2008 Tax Refund Stimulus (USA) - whatcha buying?

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

Lets assume you are going to receive $600 from the 2008 Tax Refund Stimulus package ($1200 if you file as a couple) sometime next month, what do you plan on using the money for?

Me: New Tattoo

Lets say slightly smaller than 4x6 right below my shirt neckline on my back.

The rest I'll put towards my cousins 'back to school' clothing fund. (Cause her parents never get her anything good).

 

[wanderman]

gold

 

[intoflatlines]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rock&Roll Ninja /img/forum/go_quote.gif The rest I'll put towards my cousins 'back to school' clothing fund. (Cause her parents never get her anything good).

That's very generous of you! Your cousin is lucky to have you.

Nice tattoo (to be). I'm going to get my second one sometime soon.

I'm not getting the stimulus check because I am still claimed as a dependent since my parents are paying for my college and such. If I were to get one, I would probably use the money to pay off some more of my credit card bills. How boring.

 

[beerguy0]

Hopefully a new tripod. I've got my eye on a carbon fiber Gitzo that goes down to ground level. I have three older ones, but I really need something lighter and more suited to macro photography. I was thinking about another lens, but a better tripod would be more useful.

 

[braillediver]

Fools.


Mitch

 

[tstarn06]

Nothing. Lucky enough to not be getting one.

 

[darkninja67]

put it towards paying off some credit cards. Already have stimulated the economy enough this last month.

 

[KUNFUCHOPSTICKS]

I don't want to see any " I'm putting it in savings..."

Although buying gold is good idea, i think it's paranoid, if everyone did so at the same time...

 

[saint.panda]

Just make sure to buy lots of German or Japanese headphones!

--

Gold would be a good hedge against inflation and a financial meltdown, but is just as subject to speculation as anything else. For example, between the peak in 1980 and 2000, the value of gold dropped two thirds in nominal terms (ouch). Analysts say that the economic fundamentals point around a price of $700-750 per ounce rather than the current >1k per ounce that is mainly driven by the risk aversive nature of a lot of people during these times and other things. On the demand side, gold is very popular with exchange traded funds, which drives up prices even further. What would point towards rising prices is that gold production peaked at around 2001 and is expected to decline further. Anyway, the direction of the price will also depend a lot on whether the FED is still going to cut interest rates. If so, buying gold now would seem like a good idea in retrospect. If not, then probably not so much.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Transformers. Not the toys - sorry, Voltron!

With the prices of metals soaring, it makes sense to buy now.

 

[scompton]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstarn06 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Nothing. Lucky enough to not be getting one.

x2.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KUNFUCHOPSTICKS /img/forum/go_quote.gif I don't want to see any " I'm putting it in savings..." Although buying gold is good idea, i think it's paranoid, if everyone did so at the same time...

I wouldn't put it in savings. I'd invest it. Two weeks ago I added $10K to my investments and we'll be putting some more in soon. The other option we've discussed is paying off some more of our mortgage, which in my neighborhood, is a very safe investment. Safer than trying to time the market with gold. Buying gold now is a buy high/sell low strategy IMO.

 

[fat pat]

new hockey gloves, maybe a new stick. maybe a nice set of new cans sr225s perhaps

 

[jilgiljongiljing]

nothing...goes straight into my bank account. But that might not be the case when I actually get it

 

[kyleisgreat]

edit

dumb me didn't read the whole title. I get nothing because I'm in Canada!

 

[wanderman]

I am very glad china loaned america all this money, and hope they do it again, so I can trade this monopoly money for real money >.>