# Poll: You're 20-years-old and have $2000. What do you do? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 13, 2004, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-youre-20-years-old-and-have-2000-what-do-you-do/254956 "2004-07-13T21:00:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-youre-20-years-old-and-have-2000-what-do-you-do/254956/21 "2004-07-14T02:08:28Z")
My 22 year old daughter just signed up for an August 29 trip with [Trekamerica](http://www.trekamerica.com) where she’ll be on a camping trip for two weeks travelling from New York over the mountains all the way to New Orleans and then along the coast all the way to Key West Florida. Everything supplied except $8 per day for food for 800 USD. ---
**Author:** ![SlickRoenick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@SlickRoenick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlickRoenick)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-youre-20-years-old-and-have-2000-what-do-you-do/254956/22 "2004-07-14T02:42:56Z")
Lasik ---
**Author:** ![Paladud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Paladud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paladud)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-youre-20-years-old-and-have-2000-what-do-you-do/254956/23 "2004-07-14T02:54:04Z")
Save or invest it. Or possibly dump it into a decent set of speakers and one hell of a music collection 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![gfloyd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d2c977/32.png) [@gfloyd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gfloyd)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-youre-20-years-old-and-have-2000-what-do-you-do/254956/24 "2004-07-14T03:46:42Z")
I’m almost 19 and I save everything (well, almost everything) that doesn’t go for food and rent to buy a new car when I graduate in a year and go off to grad school. ---
**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:** [July 14, 2004, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-youre-20-years-old-and-have-2000-what-do-you-do/254956/25 "2004-07-14T10:13:32Z")
> [@Chastain86](#): > > 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! Unless the laws have changed, it’s illegal for the under-21 crowd to gamble in Vegas. Since letting minors play is a good way to get a whopping fine and shut down, most places will scurry over and card anyone who looks to be under 27 or so. It’s been a while since I’ve been in Vegas, so as I implied, the laws MIGHT have changed, but I doubt it. Also, please note that a lot of people just don’t get much thrill out of gambling. Some people like it a lot. I found it very boring. Plus I hated the smokiness of the gambling areas. Even if I could find a nonsmoking table, the smoke from the surrounding areas was something horrid. I wish that someone had told ME to invest my wages when I was that age. I could have used the nest egg for sending my daughter to college. If you’re going to be living on your own soon, I’d say just stick it in a savings account, because all too soon, you will NEED a lot of ready cash for deposits and housewares and such. And 2K isn’t going to be enough. ---
**Author:** ![Merkwurdigliebe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/74df32/32.png) [@Merkwurdigliebe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merkwurdigliebe)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-youre-20-years-old-and-have-2000-what-do-you-do/254956/26 "2004-07-14T10:39:25Z")
You should definately do some traveling. In many countries people often take a year off before going to college to do some traveling and they often swear by how much more mature it makes them when they are ready for college. It also depends on your responsibilities, too. If you are indeed going to go to college and your parents pay, then blow it on travel. Just go somewhere where you can spend it cheaply and go somewhere where you can stay the longest. ---
**Author:** ![SolGrundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@SolGrundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SolGrundy)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-youre-20-years-old-and-have-2000-what-do-you-do/254956/27 "2004-07-14T10:44:10Z")
> [@Mississippienne](#): > > 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? When I was 20, I would’ve done something like putting it into the downpayment for a car, or buying a new computer, or some other large purchase. But now, I’d definitely, without a doubt, travel somewhere. I’ve had a list of Places I Want To See Before I Die for years, but have never had the time or money to go anywhere really interesting until just a couple of years ago, when I was 30. And I went to the top of the list, Japan. I spent a little over a week there, and saw Tokyo and Kyoto. One of the best, if not the best thing I ever did. It wasn’t just that it was a cool place (although Kyoto is phenomenal and I would’ve spent the whole time there had I known), it was the whole experience. Going by myself, not speaking the language, not really being familiar with it at all. Just devoting a whole week to seeing and doing stuff that I’ve never done before. Even if you’re used to travelling, Japan is its own thing. It’s both familiar and completely foreign at the same time. It’s pretty easy to get around, at least the big cities and the tourist areas, but still you’re constantly reminded that you are in a different world. I wouldn’t recommend you go alone, though, and not just because of your age. After about 4 days of being in a country where I didn’t speak the language, I was going absolutely nuts for someone to talk to. Other places on my list: Ireland (beautiful, and Dublin _rawks_) London (not bad) Paris (pretty, but not my thing) New Zealand Australia and in the US: the Grand Canyon and Chicago And of course, if you’ve never been to the San Francisco Bay Area, you should come out here. I’ve lived here over 8 years and I still think that it’s one of the most beautiful places on the planet. ---
**Author:** ![Go\_You\_Big\_Red\_Fire\_Engine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/eada6e/32.png) [@Go\_You\_Big\_Red\_Fire\_Engine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_You_Big_Red_Fire_Engine)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-youre-20-years-old-and-have-2000-what-do-you-do/254956/28 "2004-07-14T11:18:27Z")
Ok, I’m 18. (close enough) I have AUD$3000+ in the bank. And I’m not doing anything with it. I’ve got the rest of my life to plan for. If there’s an emergency I’m covered. I already have everything I need in everyday life though. I am on a scholarship that gives me $2000 every 6 months for the next 4 years (provided I meet the requirements at the start of every year) And I’m not going to do anything crazy. I’ve splashed out a bit, but not on anything that I haven’t really wanted for ages. I’m planning on using it for food, accommodation, etc etc, with plans of a holiday to Germany (or Thailand perhaps) between my undergrad and my MB. I was thinking about a banking it, but I couldn’t decide on a bank… ING Direct or Suncorp? Or St. George? Figured I’d wait until I could put a straight $2000 in from my next scholarship deposit. ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-youre-20-years-old-and-have-2000-what-do-you-do/254956/29 "2004-07-14T12:30:27Z")
I’d buy a new ass. Mine has a crack in it. Seriously, are you going to school? Is school paid and arranged for? If you answered “NO” to either of these, use the money to help go to college. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-youre-20-years-old-and-have-2000-what-do-you-do/254956/30 "2004-07-14T13:43:58Z")
[Milhouse]Let’s go crazy, Boradway style![/Milhouse] ---
**Author:** ![Miabella](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ccd318/32.png) [@Miabella](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miabella)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-youre-20-years-old-and-have-2000-what-do-you-do/254956/31 "2004-07-14T14:43:47Z")
I would spend the money to travel. Go to Europe or Asia now for a month or two before you have responsibilities like mortages & bills, children, pets, grad school, and/or a career job. You won’t regret it. This is coming from a very responsible almost 30 year old who has many obligations. I love my life, but I can no longer just take off like I could when I was younger. ---
**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-youre-20-years-old-and-have-2000-what-do-you-do/254956/32 "2004-07-14T15:01:30Z")
Travel. You have plenty of time to go to school, plenty of time to sock money away in savings, plenty of time to buy all the trappings. What you won’t have in fairly short order is the confluence of a big chunk of free time and a nice travel fund. Take advantage of it! ---
**Author:** ![RainGrowsBrite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@RainGrowsBrite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RainGrowsBrite)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-youre-20-years-old-and-have-2000-what-do-you-do/254956/33 "2004-07-14T17:04:50Z")
I’m 23…and broke. Give it to me! No?? Ok, then I suggest traveling- and taking me with you. Lets go to Rome!! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-youre-20-years-old-and-have-2000-what-do-you-do/254956/34 "2004-07-14T18:26:08Z")
> [@mack](#): > > You have plenty of time to go to school, plenty of time to sock money away in savings, plenty of time to buy all the trappings. But the amount a person needs to be socking away later one is diminished _ **greatly** _ by putting money away now. Not in savings, but in an IRA or some other tax-deferred investment plan. I don’t have the details, but a ‘small’ amount invested when one is, say, 20, will ultimately net a person significantly more in the long run than a much larger amount invested 10 years later. Save save save. Not that you shouldn’t enjoy yourself too, but if you have no pressing expenses, invest half of this money, if not more. As others have said, $2000 can be a lot of money _if_ you don’t have any other expenses. For me (24 years old), $2000 would go towards either paying off debt or towards rent/insurance/expenses. And/or a replacement for my 7 year old computer. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-youre-20-years-old-and-have-2000-what-do-you-do/254956/35 "2004-07-14T19:31:27Z")
Buy a backpack and an airline ticket to Europe. Go. Stay til your money runs out, or until you get a job. You are the right age to do it, you will have a life-altering experience that you will never regret, and you might just figure out what you want to do with the rest of your life. Cars, computers, clothes…all useless items in a few short years. Travel, meeting new people, experiencing new cultures, learning to make it on your own…that is something you will have until the day you die. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-youre-20-years-old-and-have-2000-what-do-you-do/254956/36 "2004-07-14T22:35:47Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > Buy a backpack … > > Travel, meeting new people, experiencing new cultures, learning to make it on your own…that is something you will have until the day you die. I agree. If you are not already well on the path to “the great answer” already\*, get out there and see the world and what it has to offer. Plenty of time later for the trivial stuff, like meaningless jobs, cars, pets, responsibilitys. Go live! Come back worldly-wise with a knowledge of what you want in life and go for it as a better, well-rounded more mature person. \*meaning you didn’t start your professional snow-boarding/rock-star/whatever career path when you were 13. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-youre-20-years-old-and-have-2000-what-do-you-do/254956/37 "2004-07-14T23:04:31Z")
I’m 24 and I have traveled. The major thing I learned? No matter where you go, peasants are peasants, and the chances of finding good company are equally bad. Seeing Venice for the first time is quite a rush, though. If I had the money to spend, right now, I’d be tempted to do Venice and Florence… it wouldn’t go very far in those places, though. I might spend it on jewelry. Having another $2000 in the bank _instead_ of having something really nice doesn’t seem worth it. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-youre-20-years-old-and-have-2000-what-do-you-do/254956/38 "2004-07-15T01:26:13Z")
First, I’d take out my checkbook, then in the TO: line, I’d write “Captain Amazing”… Assuming you don’t take that wondrful advice, I’d suggest using it to pay off loans, and if you don’t have any loans, keep it in the bank. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-youre-20-years-old-and-have-2000-what-do-you-do/254956/39 "2004-07-15T02:16:58Z")
Personally, I’d recommend the travel advice myself. That will return you the greatest value over your lifetime. You’ll never forget what you saw and did. That being said, If you were to sock it away in an index fund avaraging 10.5% annual return (the historic rate of return of the stock market), in 10 years you’d have $5428.16, in 20 years $14,732.47, and if you left it in for 40 years, it’d be $108,522.83. That’s without ever adding another cent to it. If you added $50 a month to it, in 40 years you’ve got close to half a million. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-youre-20-years-old-and-have-2000-what-do-you-do/254956/40 "2004-07-15T03:48:13Z")
To those posting recommendations: The OP is roughing it in Americorps and has only intermittent computer access. I’m sure she’ll respond when she gets a chance. Hey Home Girl: To follow up; I know you’ve made some friends in Americorps. Are any of them going to be through with their tour of duty about the same time as you? You will enjoy your travels more and feel more comfortable in strange places if you get a buddy to go with you. Trivia: My mom always loved to tell a story about how when she was 18 she and her friend Bunny somehow came into $900. This was long ago, and that was a lot of money then. Mom and Bunny did the smart thing with their money. They went to (pre Castro) Cuba for two weeks and had a great time in Havana. My mom led an interesting life and had many stories to tell, but that trip to Cuba financed with “mad money” was her favorite. I seriously suggest you do something similar before life’s responsibilities make such crazy activities impossible. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-youre-20-years-old-and-have-2000-what-do-you-do/254956.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-youre-20-years-old-and-have-2000-what-do-you-do/254956.md?page=3)