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Working Americans will soon see a big economic boost — all thanks to changes tied to President Donald Trump’s “one big beautiful bill,” according to Treasury Secretary Scott Besant.
Speaking to a reporter in Pennsylvania on Dec. 10, Besant estimated $100 billion to $150 billion in tax refunds could hit bank accounts in the first quarter of 2026.
Basant said Trump has fought harder than anyone for his signature initiative in the One Big Beautiful bill, pointing to provisions like no tax on tips, no tax on overtime and automatic deductions (1).
“The bill was passed in July. Working Americans didn’t change their withholding, so they’ll get a much bigger refund in the first quarter. So I think we’ll see $100 to $150 billion in refunds, which could be between $1,000 and $2,000 per family.”
After that, once the withholding level was adjusted, workers could see what was described as a “real increase” in their wages.
The White House echoed that view. Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt said the upcoming refund season is expected to be the largest on record.
“Americans can also expect another increase in their bank accounts in the coming months as the 2026 tax return season is upon us after the holidays and is projected to be the largest ever,” Levitt said at a December 11 press briefing (2).
For many households, this raises the immediate question: What is the smartest way to use the sudden cash infusion? Whether you’re thinking about downsizing your finances, preparing for uncertainty, or putting that extra money to work, here are some ways Americans can consider investing their potential windfall.
The US stock market has been a powerful engine of wealth creation. Trump has pointed to that power, recently saying, “The only thing that’s really getting bigger? It’s the stock market and your 401(k)s (3).”
The benchmark S&P 500 is up about 16% year to date and has gained about 86% over the past five years.
Of course, picking consistently winning stocks isn’t easy. That’s why legendary investor Warren Buffett argues that most people don’t need to choose individual companies to benefit from the long-term growth of the stock market.
“In my opinion, for most people, the best thing to do is own an S&P 500 index fund,” Buffett famously said (4).
This approach gives investors exposure to a wide range of industries across 500 of America’s largest companies, providing immediate diversification without the need for constant monitoring or active trading.
The beauty of this approach is its accessibility – anyone, regardless of wealth, can benefit from it. Even small amounts can grow over time with tools like Acorns, a popular app that automatically invests your spare change.
Signing up for Acorns takes just minutes: Link your cards and Acorns will round up each purchase to the nearest dollar, investing the difference—your spare change—in a diversified portfolio. With Acorns, you can invest in S&P 500 ETFs for as little as $5 — and if you sign up today with a recurring deposit, Acorns will add a $20 bonus to help you start your investment journey.
Read more: Warren Buffett used 8 solid, repeatable money rules to turn $9,800 into a $150B fortune. Start using them today to get rich (and stay rich).
Beyond stocks, real estate has long been another cornerstone of wealth building in America.
In fact, Buffett often points to real estate when explaining what a productive, income-producing asset looks like. In 2022, Buffett said that if you offered him “1% of all apartment buildings in the country” for $25 billion, he would “write you a check (5).”
Why? Because of what’s going on in the broader economy, people still need a place to live and apartments can generate consistent rental money.
Real estate also provides an inherent hedge against inflation. When inflation rises, property prices often rise, reflecting higher costs of materials, labor and land. At the same time, rental income increases, providing landlords with a revenue stream that adjusts to inflation.
Of course, you don’t need $25 billion to invest in real estate — or to buy a single property. Crowdfunding platforms like Arrive offer an easy 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 properties for as little as $100 without the hassle of mowing lawns, fixing leaky faucets or dealing with difficult tenants.
The process is simple: browse a curated selection of homes that have been vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares you want to buy and then sit back as you start receiving any positive rental income distributions from your investment.
Another option is First National Realty Partners (FNRP), which allows accredited investors to diversify their portfolios through grocery-anchored commercial properties without taking on the responsibility of homeownership.
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, which provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to triple net (NNN) leases, accredited investors are able to invest in these properties without worrying about rental costs cutting into their potential returns.
Just answer a few questions – how much you want to invest – to start browsing the full list of available properties.
You don’t need a large investment portfolio to start building wealth. Even your extra cash — like a tax refund — can earn income instead of sitting idle in a low-yield account.
However, one challenge is changing the interest rate environment. When interest rates are changing, high-yield savings accounts can feel like a moving target. You might be earning a competitive APY one month, only for your bank to quietly lower it the next. That’s the trade-off with HYSAs: they’re flexible, but your returns may not be guaranteed.
After the Fed recently cut interest rates, many savers are seeing those yields drop. This makes locked-in returns more valuable than ever — and that’s where certificates of deposit (CDs) shine.
With a CD, you lock in a guaranteed rate upfront, so your earnings remain stable for a set period, even if rates slide further. This is predictable, reliable growth, which you don’t always get with traditional accounts.
Raisin makes it even easier by giving you access to high-yield and no-penalty CDs from top US banks, all with no fees and minimums as low as $1.
Like high returns? Choose high yield CDs for fixed, reliable income. Want flexibility? No-penalty CDs let you access your money quickly without the usual withdrawal fees that come with regular CDs.
Whether you’re saving for something soon or building a cushion for the long haul, Raisin gives you a simple way to earn more without worrying about tomorrow’s rate changes eating into your returns.
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