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Have you received a tax refund this year?

By Chris Chen CFP | Financial Planning

If you have received a tax refund this year, especially a big one, you may look at it as a form of forced savings. If the money is automatically withheld, you cannot spend it, right? Maybe so. Another way to look at it is that you have lent money to Uncle Sam, and now you got it back interest-free.

There are better way to save than making an interest-free loan to our government. For instance, consider setting an automatic transfer from your checking to a savings, or money market account. The money will be available and you might get some interest. When interest rates go back up, it may add up to a nice little bonus.

If you prefer not to have the money available, consider setting an automatic deposit to an IRA or another investment account (be mindful of the contribution limits). This gets your money working for you right away, and may fit well with your long term planning.

Alternatively, you could pay down credit card debt. Your return would be equal to the rate of interest that the credit card charges you.

Leave a comment if you have other ideas!