Economic stimulus checks start hitting bank accounts today. Some retailers are offering discounts for folks who spend their rebate checks from the government, but polls indicate many people will use the money to pay bills.

The first batch of checks from the government go to taxpayers who selected direct deposit on their tax returns.

Bill Brunson of the Phoenix Internal Revenue Service says people will receive a notice about their check a few days before or a few days after they receive the money.

Several big retailers are offering discounts to customers spending their rebates. But, the stores are not so interested in seeing the actual rebate check as they are about seeing the money. Many indicate if you have the money, you'll probably get the discount whether you're spending your rebate or not.

How will Valley retailers spend their rebates?

News/Talk 92-3 KTAR asked several women.

``I've got a lot of bills to pay... That's more important to me than running and buying something I really don't need."

``I'm paying off some credit card debt."

``Tuck it away for a vacation."

``Save money for my mortgage.

``I'm probably going to put it in savings."

Those responses coincided with a CNN poll, which found that only one in five people plan to buy something with their money, and nearly half plan to use it to pay bills.