Spend It!

Pay Your Debt! 

Don’t let your payments keep piling up. This is a good chance to stop debt in its tracks. You can use your tax refund to help make the minimum payments (if you can’t afford the full payments), on time.

Figure out which debts to pay first. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by how much you have to pay, get free help from a Consumer Credit Counseling Service agency.

Pay a Bill or Other Expenses

Paying your bills on time can save you a lot of money. Use your EITC to avoid extra charges and protect your credit rating.

When you make payments on time, that information shows up on your credit report. If you miss a payment, you'll be charged late fees and late payments will show up on your credit report too. Your credit report follows you where ever you go and can affect your ability to get an apartment, buy a car or a home, get student loans, and even affect your ability to get a job.

Seven Easy Tips to Keep Good Credit

Pay Your Mortgage

If you are a homeowner, this is a great way to protect your investment. Paying your mortgage is an important step in keeping your home, so take care of this big payment with your new EITC money.

Do you want to start a budget?

Buy or Repair Your Home

Owning a home is the best investment you can make. This is the fastest way to build personal wealth. You can use your EITC payment to help you buy a house.

If you already own a home, you know it’s hard to set aside money to fix it up. With more cash in your pocket, you can make the repairs you’ve been wanting. Whether it’s a broken appliance, a leaky roof or peeling paint, you can make your home a better place to live.

Buy a Computer

Having a computer will change your life. If you have Internet at home, you can look up information about anything you need to know. If you are a homeowner, you might qualify for a new computer purchase program in your town. Don’t forget, while you are waiting to buy a computer, connect to the internet at a public library.

Buy or Fix Your Car

Is public transportation a problem in your city? Can you get to your job using a bus or train? If not, you might consider buying a used car. If you’re having problems with your car, you can use your money to get it fixed.

Get an Education

B.B. King once said, “The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.”

Give your child—or yourself—the opportunity to go to school. Put your money in a college savings fund so your money can grow safely and free of taxes. Higher education means a better job. Using your EITC money for education has a payoff that lasts a lifetime.

Getting your GED is just the beginning. Learn all about going to college.

Start a Business

Starting your own business can be very exciting, but it’s not for everyone. Are you interested in doing it because you want more control over your time? Do you want to be your own boss? Is it because you want to make more money? Before you start, you should understand the challenges that come with the territory and know what to expect.

Seven things you need to know before starting your own business.