The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) provides needed assistance to businesses, expansions to unemployment insurance, and direct relief checks to many Americans.
December 2020 Relief
Congress passed an economic relief package in late December of 2020 with a new round of stimulus payments. These payments include $600 per qualifying individual—adult and/or child. Here are some things to keep in mind with the most recent round of direct payments:
Single individuals will need to earn less than $75,000 to qualify for the full amount.
Married couples will need to earn less than $150,000 to qualify for the full amount.
The amount individuals receive is reduced by $5 for every $100 above the income threshold.
Stimulus checks will be phased out entirely for single people earning over $87,000 or married couples earning more than $174,000
Individuals claimed as dependents that are older than 17 will not qualify for the checks (such as some college students or seniors that are claimed as dependents).
Because the stimulus is based on 2019 tax returns, children born this year will most likely not receive payments.
If you qualify for a stimulus check, you may be wondering what to do with the money—or what the wisest thing to do might be. Here are a few things to consider.
Fill in Financial Gaps
Many Americans have found themselves struggling financially due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Those who have had their hours cut or have been laid off or furloughed have been particularly affected. For anyone caught by surprise or financially underprepared, the stimulus checks can provide a huge lift.
Before anything else, the money should be used to cover essentials for you and your dependents. The first thing to do is make housing payments, pay utility bills, buy groceries, and secure other necessities. Other things that may not be absolutely essential at the moment but are likely worth investing in include emergency kit items such as food with a long shelf life and medical supplies.
Supplement Your Emergency Fund
While more relief checks may be approved in the future, nothing is certain. It's best to assume that this will be the only financial boost you'll receive and plan accordingly. Strongly consider saving part or all of the money to extend or create an emergency fund. Ideally, you would have enough money available to support yourself and your dependents for at least 3-6 months, should you need it. If that's not possible in your current situation, you can still give yourself a cushion to fall back on. The unemployment rate may continue to rise, so preparing for the worst is vital.
Pay Off Debt
If you have well-funded emergency savings, it's a good idea to pay down, or better yet, pay off high-interest debt. Minimum payments and high-interest rates can add stress to an already difficult financial situation. If you're able to pay off that debt, you'll save on payments throughout the coming months, giving you a long-term boost.
For some people, a one-time check won't be enough to truly make a difference with their payments. If you've found yourself unable to make debt payments due to the pandemic, consider reaching out to your lender. They'll likely be willing to work with you. The last thing you want to do is hide from your payments and rack up additional late fees or penalties on top of your regular payments.
Boost the Economy
If you find yourself in a stable financial situation, meaning you have no consumer debt and well-funded emergency savings, the next best thing you can do with your stimulus check is to spend it— but spend it wisely. Economists have predicted that the effects of Covid-19 will send America into a large recession. These relief checks give every day Americans the power to help mitigate the damages before the economy falls too far.
As you use your funds, consider supporting the areas that have been hit hardest, such as small businesses, local restaurants, and other companies forced into temporary closures. Of course, donating to relief funds and legitimate charities is also a great way to use some of your stimulus check.
The amount you choose to spend is up to you, though it's wise to reserve at least part of your stimulus check to add to an emergency fund—even a robust one—should your financial situation unexpectedly change.
Some stimulus checks have already been deposited, and others will continue to come in the following weeks. Carefully consider where that money will have the biggest impact and how you can most effectively utilize the funds before spending them.
We have a variety of calculators available for managing your finances.
Disclaimer
While we hope you find this content useful, it is only intended to serve as a starting point. Your next step is to speak with a qualified, licensed professional who can provide advice tailored to your individual circumstances. Nothing in this article, nor in any associated resources, should be construed as financial or legal advice. Furthermore, while we have made good faith efforts to ensure that the information presented was correct as of the date the content was prepared, we are unable to guarantee that it remains accurate today.
Neither Banzai nor its sponsoring partners make any warranties or representations as to the accuracy, applicability, completeness, or suitability for any particular purpose of the information contained herein. Banzai and its sponsoring partners expressly disclaim any liability arising from the use or misuse of these materials and, by visiting this site, you agree to release Banzai and its sponsoring partners from any such liability. Do not rely upon the information provided in this content when making decisions regarding financial or legal matters without first consulting with a qualified, licensed professional.
