How I Spent My Stimulus

Category: Other

• Paying bills

  

  "I paid for a PG&E bill and a Comcast bill ran up by a roommate who stayed for six months..."

  J.J. Lasne, 49, Travel
  Oakland, California

  20th Jun 2008 in Other | Discuss (0) |

• IN THE BANK

  

  "I will never spend that $600...just to spite George Bush, this was not a proper use of taxpayer money...most people bought cigarettes and alcohol...I will die with this $600 in my savings account."

  john madonna, 44, Taxi Driver
  las vegas , nv

  20th Jun 2008 in Other | Discuss (5) |

• Secured our bills with looming Job Loss

  

  "Our family used our stimulus of $900 to pay bills - we had been informed of a pending layoff with my job and wanted to make sure that our family wouldn't fall horribly behind."

  MFG Family, 23, Executive Assistant
  Phoenix, AZ

  20th Jun 2008 in Other | Discuss (2) |

• Free money PLUS interest!

  

  "I put mine in my E*Trade account at 3.25% interest. Not too stimulating compared to some, but I will thank myself later!"

  Sheila, 34, Real Estate
  Denver, CO

  19th Jun 2008 in Other | Discuss (0) |

• Bought a company logo to build my business

  

  "Back in October 2007, I started my own resume-writing business. I used my economic stimulus package as an investment in my company, and purchased the design services of a graphic artist- the result of which is my company logo. Branding is important and I sought to create a way to convey my company mission and the services I render to clients. A little different than having a materialistic item, but I am hoping this expense will help me grow my business by having an identifiable image. And, by the way, I used a local, independent company - and supported a small business! Go local and sustainable!"

  Dawn Rasmussen, 40, President/Resume Writing/Pathfinder Writing and Career Services
  Portland, Oregon

  19th Jun 2008 in Other | Discuss (3) |

• How my dad lost his money thanks to the VA

  

  "My dad asked me to tell his story: He's a disabled veteran. He worked till retirement from GM in 1993. In 1994, he and my then teenage brother were wrestling hen my dad fell and broke his neck. He's been a quadriplegic ever since. My parents live on a fixed income from his retirement and they were really looking forward to the $600. They have been having problems with Haley VA Hospital taking money out of his social security, or any other money that comes via the government. They have been paying bills from the VA Hospital for years, yet it seems that years later some charge or another pops up. This time the VA Hospital claimed all but $218 of the rebate check. This rebate wasn't supposed to be for bills, but to stimulate the economy. My parents paid the amount they were billed for this month, but the VA took extra. This just isn't right, but when you complain to the VA, you get nothing but red tape. My parents needed this money very badly. The wheelchair van is broken down again (damn Ford) and the stove went out on them too. I couldn't think of anything else to do so I gave them my rebate check. The VA sucks. They don't care about a 68 year old retiree quadriplegic who wasn't in a war. He was serving during the period between Korea and Vietnam, during the cold war where we could have been at war any moment. He wasn't wounded in battle, so they don't care. He falls by the wayside and my parents end up balancing on the thin edge every month. I give them every dime I can."

  Aimee Charbeneau, 35, graphic artist
  Tampa, FL

  18th Jun 2008 in Other | Discuss (10) |

• stimulatin the economy a buck64aday

  

  "$600 divided by 365 days is $1.64383. so here i am, the help the government never knew it would get. i'm stimulating the economy a buck64aday, recording my daily purchases at http://buck64aday.blogspot.com thanks government. its not even a cup of coffee. "

  the bfs, 33
  New York, NY

  18th Jun 2008 in Other | Discuss (14) |

• A nice Token, but no real Econimic Fix

  

  "I spent my Economic Stimulus Check on Adobe Audition (Sound Software). I look forward to transferring my 78s, 45s, and LPs to Mp3s and cleaning up the sound!"

  Gregory M, 40, Human Directional / Volunteer / Disability
  San Diego, CA

  14th Jun 2008 in Other | Discuss (2) |

• I would, if I could...

  

  "I couldn't spend my stimulus check nor could my siblings because we are all over 17 years old (21,19,18) and did not each make over $3,000 during the past year. So when the special day finally arrived, my mother only got her $600 check in the mail and nothing for her three college students. I would have used my check to go visit Chicago and pay some bills. I guess I'll have to wait until I finally score a summer job to put some money back in the system."

  Alexandra Simone, 21, Student
  Pomona, NY

  13th Jun 2008 in Other | Discuss (3) |

• I got jacked!!

  

  "I didn't buy anything. in fact, i was supposed to get 600 back and i only got back $223! the feds jacked my money!"

  sturdy sturdy, 24, Graphic Design
  hollywood, ca

  13th Jun 2008 in Other | Discuss (7) |

• Paid it back to the IRS

  

  "Last year I increased my withholding allowances so that I wouldn't have so much withheld from my paychecks, in an attempt to "do the right thing" and break even at tax time. I filled out the W-4 and did the worksheet to figure out how many allowances I should have. I ended up owing $1100 in federal tax. My stimulus payment went towards paying what I owed. Thanks a lot, IRS."

  Melissa, 42
  Somewhere in, Indiana

  13th Jun 2008 in Other | Discuss (49) |

• What check?!

  

  "Uncle Sam kept mine. The price for getting an education. Isn't that just a tease? i would have bought books anyway."

  Mariah
  St. Louis, MO

  13th Jun 2008 in Other | Discuss (1) |

• Iowa under water

  

  "We had some nice plans,things we needed ect. that we planned to be able to just go get. But then 2 days before our check showed up somewhere in that photo is my brothers house, Our whole town has been with out drinking water for days and no restaurants have been open. so were spending ours surviving a disaster. Thank god we had it. And if you read this Mr. President why isnt this federal yet, we need your help here."

  Mary, 35
  Mason City, Iowa

  13th Jun 2008 in Other | Discuss (5) |

• It SUCKED!!

  

  "I'm amazed at the money most people are receiving!! I, however, with 4 people under my roof, 3 are under 20 years of age and depend upon my income to support them, you know, mortgage, 90% of the food, utilities etc.,received only $630.00! The reason was that only one of the children qualified, and because I had earned so-o-o-o much money blast year I was penalized!!! It does not take into consideration that I worked 1 1/2 jobs to keep everyone afloat!! So I received the same as my single friend, who has no children and has her living expenses paid for by the Travelers Nurses organization she works for. That amounts to 2,200.00/month of rent!!! Tax free!!! Good for her, I do not begrudge her any of that, but don't you think the government could have taken into account the fact that I HAVE to work this much to support my family, and instead of penalizing me HELP me?!!"

  Darshel Ontkean, R.N.
  Murrieta, Ca.

  13th Jun 2008 in Other | Discuss (6) |

• Too Little Too Late

  

  "I gave mine to my mother, who used it to buy food. How else is someone supposed to survive these days on a $1,200 a month social security widow's benefit check? I would have rather the government use the combined payout to ease the cost of fuel for all of us so that we wouldn't need a token "stimulus" payment to ease their pain."

  Lisa
  La Mesa, CA

  13th Jun 2008 in Other | Discuss (12) |

• The way life should be?

  

  "The IRS kept my check to help pay my income tax this year. I heart Maine!"

  Ann, 32, Non-profit
  Portland, Maine

  12th Jun 2008 in Other | Discuss (0) |

• Payed bills and played too!

  

  "Thanks to good ol' Bush I was able to pay off 2 high interest credit cards (so now I'm on my way to being debt free!!!Yay!) and I bought myself some Marc Jacobs "Daisy" perfume (because I had to!) and I bought a new cell phone and got rid of verizon wireless! I felt bad that I didn't buy much but at least I payed bills and had a little left to play with...I did as I was told and I stimulated the economy!Obama 2008!"

  Tyra B, 22, Investment Banking
  New Hyde Park, New York

  12th Jun 2008 in Debt/Credit Card, Other | Discuss (3) |

• Was mine to begin with.

  

  "Stimulus MY FOOT. That money was mine and the government gave it back to me. I spent it my way!"

  All Patriots, 35, Shuttle Mech Tech
  Cocoa, Florida

  12th Jun 2008 in Other | Discuss (1) |

• Bring On The Recession!

  

  "My husband and I put our money in savings so that one day (if prices keep dropping) we can afford to buy a home in Los Angeles and throw an awesome house warming party like this! Bring on the recession!"

  Erin & Adam, 27, ART
  Los Angeles, CA

  11th Jun 2008 in Home & Garden, Rent/Mortgage, Other | Discuss (1) |

• Buying "the life"

  

  "I have paid for my green card renewal to be able to remain living, working and paying taxes in this country (by choice). IRS went in full to INS - how symbolic."

  Byba, 26, technical support
  Brooklyn, NY

  11th Jun 2008 in Other | Discuss (3) |