When I first heard the American government was sending money directly to citizens to help them get through the COVID-19 crisis, I just assumed I wouldn't be getting any, considering I've been relatively lucky during this time and am still making my standard income. So when I found out it would be going to everyone earning below a certain income, including me, I was faced with the fortunate challenge of figuring out the best thing to do with some bonus cash.
I was initially tempted to just squirrel it away. As a freelance writer, my work is never guaranteed, and the idea of having some extra padding to cover basic expenses for a month was tempting. But I knew that's what the emergency fund I've painstakingly saved up is for.
Plus, I also knew that just saving the money was kind of beside the point of a check that was sent to all of us to help stimulate the economy by spending it. And I did want to find a way to support people who could really use that inflow of cash.
So, when the $1,023.25 hit my bank account, I decided to divvy it up and do a little bit of everything, putting about a third back into my local economy, giving a third to folks who need it more than I do, and putting a third toward my future in case the floor does drop out from under me.
Here's exactly what my spending looked like:
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