This year, each man, woman and child in Alaska received a dividend check of $990 from the state's oil revenue.

The ads don't seem to be aimed at those who buy stocks for the dividend checks.

Just this summer, a dividend check had bought us a two week trip to Vermont.

But many of the dividend checks are quite small.

Half will go to pay next fall's dividend checks.

Others help them grow: "You received a $75 dividend check."

Still, nearly every Alaska resident recently received an annual dividend check from oil production.

The dividend check has become so entrenched that most people see it as simply a right of residency.

Most owners are individuals who forgot items like a small bank account or dividend check.

When Brown sells the stock, he will receive a regular dividend check.