What will you do with your refund?

Thank you to the #WindowsChampions program for providing me with a new Lenovo Yoga & tablet to learn more about Windows 8. All opinions are strictly my own

I have a love/hate relationship with tax time. If I’m getting a HUGE refund…I LOVE IT. If I’m paying, well you can guess how I feel.  Luckily, this year I’ll be breaking even, and just like a push in blackjack, it’s a good feeling not to have to write out a check to the: Department of Treasury.

For those of you who are getting a check back

CONGRATULATIONS

If you’re waiting for a check, here are some things you can do on Windows and a Windows Phone to help…

1. Check Your Status

Everyone has the same question as they’re filing their taxes – what’s my refund going to be?! Apps on Windows and Windows Phone remove the guesswork. Try TaxCaster on Windows Phone, utilizing the same calculator found in TurboTax, to quickly enter some basic information and watch your refund amount add up. Once you’ve filed,MyTaxRefund on Windows will allow you to quickly check the status of your return and give you an immediate estimate of when you can expect your refund.

2. Make the Most of Your Refund 

Sure, you’ve probably already made plans for how you want to spend some of your refund once you get it. What about the rest? Invest and maximize your refund with Bing Finance on Windows Phone and Windows, which helps you stay on top of fast-changing market conditions so you can make the most informed financial decisions. Keep an eye on all of your investments with SigFig, and sync all of your accounts in one place to track all of your stocks, funds, 401ks and IRAs in real time, available on Windows and Windows Phone. 

3. Budget Tips

Get in the mood to save more money for next tax season. On both Windows and Windows Phone, Mint helps you understand where you’re spending your money with helpful charts and graphs that make saving easy. Use Billminder on your Windows Phone or laptop to keep an eye on all of your monthly bills so you never miss a payment (and know how much you have left to spend!). Save for the next step of your life with MoBu Financial Management on Windows Phone and Windows. MoBu allows you to view your current financial assets as well as the opportunity to simulate your future savings with how much you can save in 5, 10, or 20 years! 

Make it Easy with Microsoft’s New Wireless Mobile Mouse 1850

You’ll find Microsoft’s new Mobile Mouse 1850 very helpful when trying to do your taxes, or stay on top of your finances from the road. Make your life easier and spend a little of your tax refund on this value mouse, that retails for only $14.95.

Designed for comfort and portability, the Wireless Mobile Mouse 1850 is great for life on the go, offering wireless freedom and built-in transceiver storage for ultimate mobility.

Comfortable to use with either hand and with a scroll wheel for easy navigation, this mouse is the ideal device for your modern, mobile lifestyle.

Now the question is….

What are you going to do with the REST of your refund?