7 Humorous Ways on How NOT to Spend Tax Refund (Yet they happen)

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Contemplating what to do with your tax return?

The average tax return is typically about $3000.

What are the best ways to spend my tax return?

One side of the coin would be to save it – just like any prudent, well-meaning adult would do.
On the flip side of the coin, it would be to blow it, let the reins loose and enjoy a little bit more than normal.

Don’t worry… Every other person is debating between the same thing.

Maybe you just want fun ways to spend your tax refund.

With adulting, decisions have to be made – whether you like them or not.

Am I going to be smart with my money or am I going to turn a blind eye?

Tough decisions.

The real debate between saving it and blowing it?

The reality is you have a choice on how to spend your tax money. The choice is yours.

Tax refund coming your way? These things to do with your tax refund will devastate your personal finances and your life. Change your ways with the simple ideas of what not to do. #taxtime #moneybliss

Food for Thought on Your Tax Refund

Honestly, most people see their tax refund as free money. Like extra credit for doing their homework.

They believe the money is a gift received! Extra money to go out and spend.

I’m here to tell you…Your tax refund is YOUR hard earned cash. Period.

You worked hard over the previous year to earn that money. That money was a portion of your paycheck withheld to pay estimated taxes. That money is yours. It is NOT a gift. The government graciously held onto the money for you (plus no interest earned for doing that).

So, the decision is yours. How are you going to spend your tax refund?

Simple Ways NOT to Spend Tax Refund:

To help you decide, here is a list of ways NOT to spend tax refund money.

1. Materialistic Stuff

Our society is full of materialistic stuff. The latest toys, gadgets, clothes, and electronics.

Every house is full of stuff.

If you don’t believe me, look around your house. See it?

You have been blessed and don’t need more stuff. Storage units have been a fast growing industry for years.

The reason is simple – people need more space for their stuff. Buck the trend.

Looking to kick the clutter? Learn the importance to conquering your clutter.

Helpful Resources:

2. Book an Expensive Vacation

Many people use tax refunds for their vacation money.

Brutal, honest truth coming up…

If you can’t afford a vacation in your budget (or Cents Plan), then you probably can’t afford that fancy, expensive vacation.

Spend what you can afford on vacation. Not what your friends and neighbors spend.

(Hint: many people go into more debt to pay for vacations.)

3. Hiding Cash Under the Mattress

Money under the mattress is losing money.

While that concept seems odd, it is true.

Because of the cost of inflation, cash under the mattress actually decreases in value. So, your $1000 in cash will be worth about $957 in two years.

Bubble pop, right!

The alternative is to put that money to work.

You have one of two options in putting yourself the money to work:

FDIC insured bank account. This is a great option.
Start investing the cash. Here are the best finance books to get you started.

While I truly believe to have some cash envelopes on hand, carrying too much cash can be detrimental.

4. Monthly Expenses

If your tax return needs to be used to cover monthly expense, then you must drastically cut expenses.

No beating around the bush on this one.

You are spending more money than you are making. Time to drastically cut expenses.

Many times, we say that is impossible. Guess what?

Learn how to overcome when ends don’t meet.

The average household throws away $125-500 in food each month. Would you willing throw that much cash into the trash?

Make changes. Eating out? Cable? Concerts?

By using your tax return money for monthly expenses, the paycheck to paycheck cycle will continue.

Trim up your discretionary spending first. Then, look at ways to lower basic expenses. This may mean moving to a lower cost area.

Get your free budget printable here.

Needed Resources:

5. Stuff You Can’t Afford

Remember, your tax return is your hard-earned income. NOT A GIFT!

This is not the time or place to buy stuff you can’t afford on any other day.

Period.

You read that right… Stop shopping online and turn away from any other tempting retailers.

Turn blinders on to spending money. Better yet, hold a spending freeze!

Get Better Ideas on Spending it Here: Smart Ways to Spend Tax Return & Not Blow It

6. Down Payment

The average tax return is about $3,000. The perfect amount for a down payment.

Some down payment examples include car, home remodel project, engagement ring, vacation membership club, new home furnishings, boat, or camper.

Stuff you cannot afford, but want anyway.

Don’t be lured in with the low or 0% interest free rates. Leasing is worse than financing, so turn away fast.

Utilizing your tax refund for a down payment on stuff you cannot afford is not a smart way to achieve financial independence.

7. Splurge

This one is the most dangerous. Yet, the most common.

Splurging on whatever your heart desires is the most common ways people spend their tax return. Normally (and hopefully) most people will quickly regret those decisions.

Listen… splurging is the ways NOT to spend tax refund.

Related Posts:

Choices to Be Made with Your Money

Every single day you have to make decisions on how and where to spend your money.

Choices…choices..choices…

These can be helpful to your personal finances or they can be detrimental for your money situation. You have the power to make smart decision and be wise with your money. Or you can be silly and find humor in how we make decisions with our money.

A list of simple ways NOT to spend tax refund. Life is full of choices.

Which choice are you going to make?

How do you plan to spend your tax refund this year?

Now to read… How Should I Spend My Tax Return & Not Blow It!

Let’s Learn from Others:

This year I am going to make smart money moves. I learned my lesson last year on how not to spend your tax refund. These are the exact ways NOT to spend tax refund. Improve your budgeting and start saving money like I did.

Did the post resonate with you?

More importantly, did I answer the questions you have about this topic? Let me know in the comments if I can help in some other way!

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