QuickBooks will show you via colorful graphs where you stand today financially.

best to have drawings and some written Spec's (what products or colors you want) for the GC, or s/he will do his/her own thing. 

It comes in every color and style laminate does, it's not susceptible to moisture and water like laminate is, the cheaper value vinyl is typically as durable or more as some of your mid grade laminates, easier to replace when one piece is damaged...and as Hadar said, its way easier to replace a damaged piece of vinyl plank than it is laminate, and it installs far more easier with much more flexibility 

I don't mind a nice looking laminate as the high definition colors and textures look pretty good. 

A nice Hawaiian shirt with crazy colors and BP on the back would be most amusing.

Best to stick to patterns/colors that will hide scuffs and stains.

Black and darker colors blend a little better, IMO.

We also painted most of the house a light grey color.

I design it alone, I pick the colors and finishes alone, stage it alone, etc.

A neutral color that is a little on the darker side is always a good option.