Pay off credit card debt, Save, invest and take care of non-monetary assets like your health that can drain finances if you neglect it now.
Tossing any spare change into a separate Savings Account on a weekly basis--like a credit union savings account. Do not get a debit card for this account-- so that it will be inconvenient for you to withdraw money from it.
From this account, make monthly payments to an IRA. Many ordinary insurance companies, such as Prudential have inexpensive IRA options for the ordinary person. Their sales rep assigned to you will advise you on when and where to alot your funds for the best growth potential. This can be done quickly over the phone with your sales rep and the third party investment specialist that deals with that company.
In the meantime, start doing whatever you can possibly do to improve your health and detoxify your body so that your immune system can improve. The goal being so that you will not have to become dependent on health care and have any future money's leached away from you due to degenerative health issues.
When tax time comes around-- do not waste the money on the latest HD Plasma TV wraparound-the-wall system. Use the extra cash to make home repairs and any extra add to your savings account for emergencies.
If you rent, then use 50% of the tax return to pad your savings account and the other 50% to pay off any debts. If no debt, then add the extra into an IRA.
So you don't feel deprived in doing this-- It may be a good idea to open a 2nd savings or checking account with debit card access , and have a small portion of your paycheck automatically deposited into this account for "fun" or "me" purchases-- like getting a Reiki Treatment , hair done, new outfit for special occasion, etc., Make sure this amount is a smaller than the other amounts taken out for utilities, bills, etc.
The first savings account without debit card access should be used for spare money left over at the end of the week-- and don't touch it. Keep a sticky note on that bank register booklet saying, "Trickled $$ for a rainy day" or something like that.
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