It's the most wonderful time of the year! No, it's not Christmas, it's not your birthday, it's time for income tax returns! Whether you have plans to invest that money or plan on treating yo' self, most of us will go through these 7 stages.

1. Working your ass off

Whether you've been waiting tables or working retail, you've been working really hard for the past year. You DESERVE this money that you're about to get!

2. The waiting game

After you (or your mom, let's be honest) file your taxes, you spend every waking moment waiting for the check to come in the mail or repeatedly checking your bank account for the direct deposit.

3. The arrival

The day has arrived. You have received your long awaited, God-sent tax return!

4. The planning

What will you do with this newfound fortune?! The opportunities are endless, as you are no longer broke! You finally feel like you don't have to be frugal when it comes to going out with friends or buying a new wardrobe.

5. The spending

You've made big plans to spend this money wisely, but you've already blown half of it on things you don't need such as a Lumee iPhone case or a multitude of bath bombs. But who cares! This only happens once a year!

6. The remorse

It's only been two days, but what happened to all of that money? You thought you'd be able to ration it out for a couple of weeks, but it's just too tempting...

7. Repeat

Well, it's back to work you go, and you have an entire year to do so until your next tax return. But just use that as motivation to get through your shifts! Tax returns are a gift from above that we should be able to use as we wish!