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Level 3
Mar 29, 2019 10:55 PM UTC
Question

What should I do with my refund?

Think I'm getting a refund this year (fingers crossed, breath held, all that jazz) and, in thinking about what I spent my refund on last year, I realized I totally blew it. 

 

How can I actually save (beyond, you know, not spending it) or maybe even grow this possible/hopeful check? 

 

For some context, I wanna buy a house at some point in my life, I should probably get rid of my car loan at some point, and I have some credit card debt.  Seriously, what should I do? 

    103 replies

    Level 2
    Feb 28, 2020 7:09 PM UTC

    482

    Level 2
    Mar 6, 2020 7:01 AM UTC

    I've never got a refund till this year and I'm still waiting for it thinking about what I can buy I'm gunna get a truck and take care of my credit I've already been working with Lexington law and I can tell u this they have already got my debt from almost $ 2.600 in medical bills to 800 and too my credit scores way up and it's super affordable for anyone with a job bro. Best phone call I ever made and they got payment plans I only paid like 65 bucks a month for them to fix my credit report and my debit lol hell yeah I'm going to do that and when I lost my job they stayed on my case for like 10 bucks a month but r there worth more than what ur paying for and everytime they fix something on ur debt I got a notification that my credit score went up. In 3 months of **bleep**in with Lexington law my score has gone up 30 or 40 points but they got rid of over almost 2000 dollars in medical bills I don't have money for lol anyone looking to get ur credit and debt in order call Lexington law hopefully I don't get in trouble for putting their name out there like this but if it helps anyone looking for help these r the people who can do it 

    Level 2
    Mar 11, 2020 2:40 PM UTC

    Why is my **bleep**ing refund so low this year I should have 4000 why in the hell I just got 500 back wtf is this

    DoninGA
    Level 15
    Level 15
    Mar 11, 2020 2:45 PM UTC

    @Lilcee  wrote:

    Why is my **bleep**ing refund so low this year I should have 4000 why in the hell I just got 500 back wtf is this


    The federal tax refund and the state tax refund are sent separately.

    If you received the federal tax refund then go to this IRS website for federal tax refund FAQ's - https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions

     

    Why is my refund different than the amount on the tax return I filed?
    All or part of your refund may have been used (offset) to pay off past-due federal tax, state income tax, state unemployment compensation debts, child support, spousal support, or other federal nontax debts, such as student loans. To find out if you may have an offset or if you have questions about an offset, contact the agency to which you owe the debt.

    We also may have changed your refund amount because we made changes to your tax return. You’ll get a notice explaining the changes. Where’s My Refund? will reflect the reasons for the refund offset when it relates to a change in your tax return.

    Tax Topic 203 - Refund Offsets for Unpaid Child Support, Certain Federal and State Debts, and Unemployment Compensation Debts has more information about refund offsets.

    Level 2
    Mar 15, 2020 12:59 AM UTC

    Pay off some my bills.

    Level 2
    Mar 15, 2020 1:03 AM UTC

    pay my bills.  think GOD.

    Level 2
    Mar 16, 2020 4:20 PM UTC

    I will on my bills, thank GOD.

    Level 2
    Apr 17, 2020 2:27 PM UTC

    Pay all my bills and God

    Level 2
    Mar 16, 2020 7:10 AM UTC

    Get rid of that cc debt for sure. You’ll enjoy the breathing room.

    Level 2
    Mar 16, 2020 2:16 PM UTC

    send me a check

    Level 2
    Mar 31, 2020 9:27 PM UTC

    1) Pay Rent 

    2) Pay Utilities

    3) Pay any Credit Card Bills

    4) Pay any Healthcare Bills

    5) Save towards Emergency Fund - Figure out what 6 months of your living costs are and put it aside in a different bank account that you never touch

    6) Max out your Retirement Accounts

     

     

    cgervasi
    Level 4
    Apr 1, 2020 5:12 PM UTC

    Here’s what works for me:
    Do not associate pieces of income with particular expenses. Just add up all income for all sources and make a plan for what you’re going to do with all that money. Every month has irregular income from rebates, OT, tax refund etc, and every month has irregular expenses. It’s easier to add up all the incomes into one number and then decide what to do with that entire amount.
    Write down the simple plan of how to spend your money because if it has more than a few items it’s hard for your brain to store it. Your brain should be used a) to think up creative ways to get the things you want with limited money and time and b) ways to make more money. Your brain is much less effective than paper at keeping track of lists.

    Level 2
    Apr 8, 2020 4:20 AM UTC

    Invest