Thoughts on a government cash stipend

[Thrif-t]

I read if you have not files 2019 taxes yet it will be based on 2018 tax return.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Does anyone who is gainfully employed feel guilty about taking this money? I do. This money should be for people who have lost jobs or went from full-time to part-time, not for those who are still working.

[kork13]

Does anyone who is gainfully employed feel guilty about taking this money? I do. This money should be for people who have lost jobs or went from full-time to part-time, not for those who are still working.

Asked and answered. -->

I don't believe this money is meant to "save" anyone from being out of work or not being able to pay rents and such. It's more of a financial stimulus to jump start the economy once this situation starts to end. I'll feel somewhat guilty taking it when I'm better off then many.

Regardless of anyone's personal views, this stimulus payment is exactly that -- it's a method of injecting cash directly into the national economy, NOT to provide for anyone who's lost their job/income/business/etc. Other provisions in the Senate's bill provide liberally for those things as well. Many who receive the money will certainly stash it into savings (I for one, at least until I cut a massive check for our next house). However, our country is built upon, and reliably so, the consumerism of the vast majority. So for every 10 checks sent out, I'd bet that at least 8 of them are spent on random consumption within the month....which is exactly what the politicians and economists of every political-economic persuasion is looking for. IMO, no reason for guilt, beyond recognizing the choices long-since made. We've made our own bed by electing (and continuing to elect) the knuckleheads in D.C. If you don't like what they're doing, feel free to contact your congressmen, and/or vote with that in mind this November.

[riverwed070707]

Does anyone who is gainfully employed feel guilty about taking this money? I do. This money should be for people who have lost jobs or went from full-time to part-time, not for those who are still working.

In a time of uncertainty people tend to hoard money if they have it. They become more conservative in their spending. Stimulus it to inject more cash into the economy. Instead of feeling guilty about receiving it, why not use it to support small businesses who are hurting the most from all this? Or leave a server at your favorite restaurant a generous tip. Donate it to an animal shelter who is seeing a huge influx of abandon pets. Hire a contractor to fix something for you that you might otherwise have fixed yourself. I don't see why anyone would feel guilty to contributing to the economy during what is bound to be a long, slow recovery period

[disneysteve]

Does anyone who is gainfully employed feel guilty about taking this money? I do. This money should be for people who have lost jobs or went from full-time to part-time, not for those who are still working.

As others have already said, this is economic stimulus. The object is for people to spend the money. Sure, some will save it, especially folks here, but most will spend it. That helps support restaurants, movie theaters, retail stores, service industries like spas and salons, hotels, etc. All of those people who have lost out on income as a result of this are the ones who will benefit from others coming back and doing business with them.

It won't affect me either way as we won't be getting the money but once everything opens up again, we'll certainly be out spending and supporting places. We've been trying to do that all along, mainly with takeout orders.

[cypher1]

Does anyone who is gainfully employed feel guilty about taking this money?

Initially yes, but also kept in mind that any one of us is at risk losing our job in the next coming months, or getting sick. I'm going to do my part and give it back to local businesses by getting a new mountain bike or gun build.

[disneysteve]

Does anyone who is gainfully employed feel guilty about taking this money? I do. This money should be for people who have lost jobs or went from full-time to part-time, not for those who are still working.

I have a friend who is a massage therapist. Her business disappeared overnight when the gym where she works out of shut down. Sure, a check for $1,200 would help her right now, but what will help her far more is for all of her customers to return when things are up and running again. So she'll get a check but so will each of her customers, allowing them to get back to spending on things like massages.

[cypher1]

I have a friend who is a massage therapist. Her business disappeared overnight when the gym where she works out of shut down. Sure, a check for $1,200 would help her right now, but what will help her far more is for all of her customers to return when things are up and running again. So she'll get a check but so will each of her customers, allowing them to get back to spending on things like massages.

I just found out the same with another friend who is a CMT, and hasn't had a client for at least 10 days. Basically coming up on 2 weeks of no revenue, and only going to get worse.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

yeah but will people really be able to spend $1200 on massages? Or will it be used to turn the lights back on?

[disneysteve]

yeah but will people really be able to spend $1200 on massages? Or will it be used to turn the lights back on?

These checks probably won't go out for weeks or months. In 2008, it took about 3 months. By the time people get the money, things will hopefully be up and running again.

Besides, if you're getting unemployment, you should still be able to pay rent and utilities, especially since your spending is way down with everybody stuck at home and not going anywhere.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

depends on how much rent and utilities are and how much unemployment is.