# What to spend my big win on? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 14, 2016, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-spend-my-big-win-on/768491 "2016-10-14T05:51:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-spend-my-big-win-on/768491/1 "2016-10-14T05:51:20Z")
I usually win £25 every few months on the Premium Bonds, my mum will tell me about them as I work out of the country, and I’ll use the cash to buy us nice wine when I visit. Today I got an email from her; 3 x £25 wins and one for £500! The first time I’ve won more than £25, it’s such a nice surprise. I asked her to give the 3 x £25 to the church she regularly attends (and goes to bell ringing, people’s houses to advise on their kids going to Holy Communion, and does Sunday school), but not sure what to spend the Monkey on. Although it’s only worth about $6.22 right now it still buys quite a bit in the UK. I have more than enough clothes, laptop, tablet, nice Samsung phone that doesn’t explode, last month moved and bought nice framed pictures and stuff for my new apartment, and savings if I needed anything urgently. I’d like to spend it on something that isn’t a consumable, avoiding the initial ‘high’ of buying something shiny. Any thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-spend-my-big-win-on/768491/2 "2016-10-14T06:05:53Z")
Teach it how to clean your bathroom. Monkey No Like Clean! ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-spend-my-big-win-on/768491/3 "2016-10-14T06:07:40Z")
So, it’s a $500 bond that’s worth $6.22 right now? When does it mature? ---
**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-spend-my-big-win-on/768491/4 "2016-10-14T06:31:02Z")
Nah, it’s £500 cash I can fritter away on anything I want! The exchange rate isn’t that bad, yet, but Sterling is looking weaker and weaker by the day. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-spend-my-big-win-on/768491/5 "2016-10-14T07:00:09Z")
I’m gonna say it. Since nobody else has… Hookers. And. Blow! ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-spend-my-big-win-on/768491/6 "2016-10-14T07:05:59Z")
Lego. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-spend-my-big-win-on/768491/7 "2016-10-14T08:05:40Z")
Not a consumable really cuts into it for some reason. I was going to suggest a holiday weekend with your mum or something. Hmmm. Invest it in something non-British pound and let it mature in the bank for a bit? Pay off a credit card? ---
**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-spend-my-big-win-on/768491/8 "2016-10-14T10:04:08Z")
**Sunny Daze** , that’s closer than hookers and blow. I have no credit card debt, I have savings in the USD and other currencies (more Jason Bourne amounts than Soros). I’m leaning towards something in silver (I like silver) but I tried that a few years ago and the spoons I bought were tiny and dad gave them away because they were not worth keeping - he has a knack for collectibles in stamps and coins, as did his dad. ---
**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-spend-my-big-win-on/768491/9 "2016-10-14T10:10:53Z")
It’s not a big amount, and I want to buy a little thing that is just for my enjoyment. That sounds awkward, I mean I could buy a silver tea pot and it’ll get used and will last, or a slice of the film from a big movie that I can put on the wall. Or a poster or signed shirt of a sports player? It’s 500 squids which is not a lot for a collectible, but I’d rather spend my free money on something that will remind me of my first (and maybe only) big win on the Premium Bonds. Framing the cheque would do that, but it wouldn’t hold its value. ---
**Author:** ![TwiSpark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@TwiSpark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwiSpark)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-spend-my-big-win-on/768491/10 "2016-10-14T10:22:36Z")
I’d probably use it on a holiday or something. My temptation previously would’ve been to buy a more expensive $shiny\_gadget than usual (say, put it towards an Apple product) but then you kind of spoil yourself and end up a tech snob, and having to either fork out the same expense in about 5 years or go through the pain of downgrading to something cheaper. I speak (well type) from experience there. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-spend-my-big-win-on/768491/11 "2016-10-14T11:52:43Z")
Spend it going somewhere you never thought you’d be, like top of the Eiffel Tower, or any place really, that’s not easy to get to and means something to you, for whatever reason. Snap a selfie in your chosen spot and put that on the wall! ---
**Author:** ![Mavic\_Chen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e56c9b/32.png) [@Mavic\_Chen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mavic_Chen)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-spend-my-big-win-on/768491/12 "2016-10-14T15:19:44Z")
How about some [Nantgarw](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nantgarw_Pottery) porcelain? Rare and very desirable. Plus it might kindle an interest… ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-spend-my-big-win-on/768491/13 "2016-10-14T16:24:11Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Lego. For adults - [http://nanoblockuk.com/](http://nanoblockuk.com/) ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-spend-my-big-win-on/768491/14 "2016-10-14T16:34:44Z")
What about going to a restaurant with a companion that you might never consider otherwise? Something like Nobu or one of [Heston Blumenthal](http://www.dinnerbyheston.co.uk/)’s digs if you’re near London. ---
**Author:** ![Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tastes_of_chocolate/32/3232_2.png) [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-spend-my-big-win-on/768491/15 "2016-10-14T16:47:15Z")
Do you have an all time favorite movie/band/sports team? You could take a look at memorabilia from that. ---
**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-spend-my-big-win-on/768491/16 "2016-10-14T17:59:53Z")
> [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](#): > > Do you have an all time favorite movie/band/sports team? You could take a look at memorabilia from that. Interesting. I’m a huge movie buff, recently started a Facebook [page](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1705345263120250/1708911612763615/?comment_id=1708966976091412¬if_t=like¬if_id=1476463946490725) on films and invited all of my friends, by mistake. Join if you wanna. My top five are Magnolia, Oh Brother Where Art Thou, Blade Runner, Pretty Woman, and Fight Club. I’d only buy stuff from Magnolia, or maybe Blade Runner. Although the scene in American Psycho when he’s admitting the murders to his lawyer is the best acting I’ve ever seen, so would also consider that. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-spend-my-big-win-on/768491/17 "2016-10-14T18:52:44Z")
> [@voltaire](#): > > So, it’s a $500 bond that’s worth $6.22 right now? When does it mature? Methinks **JustinC** inserted a superfluous decimal point. I parsed it as a win worth 500 British Pounds, which at today’s exchange rate equals about 622 American Dollars (although my exchange calculator says $609.75). So, for 622 US Dollars, I think I’d buy a good, used over/under shotgun for the upcoming quail/pheasant/skeet seasons. ---
**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-spend-my-big-win-on/768491/18 "2016-10-14T23:51:58Z")
I like guns but I never shoot anything with a pulse. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2016, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-spend-my-big-win-on/768491/19 "2016-10-15T02:38:14Z")
A nicer pair of shoes (not implying anything). When your feet feel great, the world feels great! ---
**Author:** ![Buttercup\_Smith](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buttercup_smith/32/473_2.png) [@Buttercup\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buttercup_Smith)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2016, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-spend-my-big-win-on/768491/20 "2016-10-15T14:22:23Z")
If it is $600+ please consider donating a portion to one of our very own **anyrose**. She is in dire straights. There is a thread about here in MPSIMS. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-spend-my-big-win-on/768491.md?page=2)