‘Where’d the Money Go?' How to Handle a Windfall

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Tax refunds. Child tax credits. COVID-19 relief checks. We dream of the next unexpected bundle of money that lands in our lap. Perhaps it’s a few hundred dollars earned from a garage sale, maybe even more from a job bonus, or hundreds of thousands from a winning lottery ticket or inheritance. Our minds race with the possibilities.

A windfall can either be a lifeline to short-term financial relief or a stepping stone to long-term financial stability. But because of our inherent money personality, we may not make the best use of the surprise cash.

Money Decisions Amid a Crisis

A 2021 study published in Journal of Family and Economic Issues found that emotions tied to money can dictate whether we decide to spend or save a windfall—even in a crisis environment.