Tax time! What did you spend your refund on?

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So, with a combination of voluntarily paying more in taxes, child tax credit and more, I got a buttload of money back this year. After paying some bills and taking care of necessities, I felt the need to buy a few nice things for the house.

First up, since I decided to focus on getting our online business up and running, I needed a new desk setup. I want from a cheap Walmart special desk that I paid $25 for a few years ago to this: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00208646 + http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20116071

People claim that Ikea furniture is really cheap, but let me say that this thing is SOLID. Getting it home was one thing, building and setting it all up at home was even better. This thing is twice the depth of my old desk, plus the shelves have given me a lot more organization space.

Then we needed a new bed, so we ended up settling on a simple platform: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S19849842

And once again, solidly build, not cheap quality. Nothing glorious, but it beats a mattress on the floor, which was the previous, temporary situation. This was also combined with a nice middle line Serta queen mattress.

And also to continue the trend of making our bedroom a real bedroom, we wanted a new TV stand, instead of the cheapy $5 Goodwill stand we had. This was what we went with: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40140635

The only downfall was we mismeasured the TV, so it doesn't fit perfectly. I came up with a temporary fix, until I can come up with a more permanent solution. It still looks a hell of a lot nicer, either way.

I also went for a new camera, since my Canon 590is was stolen last year and I had been using an unreliable Fuji for eBay. I didn't need anything special, and since I have about 16GB in SD cards, I decided to go with this: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Nikon+-+Coolpix+14.2-Megapixel+Digital+Camera+-+Silver/9789389.p?id=1218175322255&skuId=9789389&st=s6000&cp=1&lp=1

For $140, including a 2GB SD card and a cheap case, it's not that bad. I just bought this one yesterday, so I haven't had much time to play with it.

And every two years, I buy a new TV. I set out to get a ~46" LED, preferably a Samsung or Sony, but after my girlfriend played a little Devil's Advocate, we came home with this beast: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+55%22+Class+/+1080p+/+240Hz+/+3D+LED-LCD+HDTV/9783533.p?id=1218173780094&skuId=9783533&st=samsung%2055%22&cp=1&lp=2

A bit more than I planned on spending, and a lot bigger than I had measured for, but I made it work. And before the anti-Samsung 3D crap starts, I can honestly say I have no regrets.

And before anyone asks, yes, I did put aside a good bit of money too.

So, what did you spend your refund on?
 
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I know I'm getting very little this year, so I haven't even started on my taxes.

I really like the shelf/desk combo you went with. That's actually about 99% exactly what I want for my room. Thanks for the link at the very least. :D
 
i hope i get a pony :)

really though wont get a penny back on Fed.. cause i have to make payments (so if i do get a refund it will just go towards the first payment)

State i will probally owe 300 to 400 bucks


its not even worth working anymore...

Last year they said i made

26,482

8600 went out in Gas (delivery newspaper)

2000 went out in health insurance

800 went out in car insurance

not counting any other bills

That knocks my take home pay to little over 15k

Talk about major #$#$#$#$#
 
I've yet to find a steady job, so I won't be receiving anything.
I could probably get some money back from a few donations I made last year, but it wouldn't be worth it.
[quote name='sp00ge']Then we needed a new bed, so we ended up settling on a simple platform: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S19849842[/QUOTE]
I've always wanted one of those. It seems like it would be a lot easier dealing with that than with a regular boxspring/mattress. As of now, I'm stuck with this damn cheap futon. :(
 
State & Federal combined has me paying around $700 in taxes this year. At this rate, unless I get a better job, I'll have to borrow from my credit card to pay up.
 
I payed bills bills bills and more bills. I might have a little bit leftover to buy an arcade stick for MvC3. I don't think so though.
 
Mine just goes in the bank like every other year. I'm hoping to start on an addition to the house by the end of the year or early 2012 so I guess this year's tax return will go to that.
 
Will pay off my credit card, get new tires on my car, maybe tint the cars windows if I have enough. Anything left over I will pay off my car insurance for then next 6 months or whatever
 
Jack shit so far. Bought a new house this year so i have to wait till february 15th to file because I have exemptions. Will be getting around 12k back though because of home buying credit.
 
We're doing a lot of "real home making" ourselves. Also fell victim to a new TV. Went with a 50" Plasma Panasonic Viera.
Probably going to use the rest to get our dog caught up on her shots and then stash what's left.
 
I've been buying pachinko/pachislo machines like a crazy person. My (few hundred dollar) return will be going in the bank.
 
[quote name='javeryh']Mine just goes in the bank like every other year. I'm hoping to start on an addition to the house by the end of the year or early 2012 so I guess this year's tax return will go to that.[/QUOTE]

This. I take the money and put it back in the bank, year after year. It's not a windfall. It's money you've earned. I'm not sure why people feel the urge to go out and blow their entire tax return each year...
 
Haven't received mine yet since the feds won't process until Feb 14th.

Paying for some home improvements, but.....I am hoping to have enough to pay for an upgrade to my jamma cabinet. I want to put Street Fighter III 2nd impact on there! :)
 
[quote name='mtxbass1']This. I take the money and put it back in the bank, year after year. It's not a windfall. It's money you've earned. I'm not sure why people feel the urge to go out and blow their entire tax return each year...[/QUOTE]

Right. It's your hard earned money - I don't frivolously spend it throughout the year so why make an exception for the tax refund? It's like when people go to the casino and win $100 and then lose it and say they didn't lose anything when they get home. Yes, the $100 was yours to do whatever you want with it and you lost it plain and simple.

That said, I do see the rationale of spending it on something that you need for the house or that you had been saving for like maybe a vacation - there's a difference between that and blowing it all on crap you wouldn't otherwise ever buy.

[quote name='wugenius']I am hoping to have enough to pay for an upgrade to my jamma cabinet. I want to put Street Fighter III 2nd impact on there! :)[/QUOTE]

CPS3 runs perfectly in MAME now. That's how I run SFIII although I play 3rd Strike mostly. Why 2nd Impact?
 
CPS3 runs perfectly in MAME now. That's how I run SFIII although I play 3rd Strike mostly. Why 2nd Impact?


Oh it's not because I don't have access to the game. I have the game for the dreamcast already. I also have 3rd strike for the Xbox and PS2.

I have a jamma cabinet I am readying for my game lounge/area that I have to entertain guests when they come over. I have a friend who sells and installs arcade boards, and he only has 2nd impact right now. And while I would prefer 3rd strike, or heck, even killer instinct if he had it, I love 2nd impact too. So I wouldn't mind installing it on the cabinet.
 
[quote name='wugenius']CPS3 runs perfectly in MAME now. That's how I run SFIII although I play 3rd Strike mostly. Why 2nd Impact?


Oh it's not because I don't have access to the game. I have the game for the dreamcast already. I also have 3rd strike for the Xbox and PS2.

I have a jamma cabinet I am readying for my game lounge/area that I have to entertain guests when they come over. I have a friend who sells and installs arcade boards, and he only has 2nd impact right now. And while I would prefer 3rd strike, or heck, even killer instinct if he had it, I love 2nd impact too. So I wouldn't mind installing it on the cabinet.[/QUOTE]

Dude - get a J-Pac and shove a computer in there. You can play Killer Instinct, KI2, every Street Fighter, Darkstalkers, KOF, etc. The possibilities are endless. I wouldn't settle on one board unless you have another cabinet for all of that stuff. :D
 
[quote name='javeryh']Dude - get a J-Pac and shove a computer in there. You can play Killer Instinct, KI2, every Street Fighter, Darkstalkers, KOF, etc. The possibilities are endless. I wouldn't settle on one board unless you have another cabinet for all of that stuff. :D[/QUOTE]


I tried having a multi game board installed and it just wouldn't work for some reason. I don't know if the board was bad or what. I might look into this. Thanks man.
 
Thinking about a new guitar. I've outgrown my "beginner" guitars and need something better.

Might buy a new TV, and give my parents my current set. They've never had an HDTV, so it would probably blow their minds ...

Might save it. My parents are kind of going through a rough financial patch, so I might hold onto my money in case they need help.
 
[quote name='javeryh']Right. It's your hard earned money - I don't frivolously spend it throughout the year so why make an exception for the tax refund? It's like when people go to the casino and win $100 and then lose it and say they didn't lose anything when they get home. Yes, the $100 was yours to do whatever you want with it and you lost it plain and simple.

That said, I do see the rationale of spending it on something that you need for the house or that you had been saving for like maybe a vacation - there's a difference between that and blowing it all on crap you wouldn't otherwise ever buy.[/QUOTE]

Well, in my case, this is stuff we needed and/or have been planning on buying.

I have our budget set up pretty cleanly. Bills get paid, money gets put away, so in a way, for our way of living, tax refund season is a windfall, especially in the amount I typically get refunded year-to-year ($5000+ this year, as opposed to ~$4500 last).

Even after my little spending spree (and paying off a few of my girlfriend's bills), I still have a good bit left over that is going into savings. My home is a lot homier, and I didn't have to adjust the budget to do so.

[quote name='DX']Jack shit so far. Bought a new house this year so i have to wait till february 15th to file because I have exemptions. Will be getting around 12k back though because of home buying credit.[/QUOTE]

Hah! Have fun. I bought a house last year, amended my '09 for the tax credit on July 12th, and I'm still playing the waiting game. Because of rampant fraudulent claims, the IRS is taking their sweet-ass time. I received a letter last week, and I should finally have my $8,000 in early March. :roll:
 
[quote name='sp00ge']Well, in my case, this is stuff we needed and/or have been planning on buying.

I have our budget set up pretty cleanly. Bills get paid, money gets put away, so in a way, for our way of living, tax refund season is a windfall, especially in the amount I typically get refunded year-to-year ($5000+ this year, as opposed to ~$4500 last).

Even after my little spending spree (and paying off a few of my girlfriend's bills), I still have a good bit left over that is going into savings. My home is a lot homier, and I didn't have to adjust the budget to do so.[/QUOTE]

Yeah - this is how to do it if you are going to spend the money. I'm a poor judge of this stuff because I basically hoard money without ever spending it unless I absolutely have to. I'm still rocking a 19" Magnavox in my bedroom and our main TV is 7+ years old... I really want to upgrade but I can't bring myself to do it even though I have the money.
 
[quote name='mtxbass1']This. I take the money and put it back in the bank, year after year. It's not a windfall. It's money you've earned. I'm not sure why people feel the urge to go out and blow their entire tax return each year...[/QUOTE]

They don't even wait. They start blowing it on tax preparation, electronic filing, and anticipation loan fees . . . in the hundreds of dollars.
 
[quote name='sp00ge']Well, in my case, this is stuff we needed and/or have been planning on buying.

I have our budget set up pretty cleanly. Bills get paid, money gets put away, so in a way, for our way of living, tax refund season is a windfall, especially in the amount I typically get refunded year-to-year ($5000+ this year, as opposed to ~$4500 last).

Even after my little spending spree (and paying off a few of my girlfriend's bills), I still have a good bit left over that is going into savings. My home is a lot homier, and I didn't have to adjust the budget to do so.



Hah! Have fun. I bought a house last year, amended my '09 for the tax credit on July 12th, and I'm still playing the waiting game. Because of rampant fraudulent claims, the IRS is taking their sweet-ass time. I received a letter last week, and I should finally have my $8,000 in early March. :roll:[/QUOTE]

My wife and I built a new house last year and amended for the $8,000 credit. It took about 2 months or so. They even added in around $185 in interest.

The refund this year will probably go towards my wife's student loans (about $30,000 total for pharmacy school at a small university in Oklahoma)...might take a cruise, too.
 
[quote name='scott2hotcott']My wife and I built a new house last year and amended for the $8,000 credit. It took about 2 months or so. They even added in around $185 in interest.

The refund this year will probably go towards my wife's student loans (about $30,000 total for pharmacy school at a small university in Oklahoma)...might take a cruise, too.[/QUOTE]

When did you buy and file? We closed just before the extended deadline, but were already under contractual agreement well before.
 
I don't have it in hand yet, so I really don't know... I do know half of it will go into savings. After that, it's a toss up between a laptop and just earmarking the rest for conventions later in the year (I'd like to go to PAX this year.)
 
[quote name='sp00ge']When did you buy and file? We closed just before the extended deadline, but were already under contractual agreement well before.[/QUOTE]

We were under contract in January (easily meeting the April 30 deadline) and we closed on August 31 (easily meeting the extended September 30 deadline). I think we filed our amended return sometime in October and got the check in December. Included in the same envelope with our check, my wife and I each received a letter saying that the $8,000 was on its way.:roll:
 
This is tough. Normally, when I get my refund back, I put half in savings and then I use the other half to spend it on me. I've got a $12K student loan that I want to pay off by this time next year, and I'm putting my entire tax refund towards this loan. It kinda sucks, but in order to get to my goal, I have to do it. :/ I really have nothing else to spend it on anyway, and I would love to put it all in my savings.
 
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