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Original poster

If you were given £1000

117 replies

roarfeckingroarr · 10/09/2021 19:18

Unexpectedly, what would you spend it on?

No family needs. It's just me and the baby and he has more than everything he could want. No debt aside mortgage that's easily affordable. No childcare and just back at work after maternity so not a holiday. I have savings.

My father gave me a thousand pounds in an envelope today because he thinks I've been incredibly strong since DH walked out on us a month ago and "I deserve a treat". I've genuinely no idea where to start... ideas please!

OP posts:
HollowTalk · 10/09/2021 20:51

I agree that you should spend it on an experience with your dad. He sounds absolutely lovely. Could you book a cottage or something like that for a break away from home?

TroysMammy · 10/09/2021 20:53

After the petty argument my partner just picked I'd give it to him for a deposit on a new place to live and he can fuck off and leave me on my own.

SilenceOfThePrams · 10/09/2021 20:54

What a lovely problem to have!

I would put it into a separate bank account as a treats fund. And then I might bung the odd extra bit into it - fivers found down the back of the settee, unexpected windfalls etc., so it stretches.

I love the idea of a flower subscription but rather than flowers by post, I’d buy a bunch from our local independent florist. Because they do giant great bunches and will cut and trim them into a fabulous bouquet so all I have to do is slide them into a vase, rather than actually arrange them.

I’d also use it for a nice fancy takeaway (restaurant meal delivered rather than regular takeout) after a work day every so often, ideally on the day the cleaner comes.

I might think about putting my child in nursery for an extra half day so I had time to just be me not Mummy/WorkMe.

Weekend away somewhere baby friendly.

And maybe something for the garden. Or a painter and decorator.

stripedbananas · 10/09/2021 20:55

Obvs your DF would appreciate the thought that you'd want to buy an experience with him but we know that's not what he means by the money.

New Laptop, iPhone, lots of smart plugs and things to make life more techy perhaps

LittleCatDog · 10/09/2021 20:55

I would buy myself a nice piece of jewellery with some it to always remember the lovely thing my Dad did for me

CorpusCallosum · 10/09/2021 20:56

I'd save it for a lovely holiday with DC when the world and you feel ready - even if you keep it for a couple of years (because your DC is only tiny) it will be an amazing trip to look forward to all that time.

romdowa · 10/09/2021 20:57

Treat yourself to one of those fancy photoshoots of you and your dc and df and get some lovely frames done up.

iloverunningslow · 10/09/2021 20:59

My dad does that sporadically. He always gives gifts unconditionally, but I know how hard he's worked to be well off enough to give gifts like that, so I always spend it in line with his values. For example things for the house, such as furniture, decorating or other improvements to make our lives better and more comfortable are exactly right. He also values holidays, eating out and those sort of experiences so I would use it for that with a clear conscience.
If I spent it on clothes, makeup, spa treatments etc then I'd feel really guilty because he used to tell me off for wasting my own money on that in my late teens/early twenties.
He would never ever try to control what I spent it on but it's important to me that it's something he would approve of, and that it's a discrete identifiable thing so I can tell him 'thank you for the zoo pass' for example.

BlueButterfliesAndPurpleStars · 10/09/2021 21:33

@stripedbananas

Obvs your DF would appreciate the thought that you'd want to buy an experience with him but we know that's not what he means by the money.

New Laptop, iPhone, lots of smart plugs and things to make life more techy perhaps

Oh I absolutely wasn't thinking of it to make him happy when I suggested it! And no judgement if that's not what's decided. Absolutely only as something to remember if there's truly nothing OP wants / needs, it might be nice to do something together.

My Grandma has helped me out a few times with similar gifts and it's mostly been spent on bills (and a very fluffy kitten Confused).

Daisy829 · 10/09/2021 21:36

A cover less duvet, book & nice bath stuff. Maybe some skincare. I’d save it & get lots of lovely treats as I see them. Enjoy op x

BritishSummertime · 10/09/2021 21:37

I'd definitely get my teeth sorted. Whitening or brace/Invisalign/veneers

toolazytothinkofausername · 10/09/2021 21:46

In life I believe it is important to have a good mattress and comfortable shoes. You could buy a new mattress if you need one, or new boots for winter.

Original poster
roarfeckingroarr · 10/09/2021 21:47

@Daisy829 what's a coverless duvet?

I might put it towards an amazing new sofa

OP posts:
Original poster
roarfeckingroarr · 10/09/2021 21:49

@toolazytothinkofausername totally agree, but I bought a great new bed recently and it's a running joke that daddy buys me a brilliant pair of leather boots every Christmas

OP posts:
Original poster
roarfeckingroarr · 10/09/2021 21:50

This thread has been so kind and also made me appreciate how insanely lucky I am, and my little bear is, despite the twat of a man who left us so recently.

OP posts:
cactijones · 10/09/2021 22:17

Deff get your teeth whitened if that's soemtbing you've wanted to do. Don't get the whitening in one hour one tho it's way more expensive and less effective. Get some bits that will cheer you up, new winter coat and boots? I'd love a ted baker coat they always look so stylish!

cactijones · 10/09/2021 22:18

Also another one saying how amazing your dad is 🙌🏽

HungryHippo11 · 10/09/2021 22:21

My grandparents gave us £1000 in the Summer.
We used half of it on the house (boring stuff like repairing roof tiles, painting bedrooms, boiler service).
With the other half we booked a holiday for next Easter

FatAnkles · 10/09/2021 22:24

Take DF out for a posh lunch.
Put some in savings for DS.
Buy some naice perfume.
Flower subscription is a nice idea!
Splurge on some new clothes and books for my shelf.

Seesawmummadaw · 10/09/2021 22:48

Your dad sounds lovely but so do you (your kindness to @ivegotthisyeah).

I would have a major pamper session.
Or get something he hated. When my ex left (I asked him to) I got a couple of bits of furniture that I knew he would hate.

InnPain · 10/09/2021 23:08

I personally would just keep it as a fund for when I want to do something nice. For example, a takeaway night, nails done at salon, a wash and blow dry, cinema, a new perfume or candle. Whenever I felt like treating myself I’d dip into this £1000 and buy myself a treat.

Autumngoldleaf · 10/09/2021 23:13

I love running..

That's so sweet but it did make me chuckle that your df felt girl stuff like that spa and treatments were a waste! I mean if he was into golf or something would that be waste!

Original poster
roarfeckingroarr · 10/09/2021 23:48

@Seesawmummadaw thank you Blushthat's very kind of you to say.

You're all awesome. I'm going to sleep on it and reread all suggestions in the morning. Thank you.

OP posts:
KeyboardWorriers · 11/09/2021 00:25

Some photos for the wall of you and your DC. I did this after ex left and lifted me.

Something a little bit extravagant that you have always wanted? And that will give you pleasure for years to come. My parents bought me an electric piano, a huge pile of books and some new horse riding kit when I became a single mum to toddlers and it was such a good reminder that I needed to make time for myself.

Oh or a cleaner if you don't already have one! My parents paid for mine for that first hard year. She's worked for me ever since. And feeling like I don't have to do all the house work made me feel so much less on my own.

Itsnotallaboutyoubaby · 11/09/2021 00:27

What about redecorating a bit so that it doesn’t look the same, has your stamp 100% going forward to create new memories?