How I Spent Our Economic Stimulus Payment

The payment arrived surreptitiously in the middle of October, deposited automatically in our checking account. Usually we get several notices that a tax payment has been sent, but this time, there was no notice. We had, since May, been getting promises of the check, several notices that it was on the way, that the amount had been adjusted, but no money. I finally called the toll free number and found out the check was deposted, along with our 2007 tax refund, in October.

The timing made me uncomfortable; it seemed like a loan that is paid back the night before the depressed relative commits suicide, settling debts before the ship sinks. So while we are bailing out Wall Street with money that could be spent on public issues like affordable education, or decent health care--don't get us started here, right?-- taxpayers are getting their tiny refund, without interest for the delay. Hey, is it just me?

Well, to get back to accounting:

$759.00 to NM Propane for 250 gallons of propane (for heat)
$500.00 2 years' neighborhood association dues
$250.00 10 days' worth of groceries
$149.00 to PNM for electricity (2 months)
$139.00 blue jeans, socks, underwear, gloves, hats in little boy sizes
$3.00 at Bargain Square for a Captain Underpants book, a stuffed Cheetah, and a real redneck baseball cap that says "I'm So Broke I Can't Even Pay Attention"; these were all Dylan's choices and the cap largely suits him. Bargain Square, a thrift store, supports people who have disabilities, so some of that money will be contributed to a good cause. The other $1797, I cannot say as much; have I stimulated the economy?