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Your share of the economics stimulus package is coming to your mailbox soon. The intent of the forthcoming gift from the micro economic wizards in Washington is to spur conspicuous consumer consumption. The theory here is that consumption is off because of the fear of recession, and if we are given the gift of a tax rebate, we will dutifully go out and spend, thereby reducing inventory, creating jobs and income. Economic studies will undoubtedly show that is idea will result in marginal economic gains, at best or no economic improvement in the worst case. Notably absent from the plan are any money saving strategies.

Like most misguided micro-economic control schemes, the idea of giving consumption conscious consumers more power to consume more goods hinges on the edge of absurdity. Where do most Americans like to spend their money? Well, the largest retailer in the world is Wal-Mart, where cheap Chinese imports with a life expectancy of three days are begging to make their way into your household just before they are hauled off to the local landfill. As if Wal-Mart and China need anymore of our money or our environment needs any more toxins. There has to be a better way to contribute to the economy, and you might consider the merit of the following ideas.

Here are nine ideas for using your economic stimulus rebate check. Some of these are obvious and some may be not so obvious. The idea is stimulate your thinking about how you can make the government's charitable donation to work for you in ways other than improving the bottom line of a foreign economy.

1. Make a payment towards your credit card debt. The degree to which your credit rating is teetering on the brink of disaster could be improved in your favor with some on-time payments for a change. An improved credit rating would be beneficial for most everyone in our debt burdened nation. In tough times like these, a good TRW credit score is going to become very important.

2. Homeowners could use the funds to pay their property taxes. Property taxes are another burden that drags the economy down yet they are essential for efficient government services. The money goes back to the government which eventually makes its way back into the paycheck of a fireman, policeman, or a snow truck driver. We need them all, and they are underpaid for their services.

3. Insurance of any form is also a necessary burden that merits payment. Health insurance premiums are troublesome, auto insurance premiums are a necessary evil, and

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