# You have just won $1000 tax-free... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 28, 2012, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-just-won-1000-tax-free/610983 "2012-01-28T13:39:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Pai325](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Pai325](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pai325)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-just-won-1000-tax-free/610983/21 "2012-01-28T19:48:37Z")
Into the house it goes! Some lamps, some paint, maybe some drapes. It won’t last long. ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-just-won-1000-tax-free/610983/22 "2012-01-28T21:02:04Z")
Hop on the new motorcycle I’m making payments on and go pay off a little more debt. Right now my money is going to paying off previously purchased extravagances. Don’t get me wrong, we went a LONG time with the responsible thing…and about a year ago, got sick of that and decided to be just slightly LESS responsible. Best thing we’ve ever done. And now is the time to start paying off some of that. ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-just-won-1000-tax-free/610983/23 "2012-01-28T21:41:07Z")
I’d use it to up my down payment for a new car. With what I already have, $1K could cut six months to a year more off my payments (why yes, I will be purchasing an entry level car). No immediate gratification, but would allow finances in the next five years to be a bit looser. ---
**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:** [January 28, 2012, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-just-won-1000-tax-free/610983/24 "2012-01-28T22:06:40Z")
I’d get it all in dollar coins, preferably the older Ike dollars, and pile it in my (walkin) closet. Then, whenever I felt depressed, I’d wallow in it, like Scrooge McDuck. Seriously, though, my husband put in about 30 hours of overtime, so he’s going to get a bigger paycheck, but it’s going to go for things like vehicle maintenance. New tires, transmission services, things like that. Boring but necessary. ---
**Author:** ![purple\_haze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/db5fbb/32.png) [@purple\_haze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purple_haze)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-just-won-1000-tax-free/610983/25 "2012-01-28T23:51:07Z")
Pay the tax bill on the house. What a thrill! Can I have it in one dollar bills? ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-just-won-1000-tax-free/610983/26 "2012-01-29T07:33:37Z")
If my fridge hadn’t died a few days ago I would have said half to savings and half to bills but since my fridge died I guess most will go to a new fridge. So when will I be getting this money because I can’t have any cold food right now and would really like some? ---
**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:** [January 29, 2012, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-just-won-1000-tax-free/610983/27 "2012-01-29T08:14:03Z")
I’d put it towards a trip to Rome with my SO, to visit the Pantheon and the Sistine Chapel. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-just-won-1000-tax-free/610983/28 "2012-01-29T16:26:33Z")
Put it in the wedding fund. My girlfriend and I are getting married in July, so far the estimated cost is about $12,000. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-just-won-1000-tax-free/610983/29 "2012-01-29T16:39:56Z")
If I had it today I’d give 370 of it to my daughter so she could get her textbooks. When her grant refund comes she’d pay me back. Her car needs CV axles (?) but we only have to pay 200ish for that because a family member is doing the repair for free. My little girl could use new shoes and school skirts. She is growing like a weed! I’d like to renew our zoo membership. That’s another 100. Whatever’s left could go on the light bill for the next month. And of course we’d do what we always do when we have extra. Chinese Buffet! ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-just-won-1000-tax-free/610983/30 "2012-01-29T17:06:09Z")
Stick it in checking (which then will go to either investments or mortgage). Or put it (as cash) in an envelope to add to the emergency cash reserves. ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-just-won-1000-tax-free/610983/31 "2012-01-29T19:22:27Z")
Pay down part of mortgage. ---
**Author:** ![whitetho](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whitetho/32/1059_2.png) [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2012, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-just-won-1000-tax-free/610983/32 "2012-01-30T00:14:37Z")
> [@Scholar\_Beardpig](#): > > Ehh, just put it in the pile, where it will be kept company. My thought too. Although the pile is getting a little top-heavy. Probably a good time to convert some of the minor bills into hundreds. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2012, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-just-won-1000-tax-free/610983/33 "2012-01-30T00:34:28Z")
Put it toward my next trip, whatever that will be. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2012, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-just-won-1000-tax-free/610983/34 "2012-01-30T22:51:34Z")
Bank it. I’m in a saving phase as I prepare to relocate next fall. Nice to have a nest egg to do that. ---
**Author:** ![BrassyPhrase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea666f/32.png) [@BrassyPhrase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrassyPhrase)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2012, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-just-won-1000-tax-free/610983/35 "2012-01-30T23:48:31Z")
Part of a downpayment on a better car. Nothing fancy–mine is shitacular looking but runs well. ---
**Author:** ![Chopper9760](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cdc98d/32.png) [@Chopper9760](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chopper9760)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-just-won-1000-tax-free/610983/36 "2012-01-31T00:07:54Z")
I actually spent my whole Christmas bonus this year and I still feel pretty guilty about it. I’d just bank the $1000 and feel really lucky. ---
**Author:** ![perfectparanoia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a5b964/32.png) [@perfectparanoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/perfectparanoia)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-just-won-1000-tax-free/610983/37 "2012-01-31T21:18:43Z")
This thread made me realize how lucky I am. $1000 wouldn’t make any difference to my life one way or another. I have everything I need and my wants are few. I would just put it with the stack in the bank and wait until about $4000 more of its friends landed there and then build my new porch. It would just be a couple of months earlier. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-just-won-1000-tax-free/610983/38 "2012-01-31T21:30:21Z")
Pay down debt - hard to get out from under being unemployed for a long time, even when you’re working again. Damn interest charges … That, and I’ll need to replace the CV joints on my car pretty soon. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-just-won-1000-tax-free/610983/39 "2012-01-31T21:34:31Z")
Just put it on the pile and spend it as needed. Just like my tax refund. ---
**Author:** ![maggenpye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@maggenpye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maggenpye)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-just-won-1000-tax-free/610983/40 "2012-01-31T21:49:28Z")
New digital TV since the analog signal will be closing down this year $400 New XT network cell phone since the CDMA network will be closing down this year $100 New glasses to stop the headaches $150 Year’s registration on the car instead of six months $200 (on top of the $200 already budgeted) Spamalot dinner theatre for me and the kid $110 $40 left? Extra budget for kid’s birthday presents. The first three on the list will have to be managed anyway. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-just-won-1000-tax-free/610983.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-just-won-1000-tax-free/610983.md?page=3)