The government’s attempt to give you an early tax refund (even if you don’t need one) which they’re calling ‘economic stimulation’ is a farce for the most part: I may get $600.00 for my family, but I’ll be paying it back in my quarterly taxes. Oh, boy! Here’s a list of things that will not stimulate the economy and bust the intended use for the checks:

1. Stick the check in the bank
2. Pay the check back to the government as a quarterly tax payment the following quarter
3. Pay credit card debt (and not regain that debt on the card)
4. Go on an international spending spree
5. Buy Anime on eBay… from Japan
6. Frame the check and put it on your mantle like the head of a dead dear
7. Give it to a charity that will buy goats for Haitians
8. Invest in lead testing kits for the Chinese toys your children have
9. Drive to Canada and buy cheap meds
10. Use it to move to Canada where their looney money is worth more

What are you going to do that’s financially wise, but not necessarily intended by the Gov’t.?

There’s a reason why money is taboo: its often very, very, very personal.  This weekend as I was taking a walk down my in-law’s neighbor’s dirt road I saw this sign: Private, Dead End.  I didn’t actually trespass in case anyone was worried that I saw the sign, took a picture and kept walking.  What I was thinking about as I took this picture is that personal finance is private on one level or another.  At some point in time you are more than likely going to draw the line between what is acceptable to communicate to others, and what is not public knowledge.

Where do you draw the line?  I personal don’t speak of my income to various people I work with, but some family members know that information.  I have been timid to share the actual amount of debt we have or how much I pay in taxes on this blog and pretty much everywhere else I’m speaking about personal finances - again, a few family members know.  One thing I’ve been able to perceive about this - private or not - is that as a personal finance blogger I don’t feel comfortable dumping out everything I’m thinking or doing just to be open.  I would much rather present principles that are useful than numbers which may help you gauge where I’m at, but not communicate the concepts which matter.

My personal financial state isn’t where I’d like it to be - and I’m assuming that unless you’re a billionaire, you, too, are working on improving your financial state.  I’m reducing debt, preparing to understand more about investment opportunities and generally trying to be wise with my family’s finances.  I tend to be a very open person, in the past it has gotten me into a discussion with my wife about being too open, but when it comes to personal finance I’m not concerned about your numbers.  I don’t want to know them.  I do want to know what your operating principles are, though, so let me know where you draw the line with sharing personal finance information.