25-JUNE-2008

Square One

I was astounded to receive a letter from the IRS a few days ago advising me to expect a stimulus check on June 27th.  Talk about a lifeline!  I wasn't expecting a check.  I immediately consulted my budget planning spreadsheet.  It would be enough to pay another month's rent.  Talk about excitement!  In my rut, that's colossal news.

The unemployment extension plan is part of a bill that already passed the House.  It will be voted on in Congress this week.  It is expected to pass, but I haven't yet heard when it would become effective.  Can you spell "immediately" boys and girls?

I was ecstatic.  A stimulus check and an unemployment benefits extension?!!  Wow!  The stimulus check would allow me to squeeze out another month to look for jobs.  The stimulus check would also allow me to hang on until the unemployment extensions take effect.  The extension will keep me from being homeless in six weeks.

Of course, that was before the shiny new radiator.  Now all the stimulus check can do is keep me afloat and set me back to square two.  It will retroactively pay for the shiny new radiator.  If not for the auto repairs, it would have catapulted me through July and into August.  Life would have been tolerable for a whole month.  I was really looking forward to it.

But, the car did break down, did need fixed, and did exhaust my Rent Fund.  Now all I can hope for is staying even and not falling behind again.  I've talked to three different people who received stimulus checks.  They all got their checks three or four days after the predicted date, but they got them.  I've even talked to someone who knows two people that received stimulus checks even though they owe the IRS.  I'm really stoked about the stimulus check.  I should have it within a week!

Then I caught the early news this morning.  It's like they always say, "If something sounds to good to be true, it probably is."  It's all over the papers:  If you owe the IRS money or have an outstanding student loan, you will get "We've confiscated your stimulus check, sucker, thanks." Instead of a cashable check.  They've already diverted well over two million dollars worth of stimulus checks back into the (govt.) fund instead of mailing them out.

I'm not clear how targeted this new Govt. scam is, or what the triggers are, but, if my luck continues to hold, it's highly unlikely I'll get a check.  Just keep breathing.  The air is at extremely unhealthy pollution levels, due to the smoke.  According to the midday news, we're in a Stage Two Air Quality Alert.  The particulate level is usually around 49.  Yesterday it was 178.  It's at 261 today.  It's expected to be even worse tomorrow.  They are advising everyone to stay indoors.  But just keep breathing anyway.  It's the story of my life.

Excuse me, I'm lost.  Which way to Square One?