Wealth and Wisdom: Week of February 23, 2026
- 27 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Are you expecting a big tax refund this year? The IRS says the average tax filer received $3,151 back last year – and analysts predict refunds could be as much as $1,000 higher this tax season.
How to spend an extra thousand dollars to make your life better:
Pay down your credit cards or other high-interest debts
Build up an emergency reserve fund ($1,000 is a great start)
Fund an IRA or Roth IRA
Make some home or car repairs you’ve been putting off
Invest in your own career – books, courses, better tools
Create a holiday fund – or start buying gifts when they go on sale
If you honestly can’t think of anything to make your own life better, give the money to a worthy charity that teaches other people how to improve their lives.
Once you’ve given this some thought and made a wise decision for your windfall, adjust your tax withholding and stop lending your money to the IRS tax-free for a whole year. A tax refund isn’t a gift – it’s your own money. Use it to make your life better with every paycheck all year long.
We were told foreign companies would be footing the bill – but a new report from the Federal Reserve says 90% of new import tax revenue is coming from American consumers. (Reading time: 2 minutes)
If you don’t like what you see when you file your 2025 taxes, skim this list of 22 things you might be able to do to bring down this year’s bill. (Reading time: 13 minutes)
And some of these kick in as early as age 50. (Reading time: 6 minutes)
Knowing the difference between ordinary and qualified dividends can keep more of your investments working for you at tax time. (Reading time: 6 minutes)
...own lots of them – and don’t be surprised when one or more of your holdings head south in a big way. Diversification is the key. (Reading time: 3 minutes)
They say there’s no free lunch – but if you know where to look, you might discover some ideas that come really close. (Reading time: 3 minutes)
A new survey uncovers the top challenges new retirees are facing – and what they wish they had done earlier to prepare for them. (Reading time: 3 minutes)
Learn how much you can receive, how to claim it, and what happens when a spouse passes away. (Reading time: 3 minutes)
TikTok isn’t the first place I would turn for financial wisdom – but if you’re trying to get your finances in order, this 30-day program might really help. (Reading time: 3 minutes)
They were designed as a tax-free way to pay for college – but recent changes are making these favored vehicles even more attractive. (Reading time: 3 minutes)
Words to the Wise
“Everyone has the brainpower to make money in stocks. Not everyone has the stomach.”
– Peter Lynch
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