Your tax refund

Regardless of whether your cash back from Uncle Sam is a few hundred or several thousand, any amount of money can go a long way if you think before you spend. Try one of these money-smart suggestions. Suggest doing it in order, start with #1 :

1. Pay down credit card debt.OK, so this doesn't sound as appealing as the new designer "sunglasses". But if you can knock out -- or knock down -- the balance of even one high-interest credit card, you're making money. Think of all the interest you won't be paying. ( And then if you're really smart cut up card and use a debit card instead).

2. Add more to your IRA. Been putting this move off until you had "a little extra money?" Today's your lucky day. Any amount "will compound nicely," says Chris Farrell, author of Right on the Money.
"The biggest mistake people make is thinking [what they have] is too small an amount to invest," says Ric Edelman, author of Ordinary People, Extraordinary Wealth. "Rich people start off as poor people. The difference is they take the nickels and dimes and they invest it --

"they don't spend it all at the mall or in bars and restaurants."

3. Set up a rainy day fund.
The standard rule of thumb is to sock away at least three months of living expenses. So start with your refund and take it from there. ( I personally don't advise putting this in the stock market until you can say you won't take it out within X years.) This DOES NOT mean a rainy day fund for next week when you forgot your car insurance was due.

If I'm "gaining" on this AND you put the proper thought into previous emails you already are starting to accept "sh*t" doesn't just happen. For example: if you drive a car it will need tires after X miles. So don't say " boy am I unlucky my car needs tires and I didn't know that in advance"!! Yes, BS excuse. ( Wow, if you really said BS excuse to yourself you made my day!!!!!!! )

4. Add to your car ( or house) payment."For most people, this is better than putting it in a savings account," says Robert Van Order, chief economist in the financial research division of Freddie Mac.

5. Service your car."The No. 1 thing people forget with cars is to maintain them," says Clor. If you've been putting off that oil change and tune-up because you just didn't have the money -- this is the time. And check the tires. Extra bonus: A well-maintained car with properly inflated tires burns less gas and saves you money in the long run.

For my "pay" on this thought provoking email :), please email me that you read the March 22 email. Just write " I read the March 22 email")

I can even accept (sadly) that you didn't follow the advice, but can't accept that a few of the others didn't even have enough "lead out of their ass" to read it.