i just got a $10,000 check in the mail, what should i do with it?

Question

my husband was in iraq and suffers from ptsd. he has an 80% disability (according to them). they will be sending him $1500 a month. the $10,000 is back pay for the last year.

we discussed it lightly last night because we didn't want to get our hopes up in case we didn't get the money. he wants to buy a truck. i'm all for it. he doesn't have a vehicle and my 97 accord is falling apart. we'll prob open a saving account for our kids, maybe buy a few CDs. He went to Iraq twice when he was in the Marine Corps. Right before his enlistment ended (he came home early using his saved up leave time) we discovered we were pregnant with our second child. that was a surprise and something we hadn't prepared for financially. We also really didn't plan financially the difference in the civilian pay he is getting now. So we will probably pay off some debt and maybe take a small vacation. Knowing we'll have this money coming in is a huge weight off our shoulders. I'm still on maternity leave so I'll probably even more so now stay home with the kids. This is what he wanted from the start. I'll probably go back to school. Thanks for all the help. I'm 23 and he's 30 btw.

Answer 1

First things first - evaluate where the check came from - (have you cashed it yet?). Read the back for any "conditions" that may be attached to using it. Some of these others who have answered this may have a valid point about a scam, but only you would know. Is it from the government or some private disabilty organization? It's none of my business, but why is your husband still in Iraq? I hope he's on light duty and coming home soon. Good luck on that count.

Other than these concerns, it depends on your needs, which only you are aware of, but some general guidelines would be:

Reduce or pay off any interest-bearing debt. These are the hidden killers of personal finance.
Save 10-15% for future emergencies (if you can) in something liquid (easily available) with as much interest as you can get.

Invest some in something that will have a better earning potential based on your timeframe (age), investment experience, risk tolerance, tax bracket, investments you may already have, and other factors. The real estate idea is not a bad one, but consider the market where you live before making that decision. There are real estate scams out there also.

Lastly, HAVE FUN!!! Take a vacation, buy a new computer, rent 5 or 6 hundred movies, whatever!!! LOL

One final thought - what would your husband like to do with it?

Answer 2

It's a scam sweety - don't get sucked in.

In a few days someone will call and ask if you received it - all a flutter at the error, ad then suggest you deposit it, and send them a wire or money order, less a fee for your trouble.

if you do this - after a week - you will find out the check was bogus and you are out the money - and owing the bank felony level funds.

Addendum

You know people - it would help if you would give ALL the details when you post these questions - rather than a general statement that can be taken all kinds of ways.

I would put $3500 in an interest bearing savings account, $3500 in your personal account in case of emergencies and $3000 in a high yield Mutual Fund.

Answer 3

If you consider it a valid check, go to a credit union, open an account and buy a few short term CD's or check out INGdirect.com If you have any doubts about the check (as in there is a request to send the surplus back) it is probably fraudulent and will bounce 14-21 days after you initially cash or deposit it because of the arcane rules of international money transfers.

Answer 4

If you want to invest it, start researching mutual fund companies, or talk to a certified financial planner.

If you invest it well, you can gain a lot more interest on it than you would if you were to put it in a time deposit or savings account.

OR

If you have debt, the best thing you can do is pay it down and use the extra money every month to invest instead, because you'll save money on the debt's interest!!!

Answer 5

Based on your Additional Information, I will assume the check is legitimate. I recommend the same thing for any money you receive, regardless of the source.
1. Be sure you are on a WRITTEN budget and spending less then you bring in every month.
2. set aside around $1000 for emergencies.
3. Pay off EVERYTHING.
4. Increase your emergency fund to 3 to 6 months of expenses.
5. Put aside money for retirement and college funds.
6. Enjoy.

Answer 6

Stick it in a savings account after checking which strings are attached.

If there are any strings attached, SHRED it, unless they are GREAT terms (doesn't happen often).

If it is an error do as above, make sure not to touch the amount for which the check was written. (someone may want it back)

Answer 7

Hi M n M, I would call or search on internet the payee on check and then verify it at bank..I don't know what your cost of living is there.Investments are good.and savings.Buy what you want be comfortable with and enjoy life what you can. Good Luck..

Answer 8

first put it in the bank...then put a third of it in savings. then go to your favorite resturant and have a nice glass of wine relax and what you will do with the rest of it will come to you. What are your most important needs...think of at least one and take care of it first...then drink another glass of wine...

Answer 9

Congrats.

The best recommendation I can give you is to put the money into real estate. You can invest in real estate with little to nothing down. I know a few people that help investors do that.

Answer 10

Put it in a savings account. It'll earn you lots of interest. What'd you do to get it??