I read and heard somewhere that the economic stimulus rebate checks will be delivered early. My sister who does contract work and process tax returns said that there are more people who filed this year. For a single person like me, I expect to receive $600. Couples, double that and $300 for each dependent child.
Hmmm, I guess we should spend the rebate checks to stimulate the US economy. That may be harder to do than initially thought and I, for one, love spending ... I read this somewhere...
1. If one spends the rebate check on gas - the stimulus check goes to OPEC
2. ... towards down payment on a car - it goes to Japan (just ask Jill who loves her
her Honda and Girasoli who is starting to hate the US manufactured Saturn or its
representative)
3. ... towards some clothes - it may go to Malaysia, Sri Lanka, or Pakistan
4. ... towards some technology or tech services - it may go to India
5. ... towards some affordable wines - it may go to Australia, etc.
6. ... towards some Prosecco or champagne - well, you know where it will go :)
7. ... towards "fresh produce" - it may go to Chile, Ecuador, etc.
8. ... towards children's toys - for sure it will go to China (try looking for some made
elsewhere)
So where should we spend it to stimulate the US economy?
... YARD and GARAGE SALES! These are the only businesses ran locally!
Just a joke although may not be totally PC. Sorry.
Comments (9)
Mine is going to my travel savings account!
Posted by María I. | April 26, 2008 10:00 AM
Posted on April 26, 2008 10:00
Good idea, Maria. I should do that too.
Posted by Eden | April 26, 2008 10:29 AM
Posted on April 26, 2008 10:29
I pre-spent some of mine on my new Canon camera. I bought it from a US distributor so not sure how that money works out...perhaps a tiny bit went to the US? I guess the rest of mine is going towards my car repair bill :{
Posted by girasoli | April 26, 2008 4:39 PM
Posted on April 26, 2008 16:39
This is great post, Eden, it makes one think a bit about where our money really goes! (Most of mine goes to Italy!)
Posted by Sandra | April 26, 2008 4:59 PM
Posted on April 26, 2008 16:59
I also will be supporting the Italian economy!
But that ALWAYS works for me!
Posted by Palma | April 27, 2008 9:33 AM
Posted on April 27, 2008 09:33
Mine is going to pay for our apartment rental in Budapest.
Dan's pays for our car rental in Italy.
Eden, your blog entry is serious "food for thought".
Posted by Deborah | April 30, 2008 5:55 PM
Posted on April 30, 2008 17:55
I am all for the funds going towards travel! Yeah!
Sandra, it can go towards the Italian ceramics.
Palma and Deborah, your future travels sound very exciting.
Girasoli, you won't have to use any of it on the car repairs now. Hurray!
Posted by Eden | April 30, 2008 7:07 PM
Posted on April 30, 2008 19:07
I like your post - but a lot of profits stay in the US with the company that sells the product here, so it's not like the money doesn't do something in the US as well! :)
Also, yard sales don't count in GDP because only new sales are counted, so technically it wouldn't stimulate the economy - but I am sure the people whose things you bought would go out and spend it, so I guess it would work anyway! :)
Posted by Chiocciola | May 2, 2008 2:34 PM
Posted on May 2, 2008 14:34
Lots of food for thought here. Mine will go in the travel account too!
Posted by Annie | May 5, 2008 6:38 AM
Posted on May 5, 2008 06:38