What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

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carloslando
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What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by carloslando »

We have received an unexpected $1000 bonus. It is a gift card to spend on any purchase, so looking for spending ideas, else would have VTSAX'ed it away.
Wanted to spend it on something that improves our quality of life at home. Any recommendations for what you would buy (or have bought), that costs around $1000-$1200 and is something most or all members of your family enjoy?
Comparison is the killer of all joy.
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LiveSimple
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by LiveSimple »

Puppy !!!
Invest when you have the money, sell when you need the money, for real life expenses...
neilpilot
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by neilpilot »

LiveSimple wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 6:57 pm Puppy !!!
Maybe where you live. Where I live there are way too many puppies that can be had for <=$100 from various rescue agencies.
Infestor
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by Infestor »

Bidet, office chair, mattress?
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Stinky
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by Stinky »

New mattress.

Kids won’t get any benefit, but you and spouse will enjoy it.
Retired life insurance company financial executive who sincerely believes that ”It’s a GREAT day to be alive!”
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tooluser
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by tooluser »

Bodacious: Add a family helicopter tour to your next vacation.

Bookish: Buy a membership/donation to your favorite museum at a higher-level tier that provides some extra benefits. Deduct the donation on your taxes to the maximum allowed by law.

Bogleheadish: Buy groceries for the next 2-3 months, and invest the $1000 you didn't spend in VTSAX. Tell your kids they'll inherit it later.
runner3081
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by runner3081 »

Use it for daily expenses and put $1k in VTSAX
sailaway
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by sailaway »

A bike, but ours were that much each.

Stand up paddle board.

Switch with active games.

Weekend getaway.
NotTooDeepLearning
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by NotTooDeepLearning »

A backyard brick oven or DIY oven kit
Silk McCue
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by Silk McCue »

neilpilot wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:11 pm
LiveSimple wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 6:57 pm Puppy !!!
Maybe where you live. Where I live there are way too many puppies that can be had for <=$100 from various rescue agencies.
A $100 puppy eventually turns into a $1000 spend. Problem solved.

Cheers
Nosirrah
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by Nosirrah »

Kommado Joe grill
tomsense76
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by tomsense76 »

Recently? A desk chair (work paid for half though)

Agree with someone else who said mattress (though I can't recall if I spent that much as it was a while back)

If you really don't want the gift card and would rather save, there are sites online where you could sell in and get cash
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tyrion
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by tyrion »

Well this will be highly influenced by personal circumstances but I'll try-

Pool robot. Hands down. Less than $1000 and saves me an hour or three every week. We used to have the kind that attached to the pool suction and would only run when the pump was on and made circles in the deep end while failing to do much of anything. Now it runs when you press the button and cleans the pool while I relax and sip on a cocktail or enjoy a cup of coffee.

Maybe a Peloton (or other exercise bike)? Yes, there is an ongoing subscription cost.

Noise cancelling headphones for the entire family?

Pellet grill?
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quantAndHold
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by quantAndHold »

Mine was a new bike, but an argument could be made for a weekend away, too.
fly fisher
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by fly fisher »

Easily the best ~$1k I ever spent was for a sprinkler system for our “lawn” in the dry Bitterroot Valley of Montana. Prior to the sprinkler system we would drag hoses around the property after work all summer. The first evening the sprinklers engaged we enjoyed gin and tonics on the porch.
MoonOrb
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by MoonOrb »

For about $400: Vitamix blender.
PoppyA
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by PoppyA »

A pair of very light, rimless prescription glasses.
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midareff
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by midareff »

carloslando wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 6:55 pm We have received an unexpected $1000 bonus. It is a gift card to spend on any purchase, so looking for spending ideas, else would have VTSAX'ed it away.
Wanted to spend it on something that improves our quality of life at home. Any recommendations for what you would buy (or have bought), that costs around $1000-$1200 and is something most or all members of your family enjoy?
A nice selection of Lismore vintage Irish crystal.
WhatsIRR
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by WhatsIRR »

Pellet grill is a good one. I bought a Rectec this spring and have been cooking like crazy since. A cheaper option is a Sous Vide and $800 in meat to cook in it.

We’ve put Amazon Echo speakers around the house that get a lot of use.

Nest or some sort of wiFi thermostat, it’s nice being able to adjust the temperature from bed.

Mesh wiFi routers, fast wiFi all over the house.
ROIGuy
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by ROIGuy »

Nosirrah wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:37 pm Kommado Joe grill
+1
orlandoguy
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by orlandoguy »

Apple Watch - $399 and up. Fantastic for fitness tracking.
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celia
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by celia »

Living trust

(Kids won’t appreciate it until you are gone.)
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LittleMaggieMae
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by LittleMaggieMae »

neilpilot wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:11 pm
LiveSimple wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 6:57 pm Puppy !!!
Maybe where you live. Where I live there are way too many puppies that can be had for <=$100 from various rescue agencies.
Yes, puppies (and doggies) and kittens (and cats) are lower cost from a shelter or a rescue... but all the things they need once they arrive at your home are not. :)

I highly recommend shelter and or rescue doggies and cats (puppies and kittens). A bit of effort and thought and patience looking for the right one will get you the perfect for you pup or kitty.
Last edited by LittleMaggieMae on Tue Jun 22, 2021 8:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
hi_there
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by hi_there »

I debated several answers in my head for a minute, but then realized the answer for me is Dyson cordless vacuum by a huge margin.
LittleMaggieMae
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by LittleMaggieMae »

I'd spend the money on one of my hobbies - or I'd find some way to "share" the money on an experience with family or friends without it being a "gift to them" - cause really it's a "gift to me! from me! woo hoo!!"
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JoeRetire
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by JoeRetire »

Kayaks
This isn't just my wallet. It's an organizer, a memory and an old friend.
sailaway
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by sailaway »

hi_there wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 8:26 pm I debated several answers in my head for a minute, but then realized the answer for me is Dyson cordless vacuum by a huge margin.
My Dyson is high on my own list, but it did not cost $1000.
TominToledo
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by TominToledo »

Buy a handful of gift cards for different restaurants and go on a few dates.
bogledogle
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by bogledogle »

Upgrade internet speed + Router + Subscriptions
regularguy455
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by regularguy455 »

Infestor wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:17 pm Bidet, office chair, mattress?
Sounds like my Saturday night
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Stinky
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by Stinky »

Go crazy at the local fireworks stand (presuming they’re legal in your area). $1000 will buy a huge amount of fireworks.

Shoot them all off on July 4.

Your kids (and your neighbors) will never forget this Independence Day.
Retired life insurance company financial executive who sincerely believes that ”It’s a GREAT day to be alive!”
hi_there
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by hi_there »

sailaway wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 8:34 pm
hi_there wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 8:26 pm I debated several answers in my head for a minute, but then realized the answer for me is Dyson cordless vacuum by a huge margin.
My Dyson is high on my own list, but it did not cost $1000.
Buy one for each member of the family.
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tooluser
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by tooluser »

sailaway wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 8:34 pm
hi_there wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 8:26 pm I debated several answers in my head for a minute, but then realized the answer for me is Dyson cordless vacuum by a huge margin.
My Dyson is high on my own list, but it did not cost $1000.
Ditto and mine didn't either, but:
Top of the line "Outsize Absolute+" with floor rack and free extra tools is currently $1049.98 at their website.

I use the cordless Dyson about twice a week now. much more frequently than I used to vacuum. A powerful cordless vacuum is amazingly convenient.
Last edited by tooluser on Tue Jun 22, 2021 9:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Carousel
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by Carousel »

Vitamix (refurbished with extra attachments), $480
Bdouvs
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by Bdouvs »

Mr.BB wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 8:06 pm
Nosirrah wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:37 pm Kommado Joe grill
+1
+2
hi_there
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by hi_there »

regularguy455 wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 9:11 pm
Infestor wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:17 pm Bidet, office chair, mattress?
Sounds like my Saturday night
You might think it is funny, but one of my friends rented his condo through AirBnB to a foreign couple. Anyway, there's no way to put this lightly. They must have been into pee stuff and were applying their interest while on vacation, because the mattress in his place was soaked in urine, like more than any "accident" could have produced. Yet another risk of real estate investing.
sschoe2
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by sschoe2 »

To add to the chorus the two things I will spend money on are dogs and bicycling. Both are the biggest factors in my quality of life.
lazydavid
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by lazydavid »

Bdouvs wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 9:27 pm
Mr.BB wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 8:06 pm
Nosirrah wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:37 pm Kommado Joe grill
+1
+2
I'll +3, but correct the spelling to Kamado Joe, and note that my Big Joe was unfortunately a good bit more than $1k. Much closer to $2k once I added a FlameBoss smoker controller and a Kick Ash Basket. But being able to turn out absolutely perfect Brisket while I am literally sleeping is totally worth it.
Xrayman69
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by Xrayman69 »

Matching set of golf clubs for the out of state vacation home and 2 Amazon fire sticks for the TVs. No Ned to check bags and no longer need cable subscription which actually saves money (1 month paid for both fire sticks) as well as standardizes the viewing habits.
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unclescrooge
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by unclescrooge »

Weekly maid service.
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anon_investor
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by anon_investor »

Stinky wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:17 pm New mattress.

Kids won’t get any benefit, but you and spouse will enjoy it.
We upgraded from Queen to king sized mattress.
ddurrett896
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by ddurrett896 »

Ruger 10-22 Suppressed
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RickBoglehead
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by RickBoglehead »

I don't rank expenditures by quality of life. Never heard anyone do that.
Last edited by RickBoglehead on Wed Jun 23, 2021 5:34 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by sailaway »

RickBoglehead wrote: Wed Jun 23, 2021 5:19 am I don't rank expenditures by quality !of life. Never heard anyone do that.
Oh, it is a very good measure of where to best put your money! I can't believe it isn't more common.
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RickBoglehead
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by RickBoglehead »

sailaway wrote: Wed Jun 23, 2021 5:27 am
RickBoglehead wrote: Wed Jun 23, 2021 5:19 am I don't rank expenditures by quality !of life. Never heard anyone do that.
Oh, it is a very good measure of where to best put your money! I can't believe it isn't more common.
When I want to buy something, I buy it. I don't say "I have $X, what should I spend it on?". Why do you feel the need to have measures on spending money?
Avid user of forums on variety of interests-financial, home brewing, F-150, EV, home repair, etc. Enjoy learning & passing on knowledge. It's PRINCIPAL, not PRINCIPLE. I ADVISE you to seek ADVICE.
Somethingwitty92912
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by Somethingwitty92912 »

Get the house professionally painted.
sailaway
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by sailaway »

RickBoglehead wrote: Wed Jun 23, 2021 5:35 am
sailaway wrote: Wed Jun 23, 2021 5:27 am
RickBoglehead wrote: Wed Jun 23, 2021 5:19 am I don't rank expenditures by quality !of life. Never heard anyone do that.
Oh, it is a very good measure of where to best put your money! I can't believe it isn't more common.
When I want to buy something, I buy it. I don't say "I have $X, what should I spend it on?". Why do you feel the need to have measures on spending money?
We all have some criteria to decide what to spend our money on. Like you, I do not look for things to spend money on just because I have it or I got more than I expected, but when an idea for spending pops into my head, enjoyment and quality of life figure into the consideration.
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RickBoglehead
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by RickBoglehead »

Somethingwitty92912 wrote: Wed Jun 23, 2021 5:49 am Get the house professionally painted.
For $1,000? Do you live in a Tiny House?
Avid user of forums on variety of interests-financial, home brewing, F-150, EV, home repair, etc. Enjoy learning & passing on knowledge. It's PRINCIPAL, not PRINCIPLE. I ADVISE you to seek ADVICE.
blueberrypi
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by blueberrypi »

New Hoka sneakers for everyone. They're so bouncy!
blastoff
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by blastoff »

not $1000, but good noise cancelling headphones (for traveling)
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