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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant says working-class Americans will soon see substantial economic growth — all thanks to changes tied to President Donald Trump’s “one big, beautiful bill.”
In an interview with reporters in Pennsylvania on December 10, Bessant said that $100 billion to $150 billion in tax refunds are expected to hit bank accounts in the first quarter of 2026.
Bessent said Trump fought harder than anyone for his signature initiative in the Big Beautiful Act, pointing to provisions such as no tax on tips, no tax on overtime and car deductions (1).
“The bill passed in July. Working Americans didn’t change their withholdings, so they’re going to get a lot of refunds in the first quarter. So, I think we’re going to see $100 to $150 billion in refunds, and each household will probably get $1,000 to $2,000 in refunds.”
After that, once withholding tax levels are adjusted, workers could see what he called a “real increase” in wages.
The White House agrees. Press secretary Carolyn Leavitt said the upcoming refund season is expected to be the largest on record.
Levitt said at a press conference on December 11: “Americans’ bank accounts are also expected to swell again in the coming months as the 2026 tax refund season arrives after the holidays, which is expected to be the largest tax refund season in history” (2).
For many households, this raises a looming question: What’s the wisest way to use the sudden infusion of cash? Whether you’re thinking about shoring up your finances, preparing for uncertainty, or putting extra money toward work, here are a few ways Americans can invest their potential windfall.
The U.S. stock market has always been a powerful engine of wealth creation. Trump pointed to this advantage, saying recently: “The only thing that’s really gone up significantly is the stock market and 401(k)s(3).”
The benchmark S&P 500 index is up about 16% so far this year and about 86% over the past five years.
Of course, consistently picking winning stocks isn’t easy. That’s why legendary investor Warren Buffett believes that most people don’t need to pick individual companies at all to benefit from the stock market’s long-term growth.
“In my opinion, the best thing for most people is to own an S&P 500 index fund,” Buffett famously said (4).
This approach gives investors exposure to the 500 largest U.S. companies across industries, providing instant diversification without the need for constant monitoring or active trading.
The beauty of this approach is its ease of use—anyone, regardless of wealth, can take advantage of it. Even small sums can grow over time, like Acorns, a popular app that automatically invests your spare change.
Signing up for Acorns only takes a few minutes: Link your card, and Acorns rounds every purchase to the nearest dollar, investing the difference (your change) into a diversified portfolio. With Acorns, you can invest in the S&P 500 ETF for just $5—and if you sign up today via a term deposit, Acorns will add a $20 bonus to help you get started on your investing journey.
Learn more: Warren Buffett turned $9,800 into a $150B fortune using 8 solid, repeatable money rules. Start using them to get rich (and stay rich) today
In addition to stocks, real estate has long been another cornerstone of wealth accumulation in the United States.
In fact, Buffett often mentions real estate when explaining what a productive, income-producing asset looks like. In 2022, Buffett said that if you offered him “1% of the nation’s apartments” for $25 billion, he would “write you a check(5).”
Why? Because no matter what happens in the broader economy, people still need a place to live, and apartments can continue to generate rent.
Real estate also provides a built-in hedge against inflation. When inflation rises, property values typically rise as well, reflecting rising costs of materials, labor and land. At the same time, rental income tends to rise, providing landlords with a revenue stream that adjusts for inflation.
Of course, investing in real estate doesn’t require $25 billion, or even buying a property outright. Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived offer an easier way to gain exposure to this income-generating asset class.
Backed by world-class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in rental housing stock for as little as $100 without having to mow lawns, fix leaky faucets, or deal with difficult tenants.
The process is simple: Browse carefully selected homes that have been vetted for appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares you want to purchase, then sit back and start reaping any positive rental income distribution from your investment.
Another option is First National Realty Partners (FNRP), which allows accredited investors to diversify their portfolios with grocery store-focused commercial properties without the responsibilities of a landlord.
With a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can own a share of properties leased by national brands such as Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart that provide essentials to their communities. Thanks to Triple Net (NNN) leasing, accredited investors are able to invest in these properties without having to worry about tenant costs impacting their potential returns.
Just answer a few questions – including how much you want to invest – to start browsing their full list of available properties.
You don’t need a large portfolio to start building wealth. Even your spare money — like a tax refund — can earn income instead of sitting idle in a low-yield account.
However, one of the challenges is the changing interest rate environment. When interest rates change, high-yield savings accounts can feel like a moving target. You might get a competitive APR one month, only to have your bank quietly lower your rate the next. That’s the trade-off with HYSAs: They’re flexible, but your returns may not be guaranteed.
With the Federal Reserve’s recent interest rate cuts, many savers have seen yields fall. This makes locking in returns more valuable than ever – and this is where certificates of deposit (CDs) shine.
With term deposits, you lock in a guaranteed interest rate upfront, so your income remains stable for a set period, even if rates fall further. This is predictable, reliable growth that you just can’t get with traditional accounts.
Raisin makes it easier for you to obtain high-yield, no-penalty CDs from top U.S. banks with no fees and minimum amounts as low as $1.
Like higher returns? Choose high-yield CDs for fixed, reliable income. Want flexibility? No-penalty CDs allow you to withdraw funds early without paying the common withdrawal fees that come with typical CDs.
Whether you’re saving for the short term or building a cushion for long-term savings, Raisin gives you a simple way to earn more without having to worry about tomorrow’s interest rate changes eating into your returns.
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@NBC10Philadelphia(1); @WhiteHouse(2); @新TDTV(3); NBCC(4; 5)
This article provides information only and should not be considered advice. It is provided without any warranty of any kind.