If you receive a tax refund this year, what are you planning to do with it?

One of the best things you can do is invest in yourself. Think of it as human capital.

Join a professional group. “The importance of professional organizations is taken for granted,” says Dorie Clark, author of Reinventing You and Stand Out. As a member of a professional group, you have opportunities to develop new skills and to lead an organization, all of which can help your career.

Attend a conference. If your company limits conference attendance, you may want to invest in one yourself. Conferences enable you to stay current about trends and to develop contacts.

Obtain training. Maybe you are thinking about venturing into a different field. Use your refund to learn valuable skills. I plan to work full-time as a coach in the future. I want to be sure I set up my business legally and efficiently so I invested in a full day seminar on how to start my own business.

Pay for tuition. Use the refund to pay for tuition, whether it’s to learn a new skill related to your current job, to learn a skill for another career, or simply to learn about something you’ve always wanted to know more about. Learning is always a good investment.

Investing in yourself can pay off for years because of an increase in your paycheck and greater job stability.

You’re worth it!