Getting A Tax Refund? Healthy Ways To Spend It

Tax day has come and gone -- and now that you've filed (or filed for an extension), hopefully at least some of your financial stress is melting away. Now it's time to eagerly await those tax returns -- and plan what to do with the extra bucks.

Last year, almost 75 percent of all taxpayers received money back, according to the IRS, and the average refund was around $2,900.

If you filed online, you can expect to see that cash within three weeks; if you filed a paper tax return, it will take more like six to eight weeks from the date it is received, according to the IRS.

This year, more Americans are planning to save at least some portion of their refund, according to the National Retail Federation's annual Tax Returns Consumer Survey. Almost 44 percent of people expecting a refund (the most in the survey's history) said they will put aside a chunk for savings, up from 42 percent last year.

While nearly 40 percent of the respondents said they will use their refund to pay down debt, 12 percent plan to buy a new car or TV and 11 percent will be funding an upcoming vacation.

Below, we compiled a list of some of our favorite smart and healthy ways to spend your tax return. Let us know in the comments how you'll be spending yours.

For more on stress, click here.

From our partners

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Comments

[DavidMG]

08:28 AM on 04/20/2012

Read the reviews on amazon for "American Wholefoods Cuisine" -yu'll want to spend 15 bucks on the book called "the vegetarian Joy of Cooking."

[envcat]

04:52 PM on 04/19/2012

That article made me wish my refund was about 10X its real size! LOL My list of ways to use it were: savings, small vacation, and team sport membership. Realistically, some of it will go towards job training for a career transition. And team sports, and MAYBE a short vacation. If there's any left, then savings. But that article makes me want to spend it on pilates classes and massages too. There are too many worthwhile things to do with tax refunds! That's why mine needs to be 10x bigger! :)

[traceymarie]

04:25 PM on 04/19/2012

Every year, no matter how much extra I pay in taxes I still owe. I have plenty of deductions as well as medical expenses yet I still pay....oh well

[Lucy Alexas]

05:46 AM on 04/19/2012

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http://www.raspberryketone.webs.com

[Aelfgifu1]

12:08 AM on 04/19/2012

The pic on the main page shows the money going into the piggy bank in euros. Am I the only one who doesn't get my tax refund in euros? ;)

[anitaj]

12:01 PM on 04/19/2012

No, but I will be converting some of my refund into euros.

[madcityy]

02:03 PM on 04/18/2012

MORE HUFF PUFF CRAPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

LEAVE MY $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ALONE..................

[traceymarie]

04:24 PM on 04/19/2012

lmao...it was suggestions not mandatory, you bags are always picking a fight over nothing

[Tony Baja]

10:57 AM on 04/18/2012

BUY A VEGETABLE STEAMER, take a look at the benefits at:
http://tony-baja-health-resort.blogspot.com/

along with other healthful tips

[airg]

10:21 AM on 04/18/2012

My boyfriend and I are planning on spending our money on a trip. At the end of the summer, we're taking a month off to do a road trip across the country and back. This is something I've always wanted to do. I'm so excited!!!