Photo by: Jessica Hibbard

Save

This probably sounds like the most boring way to spend your tax refund, but it is the safest. If you’re not one that saves regularly, this may be an opportunity for you to save more money and have a little extra breathing room in case an emergency comes up. Or, it could go toward saving for a home or college money for your children (check out 529 plans for saving for college).

Retirement

Many companies are cutting back and you may be a little worried about your 401k right now, so check out some other retirement options such as an IRA. There are several different types of IRAs, and opening one could be a tax break for next year’s income taxes.

Clear up some Bills

If you’re hanging on to a high credit card balance that doesn’t seem like it’s diminishing, use some of your refund to pay part of it off. Or if you are past due on some bills, try to pay off as many of them as you can with your refund. Paying down a few debts will reduce some of your financial stress…and you can’t put a price on that.

Contribute to a Charity

You may not be so willing to give up your refund without getting anything in return, but if you’re in a financial situation where you can give up a little extra cash, this is a great way to go about it. There are a lot of causes and charities out there that can greatly benefit from your contribution. Plus, donations to charities would also be a deduction for next year’s taxes.

Photo by: zack Mccarthy

Invest in Yourself

If you have been wanting to go back to college for any type of degree, this money could go toward making that happen. Or, if you just want to get involved in some arts classes, use this money to invest in growing as a person and expanding your interests and knowledge.

Splurge…a little

Don’t use your entire refund to splurge, but you have worked hard for that money and deserve a little treat. After you’ve paid off some debt or invested some of it, reserve a little to celebrate another year of surviving tax season.

So, when that refund check finally makes it to your Cincinnati apartment, don’t overdo it. Look at your finances and your life and see where it would be best to put that money. A cruise or a giant TV is awesome, but will it improve your current financial situation and help you sleep a little easier?

Photo by: David Muir

Now this is not for the weary. As you leave your apartment in Cincinnati, it will be hectic with crowds and lines. But, if you want to get a head start on next years Christmas shopping and save lots of money, check out the following tips to give you a productive, after Christmas shopping experience.

1. Purchase the Cincinnati Enquirer Newspaper on December 25th and take a few minutes to check out the sales, store times, and coupons.

2. Make a list of items you want to buy and put them in the order of importance. Keep this within your budget. If you over buy, it’s not going to save you any money. Here are a few suggestions:

• Christmas cards, wrapping paper, tags, and tissue.
• Christmas tree, decorations, lights, ribbon, candles, linens and even candy.
• Items that you may want that you received a gift card for.
• Generic gift items for teachers, coworkers, mailman, and angel tree gifts, so you will have your gift closet ready for next year.
• Christmas sweaters, shirts and socks that you may want for yourself or for gifts.
• If it is within your budget, electronics will be “dirt-cheap!”
• Fragrance gift sets will be on sale, so think about Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and birthdays.

Photo by: Wigwam Jones

3. Check online to see if some of the sales are available there. It will save having to battle the crowds.

4 Don’t forget drug stores and grocery stores. They will mark down their Christmas items too.

5. Have a plan. Take your list and the newspaper flyers and decide what store you want to go to first and what items you want there.

6. Get a good nights sleep, get up early and purchase what you need online, wear comfortable shoes and clothes, and take your list and flyers with you.

Photo by: GizmoDoc

Just think how wonderful it will be next year to already have a lot of the Christmas essentials and gifts you need, and remember the money you saved. Now be careful, don’t get so excited about the cheap prices that you over spend! So after you have made a list of the items you will be looking for, have fun getting some great deals and a head start on Christmas 2009.

The Queen City of Cincinnati, located on the Ohio River, was described by Sir Winston Churchill as the most beautiful inland city in America. With a population of 2.1 million in Greater Cincinnati, German and Irish heritage helped make Cincinnati the city it is today affecting the local dialect, industry and especially the food. Cincinnati has also received such accolades as “Most Livable City”, “Best Cities For Young Professionals,” and “Cities that Rock”.

For more information about Cincinnati, check out the job opportunities, interesting facts, apartments and more listed below!

Interesting Facts about Cincinnati

• The University of Cincinnati was the source for the discovery of the oral polio vaccine.
• Cincinnati was the home of Beecher Stowe who wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
• The first ambulance service was established in Cincinnati in 1865.
• Cincinnati had the first professional city fire department.
• The Cincinnati Red Stockings became the first professional baseball team in 1869.
• Cincinnati was the first city in the United States to publish greeting cards in 1850 by Gibson Co.
• In 1905 Daniel Carter Beard founded the Sons of Daniel Boone, later known as the Boy Scouts of America.
• Doris Day was born in Cincinnati in 1924.
• Neil Armstrong the first man on the moon later served as a professor of engineering at the University of Cincinnati from 1971-1979.
• Jerry Springer was the mayor of Cincinnati 1977-1978.

Photo by: Mike Yockey

Popular Cincinnati Attractions

For sports fans, there is always a game to go to with home teams like the Cincinnati Reds, the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Cincinnati Cyclones. Go back in history and visit the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, or move forward and go underwater at the Newport Aquarium. If you just want to relax, there is a beautiful park within 1 mile of any city resident…hmmm…sounds appealing.

Looking for a Cincinnati job?

There are 10 Fortune 500 companies and 18 Fortune 1000 companies headquartered in the Cincinnati area and the University of Ohio is the largest employer in the area. Just take a look at these opportunities:

• Procter & Gamble
• The Kroger Company
• Sunny Delight Beverages Company
• GE Aviation
• Federated Department Stores
• Convergys
• Chiquita Brands International
• Great American Insurance Company
• Western & Southern Financial Group
• The E. W Scripps Company
• United States Playing Card Company
• Fifth Third Bank
• Koa Corporation

Photo by: Raellyn & Melissa

Cultural Events and Festivals in Cincinnati

There is always something going on in Cincinnati that will appeal to the young and old alike. The Cincinnati Flower Show is staged at Symmes Township Park in April and claims to be the biggest outdoor flower show in the United States. Almost half a million people attend the Taste of Cincinnati, which is held during May. In October, don’t miss the nations largest Oktoberfest, celebrating Cincinnati’s German heritage. Finish the year off by viewing the Festival of Lights, hosted by the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden.

Cincinnati’s Top 10 Restaurants

Cincinnati is identified with several unique foods including chili, barbeque sauce and “goetta” which is a German breakfast food. Check out the restaurants below for some of the best dining in Cincinnati.

1. Boca
2. Jean Robert at Pigall’s
3. Orchids at Palm Court
4. Nicola’s
5. Slims
6. Jean Ro Bistro
7. Cumin
8. Jo An
9. Nectar
10. Melt

Photo by: dorkula

Housing Options in Cincinnati

With over 130 apartment listings on ApartmentGuide.com, you’re sure to find the perfect apartment to call home. Below are a few featured listings. Check the web for more Cincinnati apartments.

Cheap Cincinnati Apartments

• Mariemont Apartments – From $315
• Eastgate Gardens Apartments – From $335
• Kennedy Crossing Apartments – From $375

Luxury Apartments in Cincinnati

• One Lytle Place Apartments
• Brookstone Village Apartments
• Ivy Hills Place Apartments

Pet-friendly Cincinnati Apartments

• Glenbridge Manors Apartments
• Williamsburg of Cincinnati Apartments
• Stonegate Apartments

If you have any favorite spots in Cincinnati or have tips for apartment searching in the city, please share them in the comments section below!