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Tax Refund Goes Home

20080415refund1.jpg"You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table..." Hopefully, by now, you've finished up your taxes and can sit down to count your money. If you have to pay up, we're sorry and wish you better luck next year. But, if you're expecting a refund, we're curious if you'll sink any of that fat check into your home.

Surely you could cash it out into singles which you then use to decorate the wall that displays your Kenny Rogers portrait or...

Maybe you'll finally buy that must-save-for piece of furniture you've been drooling over. Perhaps the extra cash will go toward home repairs that have been crying out for your attention. Renters, are you thinking about a down payment on a place of your own?

Our list is short and sweet: baseboards and paint (and maybe a manicure "when the dealin's done").

Photo: Tortilla Flat Saloon at WallStreetFighter

Comments (21)

i took my fat rebate and slammed it right on my bills the day i got it. i figured, pay off debt first and then i can concentrate on starting building my downpayment.

posted by animalhouze on 2008-04-15 12:48:54
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I got mine weeks ago and bought a credenza (even though such a nice one wasn't on the highest priority list, but it was perfect) and am replacing the hot water heater, a dire necessity. This totals somewhat more than what I got back.

posted by Pixie on 2008-04-15 12:51:28
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I used my tax refund to fund my home cure. Got lots of protein furnishings! :-)

posted by kimg924 on 2008-04-15 12:51:50
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our refund is a new couch and 2 chairs for our living room. Before this point it was hand me down furniture from various sources. Getting it delivered Friday.

posted by jmorey on 2008-04-15 12:55:21
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I had to use mine to bring cash to closing for a piece of property I sold at a small loss. So, I came out even!

posted by Doug on 2008-04-15 12:57:51
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I was seriously tempted by the Eames lounge & ottoman listed in today's Chicago Scavenger post, but all I can hear in my head is Suze Orman screaming "Boyfriend! You are SO denied!"

posted by mattab on 2008-04-15 12:58:11
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We used it to help fund our downpayment on our new house.

I love the Seinfeld reference on one of those blls up there.

posted by aladywhoknows on 2008-04-15 13:05:13
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im still undecided.
vintagelooks.com has some AWESOME rocking chairs and im soo tempted.
but i'd love to also go on vacation, like a REAL one in the fall.. so...i dont know.

posted by troz on 2008-04-15 13:07:03
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Mine was so paltry that all I'm going to be able to do with it is get some art framed.

posted by cakekick on 2008-04-15 13:15:25
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Got a brand new bed, headboard and mattress! First good quality ones I've had!

Now I'm sad it's gone though!

(I guess we still have the stimulus checks to look forward to???)

posted by rebecca326 on 2008-04-15 13:17:42
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I used mine to pay off some credit card debt. It felt really really good. Stimulus Check will be used the same.

posted by suziegoombs on 2008-04-15 13:48:27
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I'm paying off the credit card debt too! No more things for the house unless I have the cash in my hand from now on. It's hard to enjoy a space when you've put every item on credit and you have no way to pay it off - each time you sit on the couch it costs you more money :)

posted by Joan in SB on 2008-04-15 13:54:30
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I'm very reluctantly spending mine on my credit card debt--which means that the sofa and bed I bought a few months ago will now be paid off.

posted by jooly on 2008-04-15 13:59:31
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Yep, credit card debt here too!

posted by ARC on 2008-04-15 14:23:05
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We're paying off our final two debts (not counting the mortgage). I can't wait! It's going to feel so wonderful to be living debt-free!

posted by Nougat on 2008-04-15 14:32:08
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putting it toward much needed bathroom remodel.

posted by merry on 2008-04-15 14:58:13
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helping to pay for exposing the brick on a problem plaster wall

posted by peaceyall on 2008-04-15 15:00:45
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Going to pay off my couch!

posted by mayo on 2008-04-15 15:16:12
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I'm going shopping for artwork! I've decided to set aside 1% of my salary for artwork each year.

This is a big deal for me - I'm way too financially responsible to normally spend $ on stuff like this. For the last 2 years, I've paid off any little debts and then re-invested the rest into retirement savings (boooooooooooring.)

I'll liberally define artwork too - nice pieces of MCM furniture will count.

posted by ChzPlz on 2008-04-15 16:07:35
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Debbydowner here~~funded a Roth IRA

posted by jlg on 2008-04-16 11:45:10
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I just moved to the beach, so probably laser hair removal.

posted by jenniejen on 2008-04-22 16:55:45
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