# Stimulus Check, what are your plans? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 11, 2020, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-check-what-are-your-plans/851543 "2020-04-11T02:01:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-check-what-are-your-plans/851543/1 "2020-04-11T02:01:43Z")
After seeing all the news reports of the horrendously long lines of people needing food, I decided to donate my check. Mr VOW may have plans for his check, and that’s fine with me. Mine will be going to Feeding America. ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-check-what-are-your-plans/851543/2 "2020-04-11T02:12:29Z")
Ours go into the bank. If we get through this with most of our savings intact, we may make some donations. In the meantime, though, we ARE still making our monthly donation that we have been making for years to Mazon, a Jewish response to world hunger, our donation to the National Association of the Deaf, and to the NAACP. And our synagogue membership. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-check-what-are-your-plans/851543/3 "2020-04-11T02:24:19Z")
The IRS will deposit it into the same account that they are going to take the taxes we owe from. I don’t know the amount of either yet, but it will probably be a wash. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-check-what-are-your-plans/851543/4 "2020-04-11T02:44:57Z")
Since my wife is not an American, mine will go into her old age-retirement fund, which stops ticking when I die. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-check-what-are-your-plans/851543/5 "2020-04-11T02:48:08Z")
I gave 1/2 the amount to my niece to fly her 2 yr old’s body back to Tennessee to be buried with his father. The other half may go to a local restaurant, which is doing a feeding program for the hungry while they can’t have an open dining room. The local Italian restaurant, the local Catholic church (my parish), and the local Muslim grocery store, are teaming together to do this. StG ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-check-what-are-your-plans/851543/6 "2020-04-11T03:14:24Z")
My kids don’t need it, so it will likely either go to charity or to the Biden campaign. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-check-what-are-your-plans/851543/7 "2020-04-11T04:23:50Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > I gave 1/2 the amount to my niece to fly her 2 yr old’s body back to Tennessee to be buried with his father. > > The other half may go to a local restaurant, which is doing a feeding program for the hungry while they can’t have an open dining room. The local Italian restaurant, the local Catholic church (my parish), and the local Muslim grocery store, are teaming together to do this. > > StG You’re a good uncle. The child should be with Daddy. ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-check-what-are-your-plans/851543/8 "2020-04-11T06:54:44Z")
Use it to pay off the remaining $500-700 of credit card debt, then put whatever else remains leftover into savings, of which I have almost none at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-check-what-are-your-plans/851543/9 "2020-04-11T12:24:40Z")
You know, I haven’t heard how one GETS a stimulus check. Do you have to apply for it? If so, how? ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-check-what-are-your-plans/851543/10 "2020-04-11T12:31:51Z")
The checks are supposed to automatically appear in the account you listed on your tax return last year. Ours will be used to \*finally \*get our VISA paid off - we had a bunch of unexpected expenses hit over the last couple of months. It’ll be a relief to wipe out the balance once and for all. If there’s any left, it’ll go against the copays and deductibles for **FCD** ’s impending surgery. ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-check-what-are-your-plans/851543/11 "2020-04-11T12:33:38Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > You know, I haven’t heard how one GETS a stimulus check. Do you have to apply for it? If so, how? [Straight from the horse’s mouth.](https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center) ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-check-what-are-your-plans/851543/12 "2020-04-11T12:46:52Z")
Thanks folks! ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-check-what-are-your-plans/851543/13 "2020-04-11T13:08:43Z")
On my most recent trip to the dispensary, I stocked up in anticipation of the effect the checks will have. Anymore life is like a chess match, always looking 15 moves ahead. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-check-what-are-your-plans/851543/14 "2020-04-11T13:31:22Z")
I think the idea is to get some money flowing again through the economy, mainly your local one. We’re likely to spend a lot of it on take-out at local restaurants, and probably donate to charity that helps people with food insecurity. I am still working and pulling a paycheck, though, so those are options I have. I realize I am fortunate. Each to his own, but sticking it in a bank account or paying off the credit card gives the money to some far-away bank. I don’t think that was intended, if you are still working now and getting a paycheck. Clearly if one is out of work the money is going to be used to pay for housing and food. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-check-what-are-your-plans/851543/15 "2020-04-11T13:56:48Z")
Ah. Not so nobel. Think I’ll blow it.😃 ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-check-what-are-your-plans/851543/16 "2020-04-11T14:25:34Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > Each to his own, but sticking it in a bank account or paying off the credit card gives the money to some far-away bank. No, I’m won’t be \*giving \*the money to a bank - I’ll be paying a debt and freeing up credit for the future. That’s different from cramming it in my mattress or spending it just to spend it. We don’t know how long this will last or if there will be any more stimulus checks if it extends a lot longer. It strikes me as bad money management to spend what’s on hand just because you can. I don’t do that when my pension or SS payments come in, so why would I do it with whatever stimulus money I might get? ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-check-what-are-your-plans/851543/17 "2020-04-11T14:52:17Z")
I don’t need it, so I will probably give it to my cleaning lady. Having worked in development and fund raising for almost 40 years, I’m wary of giving it to an organization. I’d rather place it directly into the hands of an individual. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-check-what-are-your-plans/851543/18 "2020-04-11T15:04:45Z")
I still have my job, so we don’t need the money. (I hope that situation continues) Part of it will go to Planned Parenthood, in the name of my idiot “pro-birth” congressman and FreeDumb Caucus leader Andy Biggs. Some is going to a continuing-education scholarship for a young woman in nursing. The rest goes to our favorite local restaurants. They need to stay open. ---
**Author:** ![C3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/c3/32/3108_2.png) [@C3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C3)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-check-what-are-your-plans/851543/19 "2020-04-11T15:15:55Z")
Ours will go into our savings account. My husband’s company cut his hours back to 20 per week, but they’re currently allowing him to use his PTO to make up the difference. I don’t know if that arrangement will last indefinitely, though, so we’re going to save this just in case we need it in the next few months. ---
**Author:** ![SurrenderDorothy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/surrenderdorothy/32/1221_2.png) [@SurrenderDorothy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SurrenderDorothy)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-check-what-are-your-plans/851543/20 "2020-04-11T15:43:40Z")
Depending on how things go… housing and food. I’m laid off and waiting for unemployment to be processed. If it comes through as predicted, I’ll be making about twice from that than I would by doing my job, so that will be good. And I understand that by the time I would get any stimulus check, I’ll probably know about unemployment. But right this minute, when I’m not going to have any money at all this week and don’t know when (or if) I’m going to get it again, even my imaginary pennies need to be pinched. I was, though, sort of lusting after some stuff from [Kiwi Co](https://www.kiwico.com/). I got a a 3-month subscription for Christmas. And then, when I became responsible for my roommate’s 8-year-old daughter during the day (and some attempt at homeschooling), they became the most valuable things we had. She struggles with math and reading, but excels at hands-on stuff, problem solving, and putting things together. She loves these and is incredibly proud of the results. The ones we’ve had so far, though, have been meant for me- (ostensibly) an adult. So they’re cool, but if I had some money, I would get her some of the more kid-oriented things- the crystal garden, the friction climbers, the unicorn sewable circuit, stuff like that. Also, books- like good, interesting, engaging physical books for children her age/reading level. We don’t own a single book that’s for her (her mom’s not a reader). I know we’ll have the library again one day, but for now, if I had some “extra” money, I’d be ordering books. There are also some adaptive things I need/could use- a transfer bench for the shower, risers for the couch, a more stable bed frame, some form of chair that I could sit up in for longer periods of time but still be able to get out of so that I don’t have to be in my bed 23/7 (in rich people fantasy world, that would probably be like a recliner/lift chair, but I’m sure I can come up with something more realistic). Plus, my laptop is kind of on its last legs. It’s not a serious necessity, but it is on the list of extras-if-I-had-money. I hadn’t actually considered, though, that it was meant to help local small businesses, so if it happens that I’m okay with unemployment and don’t need it to keep the lights on, I might modify my wish list with that in mind. I’m also ashamed to admit that donating it hadn’t even crossed my mind. My job is a charity and also, I guess, counts as a small local business and I know they’re struggling in all this and so are others. We’ve had to cancel fundraisers and other money-making activities and donations have slowed. Also, they’re paying the still-working staff extra because some of them still have to be there every day, so that’s got to be costing them. So that’s an option, too. Probably not to my actual job (although maybe, but I’ve put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into fundraising for them already and it would be nice to give to someone else), but maybe something like a domestic violence shelter or Crisis Nursery. And no, although (like many people) I was surprised to hear that a baby tiger only costs about $2,000, I will not be buying one of those. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-check-what-are-your-plans/851543.md?page=2)