Alaskans to Pick Up $878 Each

Oil dividend dropped from $1174 last year, but free money is free money

BUY an iPhone 5 or replace the leaky rain gutters? Splurge or save? Ah, the tough choices that befall Alaskans every year, when they get their dividend checks from the state's oil savings account just for living here.

State officials said that eligible Alaskans will receive $US878 ($835) this year. That's significantly less than last year's dividend of $US1174, which was the smallest since 2006. The payout will be distributed Oct. 4.