Does the form of your rebate payment affect how you'll spend the money? According to behavioral economists, the answer is yes. Dan Ariely says that you may behave differently if you get the money via direct deposit, a check, or a debit card. He says that if the goal is economic stimulus, the government should use the method most likely to maximize spending.
Ariely proposes research, much like the research done in marketing organizations, to find out which method would be most effective. He's got a pretty good point -- if you have a goal in mind you should do what you can to make success more likely. For more on his proposals, visit Marketplace.org or listen to the podcast.
Would you be more likely to spend if you got the money via debit card, check, or direct deposit? Tell us about it in the comments.
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