Every spring, tax season can either be treacherous or a godsend, depending on how you spend, how well you handle taxes and your relationship with the IRA. But often times, tax season resolves with a pretty decent deposit into your account or a hefty check in the mail. There are so many things that can be done with this money however and unless you plan on saving it (which is a smart option considering the impending student loans hanging over our heads the day we graduate) you should be smart about what you do with this little bonus.
Of course there are the standards — paying off your credit card bills, paying rent or buying food. But those are all so vanilla. You may need to use your tax returns for these things, but if you can find other ways to pay for them, like you do every other month, try to make this bonus money count towards something that will make you happy!
Here are some ideas that Valley came up with to help your tax season make you feel good for once!
Get a massage!
Like an actual massage by an actual masseuse at an actual spa. As students, we are made to deal with a lot of stress day in and day out, constantly holding tension in areas like our shoulders and lower backs. Take the time to eliminate all the knots and stress so that you can finish out the semester feeling good as new.
Donate it!
Yes we are college students who are facing a lot of debt already and have to worry about our spending habits, but one thing that will definitely make you feel like the stellar person that you are is helping someone who really needs it. Helping a charity that is near and dear to your heart will make you feel like a million bucks and you are making someone else’s day significantly better as well.
Go on a weekend getaway!
Get together with some of your other friends who also got their refunds and plan a quick getaway from State College where you can see a new city, hit up an amusement park or take a fun road trip! With just a few hours in the car, you can go to Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New York City and Hershey Park. Or if you want to get out of the country, Niagara Falls is only four hours away.
Of course there are so many things that you can do with bonus cash and if you can, try to use it make you feel good during this mid-semester mayhem!
