How To Spend Your Tax Refund – Or part of it.

The $1456.50 Splurge:  Spending half the average 2011 Tax Refund

It’s been a rough year for many.  So if you survived, or even thrived, maybe you want to celebrate.  The average refund this year is $2,913.  That’s a ton.  It’s also down 3% from 2010.  Assuming you’re not a financial lunatic and itching to blow it all, let’s cut half off this year for hypothetical splurging.  Of course there are many smarter things to do with half (or all) your tax refund, but maybe you’re in a good financial state with a solid backup plan.  Here’s some suggestions on how to live a little, while being thankful you’re not using your refund to pay for filing bankruptcy.
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Christopher Ward Charcoal Trident Automatic – $499.00

Hot damn would you look at that thing.  Founded in 2004, Christopher Ward watches aren’t cheap, but you get a ton for the money if you’re able to splurge on one.  They’re an English company that makes mainly automatics with some quartz sprinkled in here and there.  They’re not afraid to take a classic (like the 1954 Rolex GMT Master, which inspired the above) and tweak it.  Get a load of the spade hour and trident second hand.  Charcoal grey bezel instead of black or silver is the icing on this particular wrist cake.  Swiss automatic movement.  Manufactured in Switzerland.  Hat tip to the comments section over here for pointing in the direction of these guys.  ($957.50 left.)

 

Suit Supply Wool/Linen Napoli Notch Lapel Suit – $469.00

Intriguing as all hell.  Wool-Linen.  Zoom in and see the texture of the linen stand out.  Might be perfect for those upcoming early evening summer weddings, and could very well pull serious duty well into fall and early winter.  Full review of a Suit Supply Napoli fit suit over here.  ($488.50 left.)

 

Allen Edmonds McCallister Wingtip – $245.00 ($335)

Just got marked down as part of the Allen Edmonds 90th anniversary sale.  There’s not a lot to pick from, but the McCallister is on there for ninety bucks off.  Ninety dollars off for the ninetieth anniversary.  See what they did there?  Also available in a deep reddish brown “wine” color and a standard black.  Sale expires 4/30.  ($243.50 left)

 

Brooks Brothers Made in the USA Cedar Shoe Shine Valet – $128.00

 

Angel’s Envy Bourbon – $41.66

Bourbon that has some of the edge taken off by way of finishing in port wine barrels.  Lots of caramel and some honey.  More earthy sweetness behind it.  Really easy to sip on.  Almost dangerously so.  ($73.84 left)

 

Wood & Faulk Pass Through Watch Strap – $59.00

Probably the last brown one of these you’ll ever buy.  More expensive than the Timex Weekender shown on it, but hand made in Portland and the leather and stitching are something else.  Could roughen up, just enough, a more dressed up watch like the Bulova 96B104 for wear with polos, even t-shirts.  ($14.84 left)

 

J. Crew Ticking Stripe Belt – $13.99 ($29.50)

Was marked down to $19.99.  Now an extra 30% off with the code MUSTHAVE.  Just under an inch and a half wide, so along with the Nautical thing, this belt embraces the slimmer belt trend.  ($0.85 left)

 

Almost all of a Black Joe Lewis Song – $0.85 (you’ll need $.99 for the whole thing)

Suggestions:  “Get yo Shit”  “Bitch I love you” or the as seen on Letterman “Livin’ in the Jungle.”  As talented & entertaining as he is unassuming on stage.  Saw these guys perform at a place where before the show, Joe had himself a Budweiser at the bar, checked in on the merch table, all while no one in the packed house noticed the guy in the ball-cap and leather jacket who looked, y’know, just like the lead singer of the band they came to see.  He, along with his band, then proceeded to blow the roof off the place for a few hours.

Got plans for your tax refund?  Do something similar with it each year?  Leave it all in the comments fellas.