Do you spend weeks eagerly anticipating your tax refund? When the money finally comes in, is it gone tomorrow? Many people view tax refunds as unplanned bonuses, using for splurges or treats. A tax refund provides the opportunity to improve your financial situation. Use these tips to get the most value from your refund check.
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Pursue financial goals. Saving for a
house or car down payment? Establishing to your child's college tuition fund?
Apply your tax refund toward these goals.
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Leverage tax refund for matched savings: Virginia Individual Development Accounts can
be a great way for you to fund your goals of homeownership, small business or
higher education. VIDA can offer $2 for
every $1 you save. Visit http://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/index.php/business-va-assistance/startingexpanding-a-business/virginia-individual-development-accounts-vida-business.html to
see if you could be eligible for up to $4,000 matched savings.
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Pay down your debt. Use your refund for some much needed
debt relief. Pay down credit card balances. Your refund paired with a debt
snowball can knock years off your indebtedness.
To get started on a debt snowball, you can visit www.powerpay.org.
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Save for a rainy day. Put your refund into a savings
account or emergency fund to prepare for big expenses. Savings helps you with a major car repair
bill, medical emergency or other unexpected expenses. Virginia Saves offers a
variety of savings and debt reduction strategies. Join today at www.virginiasaves.org
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Build retirement. Tax time is a great time to
establish or increase your retirement funds.
Starting early and letting your investment grow can provide you a secure
future in your older years. Find out how
much you need to save each month, check out the Ballpark Estimate at www.choosetosave.org/ballpark
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Enjoy. Apply your refund to pay for your vacation,
back to school or holiday expenses to take the stress out of those irregular
expenses that can throw your budget off course.
We all have things we enjoy. Use
Virginia Saves’ 30-40-30
plan to earmark a portion for pleasure while still saving and reducing
debt. Learn more at www.virginiasaves.org.
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Upgrade your life. Your refund check provides the
opportunity to improve your life. Spruce up your home (replace the siding,
stain the deck, etc.). Repair or replace
your car to increase your transportation reliability. Improve
your career opportunities by taking a class or training course.
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Train your children. Use your refund to teach your older
children to handle money. Allow them to manage a portion of the refund,
teaching them to budget for school, clothing and entertainment expenses as well
as the importance of savings. Our children depend on our instruction to prepare
them for life’s choices. Begin now.
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Leave a legacy.
Use your refund to offer hope and encouragement to others by making a
charitable contribution to a non-profit.
Investing in the lives of others can offer them a helping hand at a
crucial moment in their lives and can also provide you a charitable deduction
to reduce your taxes next year.
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