Anonymous
Post 06/18/2025 21:12     Subject: Ideas for “frivolous” spending
5k is not that much. Can you "gift" it to another account?
Anonymous
Post 06/18/2025 21:07     Subject: Ideas for “frivolous” spending
vOh, well until I read to the last page, I was planning to respond, and say that I am this in this situation because I recently got a raise of about $5K a month - that said it's not use it or lose it like yours, and I'm trying to avoid lifestyle creep so I am not [yet] buying a nicer car - but you could do that! I'm saving it for some travel and house reno right now (which maybe *is* lifestyle creep- ha). I guess you could do some home renos but only with things you can incrementally do with 5k a month What about throwing a nice party for your next birthday Have fun & enjoy!
Anonymous
Post 06/18/2025 20:55     Subject: Ideas for “frivolous” spending
Art, diamonds, and personal chef on rotation oh and a nanny
Anonymous
Post 06/18/2025 20:52     Subject: Ideas for “frivolous” spending
Can you put it towards your mortgage? That’s not exactly saving, investing or donating….

Otherwise: furniture, shoes, clothes, sunglasses, (basically whole new wardrobe every season and then you donate your old clothes), art, home renovations (eg kitchen makeover, kitchen appliance replacement, new walk in closet design, new tv, etc.), new electronics, etc.
Anonymous
Post 06/18/2025 20:31     Subject: Ideas for “frivolous” spending
Anonymous wrote:Why not travel, though?


I meant in addition to travel. I am indeed traveling!
Anonymous
Post 06/18/2025 20:12     Subject: Ideas for “frivolous” spending
Why not travel, though?
Anonymous
Post 06/18/2025 19:21     Subject: Ideas for “frivolous” spending
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Can you please tell us why you are in this situation?!


I posed my question as a hypothetical because I didn’t want the specifics of my actual situation to derail the brainstorming, but have gotten enough ideas that I think it’s ok to share at this point. Cue accusations of trolling, but whatevs!

The poster who mentioned the movie Brewster’s Millions was on the right track, albeit I’m talking about far more modest dollar amounts - I am the beneficiary of an eccentric relative’s odd bequest to “spoil” myself more. I am very fortunate to have all my normal living expenses already covered, but have always been pretty frugal by nature, and I guess he wanted to throw a fun challenge my way with a bunch of specific stipulations prohibiting me from straight out saving, investing, or donating the 5K/month.

Thank you to everyone who’s contributed ideas thus far! Please keep them coming if you think of any more.


I remember that movie! OP, what I've found is that I feel good when I do nice things for other people. So that's why all my answers involved different ways of donating money to various causes.
Anonymous
Post 06/18/2025 19:19     Subject: Re:Ideas for “frivolous” spending
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'd buy everything on a teacher's Amazon wish list, or fund Go Fund Me's that I really believe in. I'd pay for dogs to be spayed and neutered. I'd buy tampons for women's domestic violence shelters.

We posted at the same time - and now I feel selfish in my dreams. These are of course great ideas.


You're not selfish, because it's a hypothetical.
Anonymous
Post 06/18/2025 19:12     Subject: Ideas for “frivolous” spending
Anonymous wrote:Can you please tell us why you are in this situation?!


I posed my question as a hypothetical because I didn’t want the specifics of my actual situation to derail the brainstorming, but have gotten enough ideas that I think it’s ok to share at this point. Cue accusations of trolling, but whatevs!

The poster who mentioned the movie Brewster’s Millions was on the right track, albeit I’m talking about far more modest dollar amounts - I am the beneficiary of an eccentric relative’s odd bequest to “spoil” myself more. I am very fortunate to have all my normal living expenses already covered, but have always been pretty frugal by nature, and I guess he wanted to throw a fun challenge my way with a bunch of specific stipulations prohibiting me from straight out saving, investing, or donating the 5K/month.

Thank you to everyone who’s contributed ideas thus far! Please keep them coming if you think of any more.
Anonymous
Post 06/18/2025 18:49     Subject: Re:Ideas for “frivolous” spending
So I would break up a bunch of smaller house projects. Get a new front door, replace sliding pocket interior door that kids broke, hire a sprinkler guy to redo the sprinklers, get a rain barrel. Hire someone to do more landscaping, buy built in bookcases, go to an expensive restaurant, let my 20 year old dye her hair professionally, buy concert tickets etc
Anonymous
Post 06/18/2025 18:33     Subject: Re:Ideas for “frivolous” spending
I might find some young stud and park him in a nice rental and use him at my convenience.
Anonymous
Post 06/18/2025 18:14     Subject: Ideas for “frivolous” spending
Personal trainer, beauty & spa stuff including VIP hair and nails and facials and massages, a face lift, clothes...
Anonymous
Post 06/18/2025 18:10     Subject: Re:Ideas for “frivolous” spending
Anonymous wrote:I'd buy everything on a teacher's Amazon wish list, or fund Go Fund Me's that I really believe in. I'd pay for dogs to be spayed and neutered. I'd buy tampons for women's domestic violence shelters.

We posted at the same time - and now I feel selfish in my dreams. These are of course great ideas.
Anonymous
Post 06/18/2025 18:09     Subject: Re:Ideas for “frivolous” spending
I'd add regular trainer/physical therapist sessions.
Regular beauty sessions if I knew what they'd be.
Regular cut & color, of course.
Actually buying a couple new shoes/clothes each season.
Healthy (prepared would be nice) food.
Anonymous
Post 06/18/2025 18:09     Subject: Re:Ideas for “frivolous” spending
I'd buy everything on a teacher's Amazon wish list, or fund Go Fund Me's that I really believe in. I'd pay for dogs to be spayed and neutered. I'd buy tampons for women's domestic violence shelters.