Got my $5174 tax refund today, what should I buy?

[elfwitch]

Let's just say I was going to splurge and spend the whole thing...
What would you buy today if you had a spare $5174?

[RoeBear]

1. A giant screen...

...plasma TV!

[Merrick]

37. hookers, definitely hookers

and drugs
(feed the bottom - beats trickle down)

[jimbo fett]

48. hooker AND firetrucks!

You haven't had fun until you've combined hookers and firetrucks. Trust me. ;-)

[GOPisEvil]

You could buy me a one-way ticket out of Texas!

:D

[elfwitch]

boy, wouldn't that be great?

Still got three months to go.

[GOPisEvil]

9. I'm so excited for you!

Almost like you're being released from prison.

[elfwitch]

28. Isn't it though?

But of course with the big Pixar/Disney rift, who knows what is going to happen?

[terrya]

2. A little something for us?? :-)

Just kidding...

Terry

[Wetzelbill]

3. buy me a PC :)

[bowens43]

4. Wow.....

I had to pay MORE this year. No refund. No tax cut for me.....

[FunBobbyMucha]

5. Go to Ebay and pick up my Sony f505V dig camera,

preferably the one bundled with the HP photo printer, then get a tasty little Ibook for around 900 dollars (with DVD/CRW drives, please) and get them in the mail to me stat!

[chiburb]

6. Airfare and resort in Puerto Rico...

Or anywhere warmer than sub-zero!

[RUexperienced]

7. Give half back to the government

and protest *'s tax cut.

[TXlib]

11. To the government?

If you want to protest *'s tax cut, give it to a charity, or to a left leaning grass roots group.

[RUexperienced]

16. Give it back to the government

We now have a large deficit. And we are running on a campaign against Bush's tax cuts.

His tax cuts took money from the gvt, not charities.

So give it back.

[theorist]

23. If many people followed that logic...

the deficit would have a smaller projected size, and this would make Bush look better. They would spin it to seem like "companies are making more money, therefore, they are paying more taxes, i.e. the tax cuts are working." In the end, it would reinforce the tax cuts, right?

[RUexperienced]

42. Every tax plan offered by each Democratic candidate

will do the same thing- namely take away the tax "cuts" that are giving us the big deficits.

Why fight it? Don't American children need an education? Health care?

Stand up for what we believe in.

[elfwitch]

25. What do you mean give it back?

It was my money. I was overtaxed. That is why I got a refund.

[RUexperienced]

41. Are you in the right party?

YOUR money? OVERtaxed?

[elfwitch]

44. wow, rampant paranioa...

I payed almost $7000 in taxes last year. After deductions and such, I really only owed about $1500.

If you pay too much in, they give it back to you. I payed over $5000 more than I needed to. That is why they are giving it back.

If the tax rates go up, I will pay in more. I have no problem paying whatever taxes are deemed necessary for me to pay. If I knew that my kid was going to be guaranteed health care and a good education, I would willingly pay more.

I'd even be willing to pay as much as the Swedes do if I could get the benefits like they have.

[TXlib]

8. Why so much back?

You gave a sizeable free loan to Uncle Sam last year.

You may want to do something differently this year, so you get that cash in your paycheck, and have a much smaller refund at tax time.

[elfwitch]

27. got a big check because...

We have our own business that pretty much runs at a loss.
And...
I like getting the big check.
If I got it in my paychecks I'd never be able to save that much money.
I have no will power.
This way I get a nice fat check at the beginning of the year. And I don't really mind the no interest loan.

[TXlib]

46. How about...

Setting it up so you pay pretty close to exactly what you owe, and have an automatic transfer to an IRA or some other savings plan? Have it done automatically so you don't ever see the money.

[elfwitch]

51. because then...

I wouldn't have mad money around to play with at the beginning of the year.

[TXlib]

53. Exactly

Because it was building up slowly over time in an account, and you could see interest accruing, you wouldn't think of it as mad money, and would feel like it had to be spent!

I'm not saying don't ever spend money frivolously, just make sure you've got a good cash reserve built up, and have taken care of all retirement and education planning goals, first.

[elfwitch]

54. nice advice but...

This method has been good to me for as long as I have been filing income tax returns.

[MissMillie]

10. Downpayment on a new car

and I'd give my old one to my son.

[WillParkinson]

12. A pretty star...

For each and every one of us. (Plus supporting DU...)

Or...

A nice donation to the Northwoods Humane Society. Tax deductible, you know. <Hey, have to try where I can.>

[Kamika]

13. A home cinema set, dvd player, and all ds9 seasons on dvd

topic

[arissa]

14. Here's a radical idea

Instead of buying a bunch of useless crap you don't need, that only serves to oppress third-world inhabitants and make big corporations richer, pollutes the planet, and generally defines what is wrong with the capitalist system, why not save some?

Or give some donations to worthy causes. Or use it to buy a bunch of homeless people dinner. Or something - other than buying stupid crap you don't need.

[pmbryant]

15. Donate to the anti-Bush cause

MoveOn.org

:bounce:

--Peter

[Kamika]

17. man

how do you know its useless crap

[Wetzelbill]

18. The Bill Wetzel Stay-In-College Fund

I am shameless I know.

[radwriter0555]

19. Trip to europe and india.

For a month.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

No, Brazil! Rio to be exact. (nt)

[radwriter0555]

38. TAJ MAHAL. It's on "the List" of places I have to see...

;)

[ClintonTyree]

20. Gold, Silver...............

as a hedge for the upcoming economic meltdown.

[demnan]

21. I'm hoping to get back $1000

and if I'm out of work for a while I hope to go somewhere warm (and cheap) like my brother's house in Naples, Florida.

[madmax]

22. Donate some to your favorite candidate ;)

:p

[Down2Earth]

24. In the Same boat

I've received my return as well, and it was also quite large. Unfortunately i decided to put the money in a Roth IRA since i know that the government won't be able to support me when i retire.
I sure could have used a 4th bike.

[beawr]

26. Some time with a CPA

That kind of return is WAY TOO MUCH

[Shrek]

29. I need you to pay for my son's orthodontics bill.

It'd be a big help and you'd still have several hundred $$$ left over!

;-)

[deek]

30. almost a year's worth of health insurance!! n/t

.

[forgethell]

31. Pay off your credit card debt.

You'll be glad you did!!!

[Misinformed01]

32. The local food bank

They are seriously hurting right now.

If it's really "spare" money, give at least some away.

[CBHagman]

33. Donate to a local clinic, food bank, or the like.

Sock some away for the kids or your rainy day fund.

Take a grumpy relative or crisis-plagued friend to a movie and out for a meal.

And spare a few dollars for America Coming Together, perhaps, so we can get out the vote in November!

:bounce:

[Ramsey]

34. Hate to be a voice of reason

But you should invest it or save it.

[elfwitch]

35. I think my point was missed...

If you had that much, what would you do with it?

[Iris]

36. You could donate to my tax bill

and wipe out a little less than half.

[dry99]

39. I got my refund today also

and I wrote a check to DU for me and one check for someone who wants a star. Got to support this place. It helps keep me sane.

[Beaker]

40. one of two things...maybe 3...

I'd either head to the carribean(hell, it's 5 grand, make it Fiji),
or I'd head to ebay and look for a good deal on a used sportscar, and/or a n-i-c-e digital camera...
or any combination of as many of those 3 as possible...

but only after I had bought the pound of good weed....wait- number 4- a grow room with a hydroponic system and intense wattage lights in the basement...

okay, make the grow room number 1(after the lb. of weed) and knock all the other three down a notch...

yeah.

[elfwitch]

45. Oh, I'll be getting a fresh supply of herb....

That is on my shopping list.

[TXlib]

47. Your IP address has been noted and forwarded to the DEA for enforcement.

Just kidding.

Seriously, this is a public board. I wouldn't want to admit to the purchase of controlled substances here, or even joke about it.

[piece sine]

50. my dealer would see that green...

before my broker at Merrill Lynch would!

[northzax]

43. coincidentally, I owe exactly $5174

wait a minute, you have my money! I want it back.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

49. Start by buying bunnyj's digital camera

She has one too many.

[Butterflies]

52. I'd pay off my credit card debt

and with the left over I'd do something to improve my house. Maybe tile the family room or put a new chandelier in the livingroom. Unfortunately I won't be getting enough money back to even pay off the credit cards, so the home improvements will have to wait.

[davidinalameda]

55. something for me

:-)

[indigo32]

56. hmmm depends on how much self control I'd feel like exercising

lots - add to downpayment (house) savings
none - motorcycle

[geniph]

57. Pay off debts!

Remember, no investment will ever pay you as much as getting rid of credit cards at 18% interest, or even a car loan at 7% interest. Pay off debts!

If I truly had $5K to splurge, I'd be highly tempted by a new home theatre, including a small flat-screen TV and better receiver and speakers. The chances of my having a spare $5K that wouldn't be better spent in upgrading my bathroom, though, are nil.

[earthman dave]

58. Yamaha S90 and a pair of Mackie SRM450s

Excuse me, I seem to be drooling on my keyboard.