iPad Pro Are you guys getting a new iPad Pro or a MacBook Pro with Stimi Check ?

[rui no onna]

I think these are pretty good points. From what I read, 64% of Americans are unprepared for retirement with little or no savings. Unless they want to work until death, most will have a tough retirement, if not that of poverty. The urge to consume all the time and buy what pleases us on huge revolving credit card debt is one of the main issues.

I think one of the hardest things to do is striking a balance.

Of course, you need to save for the future. On the other hand, the only sure things in life are death and taxes. Fiscal responsibility is a must, absolutely. That said, nothing wrong with treating yourself if your finances can handle it.

 

[rui no onna]

Tell me about it. You see it every year here with people just having to upgrade every single year their iPhones or being on the Apple Upgrade plan and not realizing they’re never going to own their phone. Ultimately to each their own, but it’s a big issue that no one takes time to think about.

I have a cousin who upgrades his TV and iPhone every year. He makes good money and he's an absolute cheapskate in everything else so if it makes him happy, then more power to him.

 

[Johnny Steps]

I have a cousin who upgrades his TV and iPhone every year. He makes good money and he's an absolute cheapskate in everything else so if it makes him happy, then more power to him.

That sounds about right actually. I think people who genuinely earn a lot will “spend” a lot on one particular thing like vacations or a hobby, but absolutely be frugal on other things. It’s the whole rich people stay rich by not spending.

 

[Richard8655]

I think one of the hardest things to do is striking a balance.

Of course, you need to save for the future. On the other hand, the only sure things in life are death and taxes. Fiscal responsibility is a must, absolutely. That said, nothing wrong with treating yourself if your finances can handle it.

For sure striking a balance is the key. The point I was making is too many folks are up to their ears in credit card debt and will use the stimi check to buy some toy that's better put to retirement or emergency savings, or paying off the debt. But then that's their choice, obviously.

 

[rui no onna]

That sounds about right actually. I think people who genuinely earn a lot will “spend” a lot on one particular thing like vacations or a hobby, but absolutely be frugal on other things. It’s the whole rich people stay rich by not spending.

I don't know what your definition of "genuinely earns a lot" is. I don't think he's making 6 figures. However, certainly more than enough to cover necessities and still have money left over.

 

[skottichan]

I would have, but my fiancée and I both got our new iPads (and her M1 MBA) already.

I think I'm going to sit on my stimulus, I'm waiting to see what the AS iMacs are like.

(Fiancée is getting more cosplay stuff)

 

[djlythium]

Nope, I’ll be using mine to help pay the $500+ it’s gonna cost me to file paperwork with the state to take NCLEX and get my RN license.

????????

 

[nrvna76]

Tell me about it. You see it every year here with people just having to upgrade every single year their iPhones or being on the Apple Upgrade plan and not realizing they’re never going to own their phone. Ultimately to each their own, but it’s a big issue that no one takes time to think about.

This comes up a lot on this site. And like further posts stated it is about balance. However, you do own the phone on the IUP, it’s just like any other financing method and actually doesn’t cost that much more than upgrading every other year, if you’re the type to buy AppleCare.

I also just bought a pair of AirPods Max that I don’t need so I guess I’m not the best use case, being a member of this community does not help at all.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

Nope, I’ll be using mine to help pay the $500+ it’s gonna cost me to file paperwork with the state to take NCLEX and get my RN license.

Smart career move. You’ll never lack for a job wherever you decide to go.

 

[LogicalApex]

I hope this isn’t a political question but.... If you dont need a stimulus check then what are you supposed to do with it?



I know this money can make a huge difference for a lot of people so I’m all for the government doing something for them. But what are people supposed to do if they weren’t financially wrecked? Again, sorry for being dumb on this but last year when I was looking for answers then I was told so many things about what the money is for and I’m still lost...

”The money is to stimulate economy”
“The money is to save in case you get hit later”
“The money is to pay off loans”
”The money is to help people you know”
“The money is to spend on local small businesses so they survive”
“Its your taxes, spend it how you want”

That first one is what I heard (and seen) the most. We were given “stimulus money” to stimulate the economy but that doesn’t make sense when most people just went out and spent it all at Apple and Amazon? The government giving us money in order to make the richest companies in the world even richer just doesnt seem right.


For me then last year I honestly didn’t know what to do so I saved half and used the other half to help friends who were hit pretty badly. But I still have that other half and now i feel bad leaving it in the bank if it’s intended to be put in the economy.

The easiest way I can think of explaining the money is that it is a lot like a firehose when trying to put out a fire. The goal is to not only put the fire out, but to also limit its spreading as well. The spray of the hose will hit the fire and things around the fire and the air will take some of it and have it hitting other stuff completely unrelated as well. That doesn't make the fire hose useless though.

The pandemic aid payments are similar in that they are aiming to offer bridges to people who've been really devastated under the current realities so they can pay for basic needs and at the same time they are to offer buoyancy to those who haven't been impacted at all to ensure they spend money to keep things flowing. As a result, how one should use the money will vary quite widely based on their individual circumstances and there aren't really many "wrong" ways to use it.

I'd suggest using the money to eliminate debt if you have any and if you don't have debt to burn off then I'd use it to fuel you Emergency Fund so you have 6 months - 1 year available if things start to slide down for you. If you've covered all that then spending it or investing or whatever else you want to do seems fair game. Once things start to go back to normal you can then use the money to "stimulate" things a bit more.

But don't feel guilty to matter what you do. It is your money and only you can decide what's the best choice for your given situation.

 

[LizKat]

I hope this isn’t a political question but.... If you dont need a stimulus check then what are you supposed to do with it?



I know this money can make a huge difference for a lot of people so I’m all for the government doing something for them. But what are people supposed to do if they weren’t financially wrecked? Again, sorry for being dumb on this but last year when I was looking for answers then I was told so many things about what the money is for and I’m still lost...

”The money is to stimulate economy”
“The money is to save in case you get hit later”
“The money is to pay off loans”
”The money is to help people you know”
“The money is to spend on local small businesses so they survive”
“Its your taxes, spend it how you want”

That first one is what I heard (and seen) the most. We were given “stimulus money” to stimulate the economy but that doesn’t make sense when most people just went out and spent it all at Apple and Amazon? The government giving us money in order to make the richest companies in the world even richer just doesnt seem right.


For me then last year I honestly didn’t know what to do so I saved half and used the other half to help friends who were hit pretty badly. But I still have that other half and now i feel bad leaving it in the bank if it’s intended to be put in the economy.

I've decided to use about half of mine as donation to the local public library. In this rural area it will go a long way and get spent on things that do depend on patrons' donations like a variety of special kids' summer programs and extra book purchases.

 

[Mac... nificent]

I think I'm going to sit on my stimulus

Don't sit on it too long, because if it falls asleep then when you get up you're stimulus will get that "pins and needles" feeling....