How Are You Going to Spend Your Stimulus Check?
By Tom Peterson
With federal stimulus checks adding some Booyah! to bank accounts in the last two days - people are seeing $1,400 per person come rolling in.
CCCNews set out this morning, St. Patrick’s Day, to see what locals be doin’ with their pot O’ gold.
Danni Dooley with daughter Jessa Wilson were decked out for St. Patrick’s Day on Fourth Street. Dooley said she was using a portion of her stimulus check for a trip to the Oregon Coast and then put the rest away for a rainy day. “It looks so pretty in the bank,” she said laughing. “I just want to leave it there.”
Matt Herriges of Optimist Printers said the stimulus gave him the motivation to purchase a new large-format printer that will help in efficiently printing vinyl decals and stickers. He viewed the stimulus money as a way of getting 20 percent off the large purchase and helping his family push forward in the business.
Meredith (McDermit) Sayre and husband John said they would use the money for “medical expenses and regular bills. We’ll put it in the bank and have a little padding,” said Meredith, who is a sister to Cal McDermit, director of the Fort Dalles Museum. The couple is visiting The Dalles from Guam where they live most of the time. Her son, Malcolm, also lives in The Dalles. They have a boathouse at The Dalles Marina. “
“If I get it, I will have to pay the bills,” said Santiago Garcia while enjoying his lunch outside of Oregon Cherry Growers. “I could take my wife to dinner.”
“I’m paying off some bills,” said Steven Minor while working on a new fence between Hatt’s gas station and La Ideal Bakery. “I’m going to fix the transmission in my truck.”
Handyman Trever Pollman, who was working on a new seating area for Rivertap said he would probably use the money to pay his taxes and pay off some student loans. “Something to push me forward,” he said between saw cuts.
Wilma Savola at The Dalles Marine Supply on First street said she used her first stimulus check to help pay her two employees. “If I get another check, I will pay the light bills. I am not complaining, we have been busy. I knew we would. The people who come here are fishing and providing food for people. We’ve been able to stay open. That’s enough.”
