What I am going to spend my $1200 stimulus on

By: relawson
Published On: 1/25/2008 8:05:12 PM

Anyone familiar with hydroponics? 

I want to spend my money on something that is renewable and will yield long term returns.  Since the government would rather hand out short term cash to stimulate the economy than long term solutions, I've decided to turn lemons into lemonade.

I am planning on buying a hydroponic kit to produce vegetables and herbs for my family.  Hydroponics can go from seed to harvest several times faster than planting in soil.  I would like to try and become self-sustainable as a family as much as possible.  Of course I will try to make sure what I buy is made in the USA if at all possible.

Does anyone have other ideas on what we could spend $600-$1200 on that would go to more than just cheap toys or electronics manufactured in China? 


Comments



A few ideas (Lowell - 1/25/2008 8:10:39 PM)
*Use it to pay down your personal debt.

*Buy a new, energy efficient appliance...great investment!

*Donate part of it to the charity of your choice.



You could pay off some of the nation debt (tx2vadem - 1/25/2008 10:11:59 PM)
It is over 9 trillion dollars these days.  Here's where you can send your check:
How do you make a contribution to reduce the debt?
Make your check payable to the Bureau of the Public Debt, and in the memo section, notate that it is a Gift to reduce the Debt Held by the Public. Mail your check to:

Attn Dept G
Bureau Of the Public Debt
P. O. Box 2188
Parkersburg, WV 26106-2188



Agreed (TheGreenMiles - 1/26/2008 11:06:29 AM)
Maybe I'll put the $300 in a bank account to collect interest and give it to my grandkids someday. We're borrowing every penny of this $150 billion, and it's our grandkids we'll be handing that debt to.


Our government could (KathyinBlacksburg - 1/27/2008 2:54:28 PM)
have invested in infrastructure, alternative energy, and other green technologies.  But it didn't.  Instead it resorts to buying votes.

--Instead, it will deficit spend
--By borrowing from the China, or perhaps Saudi Arabia.
--The payment of this debt will prevent other spending on more worthwhile things our nation needs.
--Most will squander their rebates on electronics (HDTV, which will largely be made in China.
--Which will then affect the trade deficit.
--And on and on.  It will never stop because we will be
paying the debt on this for most of our lifetimes.
 



I talk to Republicans and Democrats alike (relawson - 1/27/2008 5:06:38 PM)
I think this is a common concern amongst just about everyone I talk to.

Frankly, I don't think we needed a bailout.  But, if we must spend money on something - I agree with you.  We need to spend it on something more long-term such as infrastructure or alternative energy.