Stimulus Checks' "Woo Hoo!" Moments

(CBS)  You remember the line from "Jerry Maguire:" "Show me the money!"

Well, show Americans the money - $50 billion in government stimulus checks - and they will spend, CBS News correspondent Kelly Wallace reports.

A short-term boost - but not likely to drive the economy out of the doldrums, because, according to a recent survey of consumers, 51 percent said they wouldn't spend their rebate checks. They'd instead save the money or use it to pay off bills and debt.

While some consumers are in a kind of duck-and-cover mode when it comes to spending their stimulus checks, others are taking the plunge ... literally.

At a time when economists fear the economy is in a freefall, Erin Rocha used her check to do some free-falling herself. She went skydiving.

"It's always great receiving a check in the mail. It's like, 'Woo Hoo, money!'" Rocha said.

She and hundreds of others are posting their own "Woo Hoo" moments on a new Web site called HowISpentMyStimulus.com.

There are tales of learning to play the guitar ...

"I used my stimulus check to buy my first guitar," said Jessica Musikar.

Buying an engagement ring ...

"I spent it on her," said Andrew Fox, pointing to his fiancée.

And saving up for a horse ...

"Probably in July, I'll try to find the horse of my dreams," said Rebecca White.

Uncle Sam paid for one guy's get-out-of-jail card, while artist Tom Toomey, who designs and sells T-shirts, was stumped.

"I could spend it all on flowers," he pondered.

He wrote a song called "The Stimulus Dilemma."

One line says: "I know I'm such a wiz / I'll invest in my biz / Let's stimulate the cat designs."

One man's bail money … is another man's business boost.

[michellem99-2009]

Years ago we could find made in US of A. Today..Very lettle . My computer home library is printed in USA and maybe one or 2 from UK. We use to make,use things made here. So some ones sold us out. who..Sure it was Govt..We can''t make what we use here. If I find a made here , it is junk. Figger that one out.

[DDouville]

I still have not received mine yet, although I was one day late mailing in my federal tax return, I was going to efile but lame Turbo Tax program wouldn''t let me... I probably get it in July of 2012. I could use it about now I am in construction and for the first time in 10 years I am sitting at home most of the week. With the cost of gas things sure look encouraging. I guess we are too busy destroying other countries to worry about our own economy. The American dream is no longer in reach for the masses. Welcome to the American nightmare. It''s here.

[crystalblue3]

Mine went to bills. And gas.

..............so disgusted. SO disgusted.

[rhs648]

rhs648 said,
Again, George Bush is personally responsible for everything that happens. How naive!


rhs,
It is not naive, it is pure irratonal,blind, phsychotic, hatred. Pure and simple

Posted by bretster7

Well stated.

[rhs648]

I expect an economic bonananza in about a few years from now..low dollar value..high foreign currency value means american prducts are cheap..instead of buying local asian or european products..ITS CHEAPER AND BETTER to buy american..means more production more production means more jobs more jobs means more money more money then more commerce more commerce...well you get it..NOW IF WE CAN ONLY ALIGN OURSEVES TO THIS..instead of those liberal restrictions imposed on american companies and businesses

Posted by libsluv2spit

Let us hope that your prophesy comes true. America has been through many economic slumps and cyles before. There is only so much manipulation that can be done to offset these economic cycles.

[keithle1]

Nothing Bush/Cheney can do will stop them from being rated as one of the bottom five Presidential administrations of all time.

[keithle1]

Stimulate this.

[bretster7]

rhs648 said,
Again, George Bush is personally responsible for everything that happens. How naive!


rhs,
It is not naive, it is pure irratonal,blind, phsychotic, hatred. Pure and simple

[avigil2]

To piresh: sounds like you have too much money which you spend on needless things. Must be nice.

[piresh]

They make it sound as if everyone will be getting a check but go to the IRS website. I looked on there to see when I could expect my check, and found out I''m not. Supposedly I earned too much last year - hah! tell that to my bank account.