A little Windfall

[Krislyn]

Hi,
I was going through all my old files and found an old tax form for a Scottrade account I had about 12 years ago. I had totally forgotten about it and I found out it had $360 in it. It was slowly losing a little every year so I am cashing it out. What do you think would be the best use for this little cash? Buy some bonds? Put it in savings? Apply it to some loans or my mortgage? Stock up on something? Or maybe buy some other kind of commodity? I would love to have all your big frugal brain thoughts!
Thanks!
Krislyn

[rosarugosa]

Hi Krislyn,
Do you have a healthy emergency fund? If not I might apply it towards that. If you already do, then maybe pay down debt. If you feel the need to do something more tangible with it, then maybe buy some LED bulbs that will help you save on your electrical bill.

[bae]

Pay off loans. Great tax-free return.

[Simplemind]

What a nice surprise. I would probably put it towards an emergency fund or something I had been saving for.

[herbgeek]

Maybe stock up on groceries/non-perishables for the winter?

[Zoe Girl]

I always think of car repairs, I hate taking that out of my regular money and some things I know ahead of time will need to be done like brakes and tires.

[ToomuchStuff]

Pay off debt, if any. While an emergency fund is a good suggestion, I would also think in this case, I would recommend part of it be used to get what you need, to get organized with your finances (and do check your states unclaimed money, etc), so you don't find "missing" money in the future.

[Krislyn]

Thanks for all the responses. Paying down debt seems to be the winner! :)