PORTLAND (AP) – About 750,000 individuals and couples in Maine are expected to receive more than $500 million in economic stimulus checks.

The big question is whether Mainers will spend the money – up to $600 for individuals and $1,200 for married couples – to give a boost to merchants and the economy or whether they’ll simply sock it away.

It seems that few are planning big shopping sprees. After a long winter with high fuel prices, many will use some of the money for necessities.

David Reynolds, who fell behind on house payments after being laid off in January, said his $1,500 stimulus check will go straight to his lender.

“Just as fast as it comes in the mail, it’ll go back out for the mortgage,” said Reynolds, of Windham. “It’ll keep the wolves from the door another month.”

Matt Sargent of Greene, a construction worker, expects a $600 check. “I think I’m going to put tires on my truck. That’ll just about cover it,” he said.

Others aren’t so quick to spend.

Sue Reed of Portland, an early childhood educator, will keep the $1,500 rather than spend it. “That’s the rebel in me,” she said. “I don’t think that’s what the economy needs…. We can get out of Iraq to stimulate the economy.”

While people are being counseled to use the money to pay down debt or boost savings, merchants hope they’ll spend it on goods.

Outside Down East Appliance in Portland, the sign outside says, “TAX REFUNDS SPENT WISELY HERE.”

Owner Mike Millett said consumers may have good intentions about saving or paying down debt but he expects them to drift back to spending. “They tend to go out and buy something else on the credit card,” Millett said.

The rebate checks of $600 for most individuals and $1,200 for couples, plus $300 per child, are aimed at boosting consumer spending, which accounts for about two-thirds of the economic activity in the United States.

“If you reduce taxes and increase consumer spending, you will get a boost in the economy,” Sheena S. Bunnell, a professor of business economics at the University of Maine at Farmington. “It’s like a shot in the arm.”

But, she said, the situation is far different from the last time rebate checks were released after the 2001 terrorist attacks.

Most people getting rebates will use some of it for necessities, such as oil, gasoline, groceries and credit card bills, she said.

Anne Stickney of Peru said she’s passing the buck. She plans to divide her $600 check between her two daughters. “I figure they can use it more than me,” she said. “Then they can stimulate the economy.”

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Information from: Portland Press Herald, http://www.pressherald.com

AP-ES-05-04-08 1329EDT

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