How should an engineer use their 2008 economic stimulus payments? 

Well, first the details:

From the IRS web site:  “Eligible people will receive up to $600 ($1,200 for married couples), and parents will receive an additional $300 for each eligible child younger than 17. The exact amount depends on what the taxpayer reports on their tax return. Millions of retirees, disabled veterans and low-wage workers who usually are exempt from filing a tax return must do so this year in order to receive a stimulus payment.”

Of course there is a bit more to the equation, so to determine if you qualify you can use the IRS Economic Stimulus Payment Calculator.

Rebate check direct deposit or mailings will be made according to the last two digits of your Social Security numbers as follows:

Direct Deposit: Depending on the last two numbers of your Social Security Number, your rebate should be deposited by:

00-20: May 2
21-75: May 9
76-99: May 16

By Mail: Depending on the last two numbers of your Social Security Number, your rebate check should be mailed by:

00-09: May 16
10-18: May 23
19-25: May 30
26-38: June 6
39-51: June 13
52-63: June 20
64-75: June 27
76-87: July 4
88-99: July 11

 And so here are some suggestions on how an engineer might use their economic stimulus payments (of course your credit card debt should be paid down first, and/or other necessities cared for - but these suggestions should help you with your engineering career including your quest to be a licensed professional engineer):

FE/PE TEST:

• Test fees
• Review material for test
• Reference material for test
• Approved test calculator
• Travel & living expenses during test
• New business cards after you pass!

CONTINUING EDUCATION / PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

• Join a specialized technical society
• Join the NSPE
• Add to your technical library
• Take a class
• Buy a Kindle - Amazon’s Wireless Reading Device

TOOLS

• New computer hardware
• New software
• Update your wired / wireless network
• Update your printer / plotter
• New test or measurement tool(s)
• New PDA / SmartPhone

This entry was posted on Saturday, May 10th, 2008 at 10:50 pm and is filed under Other. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.