Kevork Djansezian / AP Patricia Sermeno, who works in the butcher shop at an Albertsons in Glendale, helps Sergio Gil make a selection. Albertsons' parent is offering incentives for customers to spend their stimulus checks at the store.

Wish the federal tax rebate check coming your way could stretch a little further?

Now, it can.

Several retailers are rolling out incentives to get consumers to spend all or a chunk of their rebate checks inside their doors. The rebates, which are expected to reach 130 million households, range up to $600 for an individual and $1,200 for married couples, plus $300 for eligible children younger than 17.

The rebates, part of the government's $168 billion economic stimulus package, are designed to bolster consumer spending to help lift the economy out of the doldrums.

In response to the first wave of electronic payments hitting thousands of bank accounts Monday, national retail chains are offering discounts and other promotions to lure customers.

"It's not a slam dunk for these retailers," said Jack Kyser, chief economist of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. "Because consumers are very concerned of what might happen, a lot of people might put it into a savings account for the proverbial rainy day."

Consumers have been "whacked in the head" with bad news, with rising foreclosures and the price of gas and basic food items going up, he said.

In an Associated Press-AOL Money & Finance poll earlier this month, 35 percent said they would use their regular tax refunds for bills and credit card payments. That was up from 27 percent who said that a year ago.

Retailers are being very aggressive to get that money spent within their doors, Kyser said.

One tactic is to offer consumers 10 percent or more in additional value if they buy store gift cards. For example, retail food chains such as Supervalu, parent of Albertsons, and Kroger, which owns Ralphs, are giving an extra $30 for every $300 spent in rebate checks at their stores.

That could add up to $120 if some couples decide to spend their entire $1,200 rebate at the grocery store.

Not exactly the most exciting way to spend your rebate check, but certainly a sensible one, considering that food is a necessity — as opposed to a big screen TV or PlayStation 3.

"Ten percent off something that you're already buying anyway makes a lot of sense," said Tom Miller, a senior financial adviser for Waddell & Reed Inc. in Thousand Oaks.

But the 10 percent added value won't tempt Ron Kehoe of Camarillo.

"I'll probably do something more frivolous, like buy something I don't need," he said.

His wife, Carol, who joined him on a shopping trip Monday, said the couple would put the rebate aside to use for their next vacation or party. They said that the money was "like a gift," and that they didn't really need it.

Miller said he's advising his clients to put the money into savings or, if they can, set up an account for a child or grandchild.

Won't affect nest egg

But in the long run, it's not enough money to make a big difference to a nest egg, Miller said.

Realistically, he knows that most people are going to go out and spend the rebate or pay down debt.

And if they do save instead of spend, "it would defeat the whole purpose of this thing," he said.

Louise Lofquist of Camarillo doesn't care if it does defeat the purpose. When asked what she would do with her rebate, she promptly answered that she's going to put in the bank.

"In bad economic times, I'm not going to throw the money away when I need it for gas and food," she said.

Kyser said people should first pay off any past due bills. Then, if they're not certain of their economic situation, they should put it in a savings account.

When she gets that long-awaited check, Lorena Sandoval of Oxnard said she will fill up her gas tank, then head to the supermarket and stock up on food, including cooking oil, beans and rice. With what is left over, she said she plans to purchase clothes for herself and her four children.

Money 'we need'

"It's not like extra money — it's money we actually need," said Sandoval, adding that she's been looking for a job for five months.

The rebate is available to those who filed federal taxes, even if they didn't file a state tax return, according to the Federal Tax Board.

And it's not taxable in California.

"It wouldn't be much of a rebate if we'd have to turn around and pay taxes on it," said Holly McDonell, spokeswoman for the California Franchise Tax Board.

She said she thinks that the enticements retailers are offering is a great idea. "These days, any incentive to save money is good for all of us," she said.

— The Associated Press contributed to this report.