Raises, Refunds, and Found Money

What do you do with “found money”—raises, bonuses, tax refunds, and unexpected cash? Most people let it disappear into lifestyle upgrades they barely notice. In this episode of The Success $ Lab, Dr. Shena Dixon Mason shows you how to treat every dollar you weren’t already living on as a pure gap‑widening opportunity. You’ll learn how disciplined builders create a simple rule for splitting found money between enjoyment and building, so they can celebrate now without robbing their future. We’ll talk about the emotional pull of windfalls, how to resist the urge to spend them all on upgrades, and how one written guideline can quietly accelerate debt payoff, savings, and investing. This week’s money work guides you to craft your own “found money rule” before the next windfall hits, so you’re ready when it arrives.