# What to do with $1,000 **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 28, 2013, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-1-000/677342 "2013-12-28T06:05:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hirka\_T\_Bawa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/db5fbb/32.png) [@Hirka\_T\_Bawa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hirka_T_Bawa)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-1-000/677342/1 "2013-12-28T06:05:48Z")
I get an “allowance” from my paycheck for fun money, above and beyond what is needed for monthly expenses, which I use for fun, video games, SDMB membership, computer accessories, alcohol, cigarettes, and whatever else I want that doesn’t come out of the family budget… Over the past year, I’ve managed to save $1,000 in cash from my allowance, which is sitting in an envelope in cash on the counter. I’ve already used it for everything I want that I can afford, that I think is worth the money. I guess I’m a natural saver, so only spend the money when I think it is worth it. There isn’t anything I actually want at this point that is worth touching the money… So, my question is what to do with it? No point putting it towards debt, that is handled with the household budget, this is totally free money, that is mine alone, that I can do what I wish without the wife’s approval. I already have what I want, so don’t have any current plans for the money, it is just sitting in an envelope. So, I’m looking for suggestion on even what to spend $1,000 on, or what I can do with it to make it grow. I just think it is wasted just sitting there in cash. What suggestions do y’all have? ---
**Author:** ![MrDurden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ed655f/32.png) [@MrDurden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDurden)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-1-000/677342/2 "2013-12-28T06:11:37Z")
The fact that you need your wife’s approval for anything outside this tiny allowance suggests you aren’t really going to do anything extraordinary with this money. Go to Vegas and play some poker with it or something. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-1-000/677342/3 "2013-12-28T06:35:58Z")
Head on over to [ThinkGeek.com](http://www.thinkgeek.com/) - if you can’t find something there, you really aren’t trying. 🙂 ETA: Try [This Is Why I’m Broke](http://www.thisiswhyimbroke.com/), too. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-1-000/677342/4 "2013-12-28T06:42:40Z")
For a thousand bucks you could buy a round-trip ticket to just about anywhere in the continental US. For a thousand bucks you could buy a really nice tailored suit. You could go to a nearby poker room and just go nuts (no need to go all the way to Vegas to lose it all). Or bet the whole thing on a hand of blackjack and keep going 'till you’ve lost it all or hit ten grand. You could pay for a whirlwind education in a particular niche of consumable (cigars, wine, cheese). You could invest it all in a high risk fund of some kind. You could buy a first edition of a book you like (maybe). You could buy a thousand envelopes and put a dollar into each one, and then file them all away by serial number (would require slightly more than a thousand dollars to complete). ---
**Author:** ![Hirka\_T\_Bawa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/db5fbb/32.png) [@Hirka\_T\_Bawa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hirka_T_Bawa)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-1-000/677342/5 "2013-12-28T07:00:19Z")
> [@MrDurden](#): > > The fact that you need your wife’s approval for anything outside this tiny allowance suggests you aren’t really going to do anything extraordinary with this money. Go to Vegas and play some poker with it or something. Not quite a “tiny allowance”, just what I haven’t spend already this year… Went to Vegas back in March, ended up blowing what I was budgeted plus $200 of my “allowance”. I have thought of going to the local casino to play blackjack, but, time off is a problem… Only reason I have such a large “allowance” is because I’m working a million extra shifts at work, so don’t have days off to travel. > [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Head on over to [ThinkGeek.com](http://www.thinkgeek.com/) - if you can’t find something there, you really aren’t trying. 🙂 > > ETA: Try [This Is Why I’m Broke](http://www.thisiswhyimbroke.com/), too. Key point, worth the money… I love the place, and if I was one to spend money, I’d be broke… I do have some cool stuff from there already though. > [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > For a thousand bucks you could buy a round-trip ticket to just about anywhere in the continental US. > > For a thousand bucks you could buy a really nice tailored suit. > > You could go to a nearby poker room and just go nuts (no need to go all the way to Vegas to lose it all). Or bet the whole thing on a hand of blackjack and keep going 'till you’ve lost it all or hit ten grand. > > You could pay for a whirlwind education in a particular niche of consumable (cigars, wine, cheese). > > You could invest it all in a high risk fund of some kind. > > You could buy a first edition of a book you like (maybe). > > You could buy a thousand envelopes and put a dollar into each one, and then file them all away by serial number (would require slightly more than a thousand dollars to complete). All great ideas, but time is an issue, if I could get away to travel, I’d go to a casino and this wouldn’t be an issue… Don’t have any use for a suit (only wear dress code clothes or jeans and a t-shirt) Any books I want I’ve already got… And why would I want to file away money by serial? However… Do you have a high risk fund worth investing in? ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-1-000/677342/6 "2013-12-28T07:04:33Z")
Not a high risk fund, but you could put it in a CD at your local bank. ---
**Author:** ![Hirka\_T\_Bawa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/db5fbb/32.png) [@Hirka\_T\_Bawa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hirka_T_Bawa)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-1-000/677342/7 "2013-12-28T07:11:10Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > Not a high risk fund, but you could put it in a CD at your local bank. Current rates for a 1 year CD is around 1%… So, with $1,000 tied up for a whole year, I would make $10… Not worth it at all. ---
**Author:** ![MrDurden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ed655f/32.png) [@MrDurden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDurden)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-1-000/677342/8 "2013-12-28T07:23:55Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > For a thousand bucks you could buy a round-trip ticket to just about anywhere in the continental US. > > For a thousand bucks you could buy a really nice tailored suit. > > You could go to a nearby poker room and just go nuts (no need to go all the way to Vegas to lose it all). Or bet the whole thing on a hand of blackjack and keep going 'till you’ve lost it all or hit ten grand. > > You could pay for a whirlwind education in a particular niche of consumable (cigars, wine, cheese). > > You could invest it all in a high risk fund of some kind. > > You could buy a first edition of a book you like (maybe). > > You could buy a thousand envelopes and put a dollar into each one, and then file them all away by serial number (would require slightly more than a thousand dollars to complete). This guy has great advice. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-1-000/677342/9 "2013-12-28T07:24:53Z")
A large pizza with _everything_. Delivered. ---
**Author:** ![MrDurden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ed655f/32.png) [@MrDurden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDurden)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-1-000/677342/10 "2013-12-28T07:28:05Z")
The problem is that with just $1000, you’re not going to find something that will be easy to grow quickly. That’s why I advise gambling. 1K in the proper night life will get you a good 24-48 hours you might not forget. You seem like you have the alcohol and tobacco you want and do not want to venture further . From personal experience, during the latest bitcoin ‘crash’ I bought several at 490, recently sold at 720. Not insane profit, but whatever. It was what I could afford. ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-1-000/677342/11 "2013-12-28T08:11:58Z")
Why not just invest it in stocks and see what happens? You might make money, you might not, but it would be fun to watch it. And then you’ll have it (probably) for the rainy day when you need it. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Nader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Darth\_Nader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Nader)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-1-000/677342/12 "2013-12-28T08:59:40Z")
Hire someone to do a thoroughly well-done criminal background check on yourself. I spent a weekend in jail once, some bastard who had the exact same name as me skipped bail back in the 90s, in the same state I live in now. Not fun to fix. ---
**Author:** ![Boogly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Boogly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boogly)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-1-000/677342/13 "2013-12-28T10:52:21Z")
If there is nothing special you want buy something special for your wife that she might want. If she asks tell it’s ‘just because’. You make her happy…she makes you happy. It’s like the preacher from the movie Chuck and Larry…it’s a circle. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-1-000/677342/14 "2013-12-28T11:05:14Z")
Booze. I would build an inventory of common liquors. To start up such a cabinet would probably take about a thousand bucks, but after that it would be relatively cheap to sustain. I’ve always wanted to have a booze cabinet that allowed me to offer just about any drink to anyone at any time. ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-1-000/677342/15 "2013-12-28T14:14:15Z")
I was going to ask what kind of car/motorcycle you have but realized that no one who is a car or bike person would ever need to ask what to do with an extra grand 🙂 That said, some cool new rims, a stage I kit, or maybe a brake upgrade from Brembo would be nice. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-1-000/677342/16 "2013-12-28T14:21:53Z")
Some people like to invest in gold or silver. Or perhaps US Savings Bonds. My grand daughter has been receiving framed Disney stock from her grand father. If you’re comfortable with it, invest in the market. There are different levels of risk and the numbers appear to be rising. But there’s also nothing wrong with just hanging on to it for a little bit. Rainy day funds give comfort to me. Who knows what new toys are coming out in the next couple of months. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-1-000/677342/17 "2013-12-28T14:32:05Z")
Hookers and blow. 😛 Kidding aside, why is a mere $1,000 burning a hole in your pocket? It’s not very much money at all. Roll it up, snap a thick rubber band on it and stick it in a cool dry place. There will be things you may want or need down the road and you’ll have a little mad money on hand to buy them. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-1-000/677342/18 "2013-12-28T14:56:55Z")
If there is nothing you can really identify _needing_ or _wanting_, then I agree that you should just save it for when you do need or want something. (Also, if you don’t already have an emergency cash fund, use this to start one. I keep a few hundred in twenty-dollar bills at home, partly so I won’t necessarily need to run to the ATM when my wallet runs short.) ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-1-000/677342/19 "2013-12-28T15:13:50Z")
I know of a struggling PhD student Doper with a family that could put it to good use… ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-1-000/677342/20 "2013-12-28T15:26:35Z")
Looking down my wish list for ideas…the only thing that might (generally) appeal to others is a nice Kegerator for that. (I have one, but am looking at new faucets and pulls.) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-1-000/677342.md?page=2)