iPhone_Tyler

@Jazzycola:

Fair enough, I haven't done a heap of research on the Kiva loans I make, mostly because that's the point of Kiva field partners - to research the viability and sustainability of the micro-loans they refer to Kiva.org. That said, even without research I've seen the 20 or so micro loans I've funded all be repaid and the success stories thereafter have ranged from modest to impressive. Also I think you're really exaggerating with your dot-com bubble jibe - these Kiva loans are tiny, like $5000 or less, not the tens of millions that Silicon valley startups gets from VC everyday (that's why these are called micro loans).

True, Amazon has been a bit of an ass about taxes - particularly in California, but I wan't thinking of them when saying 'local businesses'. I was referring to going to neat little local restaurants and being a bit more generous than usual with tips.

@Axxol: I think you guys misunderstood me a bit. I'm spending money that I have, not credit. I'm dept free and still putting the same 25% of my monthly income into saving that I always have - now I'm just also trying reinvest and spend my liquid money in ways that I hope can keep help out.

@shua310: So if I'm understanding you correctly my list / idea only works if I / we can increase our spending at a sustainable level right?

@Brendan: Ohhhh, I see. Very good points. Thanks for the explanation.

I might still do it though - $2k is a drop in the bucket in the big scheme of things.

@Jazzycola: I'm no economist but it seems to me that spending cash (not credit) at local businesses, on loans to struggling entrepreneurs, on kickstarting creative ventures, on products from big companies and on the stock market is the exact kind of show of economic confidence that can help avoid stagnation.

Person gives money to business -> Business has money to pay employees, expand business -> Employees have money to spend -> Repeat

@Brendan: Why? I'm not a policy maker in the company, I'm allowed to buy and sell our stock. Not to mention that our stock has historically been really resilient and profitable even in the midst of economic turmoil. Elaborate please...

Personally I'm doing all and can to avoid a recession and spending as much cash as I reasonably can, what are you doing to help?

In the last while:

1) I'm saving 30% of my monthly income into my saving account.

2) As always I'm avoiding debt like the plague

3) I'm being crazy optimistic about the economy.

4) I loaned $25 to a struggling US entrepreneur on Kiva.

5) I loaned $25 to another struggling US entrepreneur on Kiva.

6) I backed a Kickstarter project with $20.

7) I bought $75 of games from Amazon.

8) At restaurants I've been tipping 30%.

9) On Monday I'm going to buy $2000 worth of stock in the company where I work.

10) I'm keeping my summer vacation this year within the US (probably Hawaii).

11) I'm going to see a few movies in the theatre this week.

12) I loaned $25 to a struggling Mexican entrepreneur on Kiva.

13) I preordered a bunch of books and Bluray movies on Amazon.

14) I'm going to dinner at a really expensive restaurant in a week (#5 is really going to hurt that night).

15) I encouraged my boss to buy and upgrade the whole team to Intel SSDs in our work machines.

16) Subscribe to Whiskey Media multi pass!

Anything else obvious I can be doing / spending money on?

I make over $150k a year and I'd gladly clean (even a very large) car for $100.  Each to his own though I guess. 
 
Edit: 
But to contradict myself and back the kid up a bit - a mediocre detailing of my small four door sedan could easily run > $200, with that in mind offering $100 to clean a limo seems like a ripoff.  
 
Also, why is everyone here so conservative/moral/judgemental? He can think and say his mom is stupid if he wants.