Author Topic: Help me spend my Christmas bonus  (Read 13221 times)

Optimiser

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Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« on: December 06, 2016, 05:03:16 PM »
So each year at my work as a Christmas "bonus" we are each given $100. We have 1 hour to spend it before meeting up at local restaurant for lunch where everyone shows off what they bought. We have to spend it on ourselves, and anything we don't spend we have to pay back. Last year I bought a 53lb. kettlebell, which I have enjoyed having around. Most people buy clothes, or tools, or video games. This year, I'd prefer to just pay down student loans (my hair is on fire after all), but I don't think that would be allowed.

Any good ideas on what I should do? I don't want to get too heavily criticized by my coworkers, but I also don't need or want any more useless crap. I'm thinking of just buying something and then returning it at the end of the day, but I feel a little bad about doing that.

HPstache

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #1 on: December 06, 2016, 05:09:12 PM »
So each year at my work as a Christmas "bonus" we are each given $100. We have 1 hour to spend it before meeting up at local restaurant for lunch where everyone shows off what they bought. We have to spend it on ourselves, and anything we don't spend we have to pay back. Last year I bought a 53lb. kettlebell, which I have enjoyed having around. Most people buy clothes, or tools, or video games. This year, I'd prefer to just pay down student loans (my hair is on fire after all), but I don't think that would be allowed.

Any good ideas on what I should do? I don't want to get too heavily criticized by my coworkers, but I also don't need or want any more useless crap. I'm thinking of just buying something and then returning it at the end of the day, but I feel a little bad about doing that.

Buy some silver coins from your local coin shop.  American Silver Eagles... or maybe mix it up with some other foreign coins (Canadian Maple Leaf, Mexican Libertad, etc.).  They are interesting, different, and of course heavy & shiny... everyone will want to hold one.  You could sell them back some day to pay off your student loan, or just hang on to them for the interest factor or gifts.  Typically, a 1oz silver coin is worth the going "spot" price of silver plus a dollar or two.  You shoud be able to get 5 for almost exactly $100 right now.
« Last Edit: December 06, 2016, 05:21:02 PM by v8rx7guy »

mrmiyagi

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #2 on: December 06, 2016, 05:12:05 PM »
I'd buy yourself what I think are the best gifts for others - nice things that they like, but wouldn't normally buy themselves. Nice wine/beer/liquor if that's your thing. A gift card to a nice restaurant in town. Tickets to a concert or sporting event you'd enjoy. You don't have to buy useless crap.

I realize this is less efficient than buying something to return it. But my way you get something you'd enjoy and you also get to participate in the office camaraderie, which has a value  > 0 (to me at least).

Poundwise

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #3 on: December 06, 2016, 05:23:47 PM »
Is there anything you think you'll need in the upcoming year, like bike tools, car tools,  or spare parts?

If it were me, I'd go to my favorite Italian deli and spend some money on fancy pastas, sweets, etc. that my family could enjoy during the holidays.  Basically groceries, but deluxe enough to not seem like a spoil sport. I don't think I could spend all $100 there, though.

SJS

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #4 on: December 06, 2016, 05:25:04 PM »
I'd just buy a few $50 gift cards to a restaurant or anywhere else you might utilize one or even gift them to family/friends. 

Clean Shaven

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #5 on: December 06, 2016, 05:42:48 PM »
Amazon gift card?

Optimiser

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #6 on: December 06, 2016, 05:50:54 PM »
Amazon gift card?

I think this is technically allowed, but kind of frowned upon.

Penny McSave

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #7 on: December 06, 2016, 07:00:05 PM »
I'd be inclined to try and spend the least amount possible (penny candy still a thing?) But I'm a minimalist (and a party-pooper at these sorts of things). ;D

Where does the unspent money go?

friedmmj

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #8 on: December 06, 2016, 07:07:44 PM »
Find a local massage parlor and buy a rub and tug including happy ending.  Oh, wait.  How do you prove that you bought it?

cchrissyy

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #9 on: December 06, 2016, 07:10:51 PM »
buy things you already planned to get for your friends or family.

That way at lunch you can say "this is the remote control car my nephew wants" and "this plant is for my mom". Saves you money, not a bad story, no need to return anything,  and your mom or nephew or whoever gets the same thing or maybe a little more/better than you had already chosen.

MrsTuxedocat

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #10 on: December 06, 2016, 07:16:38 PM »
I'd buy gift cards to the movies and a bottle of scotch or wine.

AMandM

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #11 on: December 06, 2016, 08:39:06 PM »
I'd do one of the following:

--buy $100 worth of something I was planning to buy anyway, then pay an extra $100 to the loans with the money saved.  This may not be feasible, depending on where the shopping has to happen and what you currently need/want to buy.

--buy some luxurious food, like a really really good roast of beef or fine cheeses.


aceyou

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #12 on: December 06, 2016, 08:54:46 PM »
Go to Walmart.  Buy $100 worth of blingy electronic shit, which your coworkers will think is really cool.  Save the receipt and don't open them.  Afterwards, return them, then do your grocery shopping at Walmart for the next couple weeks.  Use the $100 that you'd have otherwise used for groceries to pay off your student loans. 


elaine amj

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #13 on: December 06, 2016, 10:19:07 PM »
I agree with the others - buy something you would normally have to buy in the upcoming months. Start thinking and planning ahead.

Do you need a new blanket, bike accessories, an article of clothing (like a winter coat)? What about something for your kitchen? Or some kind of practical electronic gadget? Or tickets to a show u want to see/movie gift cards.


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bryan995

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #14 on: December 06, 2016, 11:41:20 PM »
scratch offs.

it not gambling when you know you're gonna win

Tjat

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #15 on: December 07, 2016, 04:31:17 AM »
Can you use the Hundo to pay for the fancy lunch you guys are then eating?

cdttmm

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #16 on: December 07, 2016, 05:01:17 AM »
This is a tough one. On the one hand, it's your bonus and your $100 so I say spend it any damn way you please and don't worry about what anyone else thinks. Pay $100 towards your student loans online, print out the receipt, and then bring the receipt and your diploma to lunch and show them off. "Hey everyone -- look what I got -- 1/500 of this diploma!"

On the other hand, there can be a lot of value in being seen as a team player and part of the group. In which case, I'd recommend what many other posters have already recommended. Fancy consumables or a practical item that you know you'll need or want sometime in the next year.

Good luck! Please let us know what you decide to do and how it turns out!

radram

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #17 on: December 07, 2016, 06:21:50 AM »
Food for a soup kitchen?

Maybe a recommendation that all of you serve 1 meal together?

Rubyvroom

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #18 on: December 07, 2016, 06:46:19 AM »
Go buy a ton of toys and donate them to an IRS recognized toy drive. Keep some of the money in the form of a tax deduction. I would hope your coworkers will have a tough time finding anything wrong with that approach.

Davids

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #19 on: December 07, 2016, 08:16:04 AM »
Have fun with it and buy booze, kindle, whatever. It is just $100 and if rules are rules go a little antimustachian and enjoy.

Optimiser

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #20 on: December 07, 2016, 09:48:48 AM »
I'd be inclined to try and spend the least amount possible (penny candy still a thing?) But I'm a minimalist (and a party-pooper at these sorts of things). ;D

Where does the unspent money go?

Unspent money is supposed to be given back to the company. I don't think anyone has ever not spent their money so who knows what actually happens to it. Usually several people spend more than their $100.

buy things you already planned to get for your friends or family.

That way at lunch you can say "this is the remote control car my nephew wants" and "this plant is for my mom". Saves you money, not a bad story, no need to return anything,  and your mom or nephew or whoever gets the same thing or maybe a little more/better than you had already chosen.

We have to spend the money on ourselves.

Can you use the Hundo to pay for the fancy lunch you guys are then eating?

Company pays for the lunch already.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions so far.

Poundwise

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #21 on: December 07, 2016, 09:57:58 AM »
I think you'd feel good if you were able to buy something with your $100 that would save you at least $100 or more.  What kind of repeating costs do you think you could lower with a small investment? For example, if it's your heating bill, you could get yourself a nice electric mattress pad. If it's food costs, maybe you could pick up gardening supplies or a Costco membership. 

FIRE Artist

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #22 on: December 07, 2016, 10:16:18 AM »
Have fun with it and buy booze, kindle, whatever. It is just $100 and if rules are rules go a little antimustachian and enjoy.

This exactly.  It isn't a Christmas "bonus" so you shouldn't call it that, it is a company provided Christmas gift, but instead of them dictating what it is (gift basket, bottle of booze etc. ) they have decided to make it a game and let people decide for themselves what they want for a Christmas treat.  It sounds like fun to me. 

If nothing else, go buy some nice fancy chocolates or food gift basket to share with friends and family over the holidays, you are likely going to want to have something for people who drop by, or a hostess gift so it should prevent you spending money on those things over the coming weeks. 

Zikoris

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #23 on: December 07, 2016, 10:17:54 AM »
If it was me, I'd probably buy some concert tickets - easy to research online ahead of time for efficiency.

Kitchen stuff would probably be my second choice - I generally have something or another that could use replacing, since I use every kitchen thing I own heavily. Though if you have to show it off to others, w set of stainless steel mixing bowls or measuring cups isn't going to be that exciting.

Third, a nice electric blanket. I had one many years ago, and it was great.

Nothlit

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #24 on: December 07, 2016, 10:25:33 AM »
Any good ideas on what I should do? I don't want to get too heavily criticized by my coworkers, but I also don't need or want any more useless crap. I'm thinking of just buying something and then returning it at the end of the day, but I feel a little bad about doing that.

I'd like to facepunch everyone here who is telling you to just waste it on something you don't need. It's a free $100 - you should do what you actually want to do with it, which from what you wrote, seems like paying down your loans. If you really feel you must save face with your co-workers, then I see nothing wrong with just buying something for the "charade" and then returning it. Do they make you sign some agreement to the rules of this crazy little game? Or is it just social pressure?

Guesl982374

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #25 on: December 07, 2016, 10:30:42 AM »
So each year at my work as a Christmas "bonus" we are each given $100. We have 1 hour to spend it before meeting up at local restaurant for lunch where everyone shows off what they bought. We have to spend it on ourselves, and anything we don't spend we have to pay back. Last year I bought a 53lb. kettlebell, which I have enjoyed having around. Most people buy clothes, or tools, or video games. This year, I'd prefer to just pay down student loans (my hair is on fire after all), but I don't think that would be allowed.

Any good ideas on what I should do? I don't want to get too heavily criticized by my coworkers, but I also don't need or want any more useless crap. I'm thinking of just buying something and then returning it at the end of the day, but I feel a little bad about doing that.

Buy some silver coins from your local coin shop.  American Silver Eagles... or maybe mix it up with some other foreign coins (Canadian Maple Leaf, Mexican Libertad, etc.).  They are interesting, different, and of course heavy & shiny... everyone will want to hold one.  You could sell them back some day to pay off your student loan, or just hang on to them for the interest factor or gifts.  Typically, a 1oz silver coin is worth the going "spot" price of silver plus a dollar or two.  You shoud be able to get 5 for almost exactly $100 right now.

Any good ideas on what I should do? I don't want to get too heavily criticized by my coworkers, but I also don't need or want any more useless crap. I'm thinking of just buying something and then returning it at the end of the day, but I feel a little bad about doing that.

I'd like to facepunch everyone here who is telling you to just waste it on something you don't need. It's a free $100 - you should do what you actually want to do with it, which from what you wrote, seems like paying down your loans. If you really feel you must save face with your co-workers, then I see nothing wrong with just buying something for the "charade" and then returning it. Do they make you sign some agreement to the rules of this crazy little game? Or is it just social pressure?

Both of these ideas. Get something you can return or resell the next day to put the money towards your loans.

charis

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #26 on: December 07, 2016, 10:37:43 AM »
I would probably buy something and return it to pay down debt/invest as well. 

But second to that, I might use it for something that I'm considering, but have held back so far due to cost.  Examples: my daughter wants to have her next birthday party at one of those trampoline parks and I'd like to go skiing this winter.  I first do a quite check on Groupon for any relevant discounts and then book the party or buy a couple of lift tickets.  Or maybe a family membership to a local museum or science center.
« Last Edit: December 07, 2016, 10:40:07 AM by jezebel »

Tyson

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #27 on: December 07, 2016, 10:41:11 AM »
Roll it into a down payment on a new Mercedes?  Haha, kidding.  I'll tell you what I'm using my bonus for - putting window treatments in my house so I stop losing so much heat during the winter.  The upstairs bedrooms are especially cold and that should also save me $$ on the electric bill.

CmFtns

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #28 on: December 07, 2016, 10:47:21 AM »
If you really just want the money to better your future just buy something and return it like you suggested... no one will ever know it's perfect idea.

You have every right to do what is best for you as long as it doesn't harm anyone else.
« Last Edit: December 07, 2016, 10:49:48 AM by CmFtns »

nessness

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #29 on: December 07, 2016, 10:53:48 AM »
Have fun with it and buy booze, kindle, whatever. It is just $100 and if rules are rules go a little antimustachian and enjoy.
I agree with this. It's a gift; no need to game the system.

Personally I'd buy a new pair of boots - I've been wanting some, but not quite enough to spend money on them. If there was any left over I'd get wine or fancy cheese or chocolates.

Since it sounds like you're into working out, maybe a new pair of running or cross-training shoes, and save them for whenever yours inevitably wear out?
« Last Edit: December 08, 2016, 11:31:32 AM by nessness »

Carless

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #30 on: December 07, 2016, 11:15:50 AM »
A crock pot or something to make cooking more efficient?

NotJen

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #31 on: December 07, 2016, 11:39:12 AM »
Since this lunch is paid for, it does sound like a fun activity (unless you really dislike your coworkers, then screw it and make a loan payment!).  I agree with considering this a gift from the company, rather than a bonus.  I'd go the route of buying something you would have any way, and then send the extra $100 to your student loan when you don't have to make that purchase.

My first thought was to buy wine or beer, since these are purchase I would make anyway.  $100 would get me at least 6 bottles of wine, enough for a couple months at my usual pace.  Or a bunch of singles from the craft beer store - that might be fun to share what I picked, since many have neat artwork or interesting names, and I work with people who also enjoy beer.

But then someone said running shoes, and that's a great idea, too.  I'm in the habit of buying my annual pair of running shoes in January, so I'd just push that purchase up to get $100 off my shoes.

lunahsol

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #32 on: December 07, 2016, 11:51:28 AM »
Instant Pot! 

Penny McSave

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #33 on: December 07, 2016, 12:30:01 PM »
For some odd reason I imagined the company donating the unspent money so if that's not the case then I vote to buy yourself some sort of consumable you wouldn't normally buy. Fancy food and fancy booze sure are nice but I like the idea of an experience too. What about a membership to a museum or club of your favorite hobby?

charis

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #34 on: December 07, 2016, 12:30:22 PM »
Have fun with it and buy booze, kindle, whatever. It is just $100 and if rules are rules go a little antimustachian and enjoy.
I agree with this. It's a gift; no need to game the system.

Facepunch for the idea that someone trying to pay down their debt is somehow gaming the system.  The employees are entitled to spend the money on anything.  If the OP is trying to understandably avoid being shamed by her coworkers and employer for paying her student loan, that is their problem, not hers. 

Optimiser

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #35 on: December 07, 2016, 01:06:53 PM »
I think you'd feel good if you were able to buy something with your $100 that would save you at least $100 or more.  What kind of repeating costs do you think you could lower with a small investment? For example, if it's your heating bill, you could get yourself a nice electric mattress pad. If it's food costs, maybe you could pick up gardening supplies or a Costco membership.

This the type of thing I've been trying to come up with. For example, a few years ago I finally bought my own cable modem so I could stop renting one from Comcast. I'd love to think of some other low hanging fruit like that, but I can't come up with anything. I already have an electric mattress pad, Costco is a 30 min drive from my house, I rent and don't really have space to garden...

I'm kind of surprised at all of the spendypants suggestions on here. Lately I've been asking myself before every purchase if the item would make my life suck less. Almost always the answer is no, so I don't buy it. Shortening my working life seems like the best way to make my life suck less, hence my thought of paying down loans to get $100 closer to FIRE.

herbgeek

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #36 on: December 07, 2016, 01:41:32 PM »
I'd buy some basic food, and then turn around and donate it to a food pantry.  If that was frowned upon, some yummy goodies to share with my work group.

CmFtns

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #37 on: December 07, 2016, 01:42:48 PM »
Shortening my working life seems like the best way to make my life suck less, hence my thought of paying down loans to get $100 closer to FIRE.

This is what is best for you... buy something to talk about at lunch then return it and do this it's obviously what you actually want to do with the money.

Bumperpuff

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #38 on: December 07, 2016, 02:05:24 PM »
I like the idea of buying good booze or other consumables.  Otherwise, I say buy supplies for your hobbies, side business, or something that will save you money long term like an Instapot which run about $100.

ketchup

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #39 on: December 07, 2016, 02:21:20 PM »
They wouldn't want you to show off two VTSAX shares?  The whole thing seems quite silly and materialistic.

I'd probably find something consumable that can sit on the shelf at home until you need it.  $100 buys you either a lifetime supply of paprika, a few years worth of oil filters, socks for a few years, or enough condoms to last a few weeks, etc.

NotJen

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #40 on: December 07, 2016, 02:22:05 PM »
I think you'd feel good if you were able to buy something with your $100 that would save you at least $100 or more.  What kind of repeating costs do you think you could lower with a small investment? For example, if it's your heating bill, you could get yourself a nice electric mattress pad. If it's food costs, maybe you could pick up gardening supplies or a Costco membership.

This the type of thing I've been trying to come up with. For example, a few years ago I finally bought my own cable modem so I could stop renting one from Comcast. I'd love to think of some other low hanging fruit like that, but I can't come up with anything. I already have an electric mattress pad, Costco is a 30 min drive from my house, I rent and don't really have space to garden...

I'm kind of surprised at all of the spendypants suggestions on here. Lately I've been asking myself before every purchase if the item would make my life suck less. Almost always the answer is no, so I don't buy it. Shortening my working life seems like the best way to make my life suck less, hence my thought of paying down loans to get $100 closer to FIRE.
I'm guessing you might have already cut cable, but if not, you could buy something that helps you watch TV without it, like an antenna for OTA stations or a Roku (you would still probably pay for a streaming service, though you could cycle through free trials for the first few months).

Digital Dogma

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #41 on: December 07, 2016, 02:25:57 PM »
Its already been said, but I'll say it again

I'd to go to costco liquor store and buy 100$ of vodka.

NotJen

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #42 on: December 07, 2016, 02:26:52 PM »
Also, what's your cell phone bill look like?  Could you spend the money in any way that makes that bill cheaper? Change fees, sim card, compatible phone to move to a cheaper service?

Clean Shaven

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #43 on: December 07, 2016, 02:27:43 PM »
Gasoline + alcohol.

Penny McSave

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #44 on: December 07, 2016, 02:32:27 PM »
  $100 buys you either a lifetime supply of paprika..

LMAO! My husband and I are cracking up over this. We are now debating just how many jars of paprika one buys in a single lifetime. Pretty sure I'm up to 3 at this point.

(Sorry for the derail)

sparkytheop

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #45 on: December 07, 2016, 02:34:19 PM »
Do you have any hobbies that use up items?  I quilt, so I'd get fabric, needles, a cutting template, etc.

You could go grocery shopping and get your normal grocery supplies (maybe "boring" for the party, but useful).  Then move the $100 from your grocery budget to your student loan payment line.


I'm a red panda

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #46 on: December 07, 2016, 02:36:48 PM »
I'm 100% on board with the "buy anything, spend the entire allotment, return it and use the money how you want"

If you can buy amazon gift cards, can you buy stock?

steviesterno

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #47 on: December 08, 2016, 09:34:12 AM »
I say go to the dollar store and buy 100 jars of something weird that you can donate to people that need it. Shelters around here always need shaving cream or toilet paper or razors. So just go buy $100 worth of toilet paper. waltz into lunch and pile it high on the table. Don't say a word. the whole time. sit silently, behind your mountain of TP, everyone wondering what the hell is wrong with your digestive system. Order beans, wink at the server.


then keep some of you need it and donate the rest! everybody wins.

BoonDogle

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #48 on: December 08, 2016, 10:36:24 AM »
If you were given $100 with no strings I would encourage you to pay down your debt, etc.  Seems there are strings attached to this $100 - you have to spend on yourself, show off what you got, and return any money not spent.

Spend it on tickets to some event you want to attend, buy something you need around the house.  Its $100 gift.  Its not going to derail your plans for FIRE if you don't immediately use it to pay down debt or buy stock.  If you're really serious about FIRE I would bet there are bigger cost cutting measures you can employ than buying something, then returning it, then buying a couple shares of stock.

Facepunch away, Jezebel.

charis

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Re: Help me spend my Christmas bonus
« Reply #49 on: December 08, 2016, 11:25:36 AM »
If you were given $100 with no strings I would encourage you to pay down your debt, etc.  Seems there are strings attached to this $100 - you have to spend on yourself, show off what you got, and return any money not spent.

Spend it on tickets to some event you want to attend, buy something you need around the house.  Its $100 gift.  Its not going to derail your plans for FIRE if you don't immediately use it to pay down debt or buy stock.  If you're really serious about FIRE I would bet there are bigger cost cutting measures you can employ than buying something, then returning it, then buying a couple shares of stock.

Facepunch away, Jezebel.

I'm not sure what you think I'd have a problem with - I suggested buying event tickets.  I was taking issue with the prior suggestion that the OP would be "gaming the system," as if she'd be taking advantage of the company, for trying to pay down debt.