"I spent my check on groceries when I got it, and put the rest into savings."

That is entirely appropriate. When the economy is depressed, we want people to both spend more and pay off any debts they might have, so your mix of spending and savings is just what the economy needed. The boost to consumption helps the economy get going again. And to the extent that people are paying off debts, their debts are moved on to the ledger of the government. Since the government pays a lower interest rate than private citizens, this reduces the overall burdens on the economy, and, again, helps the economy get going again. Both aspects of this help.