Can you afford to decorate? Can you afford not to?

I know, I know: Your bank account is getting squeezed; the neighbors up the street might be going into foreclosure, and the last thing on your mind is spending the money to refresh and redecorate -- even though the ratty living room carpet is making you sick to look at it, the walls are sad and tired-looking, and your daughter is outgrowing her old baby furniture.

Do you play the lottery hoping to make it big? Do you consider working the overnight shift as a grocery store stocker for the extra income? Or, do you just throw up your hands?