The truth about tax refunds...

Want to know a secret?

WE DON'T LIKE BIG TAX RETURN REFUNDS.  Nope, we don't like them at all.

This is the time of year when you hear everyone talking about getting their tax returns filed, so that they can get their refunds, so that they can spend their refunds.  Well, have you ever stopped to think about why you're getting that refund?  Because guess what:  Most of the time you are getting money back because you put too much money in. 

Yup, you heard me:  You gave the government too much money!  So that refund you're waiting for?  You could have been spending that money ALL YEAR LONG.  (Or making money off it, if you chose to put it in an interest bearing account.)  But instead, you handed it to the government and you let them keep it without charging them interest.

That was very nice of you.

So if you are getting big refunds every year, take a look at the W-4 you filled out with your employer.  Make sure the information is up-to-date and accurate.  Because you deserve your money!  Stop lending it out for free.