Tax Refund Touchdowns
So, you got a tax refund – now what? While you might have morphed into a human version of the “money-mouth face” emoji (🤑), fight the urge to treat yourself. Unless you’re debt free and have a nice chunk of change in your savings and retirement accounts, getting financially fit should be your priority over splurging on big-ticket items.
Here are five ways to use your refund responsibly:
Tackle your debt. If you’re carrying high-interest debt, paying it off should be your top priority. Paying interest sucks, and if you’re carrying a large balance on a credit card but only making the minimum payment each month, you may never feel like you’re getting ahead. Use your tax refund to pay off any debt you have. If your refund doesn’t cover everything, it’s time to figure out a debt-payoff plan.
Save it. More than half of Americans don’t have enough in savings to cover a $1,000 emergency, according to Bankrate. If you’re just starting out, money might be a little tight, making it even harder to build up your savings. Think about tossing your tax refund into your savings account so you’re better prepared for life’s little surprises. If your emergency fund already has enough money to cover at least 3–6 months of expenses, consider setting up another savings account for a specific goal, such as a travel fund or a down payment for a new car.
Donate it. Helping others gives us the warm-and-fuzzies, so why not use your refund for good? When your budget is tight, it can be hard to find extra money throughout the year, so donating the cash from your refund is a perfect opportunity to make a difference. Plus, your charitable donation could be tax-deductible next year.
Spend it (on something you need). The keyword here is need. If you’ve been putting off car repairs or minor medical or dental procedures, your tax refund could help you cover these larger, but necessary, expenses.
Spend it (on something you want). Okay, okay…I know I cautioned against splurging, but if you’ve stuck to your budget, saved, and stayed out of debt all year, you’ve earned the right to buy yourself something nice. Just don’t get carried away, of course!
I didn’t get a huge refund. Did I do something wrong? Nope, not at all! Your tax refund isn’t free money; it’s money you overpaid to the government over the course of the year. If you owe money on your taxes, it means you didn’t pay enough out of each check. Take the time to periodically check your withholding and adjust if necessary (the IRS has a handy calculator on their website that can help you out). Paying attention to your withholding is important for two reasons: 1) if you don’t pay enough from each paycheck over the year, you could face an unexpected bill when you file your taxes, and 2) if you normally get a large refund, you can opt to have less withheld up front—your paychecks will be a little higher, giving you more flexibility each month.