Each to their own, I for one would much rather invest the money. If I really wanted to get a return at the end of the year I'd rather just drop $50.00 into a savings account every paycheck then at the end of the year go WOW!!!! free money!!!!
I'm currently working on my "debt free by 2013" plan.
It includes no credit card bills or outstanding lines of credit other than my house by 2013.
Right now I have 8 open lines of credit... and all 8 have balances. 3 credit cards, one payment entitled "other", two loans (one was SUPPOSED to be paid off 3 years ago...), a car payment and the mortgage. I'm tired of it all.
My tax return will go to pay off 1 loan which wasn't closed, and as much as the rest that is necessary will return my outstanding property taxes from 2008 to a balance of zero, thus dropping my mortgage back to where it was removing the strain on myself AND Brian.
With the money I'm saving... I'LL BE ABLE TO FREAKING EAT!! YAY! What I don't use of my return will go into paying for my 1.5 week long vacation to St Louis which is coming up in August.
Anywho, I have 14 more payments on the car, possibly only 13, and I'll have 2 of 8 closed by 2010.
Large lump sum tax returns help people who actually, and simply put, live literally paycheck to paycheck. You got lucky and found a calling early. I simply didn't, you and I don't compare in any way shape or form. I'm glad that you can do that for yourself, but myself, much like quite a few others here can't.