Do you remember what you did with last year’s tax return? Probably not.

This year, don’t put that windfall into your checking account and spend it on small-ticket items that don’t improve your overall quality of life. There’s a better way! Here are some things you can do with this year’s tax return that will actually make a positive impact on your life — one you’ll remember next year.

Pay Off Credit Card Debt

Getting and staying debt-free isn’t just a great financial move. It’s also one that will allow you to budget in extra luxuries down the road. Think of paying off your credit card as paving the way to your desired lifestyle.

Add to Your Retirement Account

Stashing your tax refund away now means that it will have years and years to grow in your retirement account. Invest in your future and reap the benefits of compound interest by contributing as much as you can to your IRA.

Boost Your Emergency Fund

Set an aspirational goal for your emergency fund, and either start building it now or add to it with this year’s tax return.

Improve Your Home

You can make life at home better and increase the resale value of your home by contributing your refund to home improvement projects.

Invest In Your Business

If you’ve been in need of new equipment, training, or anything else that will improve your business, use your tax refund. In certain cases, small business owners can even write off work-related expenses in year-end taxes.

Care For Your Health

When it comes to your health, better to nip problems in the bud than let them get out of hand. If you’ve been putting off a trip to the doctor, use your tax refund to finance the cost so you can have peace of mind, as well as an intact emergency fund.