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How would you use $3500?
  • nothingivebecomenothingivebecome
    Posts: 55Member
    So...the whole Scary Mommy of the Month got me thinking about something. The winner will get somewhere between two and five thousand, right? For this scenario let's say it's exactly in the middle. Let's say the prize is $3500. What would you realistically do with it? I know there was a thread about winning the lottery amd what we would do with millions....but this is more real. I can imagine this amount. Heck, i had this amount in February from my tax return...but if you were to win this prize....what would you spend the money on? Would it get you out of whatever hole you are in? Would it fix your car? Get you away from your a-hole significant other? If you could not just spend it frivolously...how would that money help you?

    I would fix my car. Its not broken right now but it does have 120k miles. I need brakes, a new O2 sensor, an oil change, new headlights, and generally a good all car workover. I own my car. My payments were 300 a month. If I can spend less than 3600 then I am fine putting some money into it. It will keep me out of another 5 year car note.
    I give up - nothing is what I've become!
  • LesboMomLesboMom
    Posts: 2,875Confessional Manager
    I would want to take that money and apply it to improving ny credit rating. $3500 would just about take care of all of.my delinquent reports. I mostly have medicam bills and a few credit card things from when I was a kid. I want to buy a house sometime soon, but need a much better credit score than I have right now before I can do that.

    confessional-manager

    Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow. -- Helen Keller
  • AnonUser27
    Posts: 1,779Guest
    I would definatley fix my car. It needs a new gas tank and a ball joint. I would put my daughter back in preschool, I had to take her out because I lost my job and can't afford it now. Then I would move.
  • DovahkiinDovahkiin
    Posts: 773Member

    I would do car stuff first, definitely. We desperately need new tyres (they're nearly completely bald), front brake pads and rotors, plus it randomly dies and overheats regularly. I just want a reliable car!


    I'd also buy a bed. Ours is not 2nd hand, it's 4th hand :( There's many back problems associated with it.


    A bit more realistic then the lotto lol but a little more applicable to real life :P


     

    More people would learn from their mistakes if they weren't so busy denying them
  • LLB
    Posts: 3,308Member
    Can't spend it frivolously? Then I guess taking my family to Disney is out of the question, right?

    I'd probably use if towards a new vehicle for dh since his floors are rusting out.

    Or put it towards some household repairs we have been putting off.

    I'd like to say get us out of the financial hole we are in but sadly that would barely put a dent in the cc debt we have!
  • mericksmom
    Posts: 388Member
    Kill my debt, fix all the tires, buy a fan for the living room, stock up pantry for the next shit storm to happen. 


    If I could use it for frivolous items it would be new wardrobe for family (we haven't bought new clothes for 1 yr and kiddo is quickly growing outta the over size stuff I bought him last year), take a vacation, and throw my son the birthday party he didnt get (let just say family didnt even show up to cake and ice cream.)
  • vintkey78vintkey78
    Posts: 324Member
    Well since I just separated with te husband and I'm pretty sure he will dick me on child support and I don't have a job yet. I would use it for bills and stuff to hold over till I get a job.
  • PurpleFlowersPurpleFlowers
    Posts: 5,598Member
    I would pay bills, get new brakes on my car and right now thats all I can come up with.
    Stay away from my chocolate and nobody gets hurt!

    I think I like who I am becoming...
  • GritsGrits
    Posts: 3,749Member
    I'd set some aside for the inevitable rainy day, but most of it would go to buying clothes that the kids desperately need for school next year and catching up (maybe even get ahead) on bills since we're living on about $1200/month right now.
    "I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles." ~Audrey Hepburn
  • lbj
    Posts: 1Member
    I would get new floors and possibly some cabinets in my kitchen.  I would stretch the dollars as far as they could go in that room.
  • chaosmomchaosmom
    Posts: 3,865Member
    I would start with a tune up on my minivan. Then pay for 6 more months of liability ins because I have no idea how we can afford it once this policy runs out. Take ds13 & ds7 on a thrift store shopping spree because both are in serious need of pants, shorts & shirts & undies(ok, so Walmart for this) that fit them! Stock up the freezer to help during the tough times. Use some for gas to take ds7 to equine therapy sessions to help teach him calming techniques (which would be the biggest help ever). And then save the rest for just in case SO gets laid off again.
  • [Deleted User]
    Posts: 2,509
    Oh, I totally got this..

    Dentist bill-$300
    Lab work-$350
    Ultrasounds (ain't cheap!)-3 x ~$125: $375
    DH insulin/pump supplies-$800
    Kids' doctor visits-$200
    DH student loan:$1000

    The rest goes in the bank because we never know when more shit is going to pop up.
    Get me a damn beer.
  • momnipotentmomnipotent
    Posts: 499Member
    id pay off my bills and put some extra on them all to lessen the blow each month for a bit, id buy a car, buy my bany some clothes that actually FIT and an exersaucer and save some for food.
    *ad astra per alia porci*
    my nuts hang like there aint no curfew
  • sunnymommasunnymomma
    Posts: 2,263Member
    I would fill my oil tank and over pay so there would be money on the account for the next time I needed oil. i would also pay off bills(car&medical mainly), stock up on food and cleaning supplies and stuff. That would be just enough to spread out to not make me paycheck to paycheck. Oh and a hair cut, I haven't had one in 2 years. Would be so nice!!!
    “There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love. When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance. We need to learn to love ourselves first, in all our glory and our imperfections. If we cannot love ourselves, we cannot fully open to our ability to love others or our potential to create. Evolution and all hopes for a better world rest in the fearlessness and open-hearted vision of people who embrace life.”
    ― John Lennon
  • EtoileEtoile
    Posts: 34Member
    I'd use it to pay back some of my student loans, no question. I pay $650 a month on them, and knocking out anything extra to lower that would be amazingly helpful.
  • Katescrazymom
    Posts: 1,849Member
    Go put for dinner, put the rest on the line of credit.
  • CanadianMamaCanadianMama
    Posts: 9,775Administrator, Moderator
    Hmm; I would pay for school, $3500 could actually cover a whole year if I stay part time. And I just paid $600 to fix my car, lol, so not really feeling like spending more money on my pos.

    community-manager


  • fatladysings
    Posts: 15Member
    Credit card debt, no doubt. That would make a significant dent!
  • AnonUser28
    Posts: 2,083Guest
    I would buy plane tickets for me and DD to go visit my family and my sweet baby niece. Buy a few months worth of therapy for DD... Then I would use it to buy some school stuff, like lab equipment and hospital shoes. The rest would go to groceries. How exciting. 
  • SassySassy
    Posts: 2,396Member
    Buy my dad a plane ticket down. Buy the rest of the baby things we need. Pay off CC, stock my fridge/ pantry and put the leftovers into the mortgage.
  • serenitynowserenitynow
    Posts: 2,174Member
    Put towards bills, mainly student loans.
  • shadylaneshadylane
    Posts: 3,071Member
    i would use it to bring my dd with me full time until i find a job. she's still not totally potty trained so i still have to buy her training pants. the food stamps only last about 2 weeks and i would just like to be able to get her a new toy or clothes now and then. i feel like a total loser when we're at the store and i can't even spend an extra dollar on something she wants. even a snack if i have food stamps, i have to budget every penny of them to make them last as long as possible. it sucks she should be able to get the good cereal or some fucking fruit snacks. she doesn't understand b/c my parents can get her whatever she wants, which i don't agree with either but she should get a treat every now and then. sometimes i feel like she's better off just staying with them. if i found a job soon i would use it to get a bigger place so she can have her own room. she has to sleep on a mattress in the living room when she's with me. and maybe i wouldn't have to take out such a big loan for school.
    ~slim shady~
  • hallfamily727hallfamily727
    Posts: 277Member
    I would pay off medical bills.  All of them.  sigh
  • midwestmama1999
    Posts: 4Member
    Pay off credit cards, catch up on daycare (behind b/c daycare is a relative who takes pity us!), stock up the pantry/freezer and buy gas cards so we don't have to worry about having money to fill up. Also buy the kids some new clothes for school. And splurge on a restaurant meal for funsies!
  • PrimalbitchPrimalbitch
    Posts: 1,302Member
    Ohmy. My medical bills would swallow that right up. :(

    I would like to buy a few more clothes for work that fit better. Buy kiddo some new clothes as hes outgrown most of what he has.

    I could pay someone to remove the fallen limbs from my yard and mow the grass/weeds that are three feet tall.

    Mostly I would want to put it towards moving. New place, new furniture, new life. I want that so bad right now but have no idea how I'm going to afford it on my own.
  • GingersnapGingersnap
    Posts: 7,301Member
    House repairs.
    image
  • momofdbbmomofdbb
    Posts: 9,031Member
    Bills and using it for stuff untill I get a job , I am spending the summer with my boys trying to make it a better summer than last year. I would get a zoo membership too so we can go to the zoo a lot and it gives you free or cheeper prices at most other zoos. We are zoo groupies. Lol. But I honestly think there are other Scary Moms out there that need it more than I do. Yes I am far from rich but I have family close by that help with needs.
    " Wibbly wobbly timey wimey ......." The Doctor
    " I'm a leafe on the wind..watch how I soar ." Wash :((
    " Oh the wall had it comming.' Sherlock Holmes
    yea I am geek !!
  • ChibikoChibiko
    Posts: 2,690Member
    I would totally have that entire amount swallowed up by debt. It would take a HUGE burden off my family as once the debt gets paid down we will finally be sitting in the positive on many things. *sigh* dare to dream though.
    U R who U think U R

    "You were the truth I would rather lose than to have never lain beside at all"
  • AnonUser28
    Posts: 2,083Guest
    Oh, I forgot, since we are dreaming here, I might set aside $300 for a second hand camera. Mine died last week and I am pretty devastated. It was the only thing I owned. I feel like I'm in photo withdrawl, I don't even have a phone to take pics with.
  • PigeonPigeon
    Posts: 695Guest
    I'd move out. Damage deposit, 1st months rent, pet deposits paid and if I'm lucky thered be some left over to buy pizza and beer for the people helping me move.
  • mommydeliriousmommydelirious
    Posts: 3,206Member
    Bills, food, car insurance, gettin through DH's last leg of school on just student loans.
    Photobucket
  • [Deleted User]
    Posts: 354
    I would play catch up with bills and most likely pay ahead on them.  Then I would take preschool tuition out so DS could actually go.  Buy some clothes and shoes for everyone.  Then put whatever was left into DHs car so it will run. 
  • Twins911Twins911
    Posts: 213Member
    Hold up… Is there some kind of SM lottery that I haven't heard off? If there is I've over looked it… 

    While I dream of actually having $3500, I would definitely put it all to get my mortgage up to date. Although I could really use a vacation from my SAHM Insanity… a spa treatment, ahhhh, sigh… okay okay… I'm awake now. lol


  • unforgivenunforgiven
    Posts: 12,889Confessional Manager
    @twins911 see Scary Mommy of the Month thread. Not exactly the lottery but geared to help fellow SM's in need.

    confessional-manager

    "What looks like torture is a time to rejoice
    What sounds like thunder is a comforting voice
    When what is beautiful looks broken and crushed
    And I say I don't know you
    But you say it's finished"
  • episcopal
    Posts: 1,397Member
    Pay off bills.  I know, boring.  But it has to be done.
  • CalliopemarieCalliopemarie
    Posts: 4,337Member
    Pay bills buy food find a new apartment buy clothes for me and my kids and shoes you know the basics. Diapers wipes stuff I can't do on 200 a month
    i am insane!!! mwahahahaha
  • LifeofchaosLifeofchaos
    Posts: 988Member
    Get our plumbing issues fixed (will cost around $700), buy school clothes and supplies for the kids, stock up the pantry and save the rest :-)
  • DemandaDemanda
    Posts: 4,479Member
    Oh, I suppose I should probably put it all on debt. It would get me halfway out of debt (not including my massive student loan - but that debt doesn't really concern me right now.   Or, we're in the process of buying a house and I'm bringing no money to the table, so maybe I'd add it to the down payment fund.

    "The truth will set you free. But first, it will piss you off." ~ Gloria SteinemPhotobucket
  • BeautifulDefianceBeautifulDefiance
    Posts: 759Member
    3500 would totally fix my situation. I would pay off my rent for the month pay up my credit card bills pay back the $600 cash advance loan that I have and I finally be caught up to where I don't have late fees every single month on every single bill. and since it would only cost about 2800 to pay up all of the stuff that I'm behind on, I guess the rest I pay rent in advance so that I don't have to worry about that in the coming months. Maybe start a layaway for the kids school supplies and school shows/clothes
    I prefer not to think before speaking. I like being just as surprised as everyone else by what comes out of my mouth.

    SMSM_s_5

  • unforgivenunforgiven
    Posts: 12,889Confessional Manager
    It would go towards debt... :)

    confessional-manager

    "What looks like torture is a time to rejoice
    What sounds like thunder is a comforting voice
    When what is beautiful looks broken and crushed
    And I say I don't know you
    But you say it's finished"
  • LesboMomLesboMom
    Posts: 2,875Confessional Manager
    BUMP

    confessional-manager

    Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow. -- Helen Keller
  • Thefinder
    Posts: 1,631Member
    Bills, a new matress as ours is dead and both dh and I wake up sore every morning, mine and dd's passport and a rental car so I can go visit @Kmetz44 finally (and of course others sm along the way), I would give to the food bank that we have hit up more than normal lately, and a used sectional off kijiji because we need a new couch but we don't want new as we have munchkins running around.
  • Charlotte_SometimesCharlotte_Sometimes
    Posts: 1,757Member
    I would go to the doctor.  Sliding scale clinic in my area would still cost me more than I ever seem to have extra.  I have been ignoring some pesky health issues for way too long now and have no health insurance.  

    After that?  I would pay our apartment rent ahead for about five months.  I am no longer going to be a community college student come fall, my tuition is about to increase  from about $1000 a year to $8500 a year so the student loan money and pell grant is about to stretch a LOT less if I can't get scholarship money. 

    So to have one less thing to worry about, I'd pay the rent ahead.  I'm already stressing about that and what will happen when I am paying university tuition instead of CC tuition.
    "But a lesson must be lived
    In order to be learned"

    Ani DiFranco, Manhole
  • shadylaneshadylane
    Posts: 3,071Member
    oh yeah i would def go to the doctor, i have a feeling these recurring uti's are a sign of something much more serious
    ~slim shady~
  • MistyStacy_2010MistyStacy_2010
    Posts: 491Member
    I would get my son a new mattress 
    Get my damn tooth fixed
    Get the heat ducts fixed in our kids rooms...come winter they will be camping out in the living room.
    The rest would go to help fix our credit so someday we will be able to buy a home that is ours.
    You are not my thong, so get out of my ass!!
  • Babymakesthree
    Posts: 498Member
    I would fix my car, pay rent and pay for my doctors visits!!!
  • weezerweezer
    Posts: 290Member
    Ohhhh $3500 would be a dream come true right now. I'd pay off my debt (only about $500), get the dog spayed ($300-400), and put the rest towards moving (damage deposit, first month rent, and professional movers).
    Photobucket
  • AutumnAutumn
    Posts: 898Member
    It would all go to renting and furnishing our own place. 
  • irishlassirishlass
    Posts: 6,762Member
    Well I don't know exactly what that would equal in pounds, but I would love to learn to drive, and buy a car, tax and insurance. I would do this so that I would have independance and have no physical need for a lowlife bf. I would probably change my locks too, and I would love to have a little in my account so that I could go grocery shopping just once and not have to have a panic attack before I get to the checkout!
    "Be who you are and say what you feel. Because those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter." - Dr. Seuss
  • PrimalbitchPrimalbitch
    Posts: 1,302Member

    @irishlass, that's one reason I LOVE my food stamps.  I never have to freak if there's enough money to buy groceries.  (except at the end of the month when I'm running out!).  But I can call before hand to see how much money I have left to spend. 

    I want to change mine.  If I could spend it on just whatever, I'd want to get my teeth fixed.  I was told I had enough room for my upper wisdom teeth to come in.   So I didn't have them cut out.  Well, the came down all wonky and pushed my front teeth out of whack.  Now I have a vampire-ish tooth that sticks out as a result and my teeth are really crooked.  I'd love to have them fixed.

  • irishlassirishlass
    Posts: 6,762Member
    @primalbitch I would love food stamps!! I do get vouchers each month that can only be spent on fresh fruit/veg/milk, that totals about 12pounds. That helps a lot.
    "Be who you are and say what you feel. Because those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter." - Dr. Seuss
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