How will you spend your $13

[clarencebunsen]

I've been spending hours making a wish list and trying to prioritize my spending, even though some are casting doubt on the impact this will have.

www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D96A51G80&show_article=1

"Officials estimated it would mean about $13 a week more in people's paychecks this year when withholding tables are adjusted in late spring. Next year, the measure could yield workers about $8 a week. Critics say that's unlikely to do much to boost consumption. "

My wife says that she plans to stop for drive through coffee each day on the way to work. Good for people like Ralph, but what about me? I have been providing her with a fresh brewed cup right next to her alarm clock at 6:30 for years. I don't think she realizes that next year when it drops to $8/week she will have to stop at McDonalds.

At least Nancy has a plan

www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/feb/12/earmark-less-bill-gives-pelosis-mouse-cookie/

"Lawmakers and administration officials divulged Wednesday that the $789 billion economic stimulus bill being finalized behind closed doors in Congress includes $30 million for wetlands restoration that the Obama administration intends to spend in the San Francisco Bay Area to protect, among other things, the endangered salt marsh harvest mouse. "

And so does Harry Reid

www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D96A51G80&show_article=1

"In late-stage talks, Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., pressed for $8 billion to construct high-speed rail lines, quadrupling the amount in the bill that passed the Senate on Tuesday.

Reid's office issued a statement noting that a proposed Los Angeles-to-Las Vegas rail might get a big chunk of the money. "

[dgriffin]

What about our favorite? The New York City to Albany high speed MagLev Train. 200 miles an hour straight up the middle of the Thruway! Elevated, we hope. Imagine the shock when you're overtaken by this flux-breathing dragon while you're driving your RV up to the mountains for the weekend. The shockwave will push you over into the next lane.
"Jesus H. Gauss, what the f**k was that, Shirley?"
"I don't know, George, but the toilet just erupted all over the ceiling back there."

[bobbbiez]

Woe is me. Don't know.

Still haven't found out if we on Social Security will receive anything.

Anyone know?

[mamastirls25]

Bobbiez

I read it was a 250.00 one time benefit for SS, SSI and disability

[frankcor]

I'm going to blow my $13 on a new high-def TV. That should jump-start the Chinese economy so that they'll have the money to buy U.S. treasury debt to help pay for my $13.

[bobbbiez]

Thanks Michelle.

Let me know if ya hear any more about it and how they plan on giving it out for those that are retired.

[clarencebunsen]

Just in case you have more ideas than money in your personal stimulus plan, email your un-needed spending prospects to Paul Allen:

www.businessinsider.com/obama-stimulus-saves-microsoft-billionaire-hundreds-of-millions-phew-2009-2

Somehow, I mis-understood what "share the wealth" meant.

[dgriffin]

I'm really losing confidence in the market. The prospects for the economy, at least in the near future, are now said to be far worse than the government and the Fed is willing to admit. More revelations about crooks like Madoff and Stanford are making me feel like I'm buying a watch off a guy on the street.

[clarencebunsen]

This should boost your confidence, a clear explanation of what we hope to accomplish:

Shortly after economics class, a student approaches his economics professor and says, "I don't understand this stimulus bill. Can you explain it to me?"

The professor replied, "I don't have any time to explain it at my office, but if you come over to my house on Saturday and help me with my weekend project, I'll be glad to explain it to
you." The student agreed.

At the agreed-upon time, the student showed up at the professor's house. The
professor stated that the weekend project involved his backyard pool. They
both went out back to the pool, and the professor handed the student a bucket.

Demonstrating with his own bucket, the professor said, "First, go over
to the deep end, and fill your bucket with as much water as you can." The
student did as he was instructed.

The professor then continued, "Follow me over to the shallow end, and then dump all the water from your bucket into it." The student was naturally confused, but did as he was told.

The professor then explained they were going to do this many more times, and began walking back to the deep end of the pool.

The confused student asked, "Excuse me, but why are we doing this?"

The professor matter-of-factly stated that he was trying to make the shallow end much deeper.

The student didn't think the economics professor was serious, but figured that he would find
out the real story soon enough.

However, after the 6th trip between the shallow end and the deep end, the student began to
become worried that his economics professor had gone mad. The student
finally replied, " Al l we're doing is wasting valuable time and effort on
unproductive pursuits. Even worse, when this process is all over,
everything will be at the same level it was before, so all you'll really have
accomplished is the destruction of what could have been truly productive
action!"
The professor put down his bucket and replied with a smile, "Congratulations. You now
understand the stimulus bill."

[lucy]

Dave there will be more crooks coming out of the woodwork as the market goes down. While the economy was good there were no questions on investments everyone was happy and now they are all coming out.

[dgriffin]

Good one, CB! Lucy, I'm moving to cash and annuities. (And not much of it.)
Is anyone into gold?

[frankcor]

Ammunition and gold, here.

Dave, that was sheer genius. In addition, those of us here in the shallow end of the pool must endure getting water dumped on us continually.

[dgriffin]

Do you possess it? (Gold) Can I buy from reputable dealers without actually holding it, so I can sell quickly when I want to?

[Clipper]

I haven't got any gold hidden away, but I did have some bars for a short time, and I am considering investing in some. (I don't have much to invest, but with todays economy, I sure don't want to buy stock or add the moneys to my falling 401K.) My only question would be, how safe is it in todays financial markets to trust someone else with your investment, such as a "reputable dealer"? Most folks thought banks were "reputable" places to place their investments and that financial advisors were "honest" people. I trust no one at this point, and while it is old fashioned and not helping "stimulate" anything, I simply will hold on to my money in a safe or in a safety deposit box. Even if it is not growing, at least it is not shrinking any faster than the sheer devaluation of the american dollar. I am lucky in that I live on a stable retirement income, and do not have to worry about "growing" anything in order to survive in later years. My "surplus" cash is hardly of any consequence to anyone or to the economy, LOL.

[dgriffin]

Yup, the two aspects of gold ownership I'd be interested in are 1)how quickly I can buy and sell it, and 2) since I think that means not keeping it around the garage, what firm could I deal with? Gold shares are a paper option, also, but I know nothing about them.