If you got $20k tomorrow tax free...

[Gootsy]

How would it change your life? Would you buy an awesome entertainment system, new car, go on an amazing holiday + getting a new wardrobe?! Pay off some pesky debt? Invest it?

I've been asking myself this on and off for the last month or so. I guess for me, this 20k would give me some security to change jobs. My job right now is secure(knock on wood hehe), pays ok and is not that bad, but there's very little growth in a career.

The good thing about knowing how little growth there is for me, is that it's motivating me to save even more than I usually would. Cause otherwise just seems like I'd be shooting myself in the foot in the long run by not saving hard. So I am on pace to hit that amount soon-ish, and am thinking about what'll be next.

One thing's for sure... I would be a little pissed at myself if, after I save that amount, I opt to just 'stay the course'.

[Gootsy]

Sorry bout this post btw. It was an itch I had to scratch if y'jknow what I mean.

[KelR1]

I would pay off the remainder of my CC debt then take a vacation.

[Megan]

I would go on a shopping spree. I've got a "wish list" of about $1000 worth of various items, plus I want a new computer. All in all, I'd probably take half of it and fund my Roth IRA for this year, save the other $5K for next year, and then put the rest in my "spending" account - not to be spent at random, but just to fund those things that don't normally fit into the budget.

I'm boring

[Lynnae]

I'd pay off my debt and put the rest in my emergency fund. Maybe I'd use a little for a small vacation, too.

[72Tiger]

I have two more decent sized funds that I am just starting to build - a home improvement fund, and an automobile replacement fund. The $20k would cover them both nicely with a little left over. Probably give most of the remainder to a good charity, and spend a little on a nice dinner.

[hermione]

I would save some, invest the rest.

[ThePennyMine]

I would probably put aside $1000 and go on a nice shopping spree, but the rest would definitely be invested.

I should mention though that the "shopping spree" would probably be on ebay for the most part. Even when on a spree I'm still frugal!

[jdp]

Buy a house. If the house was bought, pay down the house. If the house was paid off, take my entire family to Disney. Disgusting I know but the current dream with all the little ones in the family.

[rabidpotatochip]

If I ended up with $20,000 the first thing I'd do is pay off my line of credit since it's costing me more than my savings and investments are making right now. The balance would probably go to into savings for a nice vacation with the missus.

I hate being sensible with my money; I have to think a lot harder about those hypothetical situations than when I was a kid.