Every year around this time, those of us fortunate enough to have steady stable employment submit our 1040s to the IRS to collect a refund for taxes we’ve paid more than our share of. This year, mine was rather a bit larger than usual thanks to the Making Work Pay tax credit. I was reflecting on the subject of what I had spent previous years’ tax returns on and came to an amusing discovery: Almost every tax return I’ve received since I moved to California in 2006 has been applied to a vehicle purchase. Let’s review.

2007: White 1987 Toyota Supra Targa Turbo (Sold in 2009)
 

2008: White 2007 Toyota RAV4 Sport V6 4WD
 

2009: Red 1990 Kawasaki Concours (presently smashed and being repaired)
 

Now it’s 2011, and I’m about to receive the biggest tax return I’ve ever received. Do I have my eyes on a new(er) toy? Of course I do! …but there’s also a whole laundry list of things that I’ve been putting off in wait for funding. Things like proper riding gear, new tires for the RAV4 and a credit card that isn’t going to pay itself off.

So this year, I’ll be good. Despite the pressing urge to do otherwise. I think.