ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE

The United States Treasury will begin sending stimulus payments to more than 130 million households who filed 2007 taxes, giving eligible people a little break with up to $600 ($1,200 for married couples) if you fit the criteria. Whether or not you qualify, this is a good time of year to stimulate your partner (or best friend) with an economic gift wrapped in a beautiful package. Chances are it's been a taxing year so far, so why not show the person you love how much you care by surprising them with a mid-year gift. Nothing fancy, nothing expensive...just a little drop in the bucket!

FILL HIS BUCKET:

Holidays and birthdays are the obvious time to show affection through gifts and cards, so why not do it when they're least expecting it? Adjusting to our new home has been, well, an adjustment for both of us. To bring some creature comforts of home, I put together a little gift bucket for Joe. I filled it with a few things I thought he could use: home essentials like extension cords, batteries for remotes, tape measure, maps of the area, laminated train schedule, list of local dry cleaners, movie tickets and a subscription to his favorite magazine. It's a little offering of things he can use when he gets a break...and a quiet reminder of how much I adore him!

TIME TO COMPLETE PROJECT: Ten Minutes

COST: $35.00 (Bucket from Target, contents from grocery store, movie tickets from Fandango)

STRESS LEVEL: Economical and stimulating: LOW