The eligible Alaskans will be able to see Permanent Fund dividends arrive in their accounts on Oct. 5 with checks due in paper in October. 26.
The $1,312 in payments are lower than the PFD from last year that contained an energy-relief addition. But they’re still highly anticipated.
Many of Alaskans have plans in place for their PFDs, regardless of whether they’re spending the money on things to shop for, holidays and paying off debts or investing the money in savings.
A recent visit to the downtown area of Anchorage showed that dividend holders are contemplating a range of choices.
Listen:
The transcript below has been lightly edited to improve clarity.
Lynn Palensky Lynn Palensky: I use mine for my annual diving trip in November and usually, I go to warm places. So, that’s where I go, South Pacific, anywhere in the world where diving is great.
Casey Grove: Do you’re planning to go?
Lynn Palensky: Yes, yes.
Casey Grove: How how long have you been diving?
Lynn Palensky: Oh, I’m dating myself, but since 1987.
Casey Grove: How much of your PFD will be enough to cover this or will there be left over?
Lynn Palensky I’ll use the entire amount, since the trips aren’t inexpensive. It will be used to fund an eight- or seven-day diving trip in the middle of nowhere. That’s why I’ll need to put in some personal funds. It’s a good thing. It can help. It is a large part.
Mark Hoffman: This year for my PFD I purchased an e-bike this summer. It’s the first time I’ve owned an electric bike, and I’m probably going to buy an accessory to go with this. Most likely, I’ll need a bike lock. Other than that, I’ve no concrete plans. I am happy to have a PFD like always.
Temi Parra: It’s like $1300? It’s likely to be spent on sneakers. What else? I’m taking a vacation. Therefore, I’m leaving on the 6th. We arrive by the 5th. You know I’m going to spend it in a different state,.
Casey Grove: Where are you headed?
Temi Parra Temi Parra: Hi, I’m heading to Arizona and I’m going to be there for a few days, going to stay in Scottsdale and then travel all over.
If you decide to come to downtown, be sure that you pay for the meters, okay? I’m not willing to give you all the tickets.
Casey Grove: There’s an app to help you with this.
Temi Parra: Pay By Phone, yes. If the contract expires, it will send you an email and all the details.
Casey Grove: You’ve got the badge So you must claim it you are a member, right?
Temi Parra: Always. It’s for when people need to ask questions. Yes, I’m talking about that if you’ve have tickets, and you don’t pay them, I’ll be forced to tow you guys, as you’re aware.
Casey Grove: Well that we don’t want to risk our PFDs to be taken away.
Temi Parra: Yes, man most people’s PFDs are likely to be sent to us regardless.
Chase Lykins What have you have been up to?
Casey Grove: We’re a community radio station. We’re asking listeners what they’re using their PFDs for this year.
Chase Lykins: Oh. Court fines.
Casey Grove: What do you think?
Chase Lykins: Yeah. For the most part, I mean what they do leave me, you’re aware of what I’m talking about most likely, it will be used for housing or, you know, survival equipment. You know, good ol’ Alaskan winter.
Casey Grove: If you’re paying the court fines in advance the court won’t, like, take it away from the money you pay.
Chase Lykins: No, no not at all they aren’t. However, if you don’t, they’ll charge the police fee and all that nice things. If you do something wrong or get in trouble You know what I’m talking about? They’ll be punished in one way or the other. However, other than that in the event that they decide to leave me something, it’ll be put in the survival gear and, well, you get the idea. nice items.
William Rodney Vandervoort Jr.: Well, first, I’m going to go at Pete’s Grill Shop and buy some ribs as well as a couple of case of beers, and relax at final days of summer.
Jelani Campbell: I’m expecting a baby boy in January. However, my daughter is only three, so she’s getting one too. The way it works is that hers goes to her, including clothes, or other items she’ll need and everything else goes is put into savings.
Casey Grove: Does that sound like what you do normally?
Jelani Campbell Then I’m like, yeah. Just like trying to keep what I can, and then using the items to help with whatever’s currently or if it’s renting or additional things for the home or house and such things.
She got one she received last year, which included a whole lot of other things. This one was great, since it was basically providing her with the necessities and sort of making her ready to take care of long-term issues it was very nice to have the opportunity to do for her. Particularly as a young, single mother, it kind of gave me the chance to, sort of, prepare her to take care of long-term issues.
Casey Grove: What kinds of things in the long-term are you discussing?
Jelani Campbell Like having the ability to deposit it in the college fund or you know, sort of an insurance policy for rainy days of thing. If anything happened, you need to make sure she has enough money to protect her from things. If, for instance, the car would break down, or some other similar event particularly in Alaska where car accidents are common. They aren’t their most trusted counterparts. So it’s nice to have it in case something were to occur. It’s a great thing to have.
Mabel Generous“Oh I just relocated back to New Mexico last year, therefore, I’m not eligible to receive it. I was able to get it.
Casey Grove: Oh no. You used to have it?
Mabel Generous I have used it.
Casey Grove: If you could get it what would you do with it?
Mabel generous probably buying food items and saving money for transportation. I am within the town, and the cost of a roundtrip ticket for 400 miles is about $450.
Casey Grove: Oh yes, yeah. Where do you reside?
Mabel The kind I am from Nulato, a village. Nulato.
Casey Grove: Oh, how cool. Can I get your name?
Mabel Generous: Mabel Generous, like “very generous.” However, I’m planning modify it into Stingy.
Max McGuire: I’m right there. I’ve never thought about it. I’m probably going to pay the bills. Bills. Yeah. I’m not sure. If I’m in the market for something, I typically buy it. This will also help to pay for that and then pay it back I’m guessing.
Casey Grove: Like it’s gone?
Max McGuire: Yeah, probably. Yeah. I’d imagine that many people don’t want to admit it, but we’re all the same way. However, I’m thankful for it. And, of course it’s all helpful.
