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Rebate Checks Go to Gas, Food, Looming Debt

Extravagant spending sprees at the mall? Not so much

By Kate Rockwood, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 1, 2008 9:44 AM CDT

(Newser) – Rather than the gluttonous splurge on flat-screen TVs and foreign vacations that Uncle Sam had envisioned, most Americans are plunking their rebate checks down on exorbitant gas and food costs--and their mounting debt. “The initial sense is that people are not running out the... Read full story »

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Rebate Checks Go to Gas, Food, Looming Debt

Extravagant spending sprees at the mall? Not so much

debt • recession • consumer spending • spending • gas prices • food prices • economic stimulus package • tax rebate

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More Newser Stories

Restaurants, Retailers Gulp as Consumers Tighten Belts

Penny pinchers shifting to generics, eating in

Recession Worse Than Thought; GDP Growth Weak

Economy grew just 1.3% over past three months

Q3 GDP Growth More Like 2.8% Than 3.5%

Spending and home prices are up, but not enough to help jobs

US GDP Jump Hollow if Unemployment Keeps Rising

... and it's still rising faster than before recession

Supermarkets Slash Prices

Deflation stalks the aisles; Safeway cuts below profit point

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