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Buy surround-sound system
Name: Tim Herrmann, 23
Location: Tampa, Fla.
Profession: Investment banker

His story: "The $500 has already claimed a stake in my surround-sound budget. I have worked hard for what I have, and I feel that this would be a great opportunity to not only reward myself, but pump some dollars into our economy.

Saving the money, or paying off debt may work for some, but that only stimulates themselves, not the economy.

I feel that I have a fairly strong position in the current economy. I have worked diligently to pay off my credit card debt over the last year. I do have student loan debt, but that's to be expected since I recently finished school.

I have a solid job servicing retirement accounts for small businesses. I try to save at least 10% to 15% of my pay, including my 401(K) and my regular savings account.

I like to be thrifty with my discretional income, but I do realize that the only way to stimulate the economy is to spend the money; therefore I do like to go out to dinner with my girlfriend at least once a week. - as told to Lara Moscrip

NEXT: Pay school tuition
Last updated January 26 2009: 2:08 PM ET
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