The Checks are in the (virtual) Mail

Direct deposit of the Stimulus payments will begin on Monday (April 28th), four days earlier than the planned date.

The first paper checks will be mailed May 9th, which is a week ahead of schedule.

The special, one time, stimulus payments are intended to, you guessed it, stimulate the economy.

Originally, proponents were touting that the extra cash (up to: $600 for individuals; $1,200 for married couples; and, an additional $300 for each dependent child) would increase consumer spending. However, on Friday, when President Bush announced the earlier payment date(s) he suggested that the payments would be used to “offset the high prices we’re seeing at the gas pump, the grocery store”.

Democrats, such as Joint Economic Committee Chair, Sen. Charles Schumer, responded by stating that “it’s galling to think that taxpayers’ stimulus checks will be lining the pockets of OPEC.”

If you are receiving a stimulus check – how will you spend it?