Few plan to splurge with rebate checks

[unhappycamper]

Few plan to splurge with rebate checks
Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Tax rebates sent to U.S. servicemembers in the Pacific as early as this spring may not do much to jump-start the sagging economy at home.

Forget the fact they’re living overseas. Most military members interviewed in Japan and South Korea said they would pay off bills, put the money toward retirement or save for a new house rather than spend the money outright.

“I’m going to put it into escrow for a new house when we PCS to the States” in June, said Tech. Sgt. Sean Petty, 29, of the 35th Maintenance Squadron at Misawa Air Base, Japan.

Married with two children, Petty likely will receive a $1,800 tax credit.

Chief Warrant Officer Pete Candelario of the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade in South Korea said he’s looking forward to a $1,200 rebate, but plans to put it in a thrift savings account.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=52604