For very basics like resizing or adding text, Paintshop is free (incorporated into Windows O/S) and will work. You can also do some very minor editing such as pasting a picture from one site (e.g. online catalog) into a picture of your room.

For anything more than that, I use either Paintshop Pro or Photoshop. Photoshop is more than you will need. Even photoshop Elements (about $100) is more than you'd need. Paintshop Pro is too, but is very affordable (about $60).

There are a variety of free programs too. I don't use them, but I know people who are quite fond of them: Gimp, ImageForge, Pixia, etc.

A while back, Roobear recommended Gimp (similar to Photoshop) and supplied some nice tutorials to go with it. The link to a recent question about Gimp on the forum is below. It contains links to the tutorials. Gimp is freeware and you can search for it with Google.

I've just this week begun the tutorials. And I must say, I have increased respect for all those who 'Photoshop' photos. There is a moderately step learning curve, but I have a lot to practice with....

Here is a link that might be useful: Gimp tutorials in the links

Thanks for the choices. I'm off to check them out!