When I logged on this morning, I checked out the news from around the world over on CNN and saw that the President would address the U.S. economy shortly before the opening bell. Considering that I am finally getting around to covering the news, you can tell how deeply the news is affecting all of us. Actually, W announced that our economic-stimulus checks will start going out on Monday. The Treasury Department will issue the first wave of rebates through direct deposit next week, while paper checks will be mailed out starting on May 9. The President noted that "this money is going to help Americans offset the high prices we're seeing at the gas pump and at the grocery store, and will also give our economy a boost." Bush did not that the economy is in a slowdown, but would not utter the "r" word.

According to the President, roughly 7.7 million Americans will receive their checks electronically in the first week. By the summer, 130 million households across the country will have received their checks.

Want to know when your check will be in the mail (or your account)? I found a chart over on the IRS website (click here for the data). Note: I found this information before today's announcement when the President moved up the timetable.