Residents put money into action

By Audrey LaFave - alafave@dailypress.net
ESCANABA — Some local residents plan on spending their economic stimulus checks from the federal government on new items they would otherwise not have purchased. Others anxiously await their arrival so they can pay their bills this month.

Terry Derouin, owner of Pioneer TV and Appliances in Escanaba, said many people are using the money to buy new TVs.

“A lot of people are upgrading anyway, with the new (mandatory) change over (to digital) in February 2009,” said Derouin. “A lot of people are using (the rebate checks) because that helps them get the new change over TV.”

“We have already seen people coming in and lots of them are buying our six months same as cash deal thinking that their check is already on the way,” said Derouin. “That’s been the big push — upgrading electronics.”

Dixie Lindstedt, Escanaba, is the owner of Jose Taco in Escanaba. She was in Pioneer TV and Appliance last week looking at refrigerators and said she hadn’t yet received her check in the mail.

“I’m going to spend my money and maybe take a mini vacation,” said Lindstedt. “Or maybe buy a new refrigerator (for my business).”

Ann Marie Jasso, owner of Carlson Wagonlit Travel in Escanaba, said she has already seen an increase in traffic to her agency that might be attributed to the economic stimulus plan.

“I think because of the amount of stimulus checks, local people might be able to go visit family and friends they may not have otherwise been able to see,” said Jasso.

Jasso said hopefully people use this money to “do something.” Saving the money is not going to stimulate the economy.

“I think people are looking at this as a bonus, as something they wouldn’t normally include in their budget,” she said.

“Maybe they’re taking an additional trip because they have the extra money.”

Jasso also said people have been coming in to Carlson Wagonlit and putting down payments on a trip for next year.

Tom Daley, Escanaba, said he hasn’t really thought about how he’ll spend his check.

“We will most likely be paying bills with it,” said Daley. “We had actually talked about taking a trip to Minneapolis to the Mall of America with the kids, but we’re not sure yet.”

Mike Frame, Escanaba, said he plans on traveling with his economic stimulus check, too.

“We’re using it to go to D.C. for my sister’s wedding,” said Frame.

“We would have gone anyway, but money I didn’t expect means money I can spend without affecting anything else.”

Frame said spending the money is important because that was the whole idea behind the checks in the first place.