This is inspired by Graycap's thread...

See, I initially balked at the idea of spending $500 on a pair of headphones. I thought to myself; "that's crazy".

Then in the watches thread I posted my "dream" watch that I have my eye on...just about $500 (even if I can make payments on it).

So then I'm thinking...there really is no difference between a nice watch and a pair of nice headphones...or an iPad...or a Michael Kors handbag...or a pair of Bulgari aviator sunglasses...or anything that isn't essential to your well-being that you would put that kind of money on.

So...what about YOU?

If you were handed a $500 Visa giftcard and told to spend it on whatever you wanted...WHAT WOULD YOU BUY???

Passports for my family.

We're going to Canada in a few months.

I would use it towards a new laptop. Mine is old and starting to get slow and just isn't performing as well as I'd like. It's about 5 years old now, I think, so probably time for a refresh.

OR I'd put the money towards a new mattress set. That's about 8 years old and it's time for a refresh there too.

Both of those are things I plan to buy in the next few months regardless. If I didn't have those purchases already in mind and was handed $500 I'd probably grab an airline ticket.

I would pay a bill, buy clothes, cd's and dvd's. Things that are important!

Nothinbutjoy said:

Passports for my family.

We're going to Canada in a few months.

I'd save it.

I've got some stuff that is getting quite old and that I've used a lot - like my headphones - and I know at least some of those items are going to break in a few months.

Oh, yeah, I could get some wine and booze.

I'd need some sort of moldable rubber too for my restoration projects.

CarrieMpls said:

I would use it towards a new laptop. Mine is old and starting to get slow and just isn't performing as well as I'd like. It's about 5 years old now, I think, so probably time for a refresh.

OR I'd put the money towards a new mattress set. That's about 8 years old and it's time for a refresh there too.

Both of those are things I plan to buy in the next few months regardless. If I didn't have those purchases already in mind and was handed $500 I'd probably grab an airline ticket.

I bought my daughter a laptop bundle through Walmart.com;

HP laptop + Epson 5-in-1 printer + carrying case + 2GB card + setup assistance + disc w/ misc programs

$550.00 w/ free shipping

Check it out when the time comes. BUT you have to click on "bundles" - if you purches it all separately it's alot more money.

Dalia11 said:

I would pay a bill, buy clothes, cd's and dvd's. Things that are important!

...that's no fun.

I'll spend the Visa card for you...

Antique Vintage Oswald Wirth Tarot Cards Deck Dated 1926

$415.00 + tax & shipping

Videogames and a broad

novabrkr said:

I'd save it.

I've got some stuff that is getting quite old and that I've used a lot - like my headphones - and I know at least some of those items are going to break in a few months.

Oh, yeah, I could get some wine and booze.

I'd need some sort of moldable rubber too for my restoration projects.

for wanting to "save" it.

What are you, a communist?

At least you're willing to get some booze;

Are you ready to bring out the big bucks and give this Scotch-lover a gift he or she will never forget? For under $500 there are some mighty fine bottles of whisky out there. The key to the $500 spend, however, is making sure you’re buying something that is really worth the money. It’s all about quality to price ratio. Once you get into this price level there are many special releases and independent bottlings that may be worth your exploration. One strategy is to go to the best whisky store in your area and talk to the whisky specialist about their recommendations on current inventory. Another strategy is to go with tried and true releases that mostly everyone can agree are superb. Two in particular that I’d recommend are the Glenfarclas 40 and the Highland Park 30. Both should be relatively accessible at quality liquor stores and should run you in the ballpark of $450.

iaminparties said:

Videogames and a broad

$200 for a Wii and $300 for a weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.....

I have a list. It's initially what I wanted to buy myself for Xmas but I didn't have more than that to spend, so I spent it on my kids.

TuneUp subscription

A really nice chess set

Adventure Time 1st season

Jumper cables

Black socks

Milk crates for my vinyl

Wiper blades

Pyrex bowls

Other stuff I can't think of with three hours of sleep last night.

Stymie said:

I have a list. It's initially what I wanted to buy myself for Xmas but I didn't have more than that to spend, so I spent it on my kids.

TuneUp subscription

A really nice chess set

Adventure Time 1st season

Jumper cables

Black socks

Milk crates for my vinyl

Wiper blades

Pyrex bowls

Other stuff I can't think of with three hours of sleep last night.

Oh come on Ivy...isn't there something decadent you'd want to lavish on?

I mean...at the very least you could say a Tempurpedic mattress for a damn good night sleep.

Nope. I even already have an awesome bed. My best friend came to visit once and sat down and immediately fell to sleep.

I just don't want "stuff" anymore.

Buying " Stuff " for myself usually bores me

I would buy a wonderful tool / machine for TR's woodworking shop he is creating !

That would rock and I would be far more pleased in giving a gift anyway !

Stymie said:

Nope. I even already have an awesome bed. My best friend came to visit once and sat down and immediately fell to sleep.

I just don't want "stuff" anymore.

I'm not giving up.

You mentioned vinyl...how about one of THESE;

Mach said:

Buying " Stuff " for myself usually bores me

I would buy a wonderful tool / machine for TR's woodworking shop he is creating !

That would rock and I would be far more pleased in giving a gift anyway !

You too???

Just the tub & hardware. Your hubby can build the deck with his own damn tools.

PurpleJedi said:

Stymie said:

Nope. I even already have an awesome bed. My best friend came to visit once and sat down and immediately fell to sleep.

I just don't want "stuff" anymore.

I'm not giving up.

You mentioned vinyl...how about one of THESE;

Oh I hate you.

PurpleJedi said:

Mach said:

Buying " Stuff " for myself usually bores me

I would buy a wonderful tool / machine for TR's woodworking shop he is creating !

That would rock and I would be far more pleased in giving a gift anyway !

You too???

Just the tub & hardware. Your hubby can build the deck with his own damn tools.

500$ would not touch that tub !

I have my own outdoor shower and tub anyway

Okay ... after buying TR a gift for his workshop I have a tiny inexpensive tattoo I would like to get

I would put it towards a plane ticket to Vancouver...and I would go there asap.

Stymie said:

I have a list. It's initially what I wanted to buy myself for Xmas but I didn't have more than that to spend, so I spent it on my kids.

TuneUp subscription

A really nice chess set

Adventure Time 1st season

Jumper cables

Black socks

Milk crates for my vinyl

Wiper blades

Pyrex bowls

Other stuff I can't think of with three hours of sleep last night.

THREE hours?!? That's two more than I got!

I have no idea why I couldn' fall asleep last night. Actually, I think for about five hours I was asleep as lightly as it's possible to be asleep. Weird.

Anyway, if I had to buy something for myself with $500 I guess it'd be a new microphone or 1/4 of a new guitar.

RodeoSchro said:

Stymie said:

I have a list. It's initially what I wanted to buy myself for Xmas but I didn't have more than that to spend, so I spent it on my kids.

TuneUp subscription

A really nice chess set

Adventure Time 1st season

Jumper cables

Black socks

Milk crates for my vinyl

Wiper blades

Pyrex bowls

Other stuff I can't think of with three hours of sleep last night.

THREE hours?!? That's two more than I got!

I have no idea why I couldn' fall asleep last night. Actually, I think for about five hours I was asleep as lightly as it's possible to be asleep. Weird.

Anyway, if I had to buy something for myself with $500 I guess it'd be a new microphone or 1/4 of a new guitar.

Must have been something cosmic going on last night, because I’m on about 1 ½ hours myself. I told the office this morning that they weren’t going to be getting prime damosuzuki today. I actually had considered taking a vacation day (I carried ten days over from last year) but my second called in sick and it’s critical payroll today, so here I am.

Anyway, I never buy anything, but if I had to absolutely buy something I’d probably pick up a cheap laptop just to have as a backup, or perhaps I’d just go to the bookstore and pick up my reading material for the next year or however long that would last me.

i'd put it towards a new piece of studio gear

Stymie said:

PurpleJedi said:

I'm not giving up.

You mentioned vinyl...how about one of THESE;

Oh I hate you.

Mach said:

PurpleJedi said:

You too???

Just the tub & hardware. Your hubby can build the deck with his own damn tools.

500$ would not touch that tub !

I have my own outdoor shower and tub anyway

Okay ... after buying TR a gift for his workshop I have a tiny inexpensive tattoo I would like to get

Oh just go and get a big tattoo then!!!

JustErin said:

I would put it towards a plane ticket to Vancouver...and I would go there asap.

Travel is always a good choice.

RodeoSchro said:

Anyway, if I had to buy something for myself with $500 I guess it'd be a new microphone or 1/4 of a new guitar.

Wow...they cost that much?

Stymie said:

PurpleJedi said:

I'm not giving up.

You mentioned vinyl...how about one of THESE;

Oh I hate you.

Nice job PJ!!

Stymie said:

I have a list. It's initially what I wanted to buy myself for Xmas but I didn't have more than that to spend, so I spent it on my kids.

TuneUp subscription

A really nice chess set

Adventure Time 1st season

Jumper cables

Black socks

Milk crates for my vinyl

Wiper blades

Pyrex bowls

Other stuff I can't think of with three hours of sleep last night.

I´m disappointed. I mean, what a bullshit list. A chess set? TuneUp subscription? Pyrex bowls? Fuck that. Homie is you for real? Seriously?

The only thing on that list that makes A LITTLE BIT of sense are those wiper blades, and only because I like to ride with you.

Milk crates? Dude....come on.

Next time I´m in Chicago we´ll stroll through the aisles of WalMart again, I´ll enjoy a piece of Americana and I´ll get you some wiper blades....on the house !

The Pyrex bowls? Nah....we can find similar stuff at the 1 $ store. While we´re at it, we can get you a chess game there, too.

Socks are aight....I was going to get some more Starter briefs at Walmart anyway....the socks are on me. I still have one unopened pack of black socks, by the way. Maybe I´ll put them in my suitcase and give them to you....they aight, but they don´t give me that comfy feeling that those other ones I bought give me.

500 dollars and you come up with such a ridiculous list....you fool.

Pyrex bowls my ass.

You know what I´d do with 500 dollars?

No....not THAT.

It´s time I come over there....you sound confused my friend.

Pyrex bowls.....Adventure Time 1st season....

Seriously.

Why don´t you get a hot new bicycle? Like...an Electra ?

Starter briefs edit

[Edited 1/14/13 14:45pm]

help to the pay the bonds of capitalism have bestow on me and my parents, meaning, bills. i will help them pay bills!