You Just Got A Windfall Congratulations For most of us, money arrives on a fairly predictable schedule. But occasionally, you might receive an extra windfall above and beyond your normal paycheck. At work, perhaps you might get a bonus for a job well done. Or, maybe you receive a lump sum from your employer, either via a severance package or a retirement account distribution, as you switch jobs. Outside the workplace, many baby boomers are in line to inherit significant amounts as their parents pass away. A recent university study estimates that baby boomers will inherit $7.2 trillion dollars over the next 50 years, which means that on average, each of the country’s roughly 78 million boomers will stand to inherit about $92,000. So what should you do when you receive an unexpected windfall? Face Down Temptation An unexpected boost to your finances can really make your day, and it’s perfectly natural to want to celebrate your good fortune. To be sure, there’s nothing wrong with giving yourself a small treat – dinner at a nice restaurant, or tickets to a ballgame or concert, for example. But the urge to spend it all can be tempting. We’re fortunate enough to live in a society where many luxuries are readily available, and we all have a wish list of things we promise to buy for ourselves … someday: high-tech gadgets, a beautiful new car, a rare piece of collectible memorabilia – the list goes on. Your windfall might seem like the perfect opportunity to fulfill those promises. It’s important to know, however, that giving in to such impulses can end up costing you much more than you realize.