Normally, I would always say get a live tree, but given your financial issues, right now, I must vote to go with the one you have. Maybe you can get a live tree next year, Kim. The reason I say this is that live trees are so expensive, and I don't think you would get much for $30. Around here, even with so many Christmas tree farms near us, a 6 ft tree is probably $50 or more. I would save the money and splurge on something else. You'd probably have to buy a tree stand, too, which is not cheap, either.

You could go by a tree lot and ask to take some of the branches that they have cut off of the bottom of trees and decorate your home with them, so you'd still get that wonderful smell.

Just my two cents!

Logan