The world is over a year into the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the U.S. people have dealt with financial insecurity and some have gotten relief with unemployment checks and the checks that came from the stimulus relief packages given in 2020. Fortunately, for the first time since the start of the pandemic adult dependents are now qualified to receive payment from the stimulus relief. Because of this many college students are getting a well-deserved financial break.

The previous relief packages got a lot of criticism from college students in particular because many of them had experienced lost wages or more financial strain because either they or their parents did not earn as much as they did in years previous. And, like me, many college students are the main providers for themselves financially even if they are dependents. Why the stimulus packages beforehand did not cover us is unknown but it is a relief to finally be included.

The responsible part of me wants to tell my fellow students to use your stimulus check to go toward school expenses, rent or into your savings account. However, the somewhat reckless part of me wants to say do whatever you want. If you want to go on a shopping spree, buy that game you’ve been thinking about or spend it on ridiculous amounts of food I’d encourage you to do that.

I think there’s a lot of stigma surrounding the idea of using your stimulus check for purchases that are recreational or non-necessity related. Of course if you’re low on rent or don’t have money for groceries then the stimulus money gives you the financial cushion you’ve been waiting for. But if that is not the case then I think there’s nothing wrong with spending the money on whatever may make you happy.

Many of us have been deprived of not only money but also in the areas of life that were taken away or diminished because of the pandemic. We can’t go shopping at the mall so we shop online, we prioritize eating out over eating in and too much of our time has been spent indoors and alone. I think spending this little bit of money on unnecessary things will give us that small bit of serotonin we need to alleviate the pandemic-induced stress that we’ve become accustomed to.

Destiny Blanchard is a junior management major. She can be reached at 581-2812 or dblanchard@eiu.edu.