Elements doesn't allow the multiple track capability of Sony Vegas.

yes, and that's true of all kinds of software products. But I've found 30 day trials for the most part don't help since one needs to be able to commit time to learning the program and with a full time day job and a couple of evening gigs every week and sometimes on the weekends, a 30 day trial more often than not means one or two sessions where mostly what I'm doing is learning. Windows Movie Maker is free so I could take the six months or so it took to find enough time overall to get to the point where I understand video editing enough to know I need a bit more power. So I really appreciate the input in places like this.

I did do photoshop on a trail basis before I bought it, but only because I'd been working with a graphics editor for years and knew what kinds of things I expected it to be able to do for me.

I use vegas with great results ..also theres a less expensive one i used called magix video deluxe..seemed to be great value..and easy to use..