Get More Out of Your Rebate Check

Consider using your economic stimulus check to invest in renewable energy and energy-efficient products to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Invest in renewable energy.  Clean Edge, which has been tracking the growth of clean-energy markets since 2000, reports a 40 % increase in revenue growth for solar photovoltaics, wind, biofuels, and fuel cells in 2007.  For the first time, three of these are generating revenue in excess of $20 billion apiece, with wind now exceeding $30 billion.

Get more for your money.  Now might be a good time to get that Energy Star appliance you've wanted to buy.  Puget Sound Energy offers a rebate of up to $100 on Energy Star qualified washing machines, which can use more than 70% less water and energy than non-qualified washers.