# What would you do with $50
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-50/142740
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [December 14, 2002, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-50/142740 "2002-12-14T17:01:54Z")
**Posts on this page:** 14
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Mirth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mirth)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2002, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-50/142740/1 "2002-12-14T17:01:54Z")
A guy from my old apt. complex tracked me down to give me a letter that got delivered to my old address. The letter was a consumer redress check for $50 from a lawsuit between the FTC and some scam company. I wasn’t expecting it and I didn’t do anything to earn it, so I feel like I should do something worthwhile with the money. So far I’m thinking of giving some to the guy who tracked me down and the rest to a charity, like Adopt-an-Angel. (Of course there’s the greedy part of me that wants to buy myself a new pair of Docs.)
What would you do with the $50 if it was you?
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### Author:  [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2002, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-50/142740/2 "2002-12-14T17:14:30Z")
I’d put it in the bank and forget about it. It will be absorbed into the monthy expenses.
Not “noble” or “fun”, but practical.
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### Author:  [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2002, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-50/142740/3 "2002-12-14T17:27:27Z")
Nah, forget worthy causes – windfall money should _always_ be used for something fun and frivolous. I’d be on my way to get $50 worth of books, myself, or else save it for my next vacation.
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### Author:  [@FisherQueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FisherQueen)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2002, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-50/142740/4 "2002-12-14T17:28:57Z")
I’d have one pretty nice evening out. Go see the Two Towers, have a moderately nice dinner, stop at the bookstore to spend whatever was left on presents for myself.
Either that, or an opera ticket. I like opera.
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### Author:  [@Skerri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skerri)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2002, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-50/142740/5 "2002-12-14T17:35:49Z")
Donate half of it to one of those “Angel Tree” charities.
Then, go out and have fun. $25 might not get you too far, but you’ll have done something cool and fun with unexpected money.
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### Author:  [@Forbin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Forbin)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2002, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-50/142740/6 "2002-12-14T19:21:22Z")
Another vote here for “put in bank/forget it”.
$50.00, I’d hardly notice it.
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### Author:  [@cuauhtemoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuauhtemoc)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2002, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-50/142740/7 "2002-12-14T19:23:34Z")
Well, first I’d buy a mansion in the Hollywood Hills. Then I’d take some time off, maybe a trip around the world, or a couple of months in Tahiti, depending on the time of year. I’d split the rest between blue chip stocks and T-bills, setting just a little aside for venture capital. Oh, and I’d buy a winery in the Napa Valley.
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### Author:  [@typhoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typhoon)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2002, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-50/142740/8 "2002-12-14T19:56:51Z")
Retire early.
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### Author:  [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2002, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-50/142740/9 "2002-12-14T20:47:34Z")
Set toward a laptop… Or typhoon’s idea.
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### Author:  [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2002, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-50/142740/10 "2002-12-14T21:33:50Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Fretful Porpentine \*
> \*\*Nah, forget worthy causes – windfall money should _always_ be used for something fun and frivolous. \*\*
Usually I would agree, but keep in mind that food banks are really hurting this year, as are “toys-for-tots” type charities since so many who used to give are now out of work themselves. If you haven’t missed the money until now, pass it along. It might mean the difference between a Happy Holiday or the worst holiday ever for someone.
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### Author:  [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2002, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-50/142740/11 "2002-12-14T21:36:47Z")
You can get Docs for only fifty bucks???
Buy the Docs!
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### Author:  [@monica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monica)
#### Post date: [December 15, 2002, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-50/142740/12 "2002-12-15T00:55:06Z")
I’d give a bit to the guy who tracked me down, and the rest to charity. I’m currently involved with raising money/collecting stuff for two different charity projects, so I’d probably donate to those.
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### Author:  [@Tupug\_Anachi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tupug_Anachi)
#### Post date: [December 15, 2002, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-50/142740/13 "2002-12-15T02:08:07Z")
Already done. $50 to a charitable organization where people list their heart’s desire as food and clothing. ☹
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### Author:  [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)
#### Post date: [December 15, 2002, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-50/142740/14 "2002-12-15T04:38:11Z")
Spend a night in the abandoned Mansfield Jail.