The first round of stimulus checks is expected to reach Americans on Wednesday, and consumers are already making plans for how they plan to use the funds. More than one in four—or 28%—of about 1,000 Americans surveyed said they’ll use their check to cover rent and mortgage costs, according to a survey from Creditful, a personal finance resource.
Millennials are the most likely to use their checks for housing, the survey finds. They plan to use 54% of their checks for essential purchases like housing and utility costs. They were also more likely to use stimulus checks on stocks and investments and student loan debt.
Baby boomers, on the other hand, are planning to spend less than half—46%--of their checks on essential expenses like housing and utilities. Instead, they’re more likely to use their stimulus check on groceries, health and medical supplies, and clothing.
Gen Xers are the most likely to use their stimulus check on bills and utilities, savings, credit card debt, and toiletries and hygiene products, the survey finds.
Overall, the majority of respondents say they plan to spend the bulk of their stimulus on groceries or bills and utilities.
Respondents who identified as unemployed or self-employed were the most likely to spend their stimulus money on essential purchases—like food or housing—whereas salaried or hourly employees were more likely to say they plan to spend more than half of their check on nonessential purchases.
The stimulus checks are part of a $2 trillion stimulus bill that could give Americans up to $1,200 in funds, with an extra $500 per dependent younger than 17.
Curious how much you may be receiving or if you’re eligible? Smartasset, a personal finance site, offers an online calculator to calculate what stimulus funds you may be eligible to receive.
Source: “COVID-19 Checks: Over 1,000 Americans Divulge How They Plan to Spend Their Coronavirus Stimulus Check,” Creditful.com (April 11, 2020)
