I really liked getting *that big score* in April when I was young, but by the time I turned 21 I realized that the interest free loan I was giving Uncle Sam was REALLY foolish, that I've had mad money skillz since I was a kid, and I absolutely had the willpower to do better. I had been withholding Single-0, but the withholding calculator said I should be withholding Single-8 (it took my daycare expense into account, I don't understand IRS math) as a single mother of 2. My take home pay went up over $100 a week. I paid down my debts very quickly, and created a solid savings plan. I still got a good chunk of change at tax time, usually around $2k. Once the debts were gone, that $2k was make a memory with the kids money.

I miss having a full time job. :P

Mine went into savings. I will graduate May 5th with my MBA!! Yea! So I am going to be looking for a job (better than what I have hopefully). I am saving everything I can, just in case I have to move.

We are using ours on a vacation because we rarely go anywhere. We will be going to Disney sometime this fall and can't wait! We got a huge chunk back since I wasn't working part of last year. The rest went into some clothes for me for going back to work :)

Half into savings, 1/4 into car repair, 1/4 into small house projects.

Congrats, watchhillgirl - my MBA was the best investment I ever made. When you're evaluating job offers, don't forget to look at the whole package - some companies give as much as 10% (with matching) to your retirement. Also, feel free to ask if the salary offered is 'negotiable' or 'the best they can offer'. Can't hurt to ask.

ps: did you see the Catepillar job fest? Good luck!

Oxymoron - at current rates, 'that big loan' would have made me $5 last year. I left my withdrawal where it was because I made large deposits in my son's college fund, and while I knew there would be some impact, I didn't know how big it would be. Plus, since I'm doing two big deposits over two years, then smaller deposits for the next 10 years, $5 isn't worth the paperwork to change withholding and then change it back.

The 'don't give gov't a big loan' truism isn't as important when interest rates are low.

Sadly we had to spend all of it paying hospital bills but at least they are gone!

Oxymoron02- I am proud of you just reading your post. It is amazing how much we are not taught in school about finance and how to handle money. There were no Suzie Ormonds when I was growing up to bring sense to the process.

We will put most in retirement accounts and purchase stocks that pay strong dividends that reinvest. A very small amount will go to a splurge weekend kind of trip that will be purchased with a Groupon and will allow heavt utilization of coupons. A combination of many saving devices for a cheap and fun outcome.

stephlw- I am excited that you can go to Disney. My friends took their 4 toddlers last year and had a blast. They utilized so many different strategies to not drown in debt by going and started months ahead. One of the things they found was a credit card that gave them a "sign on bonus" of several hundred dollars that could only be used at Disney. I am past having to "do Disney" but it would be great to have the info somewhere on this blog since everyone eventually goes to see the Mouse.

We put up a fence in our back yard since we have two young kids. My husband built it instead of paying someone. I love it! And also using our taxes for vacation.

We are also planning a Disney trip this summer. www.allears.net and www.disboards.com are wonderful resources! Also, southwest is offering 50k miles if you sign up and are approved for their credit card. That is enough points to pay for three round trip tickets from Raleigh to Orlando. There is a $69 annual fee but that is still cheaper than the tickets!

I think most people's tax money has come and gone already. I know I used some of mine to pay off a small loan with a finance company and the rest I put into savings. I would have loved to use it to take my son on a vacation but bills come first and my savings account needs to be built back up again.(sigh)

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