Fund your own ‘economic stimulus’

7. Give your ride a little TLC. You also could use your tax-rebate check to take care of some important car maintenance. Are you approaching the time for a 30,000-mile full service for your vehicle? If so, why not get that behind you? Here are some additional maintenance measures to consider:

• Check to see that your battery’s posts and connections are corrosion-free and that your battery has all the water it needs. If your battery is more than three years old, have a certified repair shop test its ability to hold a charge.
• Have your belts and hoses examined for wear and tear.
• Check your tire pressure. Your tires must be properly inflated to ensure that you have the best possible traction as you drive along.
• Windshield wiper blades usually work effectively for about one year, so you could invest in some new ones if you’re due and also make sure your windshield washer reservoir has enough windshield washer fluid.

8. If you’re going to buy something, make it worthwhile. Want to use your newfound cash to save yourself money and help the environment at the same time? Then consider buying an energy-efficient appliance, especially if you’re now relying on older, less-efficient appliances. To highlight just one example: Horizontal-axis (front-loader) washing machines use far less water and 60 percent less energy than top-loaders. If you invest in a high-efficiency washing machine, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the reduction in your utility bills and the discounts and rebates that likely will apply to your purchase. For more ideas and tips about energy-saving appliances, visit this U.S. Department of Energy Web site.

9. Do your part to combat poverty. Have you heard of Kiva.org? Through this site, you can provide microloans in amounts as low as $25 to worthy entrepreneurs in poor countries. Before deciding where to send your loan or loans, you can read all about different entrepreneurs who live and work in the developing world. The microloans typically get repaid within six to 12 months. If you’re intrigued by the idea of devoting at least some of your tax-rebate money to a hard-working business owner who really could use the help, visit this site to learn more about how the microloan process works.

Next week's 10 Tips topic Scoring big at garage sales Whether you’re a devotee of yard sales or the kind of person who simply gets dragged along to them, you can greatly improve the experiences you have at these events with a little bit of advance planning. Do you know how to bring home the gold from garage sales? If so, please   share your tips here.

10. Recharge your batteries. OK, if tips 1 through 9 are striking you as just a little bit too responsible, here’s a final tip for you that encourages some indulgence: How about taking a not-too-expensive, not-too-stressful trip with someone you care about? Short jaunts involving two- or three-night stays in beautiful spots can help you save your sanity and regain perspective, especially if you haven’t had the time or money to take a break for a while. Of course, you also could use that stimulus check toward a more elaborate, horizon-broadening trip — but if you know that route is likely to leave you feeling more exhausted and stressed out about money than you feel right now, then it might not be a bad idea to reconsider some of the suggestions in tips 1 through 9.

Sources and resources:

• “The Two-Income Trap: Why Middle-Class Mothers and Fathers Are Going Broke”
• Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine
• Bankrate.com
• Edmunds.com

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