Most Americans will save or invest tax refund: survey

Most Americans plan to save or invest their 2011 tax refunds, according to a TD Ameritrade Holding Corp. survey. Out of more than 1,000 people over the age of 18 surveyed, just over 50 percent said they expect to get a refund on either their state or federal tax return this year. Among those, 63 percent said they will save or invest at least part of that money.

Only 14 percent of respondents said they would use their refund to splurge on travel or a new mobile phone, but 51 percent said they would use some of the money to pay down debt and 48 percent said they would use their refund to pay for necessities like food or utilities.