Stimulus Checks' "Woo Hoo!" Moments

Americans Show Off Their Rebate Spending, From Skydiving To Paying For Bail

(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.

[rhs648]

you''''ll never hear about it''''s true cost ... only the marginal bump it provides as part of some fleeting economic statistic.

Posted by bobnjersey

If the economic stimulous package jumpstarts the economy, it may means more jobs for people, businesses making moey, and lower unemployment. It may be difficult to measure the benefits, especially with the higher energy costs, food prices, and the housing slump. Government can do nothing or government can try doing something. Herbert Hoover chose nothing and Franklin Roosevelt tried different programs during the great depression. Some of those programs are still with us.

[newsjunky5]

This is a feeble attempt by Bush to put off bad news during his term. It goes against his policies in every way except that. Much the way Carter was blamed for the root cause of inflation, this will be passed on to the next chief executive. If he started that fall of the Dollar, why did Nixon try his famous Price Freeze. Remember that feeble attempt?

I''m going to buy Euros with mine, the Yuan is iffy.

[bobnjersey]

[From the moment this idea was conceived, naysayers have been critical. Where is the enthusiasm for trying something different?]
[Posted by rhs648 at 10:00 AM : Jun 13, 2008]

the problem with this idea is that the money they''re sending to everyone is money they don''t have to give ... just like every other program they now spend new money on ... it''s all borrowed and will have to be paid back in some form. what''s the benefit vs. the cost to pay back? this will define if it an effective program or not.

you''ll never hear about it''s true cost ... only the marginal bump it provides as part of some fleeting economic statistic.

[michellem99-2009]

They have a site. I was just visiting it.
I got mine at the end of May. I got the paperwork in the mail some time back. I had gone thru a full name change to what my Dad named me. So the form was wrong/Ripped it up and printed a new one and wrote a letter,put a copy of name change order and copy of my ID card. I sent it off . Hang in there. I say if yer meant to get it yer will .

[rhs648]

I''''m using mine to pay for books and school supplies for my kid for the summer college program she''''s going to. If I didn''''t get that check, she wouldn''''t be able to go. As it is, she got in on scholarship. I haven''''t even added it in my checking account yet. Whatever is left is going to be used to help get my car paid off and for food. Those people using it to jump out of planes should have given their money to charity. Obviously they don''''t need it.

Posted by mediamomma

The rabate checks are for econimic stimulous, not aid to individuals or people with low incomes. Jumping out of planes helps stimulate the economy. People work at these places and airplanes and parachutes cost money. Is it fair to judge what peop;le do with their money? You or I might do something different with our money but it is up to each person to decide on how they use their money.

[rhs648]

Uncle Sam short changed me. I got $300 instead of $900. I guess my child doesn''''t count to GWB.

Posted by mizzbenita21

Either you miscalculated, there was an error on your tax form, or the government made a mistake. Instead of blaming George Bush, try calling the telephone number on your notice of how much you will receive. Again, George Bush is personally responsible for everything that happens. How naive!

[mediamomma]

I''m using mine to pay for books and school supplies for my kid for the summer college program she''s going to. If I didn''t get that check, she wouldn''t be able to go. As it is, she got in on scholarship. I haven''t even added it in my checking account yet. Whatever is left is going to be used to help get my car paid off and for food. Those people using it to jump out of planes should have given their money to charity. Obviously they don''t need it.

[honestabe8]

gunshack: mine ends in 13. still haven''t gotten the check.

[neocon60]

dump the dollar switch into the EURO...

[inventagod2]

Stockpile ammo...