Depending on how you’ve been paid throughout the year, this just might be the time of year when you gain a windfall in the form of a tax refund. The size of these checks varies by state and income, but nearly 8 out of 10 Americans will receive one. The average refund for 2017 was $2,895. It’s said to be even higher for those of us in Houston, Texas. Before you blow it all in one place, consider these 8 awesome ways to spend your tax refund.