Release the Stimuli!

Greetings Southeast Texas! We're back from a brief hiatus and ready to blog.

First up is the announcement that, according to CNNMoney.com, some workers will see some extra money on their paychecks thanks to the economic stimulus package.

WOO-HOO!!! Sing it with us folks..."Moneymoneymoney MO-ney, MO-NEY!"

So how much will you get? The above article says eligible singles might get between $10 to $15 per weekly paycheck. Married folks may see an extra $15 to $20.

OK...so it's not necessarily an AIG Executive Bonus Package, but every little bit helps right? There's actually quite a few things you can do with an extra $10 to $20 per week. Need some ideas? Here's a helpful list we put together.

HOW TO SPEND YOUR STIMULUS MONEY
1. Replace one or more clothing items. If you're Courtney Love or Jon Bon Jovi, you can get away with holes in your clothes. But chances are you're neither, so no need to keep people in suspense as to if/when that rip in your thigh will introduce the world to your nether region. Pop buy the mall and do a little shopping.

2. Start buying protein again. Maybe you've been taking a page from The Great Depression Cookbook and have been living off of turnip and onion soup this fiscal year. If so, while we're sure you look fantastic, feel free to splurge on some beef, chicken or fish again.

3. Get Tivo or a DVR. This will change your life and if you already have it you know what we're talking about. Forcing TV to fit into your schedule provides a sense of superiority and control that some might say is "sad" and/or "pathetic," but to us is "wicked cool" and "awesome."

4. Stop ordering off the dollar menu. Unless you're in college, put on your grown-up pants and order the full-sized combo meal. But don't order them too often or else you'll double the size of said grown-up pants.

5. Pay full price for movies again. There's no longer a need to convince the ticket seller that your 16 year-old really is under ten - "That's not five o'clock shadow, he's just an early bloomer!" - or that you're a very young looking senior citizen - "I exercise and take lots of vitamins!" Go ahead and pay full price for the flick.

However...the economy will probably never be strong enough so that you don't have to sneak your own snacks into the theater. $10 will always be too much to pay for salty popcorn and a large cup of ice with a splash of Coke.