Tip of the Day: How to spend your federal economic stimulus payment

The economic stimulus payments from the federal government will start hitting mailboxes throughout the country the first week of May. Approximately 130 million Americans will receive $300 to $600 per individual or $600 to $1,200 per married couple, plus $300 for each qualifying child. Checks will go out in order based on the last two digits of Social Security numbers and will be issued through July 11. Check out the Internal Revenue Service Web site to calculate the size of your check and its issue date.

The prudent move might be to pay down any debt you have or save or invest the money for the future. (Read this entry from our Money blog for details on investing or using your check.) But since Uncle Sam really wants you to stimulate the economy with your windfall, you might consider spending the money on your home, if you can swing financially.

To help you make smart purchases for the home, here are our suggestions of top-performing home-related products you might consider buying. They’re listed in alphabetical order within each product.

If you’ve already decided how you’ll spend your stimulus check, please share what you’re doing with the money by leaving a comment at the end of this post.—Daniel DiClerico

Air Conditioners (check back for updated information in early May)
Frigidaire FAA067P7A (Lowe’s), $150
Frigidaire FAC107P1A (Lowe’s), $240
GE ASM05LK, $180
GE ASM06LK, $200
GE ASM08LK, $260
Haier ESA3105, $250
Kenmore (Sears) 76081, $200
LG GL6000ER, $230

Cordless Drills
Black & Decker FS14PSK, $65
Bosch 32614-2G, $160
Bosch 33618-2G, $190
Craftsman (Sears) 11561, $90
Hitachi DS12DVF3, $80
Hitachi DS18DMR, $200
Hitachi DS18DVF3, $150
Makita 6347DWDE, $200
Makita 6390DWPE, $140
Makita 6980FDWDE, $200
Makita BDF451, $280
Makita BDF452HW, $200
Milwaukee 0824-24, $300
Panasonic EY6432GQKW, $200
Ryobi P230C, $130
Ryobi P813, $170

Dishwashers
Kenmore (Sears) 1374[2] , $650
Bosch SHE33M0[2]UC, $540
Whirlpool DU1055XTS[Q] , $350
Kenmore (Sears) 1373[2], $500
Whirlpool DU1100XTP[Q], $450

Dryers
GE DBVH512EF[WW], $650
GE Profile DPSE810EG[WT]s, $500

Gas Grills
Blue Ember by Fiesta FG50069-U401 (Home Depot), $450
Char-Broil Commercial Series 463268008 (Lowe’s), $300
Kenmore (Sears) 16233, $400
Weber Genesis E320, $700

Kitchen Knives
Chicago Cutlery Metropolitan, $60
Cutco Salad Mates, $80
Good Grips Professional, $100
Henckels Twin Professional "S," $260
Wüsthof Trident Classic #8418, $300

Microwave Ovens
GE Profile JES2251SJ[SS], $220
Kenmore (Sears) 6325[2], $120
LG LMV2053[ST], $300
Panasonic Inverter NN-SD697[S], $100
Samsung SMH7178[STD] (over-the-range), $330

Mowers/Tractors
Push mowers:
Black & Decker MM875 (corded electric), $230
Cub Cadet 11A-18MC (gas), $230
Homelite UT13122 (cordless electric), $300

Self-propelled mowers:
Honda HRR216K3VXA, $580
Lawn-Boy 10685, $370
Toro recycler 20066, $350
Toro Super recycler 20092, $500

Lawn tractor:
Craftsman (Sears) 28813, $1,300

Ranges
Electric:
Frigidaire Gallery GLEF369D[S], $700
Kenmore (Sears) 9611[2], $580

Gas:
Frigidaire Gallery GLGF386D[S] (gas), $1,000
GE JGBP85WEJ[WW]. $850
Hotpoint RGB745WEH[WW] (gas), $500

Refrigerators
Bottom-freezers:
Amana ABB1921DE[W], $850
Amana ABB2221FE[W], $950
LG LRBN20512[WW], $750

Side-by-sides:
GE GSH25JFT[WW], $1,000
Whirlpool ED2GHEXN[Q], $950

Top-freezers:
Frigidaire FRT18S6A[W], $550
Kenmore (Sears) 7925[2], $800
Whirlpool ET1FTEXS[Q], $850

Vacuums
Canisters:
Electrolux Oxygen EL6988D, $400
Hoover WindTunnel Bagless S3765-040, $250
Kenmore (Sears) Progressive 27514, $300

Uprights:
Hoover EmPower U5262-910, $100
Hoover Tempo Widepath U5140-900, $60
Hoover WindTunnel Supreme U5458-900, $130
Kenmore (Sears) Progressive With Direct Drive 35922, $300
Kenmore (Sears) Progressive With Direct Drive 36932, $350
Riccar SupraLite RSL3, $330

Washing Machines
Estate ETW4400T[Q], $400
Frigidaire Gallery GLTF2940F[S], $650
GE WJRE5500G[WW], $480
LG WM0642H[W], $900

Comments

[Dave]

Shame on Consumer Reports. Pay down mortgage or put in your Roth. Don't buy crap, the depression's coming.