£1,000 to make life a little easier and more pleasurable

[willowboom]

After a lot of hard work and study, I have started a new job that is high pressure and very responsible. It will involve long hours, travel and a lot of talking which as a natural introvert will be tiring (although really rewarding).

I’ve very kindly been given £1,000 and told to spend it on something/ things to make my life a little easier and more pleasurable. I am not to save it, spend it on day to day essentials etc. But I’m a bit stuck for ideas. What would you buy?

I’d spend it on -
a monthly spa booking for X amount of months
skin care revamp
monthly pedicure & manicure appointments for X months.

i do quite fancy a robot mop & hoover too

Ooh, I think I'd get one of those LED face masks that is supposed to stimulate collagen production. That could be my age talking 😂

A really good suitcase if you're going to be travelling, a nice work bag and maybe something for workwear that you'd never normally be able to justify buying?

Personally I’d put it into hotels for my summer holiday next year. It would pay for the accommodation in full!

I love that someone has done this for you!

New underwear, especially decent bras

A couple of books you really want to read plus some delicious snacks to enjoy whilst you read (posh chocs!)

New makeup and skin care - stock up so you’ve got a stash to keep you going for a while

Perfume

A new handbag

A new winter coat

New gym kit, especially trainers

Dental check up and eye test

A heated blanket

A velvetiser

An air fryer

Subscription to audible or AirPods
decent coat/scarf
laptop case or bag
New winter boots
perfume and matching mini for work top ups
coffee voucher
nice travel mug or tupperware
lovely watch or earrings
enjoy and tell us what you go for

I’d get an iPad (or equivalent) and a really good bag for travelling.

Noise cancelling headset, adapter and extra cables for charging devices, carry on suitcase, laptop bag or backpack, wash bag, travel sizes/duplicates of products you use daily including make up, packing cubes. All of these things mean I can be packed and ready to do in minutes

Perfume
The latest Kindle
New handbag
Gucci trainers (there won't be much left out of the £1000)
Gold necklace chain

You save it. You shouldn’t be spending it if you don’t have any savings.

Once you have savings you can spend it in the after Christmas sales when everything is cheaper.

Yes, new work clothes, new work coat, couple of bits of jewellery, work bag, then you won’t need to worry about not looking presentable at work

Also came to say the robot vacuum/mop, but I do also love the suggestion of a lovely bean to cup coffee machine, if you’re a coffee drinker.

It says in the OP that the giver has specified that they don’t want the OP to save it.

As you will be doing a lot of meeting and talking to people, I would -

Get a really good haircut that is easy to maintain and get trimmed.

Teeth whitening.

Visit a beauty counter like Chanel and get a make over to teach you tips and what suits you and buy the products.

These, and also a deep clean of the house by a cleaning company.

Or a membership to a gym/pool that has a nice hot tub/sauna etc.

If it’s a professional job I would spend a chunk of it on smart, professional work clothes which don’t need ironing.

And a cleaner…

Congrats OP! I think I would want a few things to make travelling more comfortable and to help you feel confident in the new role. Some ideas (similar to pp)...

Decent bag for work / travel
Any tech upgrades (phone, kindle, ipad) for travel use
Clothes and shoes to suit travel
Some really nice pyjamas

I wouldn't buy anything for the home .. that's from the house budget to me and definitely not a treat!

I’d start a tradition of an annual spa weekend for myself, and use the £1k for the first two.

@Muffinmam

yeah and perhaps she could spend some on the kids too and maybe some home renovations?

no. It’s for Op to treat herself. You only live once and life if short.

Oooh I'd love a cleaner for a couple of hours every week or a gym membership!

Maybe even something like upgrade my next holiday to a better room or posher hotel. _ xx

I love the idea of being made to spend a thousand pounds on something fun, I'm always reluctant to spend money on myself.

The only thing I would really like but feels wasteful as not strictly necessary is a walking pad.
It was so hard getting my steps in in February with the cold and the rain.
May be useful if your job is busy and you don't have much free time for exercise?

So many good ideas so far. I feel so lucky and grateful that I’ve been given this - and I’m usually very reluctant to spend money on myself - so want to make sure I spend wisely. I’ll report back!

A spa break or other trip away depending on what you enjoy.

If you’re going to be travelling, then maybe a good iPad/tablet and decent noise cancelling headphones so you can watch films/tv, listen to podcasts while you’re away or on the move.

Could you please tell me which headphones, @Heyhiitsme ? I’m not very impressed with mine and on the lookout for a replacement.