Free From Broke

A Personal Finance Blog for Regular Folks

Glen Craig

How to Spend Your Income Tax Refund – 25 Ideas

Published or updated by 30 Comments

Are you getting a big IRS income tax refund?

It’s always nice to get a nice chunk of change coming back to you, isn’t it?

But what will you be doing with your income tax refund?

I’m not always fond of looking forward to a large refund but they do happen and I know some people love getting them.  If you are getting a large income tax refund then at least put some thought into how you are going to use that money.

Having money in the bank is a great thing and when it’s a sizable amount you can really make some differences with your finances.

I came up with some ideas for a large income tax refund. 

I’ve broken it out into different sections to make it easier for you to find something of interest.  Make sure to read through to the end and add your suggestion in the comments!

25 Ideas for Your Income Tax Refund

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What Do You Think of New Year’s Resolutions?

Published or updated by 22 Comments

This is the time of year where you come up with a list of resolutions for the New Year.

Some want to exercise more.  Others simply want to lose weight.  Some want to save more money, while others want to get out of debt.

What do you think of New Year’s resolutions?

I’m not sure what to think, to be honest.

On the one hand, I think it’s important to have goals.  A great goal that you follow through on give you guidance and something to aim your energies towards.

But I think setting a resolution or a goal just because the calendar changed is a bit odd.

Why not set goals throughout the year?

My Problem with Most Resolutions

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Your Guide to Setting SMART Goals For Your Finances and Life

Published or updated by 15 Comments

It’s that time of the year where people start fresh and make new goals, and many of those are financial. But are they smart goals?

Did you know that according to a 2007 survey by British psychologist Richard Wiseman, 88% of resolutions end in failure?

We tend to try to do too much with little willpower to achieve our resolutions.  We need systems to help us along.

SMART Goals is one such system.

One way we can help ourselves to success in our resolutions and goals is to make them S.M.A.R.T. – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.

The following guide will walk you through SMART goals so you’re not one of those whose goals fizzle out by March (if not much earlier).

Everything You Need to Know About S.M.A.R.T. Goals for Your Finances

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What Are Your Kids Gift Expectations?

Published or updated by 25 Comments

I hear people complain that they have to buy expensive things for their kids because it’s what they (the kids) expect.

Some don’t know what they are going to do this holiday season as times might be tight for them. How are we going to get little Johnny the latest (insert expensive popular toy here)?!?

Here’s what I say – Don’t!!

Where do your kids get their expectations from? Do they get them from friends? From television? Those are influences but not the real source.

Children get their expectations from their parents!!

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6 Personal Finance Books to Give for the Holidays (or Read Yourself)

Published or updated by 7 Comments

It feels good to give, doesn’t it?

But most of the things we tend to give to family and friends have a short-term effect.  They get a gift, consume it, and then it’s on to the next thing.

That’s cool and all but would it be great to give a gift that could really impact a person’s life?  

When I started getting my head straight about my personal finances books were the place to go.  The internet didn’t have as many useful sites about the subject.

But you know what?  Even with all of the information out there I still turn to books for information.

Below are some great books that I’ve either read or have heard so much about they are on my reading wish-list.  Take a look and consider checking these out.  I’d love to hear your thoughts on the books and what your favorite personal finance book is in the comments.

Oh, and you don’t have to give one of these to someone else for i to be a gift.  This could be a gift to yourself too!

Here are some of the best personal finance books that would make great gifts:

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