In the Financial Wellness program, we love making plans for reaching financial goals! This is a very exciting time of year where many people are getting a tax refund, and can make big strides toward their financial goals – even if one of those goals is to just catch up!
Here are a few tips for how to make the most of your tax refund:
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- Catch up on bills – Have you gotten behind on bill payments? Are the late fees stacking up? Getting caught up and starting fresh is a great way to make the most of your refund.
- Pay down debt – Do you owe money on a loan or credit card? Are the interest and fees making it hard to keep up? Paying down debt is a great option for using your refund. If there is one debt (and monthly payment) you can completely eliminate with your refund, even better
- Save for emergencies or future expenses – We know emergencies and large expenses are coming. Be prepared by saving a portion of your refund to deal with them. Consider saving for things like:
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- * Car repairs
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- * Medical bills
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- * Job loss
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- * Education
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- * Down payment on a house
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- * New Furniture
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- * Vacation
*Pro tip: talk to your Financial Coach about what savings vehicle is best for you and your goals.
- Save a portion of your refund right on your tax return and get an HEB gift card – When you get your taxes done at our Prosper Centers, tell your tax preparer that you want to save a portion of your refund. Direct at least $50 of your refund to a savings account or a savings bond and they’ll give you a $10 HEB gift card.
If you would like to talk to a Financial Coach about your tax refund plans (or any financial plans!), call our Prosper Centers at 737-717-4000 or visit our web site at ProsperFinancialWellness.org.