YAY!! I've got my tax return!!

**rachelMcK** · 03-13-2009, 06:42 AM

And its big! (well, bigger than I expected!). So now I'm debating what to do. I don't know if my will power is strong enough. Its exactly half of whats left of student loan#1. Do I put the whole thing on it (of course, thats the good thing to do). Or do I take a hundred or so out for a treat and put the rest on? The frugal side of me is debating this like no tomorrow. DH is telling me to split it 50/50, half on debt, half to splurge. I'd really love to do that, but I doubt I will...lol. What would you do?

**Rosebush3** · 03-13-2009, 07:48 AM

Ideally I suppose it all should go to your debt. Personally speaking, I would take a small amount and treat myself. Look at your Hubby like he's crazy, 50/50???

**Greebo** · 03-13-2009, 09:01 AM

Your tax return is over 12 grand???

Yeah, a small treat, then go get your withholding adjusted!!!

**tervsforme** · 03-13-2009, 09:17 AM

I think you should take a small amount to treat yourself as well.

**frugalbabe** · 03-13-2009, 09:42 AM

Definitely pull out a hundred or so and treat yourself! But after you sign the rest off to your loan first. Just get it gone so it isn't even there anymore!

**itlw8** · 03-13-2009, 04:09 PM

You only have 1000 in an emergency fund don't you dare go spend 50%

splurge a little like under 100 but pay off the debt and build up that savings.

**FrugalMomof3** · 03-13-2009, 05:47 PM

I would take a 100 or so out for a treat but definitely put the rest towards the student loan. Your DH is nuts to even suggest 50/50, does he have something in mind to spend it on, lol? The more towards debt now, means less to pay later on.

**dcompton** · 03-13-2009, 08:41 PM

I think I would take a bit for a treat, add another 200-300 to the emergency fund, and put the rest toward the loan. I know the $1000 EF is orthodoxy, I think it never hurts to have a little thicker cushion to fall on when Murphy pushes you out the window.

**Sassyclass** · 03-13-2009, 09:55 PM

I would put some of it in savings, maybe an itty bitty amount for splurge, and put the biggest portion on that loan. I don't see where the amount is? but $12,000.00?!! GULP. Greebo is right get that fixed immediately.

Cat

**rachelMcK** · 03-14-2009, 09:58 AM

I don't know where Greebo got 12 grand. It was only $1100, I don't think I mentioned the amount in the OP. So what I've done was put the majority on debt, and kept 140 for myself. DH is expecting a smaller return but big enough to make a difference, so he will be taking out a little for himself and then putting the rest in savings. I just wanted to see our first loan below 2k!

**LuvMyHubby** · 03-14-2009, 10:02 AM

Well I know that I would use a small amount as a treat and then save some and pay off debt with the rest.

Now, in the interest of fairness.. if you and DH filed jointly, some of that money is his and he does have a say in it, even if you divide it and each do as you feel is correct with your portion.

**hollyhill** · 03-15-2009, 12:41 AM

Well I am so happy that you received more than you were expecting... Thats great!

This year we will get zip. And boy we sure could have used it!

**Greebo** · 03-15-2009, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by hollyhill

This year we will get zip. And boy we sure could have used it!

You already did.

Getting back nothing in your tax return means you didn't give more to the Government than you should have.

Getting back a large tax return just means you gave the Gov't an interest free loan you could have been using yourself, all year long.

In rachaelMcK's case, a loan of about 1k a month.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 03-15-2009, 07:36 PM

I'd put it on the student loan to get rid of that. You can always treat yourself later on.

We put $1640.31 on the BB to pay it off, then $1304 on the VISA and another bit on the Mastercard. What did we get? Two paid-off in-store CCs and both of our regular CCs are below $4500 each.