spending tax stimulus before filing??

I know I have seen one thread involving the tax stimulus check. I have read it over and over trying to see if my question has been answered yet, I can't find it if it was. So I want to apologize if I missed it but here's my question.

We have not filed yet, will not be filed before we receive this check. It is set to deposit on May 2nd. We should receive close to $1800.

So if we are not filed yet, is it ok to get repairs done that are needing done on our car and keep receipts? We need a new water heater, can we have that work done and keep the receipt. Or should we take the money out of the bank and put it back in case the trustee wants it? We want to do the right thing, even though we need the money, if the trustee were to ask for it and we had done these repairs, we would never be able to come up with $1800.

Again I know everyone is wondering what they have to look foward to with this check. But I thought maybe if they consider it like a tax refund, would the same rules apply if you file after you received it? Keep receipts and prove you spend it on wise things, and didn't blow it on a vacation or a big screen tv???

Don't file until you spend down any excess cash. The things you mentioned are not luxury items. They are necessary to maintain a reasonable lifestyle.

I think if you do what you are saying....you will be fine.

That sounds good. I believe we will contact our attorney and see what he has to say. We have waited this long to file, what will it matter if we wait a little while longer. Get our car fixed. Do some minor repairs needing done around the house.

If our attorney agrees, and he is mentioned during our consultation he felt that the stimulus check should be untouchable, but he feared it might not be, he may think using it for necessities, like paying off a high heat bill, fixing a water heater..., might be a good idea.

Thanks!