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12 Things to do with Your $1,200 Stimulus Check
Like many Americans, I received my COVID-19 stimulus check from the treasury this past week. Since I file my taxes as single, and make below the $75,000 threshold for scaled-back benefits I woke up to an additional $1,200 in my checking account deposited from the IRS. It is important to note that if you filed your taxes in either 2018 or 2019 and are eligible for the credit the government will use the same delivery method to deposit your credit as you received your tax return. Direct deposit will hit before checks are sent out, but those are also on their way.
Here are 12 ways to use the extra cash:
1. Cover the essentials
First things first — make sure that you can put food on the table. This stimulus package is not a bonus or free money for kicks and giggles. Its primary purpose is to help alleviate the catastrophic economic effects of the Coronavirus Pandemic. Take time to prepare a list and plan out meals and grocery shopping to maximize the cash and minimize the number of trips needed to the grocery store and additional, unnecessary exposure to the virus. I live in a household of 7 people, and trust me you can make a $1,200 go a long way if you try, but it is also easy to burn through if you are not careful.
