My dream of hardwood flooring is starting to seem unattainable

I have 25 year old carpeting in horrible shape due to a seemingly untrainable offspring. Seriously, as this kid has aged, it has only gotten worse. There are underlying "issues"...it's not likely to change. Thought I would be replacing those carpets now that said offspring is college age, but the "issues" mean college may or may not happen and the carpet-destroying offspring may be with us a long time yet. Which is okay. The kid is otherwise a pleasure and a help. Plus, the husband is only slightly behind the offspring in his ability to destroy a home interior.

In any event, when I first started my "not new" year, I was surprised to find some nice options on craigslist. I got cocky and figured I could wait for the perfect flooring. Well, the options haven't been repeating and I'm worried I missed my chance. Today I saw genuine used hardwood flooring at an unbelievably low price, but there was only 400 sq ft. and I need about 475. Plus, truth be told, the husband is being a donkey's butt about spending, so I think I may have to install the floor myself and I think solid hardwood will be too difficult. I guess, when I see the "not new" engineered stuff again, I'll have to grab it up whether it's perfect or not. Pretty sure the offspring and I can install it ourselves. Thinking if I go with a "dirt cheap" choice, I can always not worry about it getting destroyed...keeping it as nice as I can for us, then replacing with another "dirt cheap" choice when/if we downsize. (Downsizing planned if/when the offspring launches.)

How, you may ask, does one get "not new" engineered hardwood flooring? Well, on craigslist, there were folks selling it second-hand. It hadn't actually been used, just purchased and not needed. Sure hope some more comes up.

Back to the pawn shop for a compounding miter saw.

Not 100% sure exactly what this does or how it works, but if I am going to put in my own flooring, I know I will need one. Still looking for "not new" flooring. Found some, but I'm holding out for the perfect flooring. Might take awhile if it's going to be "not new." Planning on selling the saw when I'm done. I bought it for $55 and found it selling elsewhere for $70-$125 used elsewhere, so should be easy enough to sell. Feeling good about my purchase...used and a bargain to boot. The guy even put it in my trunk for me. (Now, if I could just get someone to take it out of the trunk...)