[poundwise]

I'll never be convinced that giving extra money to the government in the form of overpaying taxes is a good idea, period.

As for those who blow money throughout the year and claim to do well by having a nice-sized refund at tax-time; what exactly do they (the vast majority of the time) do with the money when they get it then? You got it. Blow it.

The real conclusion IMO is that for those who manage their money, it is far better to pay the appropriate amount of taxes throughout the year and have a minimal refund and for those who don't manage their money, it doesn't really matter.

I'm sure there are exceptions.

I think its laughable that people have to be "tricked" or trick themselves into saving. As if that is going to make a life-changing difference. The BOA offer to give you back your own change from your debit card use to your (virtually nil interest) savings is an example of this. This and purposefully looking to a substantial tax refund to "provide" something of benefit, is just flat-out lame.