Friday, May 9, 2008

YAY!

Heather was right! Our tax rebate came today, and it was $1800, not the $1200 I was expecting. WOO!*

The $1200 I was planning on was set to go right toward our van loan, and was considered as part of the purchase. So, now what do we do with the extra $600?

1. Apply it toward the van, leaving us with only a $1400 balance and moving us closer toward debt-free, our next long-term goal?
2. Save it for the baby. Which would be very responsible of us. And, of course, if we didn't need it, it could then go toward the van. But I'd find a way to need it. :)
3. Paint the house. It needs it. Badly. We're planning to do that this summer anyway, though didn't have solid plans on how to pay for it. And we can't agree on colors. And, no fun.
4. Redecorate my livingroom. Which falls solidly in the "want" and not "need" category. But... fun, right?

What would you do? If you got a rebate, what *did* you do? I'd love to know!

*For the record, I don't necessarily agree with this whole "tax rebate to get the economy going" plan. Not that I'll return the money or anything like that. Let's not be silly. But, how about instead of telling everyone to go blow money at Wal-Mart, perhaps something like tightening lending practices might be a better step? Because I think if people weren't lent money they couldn't afford to repay in the first place (sub-prime mortgages, credit cards for everyone, etc.), they'd probably be better off financially, no? Call me crazy.

5 comments:

Frugal Finds said...

I could not agree with you more. I am not about to return the $1800 we got deposited today but I am not running to Walmart either. I plan on saving almost all of it. I totally agree that the lending situation should be handled better instead of handing out money. This is not a long term fix for the economy. We can only hope that the next president does a far better job. They really can not do much worse now can they?

Lindsey J said...

I just got a $1900 transmission put in my beetle...so I guess this is going to pay for that. *cry*

Li loves David said...

Sorry, Economy, I'm going to be a wet blanket. Since the money (still forthcoming for me, we just filed our taxes Tuesday) is an ADVANCE on our refunds for tax year 2008, I'm going to stick mine in an interest bearing savings account. That way I'm not crying the blues next year when my rebate is $1200 less!

If I were you, I'd do 1 or 3 or a combo of both. Since this is your third bundle of joy, you probably have a lot of what you need already... Yeah, I can't help it, always the wet blanket! ;)

Leah Spencer said...

We put it all and a little extra towards my husband's student loan. It's paid off!! 2 more to go. :)

Michelle said...

I've spent the money in my head about 6 times (save for upcoming adoption, pay down car loan, furniture, save for upcoming adoption leave, the list goes on..)!! In reality, $600 of it just went into a car repair. The other $600 will pay for our adoption home study.

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