By

Loren Mooney /

MoneyWatch/ April 17, 2012, 10:00 AM

10 smarter ways to spend your tax refund

Best Ways to Spend Your Tax Refund

Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Nearly 75 percent of all American taxpayers last year received a refund -- to the tune of nearly $3,000 on average, according to the  IRS. And, while the best budgetary move is to pay off debt or invest that money, some experts say spending it wisely is actually not a financial crime.

"When something provides us with a lot of pleasure, we should do it," says behavioral economist Dan Ariely, author of Predictibly Irrational. "Of course, it's better if we can do it with less cost." But there's a big difference between an impulse buy that you'll regret in a month and making a purchase that gives you pleasure today and makes financial sense. Here are 11 smart splurges that, over time, will pay for themselves. And at $1,000 or less, the average taxpayer will have money left for the IRA.

4 Comments Add a Comment
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MON4100 says:
I enjoyed the ideas. Sure it's good to save your refund but if you are going to spend it, then here are some smart ideas.Two cans of soda a day? Really!
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Bojax39 says:
Sure. Pizzing your money away on worthless consumer trash is ALWAYS smarter than saving it, investing it or using it to lower your debts. Right? :-)
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realtimecoffee says:
And getting a refund just means you've loaned the money to the government interest free. Adjust your witholding and keep the money.
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jtdev1 says:
Did someone pass a new law requiring us to "spend" our refund?

what about saving it?
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