October 23, 2009 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)
Pay off debt, spend, or save? The 2008 Economic Stimulus Payments
Percentage distribution of use of 2008 Economic Stimulus Payments (tax rebates), by composition of consumer unit, June 2008–March 2009
Rebate was used mostly for |
Consumer unit |
All consumer units |
Husband and wife, at least one qualifying child |
Single parent, at least one qualifying child |
Husband and wife only |
Single person, 18 years or older |
All other consumer units |
Spending |
30.2 |
28.7 |
26.9 |
31.9 |
31.9 |
29.0 |
Saving |
17.6 |
15.0 |
6.1 |
23.3 |
21.4 |
13.0 |
Paying off debt |
49.1 |
53.8 |
65.2 |
41.7 |
43.6 |
54.4 |
No information reported |
3.0 |
2.5 |
1.8 |
3.1 |
3.2 |
3.6 |
These data featured in the TED article, Pay off debt, spend, or save? The 2008 Economic Stimulus Payments.
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