Wal-Mart to Cash Stimulus Checks for Free

As economic stimulus payments begin to be distributed, Wal-Mart today said it will be glad to give you ideas of how to spend it. The Arkansas-based company says it will cash economic stimulus checks for free, with no purchase required.

And starting this week it will offer shoppers several price rollbacks.

"We're looking at this through the eyes of our customers, who need low prices all the time,” said John Fleming, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer.

“And that is what we've always done best," he added.

To coincide with the distribution of economic stimulus checks, Wal-Mart will offer price rollbacks, on sports drinks, shampoo, breakfast juice, lunch meat, cereal boxes, and cereal bars. Over the coming weeks it will unveil additional rollbacks to help shoppers stretch their dollars.

Wal-Mart will also refund the purchase fee on its Wal-Mart Money Card when any portion of the economic stimulus check is loaded onto the card.

Before the first dime is spent, Wal-Mart estimates this effort could save Americans millions of dollars in fees, giving customers more money and the freedom to spend how and where they want, from buying gas to grocery, paying down bills or purchasing wish-list items.

Early next month, Wal-Mart will unveil an online advice program to help shoppers stretch the family budget.