If you’ve just received or are expecting a tax refund – there are some good and bad ways to spend that…

It may be tempting to have a little fun with that tax refund check...

Every year, around this time, lots of people wind up blowing what could have been a nice chunk of change. The top two tax refund wastes are gambling and using the money for a down payment on something you really can’t afford, like a car or vacation.

It may not sound like as much fun, but financial experts want to remind you to use that money wisely. It’s not really free or found money – it’s money you earned. The most sensible moves to make with that refund include starting or adding to a rainy day fund, paying down credit card debt, fixing lingering issues with your home or car and taking care of medical or dental issues you’ve been putting off. If there’s any left over after all that, by all means, have some fun.