How Will You Spend Your Tax Rebate?
Like I said: fat, dumb, and happy.
So now Uncle Sam is sending 2007 taxpayers a check to make things right. Found money!
No two families are going to get the same amount. We may get $150...who knows? The politicians don't want you to save this money - you must spend it in order for it to stimulate our economy. It is your patriotic duty.
Well, how are you going to spend your tax rebate?
Here's my first rule: Spend it only on products manufactured in the United States. Guess that means no trip to Best Buy, Wal-Mart, etc. Widening the trade deficit would only make matters worse.
What could you do with $200? Instead of buying a new DVD player, get a family membership to the nearest museum or nature park. You can support your local community and always have something to do every weekend for a year!
Are you expecting $500? Get yourself some quality new or used exercise equipment. The 'USA only' rule does not apply to used merchandise because 'used' revenue stays here in America. Visit the global want-ad website Craigslist. You will find an awesome bicycle for under $500.
Did you say $1500 is heading your way? Now you're talking! Maybe you'll find the nerve to go ahead and get evaluated for LASIK. The signs on the buses advertise $399 LASIK, so it should run about $800 for both eyes, right? Hmmm, we need to talk. Check out the (very) fine print at the bottom of the ad. Yeah, go get the magnifying glass, I'll wait.
Discount LASIK typically applies to patients with very small amounts of nearsightedness and no astigmatism...someone wearing -1.00 glasses. Guess what? Most -1.00 myopes don't wear their glasses and tool around in a mild blur. Discount LASIK is usually performed with an older, less precise refractive surgery laser - you get what you pay for.
If you still want to splurge on LASIK, $1500 will likely cover about half of your total expenses: surgery, facility fees, postop eyedrops, etc.
Make sure your surgeon has loads of proven experience, loads of satisfied patients (ask for references), and adequate time to care for you before, during and after your LASIK. Specifically ask if an ophthalmologist is directly managing the postoperative care - not a 'physician extender'.
Remember, it is your patriotic duty to spend your tax rebate. Spend wisely.
Related Topics:
- Health Matters in the 2008 Election
- WebMD Video: Tips For Setting Up a Home Gym
- WebMD Video: Eye Surgery 101
6 Comments:
It is not anyone's duty to spend their rebate. Saving the money will help the economy too. The more money people but in savings accounts, the more money banks will have on hand to lend, putting them in competition with each other and thus lowering their lending rates. This will make loans more affordable to individuals and small businesses.
why cant we use to get rid of some unsecured debts thats what i would do i dont really need anything. and dont really like to shop would proably save some for a rainy day
Wow! That article was nothing more than one big ad for Lasik Surgery. I admit I wouldn't mind losing the eyeglasses. I am very near-sighted and have astigmatism, but at this point in time, I will stick with wearing corrective lenses.
In the meantime, whatever amount my rebate happens to be, the plan will be to deposit it in my health savings account. Besides, my private health insurance doesn't cover lasik eye surgery.
I struggle to make ends meet like a lot of middle class folks. I will use my tax cut to pay my 07 taxes. For the last 6 years they've ran about 1000.00 to 1500.00. We claim no deductions and hold extra out.
I have got to think that most of the older people getting rebates will probably spend it just to try to make ends meet or to pay doctors or buy medications they couldn't afford otherwise.
With health care cost rising, with deductables, copays and prescription drug coverage and cost going out of sight, the saving for a rainy day is just around the corner.
For all of us who live one paycheck away from the welfare rolls of the homeless, maybe we should be thinking more about who is controlling our future and financial wellbeing and what need they have for helping us delay the inevitable. This is and election year. How would you want history to remember you?
However we use the tax rebate or choose to look at it, I'm quite sure each of our needs will both dictate it's use and secure the purpose they had in mind for it anyway.
Post a Comment