I did my taxes last night. From what I understand, I didn't make enough in the year to be taxed much, plus with the two kids, taking out too much from my paychecks since I wasn't sure how divorce would pay out... I am getting a LOT back. To the tune of $9k. Still in shock.

This completely revamps my 2018 goals. I am almost panicking. What will I do with that cash?!? Part of me just wants to put it straight towards house down payment and start looking. The other part of me wants to follow the plan. The third part of me just wants to wipe out a huge chunk of the financial aid student loan. The last part of me wants to spend it on things I don't need.

Logical me goes- use to to pay off a chunk of the studen loan. Just do it. Get it gone, one less thing to worry about. I am not quite ready to buy a house yet, so while the money would be wonderful towards that, it would be sitting there not doing much for quite some time.

AHHHHH! I should just pay off the entire student loan. I can if I take a bit of my extra in the savings for the program and the refund and the extra that I will be getting this semester after paying tuition....

It will delay my starting for saving for a house by 3 months, but I think I am ok with that. Am I ok with that? Yes. No. Oh, I don't know!

Luckily I have some time since taxes aren't being processed until tomorrow, and WI taxes are a few days behind that. Plus I haven't received my financial aid refund yet.

Logically, need to get rid of student loans. Evil, necessary things, be gone!

I think I finally have my 2018 goals figured out. It took awhile, but I am happy with my decision.

1) $250 per week will be saved until end of May to save up for the rest of my Masters program for this year and next so that I do not have to take out any more financial aid.

2) $250 per week June to December will be saved towards a down payment on a new house. I will also throw any "leftover" funds I have all year towards this goal, including tax refund.

3) Should I reach these goals early, I will then start tackling my student loans which are just shy of $14,000.

I think that will be it for monetary goals this year. I am fully out of credit card debt, have a $1k emergency fund, and am saving weekly for car expenses. I am not planning on any vacations that can't be cash-flowed with my weekly budget. I also am not expecting any other large dental or medical expenses (besides our normal maxing out of pocket).

Now if I could just curb my eating out lunches and work parking expenses... I have started writing it down, but in all honesty, I just need better sleep, healthy kids and me, and more time at home to prep lunches and to actually go grocery shopping.
Hoping as spring comes that will get easier.