purse strings. Fortunately the next pay day is also due, so we don't really have a problem.
Nevertheless,  thinking of the cost of a couple of rounds of drinks plus a meal out and the inevitable bubbly to welcome in new year 2016, along with a cab fare, would have taken the shine off the evening, knowing full well that the tax will be due in  the morning