Money makes the world go round
Well they say money makes the world go round, and at the moment it certainly seems to be true. With jobs being lost left, right and centre and fears of an Australia recession, it seems everyone is talking about money and what we should be doing with it.
With the lower interest rates and decreasing property prices, many have decided to become ‘FHO’s. That’s First Home Owners for the unfamiliar 
The Renting and Real Estate category has got a workout in the last few months!
We’ve seen the initial discussions of whether now is a good time to buy and what sort of check list you need to compile before you make the big step. There are decisions about how much of a deposit you need whether a fixed or variable loan is better.
Although the lowered interest rates are helping those with mortgages, it spells trouble for the Australian economy. As I’m sure everyone knows, the rates are currently at its lowest level and is set to dip even further.
How low do you think the interest rates will go? At this point, it seems it’s anyone’s guess!
Unfortunately I’m sure many of us know people who have lost their jobs in the last few months. It seems every industry and job type, from factory workers to financial bigwigs have been affected. Some are thinking about what else they could do if they lose their job, others are wondering about how to pay off existing loans and how much redundancy payout they should get. For many, they just need some help on how to get a foot in the door, and for some, it’s all about building confidence before they make that next step.
With all this recent talk of recession, many of us are hanging out for the Australian Government’s stimulus package. This stimulus package has been surrounded by controversy, with Opposition arguing that the last package didn’t help our economy, so why will another huge stimulus do any good? Regardless of our opinions, it’s going to be distributed to bank accounts in April.
If you’re eligible, let us know below what you will be spending your tax bonus on?
Caitlin
Community Manager
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there’s been talk about the stimulus package for months but there is no indication as to when it will be paid and how, also workers who are eligible for the $900 do they still get it if they recieved $1000 from the previous stimulus? (I was a carer for a DSP recipient at that time )
but if I do get it, it will be rolled into my savings for my house deposit
There has been plenty of literature sent out in mailings and in news papers..you can read it on the centrelink or the ATO website. Workers who earn under $100000 a year are elegible..it will be paid by the ATO after April in the same way you get paid with your tax return.
Mine will be put into my home loan.
I will be buying an air conditioner for my house.
This little bonus will be going towards my overseas holiday later this year. We need a break !!!
Well thank god for the stimulus package! Our $1850 will be used to pay the bills, without it our electricity would be disconnected, the phone switched off, more interest would have accumulated on the over due water and council rates and the car would run out of rego. And what will we do with the left over, I forgot to mention that there won’t be any. How have we ended up in the situation, well my partner was self employed in the building industry. We live in rural NSW and work has just gone completly dry. My partner has been lucky enough to pick up a casual driving job but unfortunately after the home loan is paid this only leaves us with $250/week to cover fuel, food, utilities, insurances and the car repayment. We have two children two and nine months so nappies and formula also have to be purchased. We thought we would be able to struggle through by relying on the rent from our rental property to cover part of our moragage, but unfortunately our tenants were forced to move out after the property suffered hail damage and has a hole in the roof. Yes we are insured but this was six months ago and the insurance company (who I wont name but is very well known and large used by most home owners) still has not fixed this. So on top of the house suffering continious water damage, we are also suffering a loss of rent @ $200/wk. So as I said at the start thank god for the stimulus package unfortunately we wont be able to spend it on shopping like the goverment hoped.
I’m putting the money towards part of expenses, for a well deserved Sydney holiday.
i will be spending it on getting my car back on the road, so i can get the kids to and from school, and myself to and from work.
so thank you kev for the help
I’ve recently migrated to Australia from England and got my permanent visa as I’m a teacher, which is supposedly an in-demand profession. The DET have lost my paperwork and won’t let me work for them, despite me having done so in the past so I’m left only being able to work in Catholic and private schools, all of which are cutting staff due to fear of a recession. This has left me working 2 days a week, living in a shared house when I’m far too old for that and extremely poor. I can’t believe I gave up a full time job and owning my own home for this! Two years of stress, poverty and general hell! I’m eligible for the stimulus money and will be spending it on a well-deserved holiday!! I don’t care whether that’s sensible or not, I want a week on a beach!
I would like to spend my money on a night on the town and maybe a new tatoo BUT looks like i wil be paying bills with it !!! GREAT .
I know exactly what I’ll be spending the package on.
I will be putting it towards buying a new fridge as my old 18 yr. old one has died. It is a thrill to be able to say that the Govt bought me a fridge – or a good part of it anyway. Thank you Mr. Rudd
I’ll be getting my overdrawn bank account back in order and also making my loan repayment, which I wasn’t sure how I’ll be able to do it this month. I won’t be spending any of it on actual things.
I will be using it to offset bills.
My people in Africa need it more that I do! Thanx 07.
The stimulus package is supposedly going to be paid from April of this year to all those who hve completed the previous tax return.
Under the age of 18 years it won’t be paid though.
I’m going to upgrade my washing machine that’s just about dead. I wouldn’t have been in a position to buy one if it wasn’t for this bonus.
Our $$ will go on – 2 new beds/mattresses for the kids, a new washing machine and a set of extractors. Guess who gets the extractors and who gets the washing machine ?? But apparently I can drive his car whenever I like – so I confirmed that he is welcome to do the washing whenever HE likes. Anyway, anything left over will go on bills. So far not doing too bad in the recession. Recently refinanced a couple of loans at a lower interest rate (meant having a mortgage again but hey … whattya gonna do) and general tightening of the belt. Luckily we are in a small wheatbelt town so the temptation of large shops and takeaway food etc just isnt here. Also have a few chooks and a small vegie garden. Not to mention the wisdom of my mother and others who have lived through hard times. Good luck all.
I’ll be spending the lot on BEER, it’s made right here in Australia and will help keep jobs local.
PS:note for the teacher above : if the two years of stress, poverty and general hell!, become too much why not use the money to go back to the great life you had before?
I will be spending what i think will actually be $2,700 for me on getting water tanks for my property (im a keen gardener) Also getting an electrician in to put in some well needed powerpoints and fixing a downlight over my kitchen sink!
I will be spending mine on bills, some old debts that need clearing up, credit cards, school fees. It will help a lot and make alot more people sleep easy at the moment, not having to stress about finances
Buying new tyres for the family car, also remaining monies towards a family holiday.
Well I suppose we are a bit lucky we have our super in a non interest bearing roll over and both work 15 hours a week on a part pension so we were intilted to the last $1200.00 each and because we now qualify for the $900 low income stimuus we we do what we did with the little help from the Government and put it into our bill account thats what all older Australians should do because times are only going to get tougher
I’m going to spend myne on all new winter clothes for my children.They grew SO much last summer that this winter will be thermal T shirts,lots of spare undies,trackies jumpers and sox(you can never have too many).Flannelete sheet sets are going to be a nice change.I’ll keep enough to take them to Sizzlers for a special night.They deserve it.
We will be spending it on a new computer or help trying to get a home loan. My husband and I are small business owners and people don’t realise we don’t earn heaps of money, we take a small wage between us both and get soo annoyed when we are asked for discounts on already discounted products, soon we won’t have a business for people to get their stuff cheap from!!!
Our money will be going on overdue bills and
paying back all the money to family we had to borrow
just so we could hang on to our house.
Much thanks to our wonderful families.
I will use the money to go on a holiday to canada to get married, as Australia is too backward at the moment for it to happen. At least the govmt will be helping to pay for it even if they refuse to support it!! quite ironic.
I will put all of the money into an account I don’t touch and that way more interest will accumilate, and therefore more money will be made.
Nothing! Im not eligible for it as I am a fulltime Masters student who doesn’t get Austudy. So I get shafted by the Govt again!
I am going to get the brakes done on my car because my self funded pension won’t quite cover that at the moment. Life doesn’t seem worth living with floods, fire, our state running out of water and to top it off a global recession. When are we going to hear good news stories on tv.
kevin 07 is still a bad thing.
I’ll be getting my dog neutered! and some leftovers will go towards my car and the rest goes toward buying a house.
My hubby and I get $1800 between us and have have just bought our first home. We will be using the money to offset what the FHOG didn’t cover (bout $1500ish) and the rest to finally paint our kids rooms as we have always rented and never been able to give them a nice ‘princess’ room or ‘cars’ room. We used the original $2000 we got to finnish up some old debts so we could comfterbly get our new home loan…
If i am able to get it and i am not sure as yet i am a single grandparent raising a grandchild and still i am not sure if i get it seen all the reports about it and well i am unsure all pamplets say i do but who knows.
I would be spending it on new beds and lounge and curtains and rods for our new house we moved into on 13th February.
I wish it was made more clearer and maybe centrelink puts something up on your personal self service page so no one has to ring or bother them good idea i think so.
I totally agree about the news by ‘Laurel’. My money that i’ll be getting will be buying a bed building 2 wordrobes and winter clothes for my children, also school fees and bills; then IF there is any left over it’ll go to bills (as per usual!!).
I have read the comments above and feel for all of you and generally all Australians that are doing it tough.
I’m in a lucky position and don’t need the money, I’ll give it to my sister who battles with the kiddies. I’m sure she can use it more than myself. Makes me realise how much hard work kids are!
Come on guys, putting it all on the mortgage isnt helping the economy. If we save this money we arent doing ourselves a favour. Go shopping, go crazy but buy things that are neccessary.
Centrelink has information on its website if you looked properly. Its on the right “Household stimulus package”. It details who gets it.
And this is a reply to Suds. Kevin is doing alot more than what howard did. Do you really think kevin was the cause of this recession? No. Infact it was bound to happen and you can blame howard for that. Spend billions on the war but forget the people
Well,I wont get the stimulas package,as we are a one income family,my husband support’s me & we have 2 older children,19 & 20.It would of been nice to consider people like myself,just because i don’t pay tax,doed’nt make me a 2nd class person.Kevin Rudd couild of payed people through the medicare system,as everyone has a medicare card in australia.
i am a small business owner, and like everyone else.. work is few and far between… if i get the bonus it will be going towards food and living expenses… $900 is a lot of money to me and i am grateful for the help… otherwise i may be in big troubles.. thanks to k rudd for his support
Centrelink has all the details Colleen Smith, it’s very informative.
I will be buying my daughter and myself a Wii, so we can have a bit of fun and work out at the same time. The rest will be for school clothes for winter, school shoes, ballet tuition and a service on the car. Any leftovers will be put away for emergency money.
Thanks Rudd!!!!!!!!
bills,husband lost his job last week so it will help
Not exciting I know but for us, it will be. We will be spending it on a rain water tank. Without the little kick along it would be at least another year but now with the economic climate happening around the world it may’ve even been longer before we could install one
I will use it to fix my car and the rest will be spent on clothes and bussinesses in the local community. To kane chris grove you obviously, dont deserve it as it was created to improve our economy not africa’s, if you dont need it (which it sounds like you dont)donate it to an Australian charitable foundation.
For all those Howard/Liberal party supporters you say its a stupid decision and wont work, I bet you will still take it, Hypocritic Joe Bloody Hockeys (wanks).
I WONT BE GETTING ANY FREE MONEY EVEN THOUGH I HAVE WORKED FOR 40 YRS. I AM ONE OF THE LUCKY (?) ONES WHO HAS THEIR OWN BUSINESS WHICH IS GOING DOWN THE GURGLER THANKS TO THE GOVERNMENT
I used the last lot to re floor the kitchen and lounge room and will be using this lot to buy new tiles for the bathroom. Thankyou Mr Rudd for helping me to fix my house and help keep local business in business.
P.S Im saddened to see so many people saying that it will be spent overseas, I dont think that was Mr Rudds intention
Mine will be spent on bills and other essentials I haven’t been able to afford, such as new spectacles.
Bless you Kevin!
Since I missed out on the last handout I am so glad to get this one!
I will be spending mine on renewing my Rego. Thank you so much Mr. Rudd for increasing the CTP at the same time as giving out ‘free’ money…
I will be spending my money on beds and clothes for the kids. They grow so quick. Thanks Kev.
I thought when the package was announced that I would go and buy clothing and maybe some furniture like the government wants us to do…however since then my partner has lost his job and the car needs a new petrol pump! We also have a 12 month interest free plasma that needs to be paid by the next month!
I will spending my bonus on paying my credit card
debt.
As a sole parent/carer of a child with a disability any bonus I may receive will go towards the debt I owe on a credit card. Spare a thought for some of us who have no choice but to have relied on a credit card to make living below the poverty line at all possible. I haven’t had any decent child support for I don’t know for how many years either, so spare a thought for those of us who can only dream about holidays. I am grateful for any bonus that takes a little pressure off our circumstances. I hope you all put your bonus to good use and let’s rock this recession out of here!
My money will be spent on clearing credit cards, car repairs and a treat for the kids.
Being a single mum this money has helped me hugely, thanks government for making life a little bit easier.
Mine is all worked out to be going on my car, my daughters car to get it on the road, bills, filling the freezer and pantry because I’ve been unemployed and not been able to buy food for my four children and the dog for the past 2 months, hopefully a few pieces of clothing for myself in case I do actually get another job, but by the way things are looking, I’m more than likely gonna be out of work for longer now, getting ahead in my rent and then if there is going to be anything left over, I might actually get to take my kids to the movies on a Tuesday because it’s cheaper as a treat.
I will be paying debts with mine.
Buy new eyeglasses for the whole family… we have HCF, however, it’s not enough to pay for the whole 3 pairs… we still have to fork out the difference (and yet I pay big monthly premiums!) … pay part of my kids’ school fees… buy my kids’ new shoes …. pay part of my bills… pay some to my credit card.. it’s as if we’ll get a large amount, however, i’ll just work out the amounts on how much to put in the bills and cards… at least there’s help from the government! Not all countries are as lucky as Australia… that’s why I’m glad we’re living here…..!
I will send mine on food and 2 new tyers for my car.
I’ll use it to pay off my credit card
spending my money on a laptop and underwear
boo hoo to those with investments and rental properties that are finding it hard to make ends meet, you are living beyond your means people, sell your investments properties and things just might not be so tough, face it your greedy
those spending it on their BILLS?? manage your money better mofo’s, start spending on needs and not wants. aussie’s are greedy and live beyond what they can afford. prioritise peoples, you can live without many things but not electricity or water.
I will be buying the pavers for the back patio area,which I have been wanting for about 6 years. Thanks Kev for finally allowing me this small luxury!
I will be throwing it into the mortgage.
Into the bank, because you bet your boots that as soon as I spend any of it, I will get hit with a massive shock bill…like the water heater blowing up or something…
I will be paying my neighbours back for our share of a new adjoining fence.
It looks as though I will get SFA (Sweet Fanny Adams) as I arrived back in Oz last April (2008), worked (instead of grabbing the Aged Pension) until December 2008 … I got all my tax back in July 2008 as I earned less than the required amount, meaning I am now not eligible for the $900 because I didn’t pay any tax in 2008. NOW WAIT FOR IT … As I worked until late December I wasn’t eligible for the $1,400 given to pensioners. In short, I miss, and have missed out on, both government packags simply because I tried to keep off the pension. I don’t think this is fair … talk about a far go for all … ha ha ha.
Ours will go into our mortgage….
I am buying a new flat screen tv/car stereo in my car and souping it up by another 30kw.
Yeah thats mr rudd, now i will have a DUSH DUSH car and a fast and louder one, Yeah
( and more speeding tickets and noise pollution ones but i dont care)
nothing. I’m a pensioner. We don’t need it! We get a discount on our prescriptions, $1 off a haircut, the city folks get some public transport concessions, we have all our teeth out so the government doesn’t have to pay for dental costs, we leave our dentures out to preserve them so the government doesn’t have to help us out, we get a few dollars off our phone, electricity, and rates, We turn our lights off and go to bed so the government doesn’t have to give us anymore, and to save our eyesight, so our glasses don’t wear out, so the government doesn’t have to give us anymore, we grow our own food so the government doesn’t have to worry about the cost of our food, we get by the “best we can” so the government doesn’t have to worry about us. What do we need money for???
I will be closing off my credit card as I only applied for a $1,000 credit limit. My husband’s $900 will go to his credit card bill too. So thank God and Mr. Rudd for this stimulus package.
go shopping, dont save it. Try to spend it mostly on australian made products especially!!
hope this works…
spending mine on a notebook
the intention of this payment is to spend it, not put it into you mortages and savings account, like so many selfish people. its about australia’s economy not your own, spend it, create’s demand, jobs etc etc
all liberal voters should donate their’s to charity, two faced twats they are
big thank you to labour and Mr K. Rudd.
This is for Joshua regarding the greedy australians with investment property’s, have you looked at the property market at the moment, not only has our rental property have a for sale sign in the front of it but so has our family home, these signs have been sitting there for six months, people are scared to spend money so how do you suggest we go about selling in this market? I dont call living in a one bedroom house with three kids living beyond your means.
Ill be spending it on a gym membership or/and rolling it into my loan.
I have just started caring for my Mum full time, she has Lewy Body disease & Leukemia, I will be spending my money on a holiday so that I can have a break. It will help me pay for my 18 year old son to come with me as he has been helping with Mum and deserves a reward. Thanks Kevin.
I’m so jealous with Aussie. They have all GOOD BENEFITS to be an Australian. My sister is Australian but I’m not, I’m just an overseas student and I lost my job and I can’t pay my bill eventually. So my sister would use her money to help me I think. I wish I could get my Permanent Residency after I finish my tafe study this year. I don’t want to go back my country and be poor again. My sister help me a lot to come over here already.
We are expecting the government to give some more $$$ for everyone.
i will pay my daughters school fees, and use the rest for shopping spree…helping the economy…
ill be spending my stimulus package money on paying back my loans
I will be spending $1700 of the $1850 we get on paying my mum back for part of the car she paid for and then the $116 left paying to get the rego switched to our name and the duty tax on the car… and then the rest is going on my sons birthday party this weekend
Pay credit card, school fees, my sons guitar lesson fees, service on car.
Bills bills bills…like so many others its going to stop my electricity from being cut and phone. Then there’s the school fee’s ($700 for book hire and yr excursion), “yes free public school system”. Oh hang on also have to buy some food to feed my kids and pay for the rego to keep the car on the road. As a single mother my car is the only thing that gives me half a break to cope with my lot (unfortunately a good friend with a child the same age as mine thought it all a little too hard last wk and took her own life leaving her son behind).
Now if i were to dream it would be the holiday i’ve never ever had with my children who are now 12 and 14 and be able to afford to put them into sport or activities they miss out on due to lack of funds….oh so many other things like more than one pair of shoes every 12mths ….what can i say its a long list.
I’m going to do some reno’s on the house. For all you people who are criticising others for their habits – get a life – you don’t know what their circumstances are to have accrued the debts in the first place – mainly you Joshua.
I will be banking mine.
I will be spending it on new plumbing for the laundry and bathroom-no choice-and very grateful.
First of all this money isn’t free. We have and will continue to pay for this stimulus when times get better through tax increases and the taxes that were never removed when the GST came in despite the many promises from our government.
In response to Lee louis – no you aren’t a second rate citizen but you dont pay tax either which is where the money is coming from. Your partner will be able to get the stimulus and if you receive family tax help from centrelink you will get that as well.
Me? I lost my job at christmas time so this money is coming in just as my redundancy is running out and rego is due.. thank god! I just worry about how much this is going to cost in the long run.
I’ll be using some of it to pay for my wedding dress, some for my wedding at the end of the year and hopefully most of it will go back into the savings account to boost the dwindling savings.
I do like the idea of buying something nice for myself, like a new fangdangled projector for the bedroom, but I am not sure if I can justify spending $600 on that when the money will benefit me more by being in savings.
It’s going to be another few years yet before we start to rise out of this current predicament so saving is the best option for me as I refuse to use credit cards or have major debts.
New tyres for the car and maybe a Wii.The rest will be squirrelled away for a rainy day!!
Kev didn’t get us into this mess but atleast he is trying
Prostitutes and club, it is for fun who cares ! ! this money is not part of recession it something that Rud want to improve with his image. Rud is persuading people with $$ so that he will get through the oncoming election.
My payment is going toward my flights to Scandinavia.
Will be bying myself a new mobile as my other one is about 3 years old. Will take my daughter to the Royal Easter Show and give her a nice treat.
im 19 years old i work and study so if i get the money i will save if for school expenses or costs of my car.
i would also like to use some to go a dentist as i cannot afford that at the moment.
i hope my best friend gets it because being a uni student has put her in debt and i hope she can start paying some off
not all young people will use the money irresponsibly.
I will use mine to pay last years tax bill!
I would change it all to $5 bills, get naked and cover my body with fresh bank notes and then probably masturbate furiously…. curl up in a fetal position….. sob…. and then repeat cycle until the next stimulus package
to all those who have knocked me for my opinion, let me remind you opinion’s are neither right or wrong.
greed it self inflicted and most people in debt blame everyone else but themselves. its their decision and choice’s that have placed them in their hardship along with their inability to manage money
dont blame the market’s because they are down, whats stopping you from selling?? oh that’s right you wont make a profit.
Our money is going to pay for a laptop for my son to do a laptop course at highschool. We also need to pay for a dishwasher that we bought 2 weeks ago and soccer fees for the two kids. Maybe the rest will go of the credit card debt. Suds wake up please.
Kittens!
Please, just SPEND IT. Don’t save it. It won’t have the desired effect if you save it. I implore you, spend, spend, spend!
i will be spending my money on my 5 year old sons education.
Well, lets see I have already spent $7,000 on new furniture, T.V., stereo system. I have already done my bit to stimulate the economy which I would say never helped at all. I have not received anything back as yet, I would suppose that the $900 each we will be receiving will help (I don’t think so). When my husbands super is slowly sorry going down rather fast by the time he retires I wonder what could be left?
so dose any one now wen is this money comming
kids need winter clothes growing to fast these days
the last lot of $ from the government went on paying off the remainder of my husbands tax bill, buying him a car because the dumb $@#% ran his other 1 to the ground and blew it up, after that he was nice enough to buy me a vac. this time round he is expecting new tyres. the 4 kids and i are going clothes shopping and the rest will be put under the mattress. Those good old italians cant be wrong with that idea. thank you mr. rudd. we are still the lucky country
going to Dubbo zoo and spend the lot!!!!!!!
my stimulas package will be spent on paying off my credit card to move to perth from brisbane,15 mths ago.
I am one of the unlucky one’s who will be getting $0-. I had worked for more than half the financial year, yet because I didn’t have medicare levy and my tax on taxable income was the same as tax offsets and other credits I don’t qualify. Yet again I miss out. But I wish everyone else who does receive the money best of wishes and I hope you all enjoy. About time the workers got something back.
my money is going into the bank for a trip to queensland in AUSTRALIA and the rest on laptops for my kids bought in AUSTRALIA i agree this money should stay in australia not be spent in other countries
If you look up the word “stimulus”, the Heinemann Australian Dictionary defines it as” 1. something which causes a response. 2. an incentive.” This to me explains generically what the whole programs is about. people have to realize what this acutally implies,look at the target group,understand the reasoning behind it.We have rarely been able to have money saved or accumulated to be able to spend on ourselves and /or family, now we are “bouncing” into our local Centerlink offices like their the latest banking Co-op in town.
My brother got the last payment they were giving out that was why I was not eligible last time. Maybe this time they give it to everyone even if your in the same family.
That $1000 my brother used on himself not my family so technically for me it was not fair just because I was the youngest. Anyway this time it sounds like everyone’s eligible now with whoever earns not much or is on centrelink.
Oh and if I do get it it will be used to see my relatives overseas. Also, people complaining about people who are using the money for holidays the money still goes in the economy as you buy flights to go to the country which is usually expensive.
Don’t you realise that is why they put the airfares down, so people go on more holidays.
The money stays in Australia as the airfare is bought in Australia so technically it still works that way.
At least I get to see Rome in Italy this time. The only time I was in Italy was when I was 13, only saw Venice. Another thing is mum says I have to pay for my own trip now which is fair since I’m 21.
I feel so sorry for stupid people like joshua and yesman who obviously don’t think before they speak. Go ahead, spend your money on prostitute and you might get a better image than Rudd. (how low you are!) I know what it feels like for all of the single parents out there, people who still have debts and mortgage, people who lost their jobs, etc. This money definitely will be a little boost for all of you. I will put the money aside to prepare my second baby and pay half of the medical bills.
This handout is a total waste of government money.
If people spend the money on what they say they will, which seems to be holidays, the bills or a new washing machine then how on earth is it going to keep jobs.
Yes I understand that the money will go back into the system but this seems to be a big political stunt to get the majority of the population happy by giving them money.
If this money was put into subsidising wages in small business and into small business in general then jobs would be created and retained, Small business would keep operating and even possibly grow and money would again go back into the system.
In my opion this is truly a waste of what Australia has worked so hard towards. Go mr K.rud your doing a job at keeping the public happy and small business life hard.
I will be paying for my car registration, bills and for my daughter to fly to Victoria to see her relatives and friends. As a single mum its hard to get ahead, and i just would like to say a big thank you to our government for helping us in these tough times. From the bottom of my heart, Thank you Mr Rudd for some light at the end of the tunnel.
Like many – did not make enough last year to pay tax. Don’t claim any support – missed out last time and will miss out again.
Single income – this sucks!
I’ll save it. My bank account is really low. It would help a lot.
Does the government think Australians are stupid? Low income workers are going to put it towards savings and mortgage. They can’t afford to spend it in shops, I know what it’s like. Only unless they need to replace something.
does the stimulus package available for people with permanent resident status as well or just for australian?
We will be paying off our credit card debt and buying a winter wardrobe for our one year old child.
me im gonna buy myself a house a new car (the club sport) a football stadium which will transform into a transformer a helicopter built by pumps and jacks and a brand new hd tv with surround sound system and the rest
im buying meself a beach
By the time I get my $900, my 2nd credit card debt amount will be about the same, so I will be giving my bonus to a “lovely” bank and throwing my credit card away, and telling the bank to politely jam it!
i will be paying bills with this money
Pay off Credit Card Debt. 20% interest, I’ll never, ever use credit card in my life anymore. I mean it.
People Do Not Use your credit card unless you really necessary to do so. It’s not worth.
Well after struggling for years with debt, we will be paying off all our debts finally and taking a weekend away to celebrate our wedding anniversary and buying a new lounge suite…..so it will help us immensly…thankyou
After being a taxpayer in this country for almost 30 years, this is the very first time I’ve ever been entitled to anything like this from the government ~ somehow I never have all the necessary requirements!
So for those moaning because they missed out after working here for a few months or a couple of years, here’s hoping you get a chance for some ‘free’ money (paid for by taxpayers like me) in 30 years as well!
Although my mortgage could do with a boost, like so many others, the idea of this money is to boost our economy, stimulate demand and get things moving.
We are seeing people losing their jobs every day, and this is a chance to help keep people in work!
Don’t save it, or put it on the mortgage ~ those are bills you have to pay every week anyway.
The intention is to spend it to stimulate new economic growth.
Let’s hope it works.
Mine is going on a couple of minor household improvements, using local tradespeople.
I agree with Paul, to the teacher who had it so good in England – why did you come to Australia in the first place ? It’s a great country ! Myself I wouldn’t go back !!
I will spend my money on groceries, hairdresser and dining out ! Why not ???
I bet those complaining about Rudd will not make a silent protest by rejecting their handout.
People are blaming this Government for a mess they inherited. No matter what school of thought you belong to or what political persuasion, it does not take a genius to see that this mess was not caused at the hands of Kevin Rudd…
At this moment in time Rudd is attempting to feed the economy by giving money to a large proportion of the country, yet that very intiative is being slapped in the face with trips overseas, mortgage repayments, credit card payments and other ineffective curatives; thata would still be there if the $900 was not available.
Why take the money if you are not going to do with it as it is intended.
People on this very page are saying they are now unemployed… and there will be countless more unless we do what this stimulus package was designed for us to do.. feed the economy, which in turn will keep people employed etc…
How simple is it?
Pay off the things I need to pay for.
St. Patrick’s day coming up so Guiness and Irish whisky would seem to the likely target for my payment.
a night with william control would be a good spend of it (dreaming mmmm) but..yes we have our wish list and our need list.
so sadly no wil for me but my car will have new tyres and some put away for school fees for next year when my daughter starts high school. just be nice to be able to live and do groceries without a calculator for once etc.
my payment will be going on the funeral of my baby daughter whom i lost before birth and the ambulance bill.
if i didn’t get this payment i wouldnt know how to pay for the funeral or ambulance bill. the rest if there is any left will go for some winter clothes for my 3 year old son.
thanks kevin you help out when i really needed it.
I’m a single Mum with an 8 year old special needs son who is still in nappies,eats his clothes,can only eat certain foods due to allergies etc.
Most of the money will go on his daily needs and the rest will go into a carers account for his care on the chance anything should happen to me.
We will be buying a new pram, and buying new winter clothes and shoes for the kids.
I’m getting the Training and Learning bonus so I’d like to use it to get a diploma and maybe some textbooks, and pay a huge Telstra bill. Thanks Kev!
I am not entitled to get it. Not because I am rich, and not because I dont have kids (I have 3), but because my husband lost his job and he got a redundancy package. (going to the morgage)
His package and whatever he earned for the past 7 months will be his taxable income. its just over a $100,000. My kids tax A & tax B supp (from centrelink) has been STOPPED, and we are not entitled to ANYTHING.
Apparently, the family next door who still has a job is worse off than us! They will get the stimilus package even though they still have an income.
According to the gov we are in a better situation! we have no income, my hub cant find a job, and centrelink told us, “come back after 2 years if you still have not found a job” so we are supposed to divide that $100,000 to use over 2 years, so in true fact, its not his taxable income for a year, its for 2 years, but we are being penalised.
my hub has been paying thousands in tax every year for the past 18 years ++, we never received ANY HANDOUTS from Centrelink and now that we need their help, we are told to go away. Thats how the gov repays you.
You pay your taxes, and do everything right and this is what you get!!!
mine spent on beer,pizza’s a motor magazine,and a home visit by my favorite working girl! yeah thanks kev!
I wont be getting it.
First of all you have to get it.It appears self funded retirees don’t get it.
I’m saving mine for an even rainier day!
I work two jobs still struggling to survive. This bonus will help me to have few days off from work, maybe I can afford haircut, or massage will do.
My husband and i will be spending the money on our expecting baby. Much appreciated.
Ours will be going in several different directions, new computer for the kids for schooling (old one finally kicked the bucket), school fees, electricity, rates, mortgage, new uniform for each of the kids, and a trip to the hairdresser for exhausted mum
So much for the theory of flat screen tv’s huh! Not everyone rushes out to buy one of those stupid things, not when they have a mortgage and 5 kids to feed and clothe! Hope you all find a bit of relief from these stressful times with your cash bonus 
I won’t be getting it, just like I didn’t get the last one. I’m an unemployed person who really should be on the disability pension but the powers that be are fighting tooth and nail to not put anyone on disability. I can barely walk and 1 arm is a write off and I’m slowly getting worse.
What would I do with it if I did get it? Buy food and pay utility bills. I’m sick of trying to feed myself on my leftover $15 a week. I need vegetables and would love a piece of meat. I’m sick of 1 meal of carbohydrates a day, its not doing my diabetes and heart disease any good at all.
Im still not sure if I will get a payment……all signs point to yes but I wont count my chickens b4 they hatch.
If i do, its going on a trip to syd. My mum has a specialist doctors appointment so Im driving and treating the kids to the zoo.
Pay my arrears in rent.
A nurse’s watch for my TAFE course.
If I happen to get more than 1. (Im a single parent, kids aged 4 and 3, I study and got the $208 entry payment) then I will be buying a new washing machine (I got money for my disabled daughter to specifically buy one but the money went on HUGE bills, so I need to buy one or give the money back)
Its the first day of payments, I haven’t got one yet but fingers crossed
Like tens of thousands of low income people with income under the threshold where no tax is payable I will not receive the package. Wonder if all those pensioners and welfare recipients are aware of this?
Like many other’s who have already commented mine is going on the kids winter wardrobe and one buying/stocking up on much needed necessities such as nappies, wipes, formula and maybe if I’m lucky I might get to buy myself some well needed new cloths.
What would I like to spend my $900 on – a trip home to tassie to see my family who I haven’t seen for 3 years and who are yet to meet my kids.
Probably a couch & a dinning set. Both my partner and I are eligible for the $900. We will be moving out of our parents house into our newly built home in October! This is a great help for us.
Couldn’t care less about random payments to random people. If i could have regular, reliable work I wouldn’t need the bloody payment.