By jingo, buy American.

I love clip-art.

Someone sent me a link to this article about the supposed tax rebate, which I've been planning to spend on debt all along because that's just how I roll.

Some highlights, starting with the idea that this isn't free money. It's actually your money, in advance (so don't plan Spring Break 2009 just yet):

"To produce this cash, Congress created a one-time tax credit to reduce taxable income for most taxpayers this year.

"Normally, you wouldn’t see that cash until the spring of 2009, when you filed your 2008 return. But Congress wants to speed that money to you now, so checks will start going out in May.

"Remember, this is your money you're getting back, and the rebate checks are basically an advance on your 2009 refund. When similar rebates were sent out in 2001, said tax expert Mark Luscombe, "a lot of people were upset to see their (next) refund reduced."

So here's what people plan to do with their money:

"Forty-seven percent of those polled by Harris Interactive for CCH and 42% polled by Zogby International for TransUnion said they planned to use the checks to pay down debt."

"Middle- and lower-income householders were more likely to say they were going to pay off debt. Debt payers included:
52% of those with household incomes of less than $35,000.
57% of those with incomes of $35,000 to less than $50,000.
50% of those with incomes of $50,000 to less than $75,000.
44% of those with incomes of more than $75,000."

If paying down debt isn't sexy enough for you, then spend your money on American products. (No sense in using an economic stimulus package to stimulate someone else's economy.)

"The whole point of these checks is ostensibly to keep the U.S. from sliding into a recession. Buying more stuff made in China won't accomplish that end. In fact, it will make our already mind-blowing trade deficit even worse.

"If you care about the U.S. economy, buy an Oreck vacuum, a Speed Queen washer or dryer, a Whirlpool dishwasher or an Amana fridge. Or plan a nice little getaway somewhere local, so you're spending on food, services and lodging that will keep the money in the U.S. rather than on foreign oil."

(At least until you give it to some business that turns around and spends on foreign products...)

Anyway, here's a blog with tips on how to spend your rebate most wisely.