Nine hundred big ones

My goodness it's been ages since I've posted on Money Confessions! Many apologies for my tardiness.

I must admit to being very excited about receiving an upcoming $900 payment as part of the federal government's $42 billion stimulus package.

I've heard some people say it's not the best plan; that the money should be spent on infrastructure projects; and that it will do nothing to stave off the worst effects of the global recession.

But despite all that - I'm still looking forward to seeing those nine hundred big ones land in my bank account.

The question is of course - do I fulfil the role the government wants me to fill in this situation - that of rampant consumer?

Do I take the $900 and buy a new lens for my camera, or a new bit of software for my computer, a new mattress or fancy new haircut? None of those items are things I need, but according to the government I'd be "doing my bit" for the country and the capitalist system as a whole.

Having said that, my credit card could do with an injection, having yet to fully recover from the holiday season. Essentially the money would be paying off my own mini-stimulating spend from December/January. There's also my mortgage, which would react kindly to a $900 hit.

Decisions, decisions.

If you're getting the $900 bonus, what do you plan on doing it?

And what do people make of calls to spend the money "at home" - that is, on items or services made in Australia - in order to keep the wealth here, rather than send it to China or elsewhere?