I've heard the talks, the stories, seen the programs, read the headlines, America is in trouble financially (or maybe it's better to say economically)!

Whatever the phrase you like to use, even the BBC have us covered and it's not a comfortable feeling!  I see what's going on around me in my local area. Lots of houses for sale, whether by choice or not.  Some sitting for months without a buyer.   People being laid off. Budgets being slashed, the prices are up in the super market.  My grocery bill is higher than it's ever been so I have to be even more frugal. I try to use coupons sometimes, but that works some of the times, because these manufacturers don't really give coupons on rice or meats or milk or the foods that are really important!  Why is that I wonder?!

Ever since hearing about the money that the government is going to give us, my first reaction was "I don't want it"!  I don't want it because somehow, someway I'm going to have to pay for it next year!  And why are they doing that though, exactly where are they getting this money from?  Were a couple of questions I kept throwing out there.  Unfortunately I was usually speaking to myself - what else is new?!lol

So I did the next best thing I went on line (God bless the Internet!) and started to read more details.  Some of the things I found out are:

The government, our government, does not have the money to cash all those checks they are handing out!  No....that means they will have to borrow the money!  BORROW the money?! Doesn't that put us into debt, more debt?!

Some people say that receiving this money will not affect your 2008 tax filing. That means you won't pay on it. [but won't you have to add it as income? and what about the interests? ]

I guess that's something to not worry about, according to what I've read. Although the last time something like this went out, money to the masses to stimulate the economy, it (the economy) wasn't as bad then, if you received the money, your tax refund was minus whatever the amount you received then, so who knows!

A lot of suggestions are being made, cash the check and spend the money; don't cash the check; save it for a rainy day - although if you do that, how does that help the flailing economy?  One person even suggested buying everyone elses checks and save them for the future when they will be worth a lot more! Is he serious?! [sorry I didn't copy the link so you could read it for yourself!]   Some have suggested to pay off your bills; go out and buy that big screen TV; go on vacation....the sky is the limit, apparently!

I've also read that we should make sure the money is spent within the US and kept 'floating' in the US.  We should make sure to support those small businesses that will need the extra cash flow! That means go support your local or on line small business!

Whatever you do, do it with some sense of knowing where it goes when you're spending. That means, don't go crazy and then you end up asking yourself, 'where did it go, what did I buy?'   Otherwise having it would be in vain wouldn't it?!

I'm planning to use a bit for down paying some bills, then get the kids school supplies and clothing for the new school year (that means an outfit or two each including shoes/sneakers. Then I'm gong to do the one best thing I have been wanting to do but never got around to...no, not go on vacation although I wish I could just close my eyes and do that!  I'm going to invest in some equipment that I need for my entrepreneurial endeavor!  Yes, that's the best present for myself right there!  And for my family in the long run too!  So it's only about, lets see, 600 + 300 + 300...wait, add another 600....hmm, not a lot per say, but definitely a whole lot more than I've been able to hold on to lately with all the gas prices and food prices and not to mention every other cost that have gone skywards since last year!   My oldest will be getting her own since she filed her own taxes.  She will invest in her first used car!  Something she will be doing all by herself, except for the insurance which we have to help with!

So that's my plan folks. I'm going to get the money whether I like it or not, so I might as well use it right?!