What Your Tax Rebate Will Buy You
Americans expecting to use their economic stimulus check for a vacation, gas and groceries might have to think again.
Around $130 billion in rebate checks have
begun to be disbursed
with the expectation of spurring the economy, which has been hit by job loss and rising oil costs.
"The money is going to help Americans offset the high prices we're seeing at the gas pump, the grocery store, and also give our economy a boost to help us pull out of this
economic slowdown
," President Bush has said.
How to Be 'So Money' With Your Rebate |
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The question for many is: How far will it take you?
If you're a family of four and are getting $1,200, then expect to spend more than half of your check on food.
In March, a family of four spent $625 on monthly grocery costs using a low cost plan, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. That's about an 8% increase from a March 2007 grocery bill. While some grocery
stores are offering incentives to individuals who cash their checks in-store
, many Americans will lose out on this extra discount due to direct deposit.
Meanwhile, at the pump, motorists have been feeling the pinch since oil prices set records after crossing $100 a few months ago. We took at a look at five states to get an idea of how much Americans across the U.S. are spending to get from point A to point B. Using an estimate of 15,000 miles a year, car owners will drive 1,250 miles a month. If you own a 2009
Toyota
(TM) - Get Report
Camry that allows 26 miles per gallon (an average of the 21/31 mpg on the company Web site), here's what MainStreet.com expects you might spend using the monthly
from AAA:
New Jersey
:
Gallon: $3.48
Month: $167.33
Year: $2,007.96
Texas
:
Gallon: $3.53
Month: $169.73
Year: $2,036.81
Ohio
:
Gallon: $3.60
Month: $173.10
Year: $2,077.20
Florida
:
Gallon: $3.65
Month: $175.54
Year: $2,106.50
California
:
Gallon: $3.92
Month: $188.46
Year: $2,261.52
What does that mean? If you're a family of four, don't count on your check to cover the annual cost of gas. It may be able to get you through a few months of groceries, and maybe six months of gas. Of course, keep in mind, if you have young children and liberal food costs, expect to only have about $93 left over after you pay $1,107 for groceries.
Lyneka Little is a staff reporter for MainStreet.com