It’s not too often you get $1,200 cash, no strings attached.
So with that in mind, readers of The Dominion Post were asked what they would do with their stimulus money, which is tax-free, when they receive it.
People who provided direct deposit information on their tax returns received their money first. Paper checks started being mailed out Friday.
The answers ranged from home repairs to paying taxes, going on vacation to getting a new set of golf clubs. There was also saving the money for others or donating to a food pantry.
Here’s what Dominion Post readers said:
Amanda McCarty of Terra Alta is using the money to pay a “ridiculous” electric bill, do some vehicle maintenance and repairs around the house. Plumbing repairs will have to wait, she added.
“We’ll put the rest in savings,” McCarty said in an email. “We don’t normally have an emergency fund.”
Brian McCommon, a Morgantown realtor, will use his money in local restaurants and businesses, with an emphasis on small businesses.
“I hope others will do the same,” he said. “I normally save and invest additional funds, but these funds are intended to save our economy.”
Stephen Steffan Jr., who lives at Alpine Lake Resort in Terra Alta, bought a new set of golf clubs.
“As of right now, only the property owners can play at Alpine,” he said. “I also bought a nice push cart to walk the course because the motorized carts have not been put out yet.”
Vickie Hilling Huey of Morgantown plans to go on vacation when the U.S. opens up.
Janice Falkenstein Denison of Morgantown is going to use her stimulus money to pay her federal and state taxes.
“They’re getting it back,” she said.
Aaron Wargo of Morgantown is putting the money toward paying for knee surgery he had in February.
Morgantown resident Tressa Stevens is saving her stimulus money so she can help others, while Jesica Vannoy of Morgantown said her check is going to be spent at a local business for car repairs.
Kimberlea Weaver-Dean of Grafton has some practical plans for her check.
“I want to pay all of my utilities ahead for at least five months, leaving only my rent and car insurance to pay monthly.” Weaver-Dean said. If there is anything left over, then it will go into a savings account.
Retired federal government employee Judy K. Ball of Morgantown said she has not yet received her stimulus check.
“What will I do with it if it ever arrives?” she wrote. “I am more fortunate than many. I am a retired Fed with a pension, so my income is not affected by the pandemic. My plan was to donate all or most of the payment. Obviously, I can’t act on that plan if the payment never arrives. And frankly, I’m not optimistic that it ever will.”
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