The latest round of stimulus checks from the federal government are on their way to many Americans. It's the third round of direct payments since the pandemic began, and for many people, they couldn’t arrive soon enough.
We asked NHPR listeners how they plan to use the money, and received a variety of responses.
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Here are a few of the responses we received:
Pat Lynch: I have received my $1,400 stimulus, and my original plan was to pay $700 on my credit card and use the remaining $700 for an eye exam and glasses – I have no insurance. However just doing my budget, the glasses will definitely be purchased as they are greatly needed, but the amount put on my credit card will be significantly less as I will not be making enough to cover my basic expenses this month. I lost my job at the beginning of the pandemic and am currently doing gig work.
Jennifer Day: A good portion is going to pay for my quarterly property taxes that are due at the end of the month. I will be putting some against credit card debt. Lastly, I plan to purchase an Epson printer/scanner/copier as I haven't had one at home that works in a very long time.
Carol Stewart: As with the first stimulus checks, we opted to donate the proceeds to our church's community project "Feeding our Children Together" effort. Plymouth has a number of kids who are hunger deficient. Our church partners with other entities to provide sufficient meals for the weekend to kids who are known to be reliant on other than school lunches. With the pandemic, this need is even greater because most of them are not physically in school.
Deborah: Just before Christmas, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Once it’s safe to gather with others, I want to use the stimulus money to have a large gathering to thank all the friends and family who have been so wonderfully supportive during this extra trying time.
Lloyd Stockwell: Will put aside for high fuel costs and higher taxes.
Beth Salerno: We are grateful for the relief money going out. But since we haven't been impacted as hard as many, we are donating ours to the New Hampshire Food Bank and other organizations working to ameliorate the impacts of loss (of jobs, housing, family members - there's been plenty to go around).
Katherine Darges, Bethlehem: I plan to spend some of the money locally to have my mechanic make some much-needed repairs on my car. And I'll bring home a couple of "growlers" from "rek' lis," Bethlehem's brew pub. I'll save the rest for the time being. I'm sure something will come up!
Richard B., Walpole: I woke up to find the stimulus deposited into my bank account. I am planning on using the monies to pay off my car insurance, pay a little extra on three different bills, and have some repairs done on my car. As I am currently homeless and sleeping on couches and my car I am planning on buying a tent, and camping equipment to better facilitate my homelessness. Lastly, I am planning to save a little to have for emergencies.
