The IRS sent out more than 97 million tax refunds in 2017 and the average taxpayer received a refund between $2,000 and $3,000 each. Why not spend next year’s tax refund check on scoring you a set of custom golf clubs or limited-edition jewelry? It is your money, after all!
Yes, it is your money, but being frivolous with this considerable amount of money is a potentially risky behavior. Start the new fiscal year off on the right foot by significantly reducing pre-existing debts and financial obligations – all courtesy of the IRS! “Here are some examples of tips that might be helpful to you, depending on your circumstances.”
1. Pay Outstanding Debts
Consider taking the biggest chunk of your tax return and putting it towards reducing your past-due debts. Defeat the debt that comes with using credit cards by paying off as much of the outstanding balance as possible in one go. Often, you will see a significant drop in the amount quoted in your monthly interest repayments.
2. Save for a Rainy Day
Up one day and down the other, the fickle nature of the nation’s economy has everyone worried about having enough money to survive unemployment, personal tragedy, or a natural disaster. Sometimes a simple visit to the emergency room can snowball into an uncontrollable avalanche of unexpected expenses. Stop worrying and take action; consider setting up an emergency fund with a portion of your tax return. Try starting your emergency fund with a $1,000 deposit at the start of the fiscal year. Many financial experts recommend keeping at least 3 to 6 months’ worth of salary in an “emergency-only” savings account to cover vital living expenses like rent, food, fuel, and clothing.
3. Add to Your Mortgage Offset Account
Another lesser known way to get the most out of your upcoming tax refund is to deposit it directly into your mortgage offset account. Most mortgage providers offer their customers the option to use a type of a savings account, called a mortgage offset account, to automatically deduct the offset account balance from the outstanding mortgage loan balance. The difference is used by the mortgage provider to calculate the interest on the customer’s mortgage payment. Consumers often end up paying less interest on their outstanding mortgage loan and usually end up paying off home loans much faster than other traditional payment options.
4. Invest in Your Career
You may want to think about heading back to school and investing in yourself with part of your tax refund. Enrolling for professional training or a certification will not only boost your knowledge, but it will also increase your ability to command a higher salary or secure greater job stability in the near future. If you are hard-pressed for time, consider signing up for membership with a professional organization or attending an industry-related conference with plenty of opportunities for networking.
A tax refund is a great opportunity to improve your financial standing and set yourself up for a better future. Investing in one of these options will make sure your tax refund benefits you not just now, but in the months and years to come.
*Although we are a debt collector, we are providing these helpful tips because we care about consumers and their general financial well-being. Midland Credit Management does not offer financial advice. If you have questions or concerns about your personal finances, please speak to a financial advisor.