Ways to Put a Refund to Work...

Is a tax refund coming your way?  If you have already received your refund for 2012 or are about to receive it, you might want to think about the destiny of that money.  Here are some possibilities: 

• Start (or add to) an emergency fund.   Many people don't ahve a dedicated rainy day fund, only the presumption that they might have enough in case of a financial tight spot.
• Invest in yourself.  You could put the money toward education, career training, personal improvement, or some sort of personal experience with the potential to enhance your life.
• Use it for a down payment on a care or truck or real property.  Real property represents the better financial choice, but updating your vehicle may have merit - cars do wear out, and while a truck also ages, it can help you make money.
• Put it into an IRA or workplace retirement account.  If you haven't maxed out your IRA this year or have a chance to get an employer match - why not?
• Help your child open up a Roth IRA.  Has your under-18 son or daughter worked and earned money this year? He or she can open a Roth IRA. Your child’s contribution limit is $5,000 or the amount of his or her earned income for 2012 (whichever is lower). You can actually make this Roth IRA contribution with your own money if your child has spent his or her earnings.²
• Buy some warehouse memberships.  If you have a large family or own a small service business, why not sign up to save regularly?
• Pay down debt.  Always a smart choice.
• Establish a financial strategy.  Some financial advisors work on a fee-only basis. They can perform a review of your current financial situation and give you pointers for the future for roughly $1,000 with no further obligation.¹
• Pay for that trip in advance.  Instead of racking up a bigger credit card bill, consider pre-paying some costs or taking an all-inclusive trip (some are not as pricey as you might think).
• Get your home ready for the market.  A four-figure refund may give you the cash to spruce up the yard and/or exterior of your residence. Or, it could help you pay a professional who can assist you with staging it.
• Improve your home with energy-saving appliances.  Or windows, or weatherstripping, or solar panels – just to name a few options.
• Create your own food bank.  What if a hurricane or an earthquake hits? Where would your food and water come from? Worth thinking about.
• Write a proper will.  Your refund could pay the attorney fee, and the will you create might end up more ironclad.
• See a doctor, optemetrist, dentist or physical therapist.  If you haven’t been able to see these professionals due to your insurance situation or your personal cash flow, the refund might provide a way.
• Give yourself a de facto raise.  Adjust your withholding to boost your take-home pay.
• Pick up some more insurance coverage for cheap.  The typical flood insurance policy in a low-to-medium risk area costs less than $1,000 (and sometimes less than $500). A $1 million personal liability umbrella policy can usually be bought for $400 or less.²
• Pay it forward.  Your refund could turn into a charitable contribution (deductible on your 2012 federal tax return if you itemize deductions). 

In the past two years, federal tax refunds have averaged about $3,000. That’s a nice chunk of change – and it could be used to bring some positive change to your financial life and the lives of others.²

Securities offered through NEXT Financial Group, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC.  This material was prepared by MarketingLibrary.Net Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. Marketing Library.Net Inc. is not affiliated with any broker or brokerage firm that may be providing this information to you. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Please note - investing involves risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional. This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any Federal tax penalty. This is not a solicitation or a recommendation to purchase or sell any investment or insurance product or service, and should not be relied upon as such. All indices are unmanaged and are not illustrative of any particular investment.

Citations.

1 www.dailyfinance.com/2012/03/23/tax-refund-surprising-smart-ideas/#photo-1 [3/23/12]

2 www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/10usesforyourrefund/1.html [3/12]