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It’s nice when you come into some extra windfall money, but it’s also too easy to blow it on useless stuff that doesn’t make your life any better. Unless there is something you need, there are better uses for sudden cash. From paying bills to starting a business, here are some ideas.
Renovating Your Home or Improving
Home improvements are an ongoing thing and are necessary. They can help provide comfort and safety but also add value to your house when you want to sell. Reputable services offer new bathroom remodeling technologies that make this even easier as they offer unique and trending products that modern families want and modern buyers look for. This is a win for you when looking to sell since the bathroom is the second most used room in a family home.
Use Windfall Money for Outstanding Bills
Bills have been steadily rising for years, and the last two have been brutal. Energy, water, and food have all risen. And interest rates are at biblical levels. All over the world, families are struggling, and in the UK alone, the average energy bill for a small family has risen to £2,500 on average. You can fall behind on other bills because of this, and your debt spirals out of control. It may be hard, but the best use of windfall money is to pay off any bills you may already have.
Taking Your Family on a Great Vacation
A family vacation might sound like a frivolous use of extra money, but it is essential for your mental health to take a break from it all and forget your troubles, if only briefly. If you have used your money to pay off bills, anything extra can go towards a great family vacation. Doing things when the kids are young helps create great family memories and is excellent for bonding. Even your teens will enjoy it, no matter what expression they have on their faces all the way through.
Creating an Emergency Fund
You never know what can happen, and emergencies can be as draining on your finances as they are on your life. It is always a good idea to at least put some money aside for an emergency fund. The reasons are almost endless, but some of the most common include:
- Your car suddenly breaking down or even being hit by another driver.
- The boiler decides to die and leaves you with no heating or water.
- Insurance only provides part of the payment for emergency medical treatment.
- A family member dies unexpectedly, and you need money to pay for a funeral.
- The weather decides to throw all it has at your home, causing immense damage.
Any of these can cost bigtime. So, money excerpts agree that you should have an emergency fund in place. This should be at least $1,000. It’s a lot of cash, but it’s a big help when needed.
Getting Your Affairs in Order
No one gets younger, and life can go faster than you think. Getting old means you may have things that need to be sorted in case you get ill or die. This usually means estate planning, which you can do with some extra cash and then leave that money within your estate. Estate lawyers are your best option for this, as they can help you decide how to manage your assets and execute your will. This ensures there are no family squabbles when you aren’t there.
Business Uses for Windfall Money
Becoming financially independent and doing something you love are two of the biggest dreams in life for most. One of the best ways to do this is by starting your own business. However, this often requires a lot of startup capital, and a sudden influx of money, especially if it is substantial, can help you achieve this. The cost can depend on your business type. For example, a micro business can cost around $3,000, and a home business can cost up to $5,000.
Paying for a College Education
College education isn’t cheap, and it is only getting more expensive. So whether it is for yourself, your kids, or grandchildren, paying for a college education can be a great use of any extra money you have to spare. This ensures you or they aren’t burdened with a substantial student loan debt after finishing college, which takes an average of ten years to repay, but often much longer, up to 25 years. Yet, can you really put a price on securing a better future?
Summary
Renovating and making home improvements is a great use of windfall money you come into. However, it also helps to create an emergency fund and put it towards a college education.
