What Did You Do With Your Stimulus Check?

Months ago, when I first heard about plans for an economic stimulus payment that would go to all taxpaying Americans, I could not help but think of how political leaders in ancient Rome would offer free Bread and Circuses as a way of tricking Roman citizens into giving up their political freedoms. The people would remain fat and happy while the elite would make plans to send them off to fight wars of conquest, for the glory of Rome.

I can't help but think of the war in Iraq as "the circus," and the economic stimulus payments as "the bread." Of course, we don't even have to leave our homes to enjoy the circus these days. Just turn on the TV and the images are delivered to you free of charge, thoroughly sanitized and censored, of course.

I wonder if anybody turned down the stimulus payment. After all, the money is basically a loan from China to the American people, a loan that our grandkids will have to payoff. There must be at least some Americans who find this objectionable.

So, what did you do with your stimulus check? Me? The $600 I received didn't even cover my child support payment, but I was grateful for the assistance. Your comments are welcome.

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My Personal Economic Stimulus

With tax season here and Bush's economic stimulus check on it's way (one day), I can see myself buying lots of great things I might not otherwise purchase without a lump sum of money at my disposal.

I think we all have such daydreams -

However, when I come back to reality, I realize that such splurging would be unwise. My husband and I are going to revitalize our savings, take care of some small remaining debts, and then get some necessities for the kids. And maybe a nice meal at a swanky restaurant.

That's it.

Consumer borrowing is up, up, up, and the outlook is so bleak that the Fed is helping banks hit by the mortage lending crisis by auctioning fresh cash so that short term borrowing isn't disproportionately funded by credit card debt. Apparently, many of us are carrying even more credit card debt because home refinancing is down. Strapped for cash, people are just charging it.

However, those of us with growing families, good jobs, and businesses (home businesses, too) should do well during refund season, helping to bring balance back to our personal finances. We are going to be as responsible as we can with ours. That's an economic stimulus that will continue to pay off in the future.

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