Not long ago, you could hardly turn on a television, open a newspaper or log on to the Internet without getting an update on the much-debated, $700-plus billion economic stimulus package Congress eventually passed.

Today, many news programs have shifted their attention to other, more immediate news stories – and, realistically, the updated lighting fixtures in Anywhere, Ohio don’t make headlines quite like GM’s bankruptcy filing.

But, as a taxpayer, you’re probably a little curious about where all your hard-earned money is actually going.

Tracking Recovery Money Online

The Internet provides the perfect venue for keeping tabs on ongoing projects like the spending of the stimulus package:

• Recovery.gov: This is the government-run recovery tracking Web site. It allows you to search spending by state, category and agency and offers a variety of color-coded charts and graphs about spending. This site also runs news items about stimulus projects and allows users to sign up for regular email updates.
• Recovery.org: This site is run by a non-profit group not affiliated with the government. It, too, has color-coded graphics, but it’s organized into sections for businesses, government and taxpayers. And, according to a recent story from NPR, in some areas, the non-government site offers more details on certain projects than the government site.

Large-Scale Spend Tracking

In many ways, the ready availability of this type of spending information is exciting – as anyone who’s ever developed a budget on a personal level knows, the process of following every penny can be difficult.

These sites are great because they allow you to see critical information about government spending without doing the usual legwork.

In fact, these sites serve as a timely reminder that many people could benefit from filing bankruptcy and/or financial advice for developing a budget:

• Find out where your money’s going: This is much easier for a single household than an entire nation: determine how and why you spend your money.
• Create a budget and stick to it: Separate needs from wants and distribute your money accordingly.
• Start saving money: Spend less than you make and save the rest – this will help you prepare for any unexpected financial crises.
• Rebuild your credit: Build up a strong credit profile to support you for large investments.