So have you heard of this $787 billion stimulus bill thing that the President is supposed to sign today? 
- $400 tax break for individuals and $800 for married people filing jointly.
- Savings estimated at $13 bucks extra in weekly paycheck starting in June
- In 2010, the credit goes to about $7.70 a week
- $1,000 child tax credit extended to more families
- Families with 3 or more kids get more Earned Income Credit
- Up to $1,500 for energy efficient changes made by homeowners
- First time home buyers get a $8,000 tax credit
- $2,500 in college tuition credit
- No federal income tax on the first $2,400 of unemployment income
- Unemployment checks get an extra $25 and keep those checks coming longer
- Uncle Sam will pay 65% of the first 9 months of COBRA costs
- $87 billion for Medicaid
- Pell grants go to $5,350 starting July 1 and to $5,550 in 2010-11
- Get food stamps? You’ll get more.
- Social Security collectors get a one-time extra payment of $250
- Buy a car and write off your sales tax.
- Public transportation account deductions will go to $230 a month for those who take mass transit. It’s $120 right now. Starts in 2009 and 2010.
So that’s a nice long list…and none of it but the extra $13 bucks and the transit account applies to me. I might need to have a bunch of kids and go back to school. I understand the government is trying hard to help people. I’m just not really one of those people it will help much. I can take one in the chin so that someone, somewhere will benefit from it. Sigh.