That’s basically my situation, except that I won’t be 20 for a few months. I’m looking for post-Americorps possibilities and want some suggestions, or at least something to ponder on. So tell me what you’d do if you were 20-years-old in 2004 and had $2,000 bucks in the bank. Where would you go, what would you do?
Put it in the bank and let it earn interest until I actually need the money for something.
Well, I’m 23 and I’m headed to India on Monday. China Airlines has cheap fares (if you don’t mind that their planes fall out of the sky every once in a while) and once your there, everything is cheap. You can also look into being an air corrier, which will get you pretty far pretty cheap. I’m gonna be gone for three months…
I’m assuming there are no outstanding debts or obligations that need to be settled? No rent or bills that need to be paid, no student loans, that sort of thing?
If you’re looking to blow it, there’s always Vegas. Otherwise, maybe look into buying an inexpensive car, upgrading your computer system, buying lovely gifts for family and friends, sponsoring a Doper or two here?
But I would definitely keep at least half of it for the proverbial rainy day.
I’m 20, so I think I’m qualified to answer this! 
If you don’t have to worry about paying rent and buying food and things like that (in which case $2k isn’t much)…
Go on holiday. I’m a travel freak, so that will always be my answer (if not saving for a holiday). At the moment, if I had $2k to spare, I would go skiing for a week. Then maybe up north and learn to scuba for a week with the rest.
Or… go overseas. Asia somewhere maybe.
[jealous]
Endless possibilities…
[/jealous]
Well I’m 24 and I have $2600 CAN in the bank and I am going to the UK for a yr or so. It’s taken me ages to save up this much while working a min. wage job, not sure about you so good luck deciding! 
BLOW IT!!! BLOW IT!!! You’ll never forget that one awesome weekend you had when you were 20!!!
I’m 32, so I’m way out of this in a sense.
But I’d save half. Figure out if you have any key items that need replacing, and set aside another half for that. If you don’t, travel. If you do, replace.
Give yourself at least some to blow any way you want. Me, I’d lose any discretionary sum in one trip to B&N.
I think the air courier idea is great. How do you get into that?
Mrs. Furthur
Do you have a job and a place to live once you’re done with the $2K? Do you have school plans? Work plans?
Because, 20 or not, $2K is not much of a nest egg. Heck, I’m pretty sure I had $2K in the bank back in 1981 when a student could live on that much for a year, and I didn’t think I was rolling in it. Now, $2K sounds to me like the bare minimum savings I’d want even if I were fully employed.
I’m not a free spirit, so if I were down to my last $2K, I’d be planning on how carefully I could save it up until I could get a job.
Vegas, baby.
Vegas.
Bear Nenno is right. Before too much more time passes, you may wish you’d done something wild and crazy.
Put aside $1000 for the trip and expenses.
Put aside the other $1000 for a one-spin trip on the Roulette Express. If nothing else, you’ll never forget the moments waiting for that ball to land.
Good luck, no matter what you choose to do!
If I had $2000, I would invest half in Dolores Mutual Funds, and take the other half to my friend Asadullah, who works in securities…
</Office Space>
I’m 21. I’d throw one hell of a party.
I’m not much younger than you so I am qualified as well to answer this, but I’m confused are you asking what you should do or what a 20 year old* would * do?
You should invest it wisely, but most Teens and 20’s that I know would blow it all on stupid stuff, ( possibly myself included)… I’d take 500 dollars to blow and put the rest in an account that is really hard to take money from and I don’t know what that is but I’d find one.
Plastics.
Beat me to it. When I was 20 Microsoft would have been a good bet. Hell, if I’d have stuck with my instincts in 95 and bought Amazon.com…
…OK, kid, here’s what ya do. Get a time machine, a flashlight and 3 quarts of dark rum. Go back in time to say 1510 and make for what is now Panama…
If I had adult responsibilties and only $2k in the bank, I’d be hanging onto it for dear life. $2k is about 60% of a decent emergency fund IMO. Are you in college? Working? What sort of responsibilities do you have?
SNORT!
Down home girl, if that’s not significant to you, check out the 1967 movie: “The Graduate”.
Now for advice: You know who loves ya’, right? Here’s my advice: Blow it! Find a cheap airline fare to England or Spain and have yourself a ball. Create some memories.
Once upon a time when my grandfather was very old, he spoke to me thusly: “When you get close to the end of your life, it’s not the things you did that you regret, it’s the things you didn’t do.”
2K isn’t going to make such a difference in the long run. Buy a computer or car and in three years you won’t even remember what it looked like. You can have some experiences that will serve as pleasant and/or funny memories for a lifetime.
If you do decide to listen to some of the advice here about Vegas, don’t do that. You can lose your money in Biloxi just as quickly and if you get broke in Biloxi me or your uncle can come get you and drive you home. It’s a long hitch-hike from Vegas.
Good luck, and do keep your doper family posted.
If someone gave me $2,000 right now…south of France, here I come! Wine, cheese, and naked beaches…mmm-mmm!
Seriously, where have you always wanted to go? Look into it, and take a fabulous trip.
I would suggest to buy and/or invest in some form of assets.
Ok, not too exciting, I know.
If you gotta spend it on something, make it memorable/worthwhile, otherwise, hold on to it. You never know when you might actually need $2000.
Oh. naked beaches.
[HIJACK]Did I ever mention my oldest kid was made in Asheville?[/HIJACK]
Find a glider school and earn your FAA Private Glider Pilot certificate. No medical is required for glider flying. $2000 probably isn’t enough for an airplane pilot license, and soaring is more fun anyway.