SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - This week, many around the county have logged onto their banking sites to a welcome sight: those stimulus payments deposited into their accounts.
Tamara De La Cruz's grown daughters, who both live out of state, recently called her with news that they had both been furloughed.
"They had to pay rent and buy food. Doesn't matter how old they are. You have to help," said De La Cruz, who lives in Chula Vista.
De La Cruz decided to take out four payday loans to help her daughters. On Wednesday morning, she got up early and tracked down what she had been waiting for.
"Very excited," said De La Cruz.
Her stimulus payment was in her bank account - for a little while at least.
"I looked at my account at 5 a.m. It was gone by 7 a.m. So I was able to take that money and pay off those payday loans, I was relieved that I was able to do that," said De La Cruz.
About the same time, to the north in Carlsbad, Chelsea Monahan was checking her account.
"Anytime you see a bump in your bank account, it's a really good thing," said Monahan.
Good because of what she can do with that stimulus money. Monahan, who works for a biotech firm, says she and her husband are fortunate to still have their jobs, and be living near hometown of Encinitas.
"I'm invested in this area. I have lot of family and friends. Immediately my thoughts went to the people who are struggling," said Monahan.
Monahan decided to focus on struggling local businesses and schools.
"My husband and I decided we wanted to find ways to spend our stimulus check locally to essentially spread the wealth ... Selfishly, I want all the food places that I love to be there when it's all over," said Monahan.
Monhahan plans to spend the stimulus money in the next three months, including takeout at neighborhood restaurants, a gift card at a friend's salon, and a Gofundme campaign for a nearby, flooded-out nursery.
"The more people who can spend the stimulus money locally, the better off the local community is going to be," said Monahan.
Monahan has posted her plans on the Nextdoor site in hopes of inspiring others to spend locally.
As for those still waiting for their checks, the IRS on Wednesday launched a website that allows Americans to track the status of their stimulus checks.
