Spending Your Tax Rebate

How will YOU spend your tax rebate check?

More government boondoggle, some of you may be saying. Uncle Sugar is just giving away more money that he does not have! And you may be right. But since Congress has already authorized this largesse you may as well go along for the financial ride (and read the rest of this article).

First, you must file an income tax return to get your coming rebate. If you haven’t already done so, you may make an appointment by calling The United Way at 727-845-4357. And please tell them that you would like to have your income tax return prepared at the CARES Center in Hudson. We have fully trained volunteers ready to help you prepare your return. (And please remember that CARES depends upon your generous contributions. We receive no government funds.)

If you qualify, your rebate check will be anywhere from $300 to as much as $1,200. Which, as they say, ain’t exactly chicken feed. So, how are you going to spend this wad of cash? Remember, this rebate is designed to be a stimulus to our economy, which may or may not be sliding into a recession (depending upon which economists you talk to). But let’s also remember – it’s for the American economy, and not the economies of China, India or Mexico. With that in mind, here are some ways you can spend your rebate check and help your fellow Americans in the process.

Do some home repairs or improvements. Spend your rebate money on a local carpenter, plumber, landscaper or other repair service.
Have some dental work done that you’ve been postponing.
Get your car repaired and give your local mechanic a boost, rather than using the money to buy a new car (that may be manufactured overseas).
Use the money to help buy an American made musical instrument, or start taking those music lessons you’ve always wanted to. Enrich your life while you are at it!
Pay bills or pay off a charge card.
Donate to a local charity.
Take a CARES computer class.
If you have one, pay down your mortgage.

The worst thing you can do with your rebate check is to rush over to your local retailer and buy a wide screen TV or any of hundreds of other products made overseas. And let’s face it, our lives are crammed full with junk that we don’t need more of, especially junk made in China. Our garages are overflowing with so much “stuff” that we can’t even get our cars in there!

So, without sounding too jingoistic, let’s all keep in mind that the purpose of this rebate is for the economy – our domestic economy, that is. Spend your rebate money wisely and put America and Americans first.