Rebate Checks: Happy Thoughts During Law Finals...

It's week 1 of the federal government rebate checks, and $7.1 billion has been sent out.

I've heard a lot of discussion among my fellow classmates as to what should be done with the money. As many of us face significant school debt, one approach is to pocket the money and take less in loans (or have more to pay them down). However, that approach isn't the way the government wants you to spend it. CNN tells us "the effectiveness of the stimulus package depends on whether taxpayers actually spend their rebate cash. If consumers save the money or use it to pay down debt or buy imported goods, that would provide a smaller boost to the economy, critics of the program say."

So, how about a [hopefully] fun and light-hearted discussion: How do you plan on spending the money?


And here's a handy chart as to when you'll receive your check:

Direct deposit payment
If last 2 digits of your SS# are:	Your rebate should be sent by:
00-20	May 2
21-75	May 9
76-99	May 16
Paper check
If last 2 digits of your SS# are:	Your rebate should be sent by:
00-09	May 16
10-18	May 23
19-25	May 30
26-38	June 6
39-51	June 13
52-63	June 20
64-75	June 27
76-87	July 4
88-99	July 11