What Would You Do With £1,000?

I talk a lot here at The Frugal Cottage about saving money, budgeting and early retirement. That’s the three strands I focus on most and have done right from the start. Posts about saving money on food, general money saving tips and investing for income are my most popular posts.

 

But, I was reading something the other day on Facebook about someone being given some money.

 

It wasn’t a huge amount, but significant enough to be able to do something with it, if that makes sense.

 

I then thought about what I would do if I was suddenly given £1,000 with no questions asked. What would I spend it on? Would I be sensible and put it into our Ultimate Dream fund? Or would be I be a bit frivolous and spend it on something unnecessary and completely on a whim? I’d like to think I would be a bit of both. Some of it put away for our longer term aims, and then a treat, perhaps for the whole family.

 

And then I got thinking, and probably because I’m a bit nosey when it comes to other people’s money patterns, but what would other people do with the same amount. Many people are living precariously close to the wire when it comes to their income, due to various circumstances. Would they put it into savings? Start an emergency fund? Treat their family to something?

 

So, I posted the question in a parenting blogger group I’m in and this is what they came up with:

• “I would spend it on travel. I would rather wear clothes with holes in if it meant I could buy flights! So £1000 would have me looking for where I could fly all of the family to, somewhere new to explore” Nicola, Global Mouse Travels
• “Pay some of the holidays off we have booked always nice to know that there is less to pay when they are nearing.” Helen, Blogging Beautifully
• “Pay off the credit card and book a holiday! Also treat the husband to some new tools that he’s wanted too!” Jenna, Then There Were Three
• “At the moment, I’m trying so hard to raise money for my Scouts for our first ever international trip. Most are from really disadvantaged backgrounds that it would only be the chance in their childhood that many could get to go on such a trip. So I would put the £1,000 in our fundraising pot.” Nishbah, Five Adventurers 
• “I would want it to last as long as possible, so I would buy something for the house, like carpets or sofas.” Lucy, The Parent Game
• “We’ve had a really tough time lately so I’d use it on getting away for a few days with the family and putting it towards a piece of jewellery made from my mums ashes ” Paige, Paige’s Preferences
• “I’d probably be boring and stick it in savings” Dave, The Dadventurer
• “Take the kids to Disneyland Paris – top of my list at the moment!” Emma, Free From Farmhouse
• “With £1000 I’d book a holiday to somewhere sunny for my family and I. I’m sick of looking out the window and seeing rain! Would love to visit a new, sunny continent ” Fi, Dolly Dowsie
• “I’d travel around Asia in the summer holidays with my son and friends. I worked in Japan and have family in India but haven’t been there since 2016 and would love to go soon! It’s such an amazing unique experience!” Polly, Our Seaside Baby
• “Go on holiday to malta to see my family members who have never met my little ones.” Lianne, Anklebiters Adventures
• “I would tart up the house, We only moved into our brand new house last March and already thanks to 2 kids it’s a total wreck with handprints and marks all over the walls. Also my beautiful cushions and couch have been ruined.” Becci, The UnNatural Mother
• “Selfishly I would buy myself a new camera or laptop but more realistically I would use it for a family holiday.” Ayse, Arepops
• “I would probably spend on a visit to Holland so we could see my husband’s family as my daughter has never been!” Jenni, Odd Socks and Lollipops
• “It’s a tough one I’d be tempted by a holiday but at the same time would want to add it to our savings.” Joanna, JoannaVictoria
• “Fly home to Fiji as it costs an arm and a leg to fly there, not to mention 21hrs in total for flying time, plus I miss my Dad and haven’t been back for over 8years ” Isabella, Fijian In The UK
• “I would take my daughter shopping for new clothes as she has just had a huge growth spurt and then I would invest some in areas of my blog that need support. ” Angela, The Inspiration Edit
• “Put it in savings so we have a safety net!” Nyomi, Nomipalony
• “If I received £1000 I would pay some bills off and probably book a motorhome to travel around Scotland during the summer days with my partner and three children. It’s something my partner and I have been talking about for a long time now.” Beth, Life as Mum
• ” I could spend that in about twenty minutes on kids’ clothes.” Amber, Meet The Wildes
• “If I received £1000 I would book myself in to do my Intensive driving course and test because I so desperately want to be on the road and driving! Psst – it’s one of my things to achieve before I turn 40! With whatever would be left, I’d take us to a theme park for a finale day over the summer before going back to school!” Deborah, Super Busy Mum
• ” I think it’d have to be a trip to teach the kids and myself to Scuba Dive! Just always wanted to learn!!?” Helen, Kiddy Charts
• “I would book a relaxing family holiday as we really need one! We’ve not been on holiday for nearly 4 years so are really longing to go.” Petra, A Mum Reviews
• “If we didn’t have any holidays in the pipeline I would put it towards our travel fund. Otherwise, I’d be tempted to use it to buy a new camera, as that’s the sort of super indulgent spend that I can just never justify amongst all the other things that need to be paid for.” Chloe, Sorry About The Mess
• “I’d put down a deposit on a holiday to Orlando:) This would then force us to actually start saving to cover the cost of the rest of the holiday!” Lisa, Travel Loving Family
• “I’d book a holiday. My son is struggling with a vitamin D deficiency and I think some sunshine would be just what the doctor ordered!” Laura, Five Little Doves
• “I’d take my whole extended family on a weekend away together. We hardly get any time as we’re spread throughout the country, Dad has cancer and my boys nearly never get to see their cousins with everyone’s work and hospital commitments.” Sara-Jayne, Keep Up With The Jones Family
• “Right now I would put that £1000 towards the debt I am paying off. It was £15,500 last April, Now its £6k. I am edging ever closer to being debt free very soon. I have documented my debt repayment on my blog.” Lynn, Mrs Mummy Penny
• “I’d probably use it as a deposit to move house! We rent and we’re struggling in our current house.” Kelly, Kelly Allen Writer
• “Part towards flights for the family to see my Mum in Madeira, part into my pension and maybe part towards a hen house as I’ve been muttering about getting some chickens!” Faith, Much More With Less
• “I’d book a trip to New York – I was meant to be going for my 30th but ended up buying a buggy ! So it’s on my 40 b4 40 list ” Emma, The Cheshire Wife

 

It’s so interesting to see that the majority of these mums and bloggers would put the money towards travel! I suppose getting away as a family can be quite expensive, even if you are going somewhere in the same country. There are lots of ways to make some side income so that you could put it towards a holiday, if you wish. Things like starting a blog, matched betting and ebay sales. They soon add up 🙂 Don’t forget to use cashback sites too, for more savings!

 

What about you – what would you do with £1,000? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

 

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