Stimulus

[MarkBarbieri]

It looks like US taxpayers are going to get special tax rebates of $600 per taxpayer plus $300 per child. They'll start phasing out at $75,000 in income for an individual or $150,000 for a couple. It's not a done deal yet, but it looks very likely to happen as the congressional leaders and the President have agreed to the basics.

So if you are eligible for the rebate, will you spend in on photography (gear, classes, outings, etc) and if so, on what?

 

[DVC Jen]

I am seriously looking at the sigma 10-20mm lens. This just might get the hubster to agree.

 

[oogieboogieman]

My wife has just informed me how she's going to spend this check. It's going towards our 16 nights stay in August. She may even allow me to buy a tripod !? By the way, I my use my existing equipment to take all the pictures I want. I have an awesome wife!!!!

 

[gokenin]

should that package be passed that check will almost cover the full cost of the pentax 12-24 lens that will complete my set here is hoping that Washington actually comes through

 

[YEKCIM]

New roof and windows for the house. Just doing our part to help the domestic construction industry...

~Y

 

[mabas9395]

I'm hoping that everyone pays up on their delinquent mortgages so I can still have a job. Been rough times in the banking world.

But personally, either the 24-70 f/2.8L or the 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS would be nice. I'm sure there are more responsible things to do with it, but that would be unpatriotic.

 

[ukcatfan]

Unfortunately, it probably will not be much photog equip. Our passes are up in early August, so it will likely go towards new seasonal passes. Hey, this is the DISboards after all. If there are funds leftover, I might go for a flash though. I would also like a nice wide zoom, but that is probably too much after the passes. I have also been wanting to get some new ink, but that is completely unnecessary when the budget is tight.

Kevin

 

[JR6ooo4]

New asphalt roof shingles to keep the camera dry for us as well.

We did new windows two years ago, 13 windows was $13,000!

Mikeeee

 

[Jeanne B]

I'd love to consider one of the newly announced Pentax dSLR's or a new lens but I'm still very happy with my K100 so ours will probably go towards home repairs and/or debt...boring, I know!!

 

[campinggal]

You crack me up!

I was on the treadmill at lunch with CNN on when Nancy P came on to announce the proposed rebate and it didn't take me very long to tune her out and start daydreaming about my next camera accessory.

Although I will have to say I am vacillating between an iPod Touch,and a lens (the Sigma 10-20 is catching my eye too) or a Speedlight! It is great to have choices...not to mention the rebate to buy them with!!

Whether the daydream turns to reality is the next question...my car goes in for servicing on Monday and I think I might need that rebate to offset what I'll have to charge for its big check up. Sigh...

 

[Golf4food]

I am leaning towards using it to get a new camera setup.

Also, latest word is that the amounts will be $600 per person or $1200 per couple.

 

[Suburbanmom]

Last time we received a tax rebate, we spent it at Disney World. I have a feeling that's what I'll be pushing to do again. We'd like to go this fall, but don't have a firm plan for getting there. A rebate would certainly help us on our way!

 

[DVC Jen]

I am leaning towards using it to get a new camera setup.

Also, latest word is that the amounts will be $600 per person or $1200 per couple.

plus 300.00 per child - right? Hmmmm - I wonder... will they consider our oldest DD(19) a taxpayer since she did have to file last year but doesn't this year? Will they send her, her very own check? OR - will they consider her a dependant/child and send us the 300.00???

I personally think we should get it. LOLOL I mean we pay for everything - including that college tuition!

Yeah - we should get it - would really help out with the 10-20mm lens.

Washington - ya listening???

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

My wife has just informed me how she's going to spend this check. It's going towards our 16 nights stay in August. She may even allow me to buy a tripod !? By the way, I my use my existing equipment to take all the pictures I want. I have an awesome wife!!!!

Again my DH has left out a few key details.
I said the check will go towards our August trip where he will have myriad opportunities to use the camera he already owns. (His camera is only 2 months old.) And he can buy a tripod.
Originally DH was only going to WDW for 9 nights and DS and I were going to hang around for another week. DS and I were going to do a split stay, AKL and then Pop when DH went home. But DH decided to take his vacation weeks consecutively and stay the whole 16 nights with us. Now we are looking at a substantial increase in the cost of the trip, so the check will really help us offset those costs.

 

[jann1033]

I'm hoping that everyone pays up on their delinquent mortgages so I can still have a job. Been rough times in the banking world.

But personally, either the 24-70 f/2.8L or the 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS would be nice. I'm sure there are more responsible things to do with it, but that would be unpatriotic.

hehe i'm with you i hope everyone in my area uses their's to do decorative finishes from my hub so i can go to wdw and out west next yr. ok if not i'll make plans on what to spend it on when i have in in my grubby little paws.

 

[madge]

plus 300.00 per child - right? Hmmmm - I wonder... will they consider our oldest DD(19) a taxpayer since she did have to file last year but doesn't this year? Will they send her, her very own check? OR - will they consider her a dependant/child and send us the 300.00???

I personally think we should get it. LOLOL I mean we pay for everything - including that college tuition!

Yeah - we should get it - would really help out with the 10-20mm lens.

Washington - ya listening???

I'm hoping they do compensate the parents of the 18-19-20 year old dependent, living at home children.... my DS is 18, still in high school, and still at home. He costs more to maintain than the other two kids combined

Not sure what we're spending our money on. Depends on whether or not we're feeling responsible or frivolous. LOL

 

[AndrewWG]

Well, since they are giving me money to help stimulate the economy, they MUST want me to spend it on something fun right? Hmmmm... So many lenses...

That being said, DW will probably want to put it in the bank...

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Don't spend it yet. They're squabbling again. Sounds like some congressmen are larding up the bill with pork (or addressing some other serious problems that need to be fixed, depending on your perspective). This stupid thing may fall apart after all.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

My unsolicited advice on how to "spend" it is to save it. I just read some more troubling articles on how little Americans are setting aside for their retirements. If that's you, why not take this as an opportunity to start saving. The earlier you start, the easier it is.

I vividly remember a friend's father explaining the powers of compounding to me back when I was in high school. I said that most people tend to either save a bit more than what they make or spend a bit more than what they make. He then drew a chart showing how much money or debt you would have if you saved $100/month or borrowed $100/month. The difference was huge. He said that the difference each month wasn't big, but the as the effect compounded over time, it got to be bigger and bigger.

Most of us have the luxury of choosing which side of that saving/borrowing line we want to be on. If you've been choosing the borrowing side or even just not being on the saving side, take this as an opportunity to change.

I've known people with poverty level incomes that saved money. I've known people with incomes too high for this stimulus package that go steadily into debt. It's not easy changing your lifestyle to accommodate saving. Take it from someone that made the change years ago, it's very, very worth it.

OK, I'm off my soapbox now. Umm, take a picture of your bank balance. There, this is a photography related comment.

 

[My2Girls66]

Another thing I heard the other night that people should do with it if we get it- pay down credit card debt. The average American has $10,000 worth of it. They were talking about the interest on that over the years. Yikes! I have a DD that will be going to college in the fall- I'm sure thats where mine will be going if it comes Unless she gets into Dartmouth- families making under $75,000 get a free ride starting '08-'09. Now to get in- thats the hard part!