What to do with 4K?

[HowWeAre]

Unexpectedly going to receive 4K next month. I know in the grand scheme of things it’s not a huge sum of money but to us it is a significant amount and also an amount I imagine can easily be frittered away if not careful.

Some details: I’m 24, live with my boyfriend (same age) of 3 years in privately rented accommodation and have recently graduated university. Neither of us have any debts, no cars on finance and are on salaried wages (him 21k and me 25k). Both of our jobs are stable and have continued throughout lockdown as we are classed as key workers. We currently save every month into savings accounts and ISAs as we are saving for a house deposit however that will probably be far away in the future as we live in a very expensive city so we will need to increase our wages significantly between us even if we save up a very large deposit.

So I’m thinking what should I do with the money? Split it between savings and ISA? Keep some for a rainy day fund? A treat after a hard year? Suggestions welcome- I don’t think I’ve ever really received a large sum of cash I haven’t accounted for and want to make sure I’m sensible about it. AIBU to have no idea lol

£3k into saving and £1k on a treat and/or any new household bit/s you might feel unable to justify otherwise.

Putting 4K in a lifetime ISA will turn it into 5k for a house deposit, I think that’s your best bet given it was unexpected you aren’t missing out on much.

As above 3k in savings then have a 1000 for a treat, a holiday or buying something lovely

It'll be such a drop in the ocean of a house deposit, I'd splash out on a wonderful holiday as soon as worry-free travel is possible.

£1000 in a special treat account so if you see something nice you can get it. The rest in savings.

Download the Coinbase app and buy Bitcoin.

@unruly336

Putting 4K in a lifetime ISA will turn it into 5k for a house deposit, I think that’s your best bet given it was unexpected you aren’t missing out on much.

This, might be boring however £5k towards a deposit in an expensive area is not something you’ll regret, in the name of who receives the money only. .

Have you got an emergency fund (enough money to sustain yourself for 6-12 months should you lose your job or something) that's where I'd start. After that it'd be between house deposit and pension.

If spend about £100 or so on a posh meal out/day trip, £200 on a physical treat (eg handbag, new shoes, fancy kitchen gadget, something for a hobby. Whatever is your thing). Then the rest I'd put towards the house deposit. I think £1000 is a lot to spend on treats!

Don’t put it in joint savings!

Save it in your own account.

@belle002

Download the Coinbase app and buy Bitcoin.

bitcoin is extremely volatile and should only be used with money that you are happy gambling with.

For example, last Friday, one Bitcoin was worth $64,000 and today, four days later, it is worth only $55,000.

The price has fallen 14% in just four days.

Is that the sort of thing you are advising her to invest in?

@katy1213

It'll be such a drop in the ocean of a house deposit, I'd splash out on a wonderful holiday as soon as worry-free travel is possible.

Travel - fine, but that is not a good reason. I can't imagine anyone sniffing at £4k to add to their house deposit unless they were a billionaire.

@katy1213

It'll be such a drop in the ocean of a house deposit, I'd splash out on a wonderful holiday as soon as worry-free travel is possible.

But a deposit for a house is always made up of lots of drops in the ocean - as a PP says, if she invests £4K it will quickly become £5K. If she spends it on a holiday then after it's happened she'll have sfa.

I would do as some pp have suggested and save 3k and spend 1k on treat holiday or similar

In your situation I would agree on the LISA

I agree with the 3k savings and 1k treat. Based on where you are in your life, saving for a house would be high up on my list. But it is also ‘extra’ money that you wouldn’t have had - and we've all had a crap year, so go on and treat yourself to something - like a holiday!

Put it into a stocks and shares ISA for the long term and watch it grow. There is risk involved but you can get free advice from management companies like AJ Bell or Hargreaves Lansdown.

Put 3.5k into an ISA and don't touch it!!!! Spend the other £500 on a treat and one special meal or something more fancy than usual you'll enjoy.

Premium bonds or in a LISA for house deposit.

Put most of it into an ISA and have a little splurge.

£3000 towards a house deposit, £500 instant access rainy day fund, £500 treat.

Save it.

Really sorry, I know it’s boring, but given your wages I would just add it to your house deposit savings- you’ll be able to buy all the sooner and it’ll be a nice way to use it.

No point spending it on treats or holidays while Covid is ongoing.

Take it from someone who is still renting at 35...

@BuyYourOwnBBQGlenda

Have you got an emergency fund (enough money to sustain yourself for 6-12 months should you lose your job or something) that's where I'd start. After that it'd be between house deposit and pension.

I agree. It's so important to have cash to hand in case of job loss or illness, where you wouldn't get paid long term, or separation where you might have to find your own place to live. I'd probably spend £500 but keep the rest in savings (in your own name).

Do you have a pension? If not start one. If you do, put £2k into AVCs and the rest into your ISA.

Rainy day fund - though you probably have this already... look at what you have in instant access savings.
Lifetime ISA - I would fill that as fast as possible. 25% bonus and you can put it towards your home deposit (have to have the LISA open for 12 months minimum).

If it is coming due to an inheritance, then I would look at spending a small amount of it on something to remember that person who died.