How Would You Spend Your Year-End Bonus?

My boss recently called and let me know that a year-end bonus would soon be hitting my account. It was a pleasant surprise. Although not substantial, it’s enough that I can tuck a portion into emergency savings and have a bit extra to allocate to discretionary spending. After retirement savings, medical expenses, and the essentials, we’re left with very little “fun money,” so the extra pocket money is exciting!

While I wouldn’t quite go as far as to say that it’s burning a hole in my pocket, I am so disciplined with money that it’s taken a shift in mindset to feel okay about spending $100-$300 on non-essentials. It’s been an interesting experiment to consider what it is that I would like.

When I started this job, I treated myself to a boar’s hair brush, linen sheets, and a new toilet (lol). Living in the lap of luxury, I know. My mind is so woefully practical that thinking up things I might splurge on is tricky!

I don’t wear makeup. I don’t care about clothing, handbags, or accessories. I don’t eat expensive cuts of meat or fancy cheeses. I don’t care for eating out because my home cooking is better. I don’t buy books anymore due to mold. Sewing stuff would be fun, but I already have enough stuff to keep me busy for the next decade. Specialty kitchenware would be great, but we have no home and no place to store things. So, I’m back to where I started: clueless!

But my partner is insistent. I earned it. Sigh. So, if I had to choose, I’ve narrowed it down to a few things.

• Tofu Press – I cook with tofu, eggplant, and other veggies that must be pressed, sweated, etc. It’s a pain in the behind, so I wouldn’t mind having a little device to help out.

• Three-Tier Fruit Basket – We eat a lot of fruits and veggies. My cheap two-tier fruit basket is too weak to hold anything more than a few shallots in the top basket, and it drives me mad having separate bowl of veggies next to the semi-functional fruit basket. This study (yet pricey) basket might ease the fruit basket rage.

• Wüsthof Paring Knife – I cook a lot, so a good knife is integral. I have collected a few Wüsthof knives on discount over the years, but I’ve never seen the paring knife under $100. Maybe it’s time to pull the trigger.

• Vuori Sweatpants – My boyfriend was gifted a pair of these last year. I often caress his leg just to feel the cozy softness of the sweatpants. He keep telling me to get my own. So, that is now an option.

• Hu Salty Dark Chocolate – My favorite splurge-worthy treat. Can’t go wrong with good chocolate.

• Sewing Labels – I have dozens already and don’t need more. But I did the advent calendar in 2021 and it was fun, and the 2022 is on sale since advent is already underway. Hmm.

• New Mattress Fund – My boyfriend is tall and his chiropractor advised him to get a longer mattress since sleeping in the banana posture is screwing up his back. So, a pricey California king or custom-sized mattress and its accompaniments are in our future.

Realistically, I’ll buy myself a fancy bar of chocolate and toss the rest into savings. What can I say? I’m far too practical for my own good, and there are too many unknowns right now.

I’m curious, though. For those of you who enjoy a little splurge here and there, what would you be most excited to spend a little extra cash on this holiday season? I need some ideas!