# Gift for myself: What should I spend this money on ? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 14, 2008, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gift-for-myself-what-should-i-spend-this-money-on/445310 "2008-04-14T15:20:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2008, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gift-for-myself-what-should-i-spend-this-money-on/445310/1 "2008-04-14T15:20:30Z")
I had a $140 windfall from some online video work - I’ve decided (with full approval from the missus and family) that this first payment should be spent on something memorable or worth keeping (future earnings are just going into the household finances). I was thinking about sending myself on a one-day blacksmithing course, or better still - a knife-forging course, but I can’t find any near me (southern England) that available soon and priced right. So I’m looking for other ideas. Any suggestions? Some of you probably know the sorts of things I’m into, but I’m specifically looking for something that extends the borders of my interests, at least a little. ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2008, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gift-for-myself-what-should-i-spend-this-money-on/445310/2 "2008-04-14T20:06:16Z")
Since you have approval of the missus, and you live in England, I think you should hire a prostitute. Stateside, you wouldn’t do so well, but having glanced at punters’ message boards in Manchester, I think you should do quite well for 70 quid. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2008, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gift-for-myself-what-should-i-spend-this-money-on/445310/3 "2008-04-14T21:45:29Z")
Hmmm… She approves in principle of me spending the money. I wouldn’t dream of testing the integrity of her principles to that degree. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2008, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gift-for-myself-what-should-i-spend-this-money-on/445310/4 "2008-04-14T21:49:02Z")
I would get my hair done. Or I’d go to a nice restaurant with the spousal unit. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2008, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gift-for-myself-what-should-i-spend-this-money-on/445310/5 "2008-04-14T21:51:10Z")
Tattoo the missus’ name on your bum. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![HongKongFooey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c4cdca/32.png) [@HongKongFooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HongKongFooey)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2008, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gift-for-myself-what-should-i-spend-this-money-on/445310/6 "2008-04-14T21:52:25Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] something memorable or worth keeping. [/QUOTE] How about a tattoo? ETA: Crap! Just a bit late!!! ---
**Author:** ![Sal\_Ammoniac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2008, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gift-for-myself-what-should-i-spend-this-money-on/445310/7 "2008-04-15T01:31:39Z")
I like the idea of the blacksmithing course. Trouble is, if you really like it, you’ll be wanting to set up your own forge. But you know what’s really weird? I got an Amazon gift certificate the other day for the exact same amount, and have been idly wondering what to do with it. Verily, today is the day for coincidences. So I’ll follow this thread and feel myself free to steal any ideas. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2008, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gift-for-myself-what-should-i-spend-this-money-on/445310/8 "2008-04-15T06:08:09Z")
How about some nice cooking utensils? Or a couple of great knives? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2008, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gift-for-myself-what-should-i-spend-this-money-on/445310/9 "2008-04-15T08:17:25Z")
I may plump for a really good kitchen knife set. Although I welcome the contributions, I think the tattoo idea would be approximately as well-received as the prostitute one. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2008, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gift-for-myself-what-should-i-spend-this-money-on/445310/10 "2008-04-15T08:19:48Z")
[QUOTE=Sal Ammoniac] I like the idea of the blacksmithing course. Trouble is, if you really like it, you’ll be wanting to set up your own forge. [/QUOTE] It’s possible, I suppose, although I definitely don’t have the space for it - and it would require a permanent setup. I don’t tend to settle for very long on any specific hobby though. I wouldn’t mind having a go at thrown pottery (on a wheel). ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2008, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gift-for-myself-what-should-i-spend-this-money-on/445310/11 "2008-04-15T09:04:08Z")
Martyn Bennett’s Bothy Culture and his self-titled first album, along with some of those other albums you’ve been meaning to get? What about some really nifty craft supplies you’ve been yearning for? If you do take a blacksmithing course, go for more than a single day. The Mr. took a blacksmithing course (twice, he went through a second time to learn more advanced techniques) that was a few weeks long. It met twice a week for four hours. He had fun with it. We have a lovely to look at, sturdy, solidly made fireplace poker to show for it. You really need more than a single day to learn the techniques, they take practice to get the rythmn down. ESPECIALLY for something like making a knife blade. ETA: Seeing **Sal Ammoniac** ’s coment, yes, my husband wants his own forge. ---
**Author:** ![FourPaws](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e0b2c6/32.png) [@FourPaws](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FourPaws)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2008, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gift-for-myself-what-should-i-spend-this-money-on/445310/12 "2008-04-15T09:50:16Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] It’s possible, I suppose, although I definitely don’t have the space for it - and it would require a permanent setup. I don’t tend to settle for very long on any specific hobby though. I wouldn’t mind having a go at thrown pottery (on a wheel). [/QUOTE] You can make a simple forge out of firebrick and a propane torch: [http://home.comcast.net/~eellis2/EllisCustomKnifeworks/ForgeGallery/My\_Homepage\_Files/Page7.html](http://home.comcast.net/~eellis2/EllisCustomKnifeworks/ForgeGallery/My_Homepage_Files/Page7.html) So, don’t let that hold you back. Forge ahead! ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2008, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gift-for-myself-what-should-i-spend-this-money-on/445310/13 "2008-04-15T09:54:40Z")
[QUOTE=FourPaws] You can make a simple forge out of firebrick and a propane torch: [http://home.comcast.net/~eellis2/EllisCustomKnifeworks/ForgeGallery/My\_Homepage\_Files/Page7.html](http://home.comcast.net/~eellis2/EllisCustomKnifeworks/ForgeGallery/My_Homepage_Files/Page7.html) So, don’t let that hold you back. Forge ahead! [/QUOTE] That wouldn’t burn hot enough to do steel work. It’s more for softer metals. ETA: This, from my husband, who has done blacksmithing. Quoting him: “Steel work, you need acetylene.” He’s a welder too. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2008, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gift-for-myself-what-should-i-spend-this-money-on/445310/14 "2008-04-15T10:01:00Z")
My husband, on thinking of it is saying that with some fire bricks, coal or coke, steel pipe and blower you could set up a decent forge. Just be certain you are in a very well ventilated place, especially if you use coke. (That stuff is STINKY!) ---
**Author:** ![HongKongFooey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c4cdca/32.png) [@HongKongFooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HongKongFooey)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2008, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gift-for-myself-what-should-i-spend-this-money-on/445310/15 "2008-04-15T10:27:50Z")
A good chef’s knife is well worth the investment and will last forever with a little care. I bought a Henckels last year when I had a similar windfall and have been very happy with it. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2008, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gift-for-myself-what-should-i-spend-this-money-on/445310/16 "2008-04-15T10:33:06Z")
I did a class in jewellery making, during which I learned to make silver rings - that might be worthwhile if blacksmithing is unforthcoming. However, a really good cooking knife is also good idea. And a good sharpener too. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2008, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gift-for-myself-what-should-i-spend-this-money-on/445310/17 "2008-04-15T11:56:00Z")
[QUOTE=Zabali\_Clawbane] That wouldn’t burn hot enough to do steel work. It’s more for softer metals. ETA: This, from my husband, who has done blacksmithing. Quoting him: “Steel work, you need acetylene.” He’s a welder too. [/QUOTE] It _can_ be done with charcoal (or coal) and air… ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2008, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gift-for-myself-what-should-i-spend-this-money-on/445310/18 "2008-04-15T11:57:32Z")
[QUOTE=jjimm] I did a class in jewellery making, during which I learned to make silver rings - that might be worthwhile if blacksmithing is unforthcoming. [/QUOTE] I might look at that. Other possibilities I’m considering are night classes in ceramics, or welding. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2008, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gift-for-myself-what-should-i-spend-this-money-on/445310/19 "2008-04-15T12:11:04Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] I may plump for a really good kitchen knife set. [/QUOTE] Get a really wonderful **knife** : a **set** at that price will be second rate and not worth the $. But a good kitchen knife is a pleasure and a treasure. There are some things that just should not be skimped on. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2008, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gift-for-myself-what-should-i-spend-this-money-on/445310/20 "2008-04-15T13:41:38Z")
You’re probably right - although I think what I had in mind by ‘set’ was a knife and steel, rather than one of those eleventy-one piece never-needs-sharpening boxed sets. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gift-for-myself-what-should-i-spend-this-money-on/445310.md?page=2)