Published: May 01, 2008 09:25 am            

Now & Then: April 30, 2008

My tax rebate check hasn't been direct deposited into my bank account yet.

I know because since I heard that the federal government was going to start sending the money this week, I've been checking my account via phone service about every hour.

Excuse me a moment, please - no, still not there.

Those checks were initially to be mailed out beginning in May. However, with the sour economy, high gas and food prices, and retailers whining about slow sales, the feds decided that now is as good a time as any to hand out our allowances.

Those who filed their 2007 tax returns with the option of direct depositing their refunds will get their rebates back first, according to the last two digits of their Social Security numbers. After I did a little research I found that those with SSNs ending in 00 to 20 would get their money first. It may take a few days for my money to get here since my last two SSN digits are a bit higher than 20.

I'm still checking my account, though. I had originally expected to get my money sometime this summer, so you never know ...

A couple of weeks ago I wrote in this space that, in the spirit of the stimulus package, we should spend our rebate money on consumers good. Forget about saving or paying off debt, we have a responsibility as good citizens to do our part.

And that means spend, spend, spend.

Well, I'd like to amend that statement somewhat. I'm of the opinion that we can help the economy while also helping ourselves.

We all know how gas prices are rising almost daily, with no limit in sight. Gas is a consumer item, right?

OK, I'm thinking about taking my rebate and starting an escrow account. I would only take money out whenever I buy gas.

I figure the special account would only last a couple of months, so it's not like I'm taking it out of circulation or anything.

And, it would help me afford the ever-higher gas at the pump - at least for a short time.

Another option is to hoard food. I could use the rebate to buy up several months supply of nonperishables. It's becoming the rage, what with the price of food items soaring almost as quickly as gas.

Or, I could plow up my back lot and grow a half-acre garden. Results would be iffy on my buck tallow clay, but it might be worth a try.

I had so-so production from three tomato plants I set out next to the stoop last summer. One plant was blown over in a storm, another produced a number of modest-sized tomatoes and the other surprised us with about a bushel of cherry tomatoes.

Besides my tiny composted plot of tomatoes, I don't know what to plant in the rest of my nutrient-deficient soil.

I'm thinking, though, that I may have to revert to kudzu. I understand its leaves are rich in vitamins A and C and the roots are medicinal.

And that stuff will grow anywhere. Maybe with my rebate I can afford to truck in topsoil. Anything to help out the economy. Oh, in case you're wondering, the money's not here yet. Can't be too much longer ...

Larry Penkava, who has written Now and Then since 1994, could use a 150-gallon drum with built-in hose and nozzle.

        

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