Stimulus That Is Working!

After reading no newspapers, watching no TV, and reading no blogs for 2 weeks, I really didn't miss much! Seriously, even my Liberal Catholic Mom couldn't get upset about whether PM Harper ate the host or not. She blamed the Bishop, not the PM. Other than that we got a good laugh about "my" PM Harper being late for the photo op again.

What all of us did agree on, was the one stimulus measure that all Canadians seem to be taking advantage of, if they can... the home renovation credit. My parents painted their house, my brother added a deck, and my sister needs no help renovating at anytime. We all have something planned this year so that we can take advantage of that credit.

As we traveled from Alberta to BC, we ran into some road construction, but not anymore than usual for this time of year. What we did notice were the houses getting new shingles, decks and even landscaping. Why do people actually pay for rocks??

All the stimulus money that is flowing does not impact us in a visible form. Sure a needed bridge or road will get built, but even though it is taxpayers money, we don't associate it with actual money out of our pockets. It's just money that the government has already taken from us and there is nothing we can really do about how it is spent.

I keep hearing about how 90% of economists think the GST reduction was not the way to go. My pocketbook hears the extra money hitting it's bottom everyday. I especially noticed it in BC where they also have the PST. My son was going to buy a game until he realized he would have to pay the PST. BC gas prices were 103.6 yesterday, we paid 109.? in Blue River BC. Today I noticed our gas price was 86.?. Thank goodness we don't have BC's PST nor their carbon tax. My parents are already sleeping without the air conditioner on in 30 degree weather, as it costs too much. They are dreading the winter.

If an election is coming this fall, I have some advise for the Conservatives. Extend the home renovation credit. It's simple, home owners understand it, and it is generating revenue for all sorts of companies, from landscapers to heating/refrigeration companies. How many of you are renovating this year to take advantage of the credit? I know we are, and I could always do more next year.

If we must have stimulus spending, at least extend the home renovation credit, it is visible to everyone who looks at their new roof or bathroom.