The IRS will send tax rebates - up to $600 for an individual, $1,200 for a couple and an additional $300 for each dependent child - a week earlier than previously announced, Bush said Friday.

If the 130 million Americans who receive the checks use them for spending sprees, the stimulus plan would give at least a temporary boost to the economy. But after two years of soaring gas prices, falling home values and rising jobless rates, many consumers in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast say they're not in the mood to shop.

The theory behind the economic stimulus is simple: Millions of Americans will get their checks, then go on a mass shopping spree. Consumer spending accounts for 70 percent of the country's economic growth.

"What they'd ideally like everybody to do is to go out to Wal-Mart or Home Depot or Macy's and buy something," said Chris McCarty, director of the University of Florida's consumer confidence survey. "The problem is many people are likely to spend it on servicing existing debt, and that's money that's already been spent."

Taxpayers reluctant to spend rebates - Palm Beach Post - April 25, 2008