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Today feels a little hard to focus, so let's have a fun open thread — what would you buy with an extra $1500?
Here's a little story to go with the fantasy: your favorite aunt passes and leaves you $1500, with a note to get yourself something pretty with hopes that you'll remember her fondly whenever you look at your purchase(s).
SO: what do you buy? What store do you go to first? Do you add more of your own money to purchase something even nicer, or do you squirrel some away for a rainy day and spend less than the full $1500?
For my $.02, for that money I'd probably put the money towards a bag, jewelry, or a painting… The Affordable Art Fair in NYC is always a good one for art (albeit not terribly “affordable”), and for fine jewelry that's really interesting I'm a huge fan of Barney's selection.
If I were to put the money towards a bag I'd probably get one I'd wanted for a while, like this Chloe bag.
Picture via Wikipedia.
Anonymous
I would pay my rent and with the extra $80 go for a massage.
Torin
Yeah, massage at a fancy spa, and put the rest in the bank.
Anonymous
My favorite aunt loved truffles. So off to some artisan truffle-of-the-month club. She’d totally approve. Ain’t nothing wrong with good chocolate.
Anonymous
Prada Cahier bag. I’m not one for 4-figure bags but it’s just such a lovely item…
emeralds
Semi-ditto. I’d get a Mulberry bag. I’m obsessed with them.
Or maybe a Burberry trench.
BankrAtty
But you can’t actually buy any of the linked “fantasy purchases” for $1,500…
oil in houston
a nice watch, probably a Tag
MagicUnicorn
I would pretend to buy all the shoes, but would realistically just end up dumping it in the bank where it would add a little extra cushion to the budget.
DCR
I would use it to take a trip. I might buy something on the trip to remind me of her, or I might not.
Anon
My aunt and I share a love of the outdoors and of red wine. I’d probably plan a camping trip somewhere cool in her honor and enjoy a nice glass of red while there! Even if there’s no lasting momento, the memory of the trip would be better! She and I are also both pretty minimalist (she has lived and camped out of a camper van in several different countries at different times in her life) so a physical object wouldn’t really honor her memory…
Brit
I spent about $1500 on a burgundy Burberry trench coat, discounted from about $4k, a couple of years ago. It was my promotion present to myself. Sometimes I feel like the money was a waste because I work in a casual environment and city and don’t wear it super often.
But when I have a business trip to NYC or otherwise want to look polished, it sure does make me feel like a boss – no matter what I am wearing underneath said trench.
Laura b
A ring from Alexis Russell
anon +40
Since I’m in the middle of house-hunting, it’d either go towards some unexpected repair (ugh) or, more hopefully, something on my new house wishlist like upgrading all the kitchen/bath hardware or new window treatments or a closet organization system. Depends on the place I get, of course!
cbackson
You know, even 5 years ago, I would have had an easy answer to this, but the truth is that shopping for things is no longer pleasurable to me. All my splurges are on experiences. I’m not sure why that is, but I feel like it’s part of a broader change, at least in the circles I run in – my BFF and I were talking just yesterday about how we used to shop for entertainment on the weekends, but now we go to an exercise class/the dog park/hiking/etc. So if someone left me $1500, it would go towards a trip, not an object.
C2
This this this. I could pay for decent lodging for a couple weeks somewhere with $1500. Though, I’d also be tempted to spend it on my hobbies and invest in some new golf clubs, which suits both purposes.
JCL
I feel the same — anyone have any idea about why hobby shopping has lost its appeal? I wonder if there is such a hegemony of choice now that browsing/shopping feels like overwhelming? Has e-commerce made shopping more inherently transactional, rather than aspirational? Is the blogsphere’s love-affair with minimalism subtly influencing us?
Gemma
A vintage women’s Cartier tank watch. So classic and classy.
Anna
This! But do you have aby suggestions on where to find a good legit one??!?
Eertmeert
A unique vintage ring from my fav estate jewelry shop, cashmere sweater(s), perfect pair of spendy skinny jeans in a dark wash, perfume. If there’s any cash left over, a pair of dansko booties.
Alternatively, i would just get the ring and perfume and put the rest in the bank, and every time i go shopping would carry fancy things around the store as if i might buy it but then decide against at the last minute, rinse and repeat. Get all the fun of splurging but without it ever ending. Like, having a crush but it never going anywhere, just get that suspended state of tingly-what-if-do-i-dare
Rebecca
frye boots + downpayment savings.
Ellen
I would take the money and invest 1/2 of it in my IRA, and the other half I would give to NY cares. After all, if this is found money, then 1/2 of it should be paid forward. I choose NY cares b/c I care and there are peeople less forutunate then me who can benefit from my gift of 750. Is that fair? I hope so. YAY!!!
Moria
I have not been able to buy any new clothes for work in 4 years as I dig myself out of a divorce. I would love to buy some new work wear.
Pretty Primadonna
Some type of designer handbag or diamond studs.
Coach Laura
An electric motor for my bicycle to make my commute easier/doable more often.
Trish
I would head to the nearest antique store and buy a nice MCM piece for my house instead of Target knock offs.