re: There is a common misconception here about stimulus checks.

Yea it’s a shell game. You “save” here but pay more there. The tax implications going forward renders my next 5 years of raises a loss. I choose not to think about the effects on my retirement plan that I started in 1995 before 2 major bail outs. Some win some lose that’s the way it is. All you can do is plan and adapt. It’s not rigged, it’s just in recent times has had more negative impact on those who try. I’d still rather my children think they may have helped than need the help.