James Brumley

Note to I.R.S.: How To Make This Rebate Work

Interesting point - I never thought about the psychology of the words used, but I've thought long and hard about the very problem you described.

My biggest fear is that the rebates will be used to pay off loans and mortgages that would have otherwise been late...the problem you alluded to.

Here's my solution (and I'm not entirely joking)...send the rebate as a gift certificate that expires in sinx months. Stipulate that it can't be 'cashed in', can't be accepted as a bank deposit, and can't be accepted by a credit card company or mortgage company.

A perfect and flawless strategy? Nah - somebody will find a way around the rules. By and large though, the money should indeed be spent on goods and services that may not have been bought otherwise.