Has the stimulus trickled down?

[question everything]

Our direct deposit paycheck shows a few dollars more. We won't see the actual stub until Monday (if the HR person is in..)

Has anyone?

[babylonsister]

1. My s-i-l, laid off in November, saw it in her unemployment check

this week, so yes. I've also read other accounts here of people benefitting, in checks and/or jobs.

[question everything]

2. Thanks. Will be set for a good use

I am getting many solicitations now, from charities where I donated in previous years.

[4lbs]

3. There have already been thousands put to work on projects funded by the stimulus.

n/t

[question everything]

4. Great to know

sometimes even new laws and directives have to jump through hoops to finally do good.

[4lbs]

15. Yes. Here are some links to some examples of people hired onto projects funded by the stimulus

Missouri Bridge Work Begins Under Stimulus
February 17, 2009

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/commutingtraffic/story/A461AC3130E999568625756000731EA9?OpenDocument

http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/1038971.html

--------------

Former Republic Window Factory to Reopen
February 27, 2009


http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/27/us/27factory.html?_r=1

--------------

State Begins Transportation Project Funded by Stimulus
March 2, 2009


http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_145888.asp

[geckosfeet]

5. Nope. Not yet. Direct deposit amount is the same for the last 3 weeks.

When is this life saving gift from the federal government supposed to kick in? What will I see? $10, maybe $20 a week? $100 a month tops?

You know, all I really want to do is refinance my mortgage at a decent rate. That would reduce my interest payout and lower my monthly payment by close to $500. The interest savings over the life of the mortgage would be about $20k. That's realized savings, most of which will probably go right back into the economy. A whole lot more effective than this measly stimulus smoke and mirrors bullshit.

Not discount the jobs programs, but the mortgage aspect needs to be seriously considered. There must be hundreds of thousands if not millions of people across the country in my position. $5000 a year from one million people is potentially $5,000,000,000 ($5bln) for the economy.

[question everything]

7. This is what I don't get. Federal interest is now zero

which means that whatever the banks (and credit cards) charge is pure profit.

We read that the banks would not allow people to refinance when they owe more than what the house is worth. What does the bank want: for the owners to walk away and then the banks will have to seel the house and will not get much, anyway, plus commissions for the sellers?

And they don't want Congress to pass the law that allows judges to lower the amount owed. This is when regulations come: when businesses will not do the right things, someone else will force them to.

I wonder whether you can try to talk to your lender and see if something can be worked out.

I sometimes wonder: if our house were now worth half of what we paid... would I be tempted to just walk away?


On edit: it appears that some do see it. You may want to talk to your payroll. Good luck.

[geckosfeet]

14. The credit union that I have my mortgage with is also reistsing. Not sure why.

I only want to refinance $125k for 15years. The house is worth much more than that.

I suppose that the problem is that they would get less a month in payments. If they won't do it I will just go elsewhere.

You're right - they are lending at 4-5% and getting it for nothing. Pure profit. Bastards.

[scarletwoman]

6. Yes. My last paycheck was larger than the preceding one, even though I had more hours on the earlier

paycheck. Not LOTS more, but when you live paycheck to paycheck just the equivalent of a tankful of gas means something.

sw

[G_j]

8. in NC, still waiting for state tax returns..

not part of the stimulus, but not helpful..

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5240460


Are you wondering where your state tax refund is?

North Carolina's tax office said refunds are slow in getting out because it is worried about issuing too many checks at once.

The department is experiencing a "temporary backlog" with issuing individual refunds. It is writing checks every week, but it hopes to make significant progress with the backlog in a few weeks.

It is the latest fiscal problem for state government, which is dealing with dwindling tax collections due to the recession.

Governor Bev Perdue is trying to close a projected $2.2 billion shortfall this fiscal year.

[high density]

9. I'll find out next week

The IRS has recommended the new tax withholding tables to into effect by April 1 and I don't know if my lame company has done it yet.

[FrenchieCat]

10. I prepare payrolls for various companies, and just downloaded

the new tax tables this morning.

[Ishoutandscream2]

11. I'm paid once a month on the 25th. I will find out then

I have heard here at DU that some of this financial stimulus in checks may not hit until April. We'll see.

[Individualist]

12. Not until next year

I'll get a refundable tax credit.

[customerserviceguy]

13. Got mine on the paycheck from March 6th.

Worked out to an extra nine bucks, that's good for a six-pack of domestically brewed craft beer!