Here’s the first thing you should do with your tax refund

Few people look forward to tax season, but for many, there is one upside: getting a refund. The average refund hit $2,763 in 2017, according to the IRS.

Thousands of extra dollars in your pocket might have you dreaming of booking a luxury vacation abroad or buying the latest gizmos. But while these fantasies are fun to entertain, you need to take a realistic look at your financial situation to determine whether your tax refund would be better put toward financial needs.

Click through to learn how to put your tax refund to work to your long-term benefit, rather than short-term thrill.