As Tax Day draws near (Monday, April 15th this year), the Internal Revenue Service has released its annual “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams. The takeaway? Be aware and alert. Take the time to understand your tax return before signing. If something sounds too good to be true, it likely is.

The holidays can be one of the most stressful times on your budget. Now that the holidays are through, it’s important to take a look at your financial well-being and get back on track in the New Year. Here’s some tips to help you recover and minimize debt from holiday spending.  

It is smart to invest your tax return money. When we say invest, we do not mean to invest in your vacation plans. Though it may be tempting to see tax return as free vacation money, it might be wiser to save it, pay down debt, or invest for your future.