Maybe some of you have just received a check in the mail from the US Government. It is part of George W. Bush's 'Everything is Fine, Go Shopping!' stimulus package. Sounds eerily to me like Betty Friedan's 'sexual sell' her book, The Feminine Mystique. Everyone that filed taxes in the US last year is entitled to a 300-600 dollar check. After my initial shock and disbelief, I asked around where I could cash it because I have lived in Budapest for 18 years and have never tried to cash a US check, let alone one from the US Government. Several friends drew blanks, but then one suggested I call the US Embassy. The Embassy said that some Hungarian banks will cash them for you if you are an account holder, but they can take up to 6 weeks to ‘verify’ (read: play with your money interest free) the check, and take 15% off the top. Apparently though, the K  H Bank at Oktogon will cash your check in 3 weeks regardless if you have an account there or not. I have not tried yet, since the check is good for 1 year and I am hoping for the forint to weaken! By the way, if you are working abroad but file taxes in the US, you are entitled to earn up to 80000 USD tax free, and only have to fill out the easy 1040 EZ and 2555 EZ forms.