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    Home » Money Saving Tips

    10 Smarter Ways to Spend your Tax Refund

    Published: Feb 25, 2015 · Modified: Apr 18, 2016 by Alison · This post may contain affiliate links ·

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    It’s tax season! Do you have plans on what you are going to do with your refund check this year? While it might be nice to go splurge on a vacation, new wardrobe, etc., it is actually wiser to spend it on necessary items rather than our wants.

    We use our tax refund to pay off any debt we have collected over the year and get it paid off in one big chunk. Here are a few suggestions of what you can do with your tax refund check that may be more beneficial to your household.

    10 Smarter Ways to Spend your Tax Refund

    Pay off Debt.

    If you have any debt that you have collected over the year such as credit card, medical bills, car loan, student loans, etc., pay off a chunk of that debt. You will feel so much better when you do and not have to worry about that debt anymore.

    Home Repairs.

    If you have been waiting to repair something in your home now would be the time to do it. Try buying the supplies and doing it yourself to save even more.

    Start or Add to your Emergency Fund

    It’s important to have an emergency fund for an Emergency. Things unexpectedly popped up over time and it is nice to have that emergency fund for when they do. You can learn how to start an emergency fund in 3 steps here. If you already have an emergency fun, you can add more money to it.

    Auto Maintenance.

    Whether you need new tires, oil change, or any other maintenance on your vehicle, you can use some of the refund money for this.

    Start a College Fund for the Kids.

    It’s never to early or too late to start a college fund for the kids. Put the tax refund into a 529 plan or savings account to help save for their future.

    Save for Retirement.

    Invest your tax refund into your retirement fund so you can live comfortably after retirement.

    Pay More on your Mortgage.

    Use the whole refund or part of it to pay down your mortgage. This will help you get your house paid off sooner.

    Stock up on Groceries.

    While this may seem a bit strange to spend some of your tax refund on, it is actually wise. Stock up on meats by buying half of a cow and storing it in your freezer. Meat can be expensive so this would be a wise time to find a local farmer and save.  Stock up on toilet paper, paper towel, cleaning supplies, etc. This is a time where you have extra money in hand to stock up on items you need throughout the year. This will also save you from going to the store more often to purchase these items.

    Make an Extra Loan Payment.

    If you have a loan taken out make an extra payment on the loan to bring down the costs. This will help you get your loan paid off quicker than planned.

    Buy Something you Need.

    This means something you need and not want such as if you washing machine is broken that would be something you need. Be sure to think it over and make sure that you really need it and it would benefit the household or yourself.

    If you don’t want invest or spend, then just simply save it. There is no need to quickly spend the refund check. Put it in a savings account for later and decide what you want to do with it down the road.

     

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    Alison is a wife and mother of three who embraces the simple life, finding joy in easy recipes, DIY projects, life hacks, and her passion for travel. Learn more about me!

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    Comments

    1. Robert

      February 25, 2015 at 3:46 pm

      I always use my refund (if I get one as pay less tax out of my paycheck throughout the year, so I can make interest off that little bit extra money rather than the IRS) on credit card debt and/or student loans. As much as I want to spend it on something fun, it’s best to be disciplined until those debts are paid in full.

      Reply
    2. Jayleen @ How Do The Jones Do It

      March 06, 2015 at 1:28 pm

      Thankfully, the last few years we were able to use our tax refund for braces and landscaping. This year is a different story and the refund went straight to Visa. Not nearly as fun as a new front yard, but I’m glad we’re on our way to paying off those credit cards!

      Reply
    3. MarieMakesCents

      March 09, 2015 at 5:58 pm

      There are a lot of good ideas on your list! If we end up getting a refund this year I think we’ll end up reinvesting it into the market. We’re big fans of dividend stocks and always working to expand our portfolio.

      Reply

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