Winston-Salem, N.C. (April 22, 2008) – As consumers face higher gas prices and fast food restaurants are ditching the dollar menu, Truliant Federal Credit Union conducted a survey to find out what its member-owners plan to do with their 2007 tax refund, as well as the tax rebate that the government will distribute in the upcoming months.

More than 700 member-owners participated in the survey, of which 69 percent plan to receive a refund, 14 percent will not receive a refund and 16 percent aren’t sure if they will receive a refund. Respondents answered several questions which included the following: If you are receiving a refund, what do you plan on doing with that refund? Check all that apply.

• Pay Down Debt – 59.3%
• Save It – 35%
• Pay Living Expenses – 25.5%
• Take a Trip – 9.4%
• Go Shopping – 9.3%
• Invest It – 8.4%

The IRS expects to being sending out the tax rebate checks starting in May. What do you plan to do with your tax rebate? Check all that apply.

• Pay Down Debt – 47.7%
• Add to Savings – 41.9%
• Pay Living Expenses – 20.2%
• Go on a Trip – 13.5%
• Add to Investments – 7.7%
• Go Shopping – 7.4%

“It’s always interesting to find out what our member-owners plan to do with their money,” said Ginger Salt, senior vice president of markets for Truliant Federal Credit Union. “In past years people might have said they were going to use their refund to take a vacation or to go on a shopping spree, but it is clear that the tide has changed. For paying down debt and paying living expenses to get such high percentages in our survey, it is clear that the economy has taken a toll on our member-owners financial needs.”