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More than likely you are already pumped up about the big check you are more than likely going to get from the government. You may even be mentally shopping for some gadget you have had you eye on. That can be a fatal mistake.

Now, I'm not trying to rain all over your party, but the plain truth is, I am not really liking this government ploy to try to stimulate the economy and pull us away from a possible recession by suggesting you hurry out and spend the money at some retail store. Our current President, George Bush stated, 'Letting Americans keep more of their own money should increase consumer spending, and lift our economy at a time when people otherwise might spend less.' I strogly suggest thatThe President needs to read The Fair Tax Book by Neal Boortz.

The Wall Street Journal recently reported that in December 2007, Americans had $944 BILLION in total revolving debt, most of it on credit cards. Spending with plastic cards has infiltrated every nook and cranny of our American lifestyle. In the past, consumers put only discretionary expenses on plastic cards. Now, many consumersare so strapped for cash that they use revolving credit cards to pay for necessities like gas and groceries just to survive. That is economic slavery.

The government's plan might sound like it will work well, however,but I don't think it is the best idea. I believe a much better plan is to utilize that rebate money to reduce your credit card debt. If you have less debt, you eventually willwill eventually have more money to spend on things like groceries and gas. We are talking about basic survival for many families. No economy can flourish when consumers are buried under a mountain of suffocating debt.

Have you already planned out how you are going to spend your stimulus tax rebate? I'm encouraging the plan of using your rebate towards gaining your financial freedom! Here's my best advice.

Do NOT spend the money before it even arrives in your mailbox by going on a mental shopping trip. Instead, figure out how you can utilize the money to improve your current financial condition.

Use the money to reduce your credit cardpay off debt. There is no good reason to rush out and spend the cash on 'stuff' when you can't pay for the stuff that's already sitting on your credit cards as debt. When you are DEBT FREE, you can start putting money aside to buy that gadget or gizmo you have had your eye on.

If you are already debt free, then invest the money so it makes more money for you. It doesn't take very long before that $600 or $1,200 dollars can grow to double or even triple the value at an 8 - 12% return.

Allright, allright. If you just HAVE TO spend some of the cash on a splurge item, then at least limit the amount you use by enjoying a nice dinner at a restaurant or buying that book or music CD you've been wanting. Then use the rest to pay off credit card debt or invest for your future. The quicker you become debt free, the more often you can do fun things with your income instead of spending sleepless nights worrying about how you are going to pay off those credit cards and get out of debt.