Another reason why the economy may not benefit from stimulus checks

Jonathan Berr — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 10:44:00 EST

Filed under: Target Corp. (TGT), Coach Inc (COH), Economic Data, Recession

Some people waiting for their economic stimulus checks may be in for a shock.

According to USA Today, about $2 billion in payments from 1.8 million checks are being confiscated from people who owe child support, student loans and back taxes. Taxpayers get letters from the government explaining why their bank accounts are not being stimulated and so far few have complained, according to a Treasury Department official quoted by the newspaper.

I am all for making sure that children get the financial support they deserve. People also should not be able to dodge student loan payments or tax bills. The government, though, cannot impose a one-size-fits-all solution. For instance, what if someone is laid off and is already behind in their bills? The economic stimulus is supposed to help people in need, right?

Though the economic stimulus checks have helped boost retail sales, investors should keep their expectations in check. Many of the people I know are using their stimulus checks to pay bills, not buy big-screen televisions. A good portion of my stimulus is going right back to Uncle Sam for taxes I need to pay for being self-employed. That's another rant for another time.

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Another reason why the economy may not benefit from stimulus checks originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 10:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Who spends $960 on a reusable shopping bag?

Beth Gaston Moon — Tue, 08 May 2007 13:44:00 EST

Filed under: Internet, Rants and Raves, Next Big Thing, Rich in America, Small Business

Who says you can't save the planet and be stylish?

Last month, the city of San Francisco banned the use of nonbiodegradable plastic grocery bags, and other metropolitan areas are considering similar proposals. Just in time, designers Hermes and Stella McCartney have gotten into the reusable grocery-tote business, created for shoppers who need to show off their haute couture while they dash out for Romaine and instant oatmeal. The Hermes version will hit U.S. stores this summer. Made of "hand-wrought" silk, it carries a price tag of $960 (roughly equal to the amount I spend on groceries over the course of six months). McCartney's offering is a bargain, at just $495 for organic canvas.

A fan of committing to help the environment without the highway robbery? For 60 bucks, you can get a FEED Bag, the proceeds from which provide enough nourishment for one child for an entire school year (where, exactly, do the profits for the Hermes and McCartney bags wind up?). Endorsed by first niece Lauren Bush, the FEED Bag craze seems to be sweeping the nation; there's a four-to-six week wait for the canvas tote on Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN).

For the bargain price of $1.99 each, you can pick up a reusable canvas tote or two at Trader Joe's. Next time I'm at my favorite natural-foods chain, I must remember to do so. I already have a great one, five years old and solid as ever, from The Strand. And it didn't even cost me a week's paycheck.

Beth Gaston Moon is an analyst at Schaeffer's Investment Research.

Who spends $960 on a reusable shopping bag? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 08 May 2007 13:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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