CrimeAug 18, 2026
2 California Men Arrested in Fatal Vehicle Smash RobberyOne is the driver who allegedly crashed a car into a Sacramento jewelry store in April, striking a 71-year-old employee who later died.
SurveysFeb 27, 2014
More consumers to save tax refunds, not spend
Nearly half of consumers recently surveyed said they will be saving their tax refund money this year rather than spending it, according to the National Retail Federation.
Washington--Nearly half of consumers recently surveyed said they will be saving their tax refund money this year rather than spending it, according to the National Retail Federation.
The NRF’s Tax Return Survey found that 46 percent of respondents expecting a refund will put their money into savings, up from 44 percent last year and the highest percent in the survey’s history.
“Financial security is top-of-mind for all Americans, and refunds can play a huge role in helping achieve that,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay.
In addition to saving, 38 percent of respondents said they would pay down debt with their refund, 25 percent will use it toward everyday expenses, 13 percent will take a vacation and 11 percent will invest in a major purchase. (Survey-takers were allowed to select more than one use for their tax refunds.)
The survey also showed that it is young adults who are most likely to deposit some, if not all, of their refund directly into their savings accounts.
According to the NRF, 58 percent of survey-takers between the ages of 18 and 24 will contribute to their savings account with their refund, higher than any other age group. They will also use the money for everyday expenses (34 percent), to pay down debt (30 percent) or for a major purchase (18 percent).
“Young adults today are extremely smart about their money, and will look for ways to reap the benefits of their hard work that comes from their refunds. It’s also likely that 18- to 24-year-olds have learned from their parents the valuable lesson of saving for a rainy day, thanks in part to the Great Recession and current economic conditions,” said Pam Goodfellow, consumer insights director at Prosper Insights & Analytics, the company that conducted the NRF survey.
When it comes to completing their taxes, 65 percent of the survey’s respondents said they would do so online, up from 63 percent last year and the highest percent in the survey’s history.
Another 38 percent of respondents said they would prepare their taxes on their own using computer software, up from 37 percent last year. Others will manually prepare their taxes (12 percent), use a tax preparation service (17 percent), use an accountant (23 percent), or look to a spouse, relative or friend for help (10 percent).
While 23 percent of survey-takers have already filed their taxes, 37
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
percent will file this month and 26 percent will do so in March. Another 15 percent will wait until April to file, close to the deadline.
The NRF’s Tax Returns Survey was conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics from Feb. 4 to 10, and was designed to gauge consumer behavior and shopping trends related to tax returns.
More on Surveys
The Latest
ColumnistsAug 18, 2026
Peter Smith: The IKEA Effect and Bridal Branding In a new column, Peter Smith posits that people actually enjoy putting together IKEA furniture, and the same is true for engagement rings.
CrimeAug 18, 2026
Thieves Snatch $1M in Jewelry From New Jersey Jeweler9lakha Jewelers in Iselin, New Jersey, was the target of a smash-and-grab robbery on Aug. 8.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Lab-GrownAug 18, 2026
Ring Concierge, Kendall Jenner Collab on Bridal Earrings GiveawayThe jeweler has partnered with Jenner’s 818 Tequila brand to gift lab-grown diamond studs to a bride-to-be and their bridal party.
Weekly QuizAug 13, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
Exhibition on Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Studios to Open at The MetThe exhibition will feature more than 100 drawings of stained-glass lampshades, windows, and more, many created by women and émigrés.
CollectionsAug 17, 2026
Marquise Diamonds Dance in Spinelli Kilcollin’s ‘Wren’ CollectionMarquise-cut diamonds in drop charms are the center of the new collection, reflecting the movement of a dancer in modular styles.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
There’s a New Jewelry Show Coming to FloridaThe inaugural Fort Lauderdale Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show will be held from Jan. 28 through Feb. 1, 2027.
IndependentsAug 14, 2026
Smyth Jewelers to Open Fourth LocationThe family-owned jeweler will open a new showroom in Bel Air, Maryland, this fall.
CrimeAug 14, 2026
Wife of Man Convicted in Jeweler’s Murder Sentenced for Conspiracy Amanda Ileana Hernandez is married to Carlos Hernandez, one of two men in prison for the 2024 murder of Michigan jeweler Hussein Murray.
TrendsAug 14, 2026
Paul Morelli’s Latest ‘Wavey Vine’ Earrings Embrace ColorThe reimagined jewel, our Piece of the Week, trades the diamonds in the original 1998 design for blue, pink, yellow, and green sapphires.
Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
AuctionsAug 13, 2026
This Gold Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ Egg Set a World Auction RecordThe 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.
SourcingAug 13, 2026
2,488-Carat Diamond, Largest Found in Botswana, Has a New Owner Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.
CollectionsAug 13, 2026
John Hardy Infuses ‘Icon,’ ‘Heishi’ Collections with ColorThe expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.
Lab-GrownAug 13, 2026
Jean Dousset Opens Third StoreThe lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Eshed-Gemstar on the Painstaking Process of Cutting ‘The Legacy Emerald’The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Elderly NYC Woman Targeted in Jewelry Swap SchemeTwo suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Another Diamond Mine Poised to CloseFinsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Jewelry Store Employee Gets 20 Years to Life in Choking Death of BossMichel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.
MajorsAug 12, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names New SVP of SalesLongtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.
AuctionsAug 11, 2026
Verdura Unicorn Brooch With Royal Connection Up for Auction The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.
MajorsAug 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Selects Mattel Exec to Lead Zales, BanterJamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.
IndependentsAug 11, 2026
Polly’s Fine Jewelry Co-Owner Richard Moore Dies at 69Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.
ColumnistsAug 11, 2026
Creative Connecting: How to Sell Colored Gemstones to Gen ZDuvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.
