What to do with your stimulus check...the common sense answer

Posted Sunday, May 18, 2008, at 12:54 AM

Someone was good enough the other day to forward me an email with a message that, if taken to heart, should result in a profound boost in the local economy. The message was a word to the wise regarding the current stimulus check that if you have not yet received, should be coming your way any day now.

If the government had it their way, we'd take that check and go out to spend it on a vehicle or a new TV or appliance, which they tell us would of course, in turn, stimulate the economy. Well, some very wise person (probably a woman, I've deduced), has generated a better plan and tells why.

She explains that it would be pointless to spend your stimulus check at Wal-Mart…your money would go to China, at best. And if you take a road trip and use it for fuel, the Arabs will benefit from your spending. If you buy a computer, your money will go to Indian and if you shop for groceries, your stimulus check will go to Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala for the produce you buy. Purchase a new car and your cash will likely end up in Japan. Toys and games and it'll end up in Taiwan.

SO, what's the answer? What kind of spending will go right back into the hands of the American people? YARD SALES!!!! Of course!! It's simply ingenious. Go out and buy a bunch of someone else's junk. Then come home and have your own yard sale. It's the gift that keeps on giving.

And the advice couldn't have come at a better time, with the 100-Mile Yard Sale right around the corner, slated for Memorial Day weekend. You buy my junk and I'll buy yours. Who cares if you have a dog or not? That little red, white and blue All-American dog sweater will look great for the 4th of July right around the corner. And who couldn't use 12 Danielle Steele romance novels for a quarter apiece? Resell 'em next weekend.

There's no need to go to Wal-Mart and buy garden tools. You can buy anything from a shovel to a petunia at a yard sale, including a hanging pot with a handmade macramé holder from which to suspend your petunia. And if 50 cents is more than your budget can take today, all prices are negotiable.

It's the perfect answer. We spend….we sell….we reap….we win! It's as simple as that. So, next weekend, as you're driving through Southeast Missouri and you see tables set up along a 100-mile stretch of Highway 25 between Jackson and Kennett, pull over and join the crowd. There's bound to be a Maxine coffee cup that reads, "Finding a good man is like trying to nail Jell-O to a tree," that has your name all over it!

Till then….happy hunting. And remember….don't send that check overseas!

Minnie o'

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Great idea! And, along the way, we can stop at the local eateries in each town (if there are any left).

One glitch, however....(sad to say)...We'll have to put that awful liquid in our cars...(Let's not mention its name!)

I have a friend who plans to look for a bicycle at the 100-Mile Yard Sale. Maybe we could BIKE the sale...(Oops, another glitch...How do we get our stuff home??)

Well, well...we have five days to work out a plan...

If we put our heads together, I know we can come up with something!!

-- Posted by goat lady on Sun, May 18, 2008, at 7:06 AM
GL...I have an idea...get a bike that has a BIG basket! Or pull a little red wagon along behind. Though, I don't believe doing the 100 Mile Yard Sale by bike would be very safe. I'd honestly rather take my chances on using that gold (or so they price it) we put in our cars.

But this is an ingenious idea! I LOVE having, and going, to yard sales. Go around noon, and most people are having a 50% off or bag sale. Just remember though, when holding a yard sale in Dexter, not to put your sign too close to the road...or you'll be paying a ticket that your sales probably won't even cover! (Ridiculous by the way!)

-- Posted by mrsdolphin on Sun, May 18, 2008, at 9:35 AM
And when you're stopping at the yard sales along 25, please, please do not stop in the middle of the highway and expect traffic to watch out for you! And, especially, DO NOT BACK UP ON THE HIGHWAY!!

In case you think no one could be stupid enough to do this, I have seen it!!

-- Posted by goat lady on Sun, May 18, 2008, at 10:31 AM
The 100 Mile Yard Sale is the WORST time to travel on 25. People will have wrecks, and the traffic is so bad, the emergency responders can't even get through. I've almost hit 2 little kids myself because their parents weren't paying attention to them. I think there should be a special speed limit during those days...and it should be like 5 MPH! Oh well...happy hunting to all!

-- Posted by mrsdolphin on Sun, May 18, 2008, at 1:41 PM
A special speed limit is a VERY good idea - and so are lots of signs! I notice that MoDot is finally putting up those blinking signs, warning motorists to use caution for the next 50 miles or so...

Imagine being a trucker, coming through without knowing what's going on!

-- Posted by goat lady on Sun, May 18, 2008, at 3:29 PM
I love it! The only problem is I hate yardsales! I better not let my wife read this or she'll be going to a bunch of them maybe! lol

Another way of using it is invest it in some alternative fuel. But, I'll probably use it to eat out for our anniversary coming up and most of it on bills. What's left will go for getting us to church campmeeting.

-- Posted by swift on Mon, May 19, 2008, at 3:36 PM
Most men do seem to dislike yard sales, unless they're selling old rusty tools - in which case, there's a very good one at Arbor.

-- Posted by goat lady on Mon, May 19, 2008, at 8:29 PM
Husband is a truck driver....never have I heard such language from him except when he came home via hwy 25 last 100 mile yard sale. My ears are still a burnin'!!!

-- Posted by DanaMarie on Tue, May 20, 2008, at 8:02 AM
Simply look before you buy, but buy American made products.

-- Posted by grizz1 on Tue, May 20, 2008, at 8:46 AM
Amen grizzi!!

-- Posted by swift on Tue, May 20, 2008, at 3:11 PM
Dana Marie, your husband has our sympathy! I cannot imagine what it must be like to try to navigate through all that madness!!!

Pray that no one gets killed this year!

-- Posted by goat lady on Tue, May 20, 2008, at 10:01 PM
Dittos to gl's comment! Folks, please be careful! We lived on hwy 25 in Bloomfield for a few years before moving into Dexter. The EMS crews are so busy during this 100 mile yard sale! Please be carefull!

The one thing that got on our nerves was folks driving up our driveway and turning around- so please repect other people and drive down a ways to a "turn around point". Respect the other shoppers. If we'll all use good courtesy, this could be the safest one we've had!

-- Posted by swift on Thu, May 22, 2008, at 12:28 PM
Dana Marie, my husband also drives a truck. He tries to be home for Memorial Day Weekend so he doesn't have to worry with trying to drive down 25 during the 100 Mile Yard Sale...aside from us going to the sales ourselves. I'd rather have him home during weekends like these anyway...with all the drunk drivers on this holiday and others, I feel he's safer that way...though we definetely can't always afford it.

-- Posted by mrsdolphin on Thu, May 22, 2008, at 2:47 PM
I try to look at it as if I am in a large city on a busy street and it doesn't bother me that way. You have to forget that the speed limit is 55 and drive safely. It really is a great time that a lot of people enjoy and have a lot of fun at. I try to be nice and courteous and watch out for them. The same as I would if I was going to a pro sports game or the county fair. Loooking forward to it. Get out, participate, enjoy the sun and your neighbors.

-- Posted by I.B. Le Truth on Thu, May 22, 2008, at 8:55 PM
What an attitude! I.B., that's a terrific way to look at it! You make me feel guilty for having griped about it!!

Last year there was a GREAT place just east of Advance at the Christian Life Church stand. Delicious! Two old-fashioned tents were set up - one was a blacksmith in period costume, plying his trade (no kidding!), and one was a cheery fellow with enormous copper kettles, making kettle corn!

I love kettle corn! You're right. We need to just relax and enjoy it.

-- Posted by goat lady on Thu, May 22, 2008, at 9:25 PM
It is just the new form of the town festival. I say get out there, say hi and mingle with your neighbors. I might go look for that kettle corn.

-- Posted by I.B. Le Truth on Thu, May 22, 2008, at 11:59 PM

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