Easy Come Easy Go
Top ways to spend $1,100
For the past 21 years eligible Alaskans have been making a profit off oil revenues. Every year when October rolls around, Alaskans have a chance to rejoice in their newfound wealth. This year the Permanent Fund Dividend Check was $1107.56. There are countless ways a person could spend that amount of money.
While there are a few fairly general things that Alaskans use this money for, such as simply saving it, spending it on bills or using it to help pay for college, there are also some more interesting ways this money can be spent. From “partying it up” to spending the money on airplane parts, one gets a sense of how diverse Alaskans priorities are. Some people invest it to try to gain even more profit on this “free” money while others spend it quickly on food, clothes or video games. The PFD is spent on many other items too, such as camcorders, snowboards and even dog food.
While for some Alaskan families the dividend is a means to an end, for others it’s a little extra pocket change to play around with. Over the years Alaskans have come to expect and rely on the permanent fund. No matter how they spend it, it will always be appreciated.
Top 10
From an unscientific poll of 198 Alaskans we discovered the most popular ways to use the PFD.
1. Bills/credit card - 23 percent
2. Save it - 22 percent
3. College tuition, books, fees, and student loans - 20 percent
4. Vehicle/repairs/insurance - 8 percent
5. Rent - 5 percent
6. Groceries - 4 percent
7. Save it for a child's education - 3 percent
8. Computer/parts - 3 percent
9. Investments - 2 percent
10. Furniture/household goods - 2 percent
Answers from the other 8 percent of the poll:
Books, kids necessities, clothing, alcohol, airplane parts, property tax,
construction, guns/ammunition, drugs, IRS, taxes, dog food, camcorder, truck
topper, downpayment on a house/property, cable TV, grow lights, down payment
on a small business, income supplement, child support, and to help pay for
a wedding.