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from the middle class as too expensive and experienced to be employable, and have been sent to join the ranks of those already living below the poverty line.

We've been out of work for 2, 3, or more years. We used to be big spenders and buy whatever you told us we couldn't live without. We're still big spenders, but only when we go to the grocery store or fill the gas tank. The collection agencies are hounding us, threatening to sue us, repossess our homes, or turn us over to "professional debt collectors" (sounds scary, huh?). We've cut back our lives to bare bones: no more movies, no more glitzy nights out on the town, not even dinner at Mickey D's.

But, thank goodness, the government is saving us, just in the nick of time! They're sending some single tax filers between $300-$600 and $600-$1,200 for those filing joint returns. The catch is that we're supposed to use it to shop until we drop and not spend it paying bills. Don't buy food or gas or the meds you've been out of for a couple of months. No.

Buy consumer goods, maybe a new TV or a digital camera. Go to Disney World for a week or take a 10-day cruise. How about a new wardrobe, so you can look like you're in the wrong line when you apply for welfare? If I got to keep mine, which is two bucks short of the maximum for single filers, I'd be out there shopping with the best of them at the Salvation Army store!

But that won't happen, since I owe all but $129.00 of my $598.00 rebate to... You guessed it, the government, for freelance earnings and self-employment tax. Let's see, how can I stimulate the economy with $129.00? Wait! I need to hold back about $90-$100 for a week's worth of basic survival stuff... like food! Down to about $39.00 to stimulate the economy. Oh! I'd better put some gas in the car while I've got the money. That'll be another $25 or so (my small tank is only half empty). I hope those are all consumer goods.

Okay, I'm down to $14.00 and I'll be happy to spend that on a night out on the town... at Steak n Shake for a burger and a shake, and we go Dutch-treat, okay? That ought to give the economy the boost it needs.

The good thing about all this: I'm learning to do without and beginning to recognize all the ways I overindulged myself in the past: a couple hundred bucks worth of business-casual work clothes a year; better-than-I-really-needed new snow boots; and expensive vacations at my niece's house sitting around her backyard swimming pool. Love those extravagant resort vacations! Oh, and I'm still paying tuition bills for my return to college. If I'd only known that continuing education would make me overqualified to work, I'd have skipped it and taken classes in transmission or computer repairs instead. This old gal's not afraid to get her hands dirty (as long as it doesn't ruin my manicure).

Far too many people have suddenly plunged from solidly middle class to a much more basic life style. Who needs stuff? Not me. All I need is a roof over my head, a car that will keep on running (please, God!), and enough food to keep a body alive. And it's good to have learned that, because it's about all I've got now, and unless my $14.00 economy-stimulating contribution turns into some kind of water-to-wine miracle, it's all I'm likely to have for a while!

I hope you have as much fun doing your patriotic duty with your tax rebate as I plan on having with mine! On second thought, I hope you're still earning enough to be able to enjoy a modest shopping spree with the bonus Uncle Sam sends you!

Learn more about this author, Sondra Deuber.
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