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A Tax Refund Can Be Much More If You Are Intentional

Intentional: adj.- Done on purpose. Deliberate "Intentional living" has been trending for a while. When purposeful and deliberate, our daily actions can help create meaningful, thoughtful futures. Intentional living can encompass all areas of life, including our financial lives.

It's tax season. While some years we pay, some years we get a return. For some, it is often gone before it even arrives. Lesson: We need to be intentional with what we want to do with it.

When you receive an unexpected financial gift like a tax refund, remember to make yourself a priority when deciding what to do with it. Honor that money and think thoughtfully about how it could be used to its benefit, for you, your family, or causes important to you. When we receive something unexpected, we tend to make "knee-jerk" decisions without a plan.

Here are a few possible intentional applications for those unplanned funds:

1. Establish an emergency fund 2. Tuck it into your savings 3. Strategically pay off debt 4. Add to or seed a college fund 5. Prepay on your mortgage 6. Make home improvements 7. Invest in yourself by taking classes at your local community college or technology center 8. Use the funds to create a family memory, maybe professional family photos or a family vacation

Poet and Activist Maya Angelou once said, "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better."

Remember, unhealthy patterns are replaced by healthy, thoughtful, everyday decisions when you practice intentional financial living. Intentional financial living is simply another component of self-care. It's choosing to value your present well-being and that of your future each time you grab your wallet.

If you are looking to build a viable, healthy road map to navigate you to a life of intentional financial living, the bankers at First United are here for you. We believe that a bank should be a safe place to share your financial journey. So, whether it has been defined as difficult or easy, we are prepared to walk with you from this point forward.

Remember, financial well-being isn't about having a certain number of assets or the amount of money you have. It's about reaching the financial goals that enable you to spend your life wisely, in the way you desire.

Established in 1900, First United has more than 85 bank, mortgage, and insurance locations throughout Oklahoma and Texas. It is one of the largest, well-capitalized banking organizations in the Southwest, with more than $10 billion in assets. It is among the largest privately-held community banking organizations in the United States. First United provides a full range of financial services, including banking, mortgage, insurance, and investment products and services, with a primary focus to inspire and empower others to Spend Life Wisely®. Learn more at FirstUnitedBank. com. Member FDIC

Moore Branch

2101 Interstate 35 Frontage Road Moore, OK 73160

South OKC Branch

10731 S. Western Oklahoma City, OK 73170

579-7000 • firstunitedbank.com