If you could only afford one or the other, would you choose a nice vacation, or fix up the house?

[Anonymous]

Our house is livable, but not "stylish". We have a big family and our flooring is starting to look thrashed. I'd like to replace it (2 specific rooms, not the whole house) with hard wood. My husband is very handy and could do it himself, but we would need to buy the materials...I think we could get what we need for about $4,000.

I'd also really love to take a nice vacation to Disney World. They are having that new race "Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10 miler" in late September, which I would LOVE to do. I have never run any race--not even a 5k...but I run distances that exceed 10 miles just around town as part of my fitness routine. My kids would also love to go to Disney. We could do a trip there and the approx cost would also be about $4,000.

Our tax refund this year is just about $4,000...

Which would you do?

[Anonymous]

I would pick the house right now. But I need $20,000 for this mess.

[Anonymous]

Fix up the house.

[Anonymous]

If you saw my house, you know that I pick the vacations! Though this year I think I'm going to suck it up and "vacation" to my parents house so I have some extra money for house stuff.

[Anonymous]

I would pick the vacation. Try to find a way to fix what you already have. Maybe get some cute rugs off of Craigslist to cover the worn spots?

[Anonymous]

Also, to save money at Disney: 1) drive, esp with a big family. 2) stay off property.

[Anonymous]

Fix up the house.

[Anonymous]

Go to Disney. If you have kids who are still young enough to enjoy Disney, wait to replace the floor when it is less likely to get trashed again by kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go to Disney. If you have kids who are still young enough to enjoy Disney, wait to replace the floor when it is less likely to get trashed again by kids.

this is my thinking. how old are the kids? it can be a once in a lifetime thing for kids. i still remember the one time i went when i was little. we saved to give dd the same experience last year. but we won't do it again. it's worth it.

[Anonymous]

Vacation.

[Anonymous]

Definitely the vacation. Experience the moment. Even your post brightens when you turn from talking about the house to talking about the vacation.

[Anonymous]

My husband did two large rooms of hardwood (wide plank maple) and the materials were less than $2000 (really shop around). I'd try to do both!

[Anonymous]

Would really depend on how old the kids are. If they are too young to really enjoy and remember the disney trip then I say fix up the house.

[Anonymous]

Disney, baby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go to Disney. If you have kids who are still young enough to enjoy Disney, wait to replace the floor when it is less likely to get trashed again by kids.

my thoughts exactly!