What to Spend Your Stimulus Check On

Posted on: April 14, 2020 Posted by: Brittany H Comments: 1
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According to last night’s press briefing, stimulus checks are on their way and will hit your account this week. Before you get all excited, make sure you do your research and, before you rack up a $1,200 credit card bill, make sure you are, in fact getting one…

Am I getting a stimulus check?

Now don’t quote me on this but I’m 99% sure that if you made less than $75,000 on your 2019 tax filing, you will receive the full $1,200 check. If you (individually) made between $75,000 and $100,000, you’ll receive less than $1,200 but still something. If you made $100,000 or more, you will not receive a check. I think. I’m pretty sure. There’s also money that’s coming for people with kids, which I believe is $500 per kid. So yeah, some of you all are going to be getting some dough this week.

Why are these even a thing?

In short, these checks are to help the economy. I’m always one to preach a more judicious spending style, but not here. Go buck wild. Many, many small businesses have been hit so hard during this pandemic so try to use your new money to help them.

I thought I would compile some ideas of things to spend your money on. If you don’t have anything you need right now, maybe this would be a fun time to buy Christmas presents and take advantage of some of the great online sales going on. I would advise you, however, to avoid spending this on stores like Amazon, Walmart and Target. We all love them. We do. (I just bought this dress on Amazon and will be living in it until further notice). However, all of the bigger retailers who sell essential items like toilet paper (eye roll) are doing just fine. It’s the smaller businesses that really need our help!

Restaurants

We all know that restaurants are closed for dine-in, but most are open for carry out. No matter how you slice it, most restaurants have been hit HARD through this, no matter how strong their carry-out game is. Order from a different restaurant every night. Try a place you’ve been meaning to try. Visit an old haunt. It’ll be fun!

If eating out right now isn’t your thing due to diets or whatever, maybe buy yourself a few gift cards to use later or to give away!

Here’s a list of some of my favorites in the DC area. If you haven’t tried them yet, allow this to be my gentle nudge to try them! You won’t be sorry. Yum.

  • Clyde’s (I could live off their Chicken #1. Great burgers too)
  • Founding Farmer’s (Chicken and Waffles, Whirlypop and Fried Green Tomatoes are my favorite.. Desserts are great too)
  • Ted’s Bulletin (Burgers are amazing. They also have adult milkshakes and homemade pop tarts that are absolutely everything)
  • Acqua al 2 (I dream about their blueberry steak and pastas)
  • Cactus Cantina (Best fajitas)
  • Pizzeria da Marco (Neapolitan style pizza. Yum. Meatballs are also amazing)

Breweries/Wineries

Most states are allowing breweries and wineries to still be open for carry out. This past weekend, Jim and I took a drive up to Harper’s Ferry to carry out some beer and had our own beer tasting at home. It was actually really fun! Here are some local breweries that I definitely recommend:

I’m also a huge fan of the Virginia wineries and went to college with the family who owns one of the best, Rappahannock Cellars. I could talk a lot about ambiance of other wineries, but if you’re just going off of taste, this is my favorite. Definitely recommend.

Local shops

Obviously “non-essential” businesses are closed, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t still #shopsmall. Many local stores have websites, so check them out.

I couldn’t find online shops for many local stores that I frequent, but I did find three that I love:

Etsy shops

If ever I’m procrastinating something, it’s likely I’ll be scrolling through Etsy. I just love seeing how creative people can be and I love, love, love buying stuff from artisans not only for myself, but for gifts. And, ahem, Mother’s Day is right around the corner…

Some of my favorite Etsy stores are:

Online Workouts

So many gyms are struggling right now, so one way to still support them is by signing up for their online workouts. It’s a fun way to try something new. Here are some of my favorites:

  • Dance Factory (high-intensity dance workout that’s insanely hard and fun, but you’ll feel amazing afterword!
  • Barre 3 (lots of strength training that looks super easy, but you’ll be drenched in sweat by the time it’s over)
  • LEKFIT (I haven’t tried this yet, but everyone I know who has RAVES about it)

Salon gift cards

Another industry that has been hard-hit are hair stylists and salon owners. Maybe think about how you’ll have yourself pampered when this is all over and buy yourself a gift card for it now. I, for one, can’t wait to get my roots done and have a mani/pedi. Sigh, it’s going to be so great.

Photo by David Geib from Pexels

Your Friend’s Biz

If your friend has been incessantly posting all over her social media about whatever it is that she sells and you’ve been curious, now is the time to give it a try whilst helping a pal out. Here are some good ones to check out:

  • Color Street (you can’t get your nails done and this is the next best thing. Mine arrived a week ago and I am OBSESSED with them. Stay tuned for a blog post on this topic alone after I’ve had a couple of weeks to review them)
  • Scout and Cellar (again, stay tuned for another post on this, but, in short, this is the best damn wine out there and it’s completely organic.)
  • My Arbonne Page (I wouldn’t sell it if it wasn’t amazing!)

Anyway, I hope this post was helpful in case you were on the fence with what to buy! Do your part to stimulate the economy, k? Did I miss an idea of what to spend on? If so, leave it in the comments below.

Have a great day, friends!


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