The worlds economies are crashing one by one. Jobs are being lost, home reposesd and
families are struggling to put food on the table. Many people are suffering around the world, and here in Australia too.
Our wonderful (?) Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd seems to have his head screwed on. He has stated that families that are eligible will be receiving $1000 per child as a once off payment and pensioners will be getting some too. Why? Because he wants us to spend it now in order to help boost our econonomy and help to prevent Australia going into recession.
This payment is different to the maternity allowance, which a family receives after the birth of a baby- that is supposed to go towards nursery furniture and baby supplies. This one off payment is a ‘feel good’ spend. It is supposed to go on the plasma tvs that people have been wishing they could have but have not been able to afford.
Now, many people are going to use this money for their bills etc, which will help to keep them afloat financially. Some people are using it to give their families a fabulous 
christmas, which is great as many families struggle at this time of year. Us, we haven’t decided on what our share is going on. Maybe a new car, maybe not, just have to wait and see.
There have been people here who have questioned the sanity of our PM about this handing out of money, mostly people who aren’t eligible for the payments. Having discussed what is going on extensively with Les, I’m still in two minds about it all.
To say that Mr Rudd’s plan is a gamble would be fair because it is, as are much of the decisions anyone has to make. If it works, then Australian’s will win in the long run and jobs will be kept. But what if it doesn’t work? That’s what concerns me.
What if the plan backfires? Millions of dollars will have been handed out to families and other eligible recipients for nothing, and those who are questioning the validity are going to gloat because they were right. They will be saying that the money was better off being spent in other areas.
Whatever happens, my family will get by. We have saved a lot over the last 2 years, and have been able to buy items that we wouldn’t have been in a position to purchase not all that long ago. I have my new computer, massage chair and camera and Les has his new computer chair. We are members of a wine club, which has brought a little bit of luxury to our lives (we drink 1 glass of wine for 2 nights, and then have a few days between the next round). Our bills are paid pretty much straight away, and we have no debts.
Financially, we don’t have to rely on this bonus at all, as we have the same amount saved already, but it will help to get our car quicker. We are doing better than many people who work and are definitely not going to suffer the immediate effects of the economical crash.
The opinions of what is going on are varied, but I think that Mr Rudd is doing what he believes will help Australia and the rest of the world in the long run.
Here’s to hoping that the tide turns for the better really soon.