The New Year is a wonderful time, not just because of fresh starts and resolutions. This is the time when you get your W-2s and that fat refund check appears in your mailbox. Some people put it all away into their savings or pay off immense bills, but there is nothing wrong with spending a little bit of it. Here are a five fun ways you can spend your money and enjoying yourself in the process.
Take a Weekend Getaway
It is nice to escape your life for the weekend and just live life. Take a trip to Athens, Savannah, or Atlanta and stay in a hotel or a small bed-and-breakfast to relax. Breathe in the sights and sounds of nature while hiking or camping with your partner or be a tourist for the day and see these cities like you haven’t before. Rejuvenate your body at a spa resort with your girlfriends or splash on the beach with your spouse and the kids. Have some fun in this mini vacation and gear up for the rest of the year.
Buy the Thing at the Top of Your Wish List
Every year your wish list grows with items you really want, but never seem to have the money to buy. Whether it is a flat screen tv, the latest smartphone, or the down payment on the car you’ve had your eye on, buy the item you want the most. If you don’t have any big ticket items on your list, buy a couple of smaller items that you’ve been looking at, like some new gadgets or updated furniture for your home.
Buy Tickets for a Concert or Theater Show
When was the last time you went to a fun concert or had a day at the theater? Bands announce their world tours around this time every year and casting directors are casting for their next Broadway (or off-Broadway) show, too. Look up your favorite artist or play, and get the good seats this time. Be sure to book your hotel in advance too so that when the time comes, you only have to worry about getting there.
Remodel Your Favorite Room in Your House
Looking at the same old thing can be boring after a while. If you love your kitchen, put in new tiles and counter tops. If you spend most of your time in your living room, buy a new couch and some art for the walls. You can even spruce up your yard by putting up a fence with a gate and lining your walkway with some flowers if you find it most peaceful in the backyard.
Go on a Shopping Spree
There is nothing more fun than going to the mall and spending some hard earned cash on anything you want. Embrace your inner fashionista and update your wardrobe with trendy clothes and a ton of new shoes. Catch up on what your favorite authors wrote last year by filling up your shelves with books. Maybe even expand your collection of CDs or vinyls so you can jam to some new tunes. Treat yourself with a few things that you love.
These five tips are just a few of the many ways you can spend your income tax refund while having a little fun along the way. Saving your money is practical, but don’t forget to treat yourself because you deserve it!
