by Alissa King

Created on: April 17, 2007   Last Updated: September 27, 2011

You've done your taxes, and joy of joys, this year the government will be sending some of your money back. You realize you have enough extra to take the family on a brief vacation. Twenty-five hundred dollars would supply some wonderful family memories, and it would be great to bulk up the family photo album; but is there a better use for the money?

The saying goes, "You can't have your cake and eat it too". The smart cook knows how to get around that predicament: Bake two cakes. The smart home owner also realizes that an investment at the right time can produce a ten-fold return.

If you are a home-owner making payments each month on your mortgage loan, here are some things to consider before booking that trip to Cancun.

As you know, interest rates on home mortgage loans fluctuate in response to different factors in the economy. Whether you have an existing rate mortgage, or an adjustable rate mortgage, now may be the time to consider refinancing your home. If you can refinance at an interest rate of 2% or lower than you are currently paying, you can reduce your loan term and lower your monthly payments in one fell swoop.

Refinancing costs money. There are substantial fees involved, which is why many people do not go through the process even when interest rates are low. A decent tax refund can provide the cash to pay for refinancing, and this will pay off in the long term. You probably want to examine this option only if you are intending to stay in your current home for three years or more.

Once you have lowered your monthly payments by a couple hundred dollars, you can increase the return on your money even more by spending the savings on bi-monthly home projects to make your house more energy efficient.

The first step to consider is an energy audit. An energy audit means inviting a professional in to analyze your house and find out where the heat and energy leaks are hidden. Air leaks in the home can cost a lot of money in the long term. An energy auditor uses high tech equipment to find the weak spots; they are skilled at knowing where to look for problems. They can also act as a consultant and make recommendations on how to improve the energy efficiency of your residence. Your state energy office or local extension service can usually provide information on where to find qualified auditors.

Armed with this knowledge from your energy audit, you can tackle small and large home projects that will save you money on your monthly energy bills, not to mention

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