Ideas on How to Spend Your Tax Rebate

President Bush's proposed fiscal stimulus package could cost the government more than $150 billion. Is it worth the cost? The average American family with 3 kids could be getting a $2,100 tax rebate. How much can this really help the economy? What can you do to help the economy with your new financial windfall? The government would love you to run out and spend it and hopefully boost the economy. If you really want to help invest in America why not try one of these ideas instead for that tax rebate check?

Option 1. Upgrade your new home options.

If you are one of the few people buying a new home this year, why not upgrade a little with your extra cash? With the housing market in such a slump with no sign of a change these home builders could use every penny. Better yet go right to the source and buy a round for all the employees who have been laid off this year. Of course your $2,100 tax rebate isn't going to buy every unemployed home builder, mortgage agent or Realtor a drink but hey it's better than what is in their bleak future. Perhaps you can explain to them over a round of beer how this tax rebate check is really helping the economy.

Option 2. Run for President.

Maybe your tax rebate check would be better spent trying to fix the economic problems that got us here in the first place! It's time you stepped up to do your civic duty and run for President. How much does it cost to run for President? The typical costs are $50 million to $100 million for the primary and then $75 million to win the general election. The general election is publicly funded so fellow tax payers help pick up some of that tab. You better campaign fast because your tax rebate check will give you about 9 minutes to get to the oval office. See every American does have the chance to become the President, as long as you can do it in less than 9 minutes. Land of the free, Home of the brave, lead by the rich.

Option 3. Go see a doctor.

With health care cost running on average $7,000 per person in the United States according to Catlin, A, C. Cowan, S. Heffler, et al, "National Health Spending in 2005." Health Affairs 26:1 (2006). You should be able to get that medical care you have been holding back on. How much good health will that $2,100 tax refund check buy you? A little less than 4 months so use it wisely.

These are just a few options to help you decide where to spend that tax rebate check. Whether or not it will actually help improve anything is yet to be seen. It certainly is better than running out to buy that new Plasma TV you had your eye on. With the costs to the government over $150 billion you have to ask yourself, is it really worth it?

Sources:

http://www.wisegeek.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-run-for-president.htmhttp://www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalHealthExpendData/downloads/proj2006.pdf
National Coalition on Health Care. Catlin, A, C. Cowan, S. Heffler, et al, "National Health Spending in 2005." Health Affairs 26:1 (2006).