Responsible tax-paying citizens who have already filed their personal income taxes can expect to receive a sizable refund from Uncle Sam soon if they haven't already. As an accountant, I would normally advise you to set some of that money aside in a savings account or use it to make some wise investments, but we all know you're going to go out and spend it like you just won the lottery. Since that's the case, let's look at the best ways to spend that refund money in Chicago.
Buy a super car from the Auto Show For most people, the super car display at the Chicago Auto Show is a chance to gawk at some of the most powerful and expensive cars on the planet. If you've received your refund check though, you can turn the super car section into your personal shopping selection. I recommend looking into purchasing the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse. The $2.63 million it costs to purchase this car should be a drop in the bucket once you get your tax refund.
Michael Jordan's Highland Park estate Jordan's mansion in Highland Park is still up for sale three years after it was put on the market. Now that you've come across a small fortune in the form of your tax refund, it's time to take Michael's Mansion off the market and start living like the legend himself. At the current asking price of $16 million, which is down from the original asking price of $29 million, you can't afford not to buy it! And don't worry about the $183,000 property tax you have to pay annually—you can just pay that off with the money you get from each subsequent refund.
Blackhawks tickets in an actual seat On StubHub, standing room only tickets for a Blackhawks game at the United Center will cost you approximately an arm and a leg, in addition to however much cash the seller is asking for. However, now that you have your tax refund, not only will you have enough money to buy a ticket inside the arena, but you can actually afford a seat so you can have the privilege of sitting down while you watch the game.
A night at a River North nightclub River North's bar and night club scene is great, but tends to be on the expensive side. With the fat stacks you'll have from your refund, you'll be able to ball out in a swanky club with the rest of Chicago's wealthy professionals. After the bouncer pillages your wallet for a cover charge, you'll still have enough money leftover to get bottle service—an $8 bottle of Budweiser, that is.
Bribe your way into the Chicago politics game If you're unhappy with this year's mayoral candidates or anyone else holding public office, why not enter the political realm yourself? Here in Chicago, the only thing you need to run for and hold political office is money, and you'll have a lot of it upon receiving your tax refund. Just start funneling your cash to the right people and organizations and, soon enough, you could find yourself calling the shots from the mayor's office.
Everyday expenses In Governor Bruce Rauner's budget address on Wednesday, he announced that he plans to cut the City of Chicago's budget as well as the budget for the CTA. As a result, you can expect to see increased CTA fares, property taxes and other ways for the city to shift the costs of these cuts over to Chicago citizens. Lucky for you, you'll have enough tax refund money to make up for all these price increases and continue to barely afford living here.