MoneySaver

Spending Kevin’s Bonus
(0)

5 May 2009

Not only have I spent K-Rudd’s $900 bonus in my head, but I’ve also been spending it out in the real world. “Spend Australia out of the recession!” Kevin cried. And so I spent. The problem with this situation: I haven’t yet received my stimulus money. So those Gorman shoes were put on the credit card. “Please, please, PLEASE give me my bonus before my credit card bill arrives,” I pleaded with the universe.

Anyhoo, I feel I’ve learnt my lesson, sort of, and here’s a “do as I say, not as I do” list of suggestions of useful things you may like to spend your K-Rudd money on – after you receive it. These things will a) last you in good stead and bring you joy and good memories even if the economy gets worse, and b) help make the stimulus package actually have a stimulating effect on Australia’s economy.

1. Buy a sewing machine (this is what I was going to spend my stimulus money on before the Gorman shoes happened). Yes, sewing machines are generally made in Taiwan. However, having one in your home will have ongoing good effects. Sewing is fun. By making your own clothes and bags and quilts instead of buying them you will save money in the future. And, who knows, you may discover a hidden talent and a new career!

2. Pay off some of your credit card debt (if you have any). This doesn’t seem like something that will stimulate the economy, and maybe it won’t, but it will free you from painful interest rates and make you feel like you can… yep, spend money again.

3. Get a tattoo. Some wise person suggested that the only way to keep the stimulus money in Australia (since most manufacturing has moved overseas) is to spend the money on bars, tatts and ladies of the night. Well, I’m not going to mention the ladies of the night, but if you’ve been meaning to get a tattoo, well, now’s your chance! Just don’t hold me responsible for that “cute” dolphin on your hip.

4. Go to a pub or a restaurant. Yep, support your local watering hole (responsibly!), because those lovely blokes and sheilas running the pubs of Australia need our help. Not only do they chat to us when we’re down, provide us with a place to hang out with our friends and give us some great live music to enjoy, but they’ll probably also be the ones to employ us when we lose our office jobs! If pubs aren’t your scene, just go to your favourite restaurant and have a great night enjoying good food from the friendly hosts. You’ll feel better for it, and so will they.

5. Buy some plants for your garden/courtyard/balcony/kitchen windowsill. This just makes good sense. They provide future food (and home-grown vegetables are inevitably delicious); they give your home some colour; they give you an excuse to get outside in the sunshine (or the cold, if you live in Melbourne); and looking after plants is an enjoyable and rewarding weekend activity.

6. Enrol in a course. Choose something you love or something you think you might love. Try yoga classes, or lessons on how to use that new sewing machine you’ve just bought. Maybe you want to learn how to make silver jewellery. Whatever. There’s never been a better time to learn something new.

Yes, this website is called MoneySaver, but for this blog it has become MoneySpender, since we have a duty as Australians to spend (most of) the stimulus money. So have fun and stimulate!