$500 to spoil myself. What should I get/do?
May 30, 2010 9:29 AM   Subscribe

$500 to spoil myself. What should I get/do?

I just received a birthday check for $500. I'm about to graduate from college after a rough couple of years, so I'm really looking to reward myself and splurge on something I wouldn't normally consider.

Some more information about me: 24 year old female, Art History major, NYC resident. Interests include contemporary art, music of all kinds, Apple computers and gadgetry, television.

I'm considering spending it on updating my wardrobe for my ongoing job search and (hopeful) eventual employment. If I were a guy I would probably buy a suit or nice dress shoes--is there a comparable item for a women's wardrobe that's really worth investing $500 in? A handbag maybe? I don't really wear jewelry.

I'm also considering spending it on stereo equipment. I DJ a little for fun, so I already have two turntables and a mixer (both top-of-the-line, so no upgrades necessary there). I also listen to music off of my computer. Specific recommendations for what items(s) would improve my music listening experience the most would be appreciated--nice speakers? (I already have several pairs of headphones.)

(Stuff I already own that I anticipate will be standard suggestions: digital camera, external computer monitor, fancy watch, iPhone, iPad. I have of course considered investing the money.)
posted by cosmic osmo to Shopping (40 answers total) 8 users marked this as a favorite
 
Hermes scarf.
posted by meerkatty at 9:37 AM on May 30, 2010 [1 favorite]


Awesome boots. Picture it. Maybe a scarf.

A ticket to visit somewhere awesome might be good too. You should be able to get to Paris and back for $500, but not on extremely short notice.
posted by amtho at 9:38 AM on May 30, 2010


Italian leather boots.
posted by hot soup girl at 9:41 AM on May 30, 2010 [1 favorite]


Previously, with double the money.
posted by oxit at 9:49 AM on May 30, 2010


Go to Macy's and ask for a personal shopper to help you build 1-2 kickass work outfits full of win, for when you need that extra confidence/power boost.
posted by availablelight at 9:51 AM on May 30, 2010 [3 favorites]


If you have ratty underpants, too few bras, bedraggled socks -- throw the whole lot out, and stock undergarment your drawers with finery. You'll be rewarded daily!
posted by kmennie at 9:51 AM on May 30, 2010 [8 favorites]


Art History major, eh? In that case, you should probably forget spoiling yourself and sock that money away for the inevitable disappointment of the severe lack of job prospects you will have. This is not schadenfreude either. I say it with the full knowledge of such a state I enjoy from having my two degrees in anthropology and one in philosophy. ;)

In seriousness, though, your question, as phrased above, is a little ambiguous. You say you want to spoil yourself (which indicates splurge to me), but then go on to indicate that maybe the money should be used in a somewhat more practical manner (buying things that could help in a job search). Which is it? Do you truly want to blow the money on simply a good time or do you want something more practical but rarely considered?

If it's option A, I would go with buying something experiential. You could certainly do worse than going out to some really upscale New York restaurant that you would never otherwise consider. For $250 each, you and a friend could have some great food and wine and create a night that you would likely never forget. Travel, as suggested by amtho, is also not a bad option, though Paris wouldn't be my personal top choice. I would suggest Barcelona, if Europe were to be your destination, though there are also plenty of places in the continental US that would stretch your money a bit further and could be very enjoyable.

If it's option B, something practical but otherwise typically unattainable minus this extra cash, then I would vote against shoes or a handbag. Most potential employers (your major and city of residence notwithstanding) are not going to hire you based on those accessories. Some sort of sharp business wear might not be a bad idea, though. I hesitate to recommend the pantsuit, but there is likely some other women's version of a man's suit that would work well. Just remember that it shouldn't be too overtly sexy if getting a job (again, city of residence, and, I suppose, job title not withstanding) is your goal.
posted by Yellowbeard at 9:53 AM on May 30, 2010


What about nice dress shoes? Why does this not work for a woman as well? Especially if you're going to be entering the work market soon, you're going to be in need of shoes that are durable, comfortable, and enviable. And beautiful. Maybe not a full $500 (but maybe so!), so then you could use kmennie's solution for the rest and buy amazing lingerie and underclothing. (Just stay away from VS or you'll get a rap on the knuckles!)
posted by Night_owl at 9:55 AM on May 30, 2010


One other suggestion: a really good, work-fancy appropriate coat (or two). They last forever and they're an essential and often-overlooked wardrobe piece.
posted by availablelight at 9:59 AM on May 30, 2010 [2 favorites]


I know you want to splurge, but you should really put that in an emergency fund. You do not need to spend it right now, as evidenced by the fact that you came to Metafilter to find something to blow it on instead of already having something lined up on your wish list.

If it's Absolutely Necessary to spend that money toward interview/work-appropriate clothing, try your best to stretch that money as far as it will go.

Read the Get Rich Slowly blog for more personal finance ninja-ry: http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/
posted by lizzicide at 10:02 AM on May 30, 2010 [1 favorite]


If you decide to update your wardrobe for the job search, $500 will get you a couple of fantastic basic outfits from Brook's Brothers -- more if there is an outlet store near you. A jacket or blazer will really eat into that money though; I'm talking more along the lines of a nice dress shirt and pants, or a skirt. And you could get them tailored. I'm not a jewelry person either, but also not a handbag person and I can't imagine spending that much on a handbag relative to other things you could get. If it's something you'd like, though, go for it.

If I had $500 I would probably spend it on the men's style dress shoes -- no reason why a woman can't -- but I have rather androgynous-to-masculine fashion sense. If that would appeal to you, it would definitely be worth the money (and it would last longer than even a well-constructed handbag).

If you decide to go the speaker route, do your research and just don't go for something like BOSE, which will sound good (at least to me) but is a waste of money for what you get. I'm not the speaker expert -- my husband is -- but especially if you're willing to shop around you can get some incredible speakers for very cheap. It's not terribly difficult to find fantastic speakers for dirt cheap just because they're ten years old or more and there are a few newer models out now; people often don't understand that their speakers are still really good, or understand that other people won't understand that and won't pay a lot for something new. My husband managed to upgrade all except the center speaker of our 5.1 home theater sound system for $200 just by finding old Klipsch speakers on Craigslist. It would have been thousands of dollars if we got them new, or the newest models. You might be able to find an awesome set of two speakers for $60 like we did; this is easier if you're willing to get ones that aren't super small, which is one thing it's hard to get for cheap. So if you put the research in and look around, you can really stretch that $500 to get a lot of cool stuff.

In fact, I recommend looking for anything you might want on Craigslist first, perhaps with the exception of clothes. We've saved a ton of money there, and we haven't gotten murdered yet! Also check Amazon; we recently bought a Dyson vacuum cleaner and ended up saving $50 - $250 based on what the retail stores were charging for the same thing. If you want a vacuum that could pull something out of the event horizon of a black hole, by the way, spend some of your money on a Dyson. We've found random great deals on video games on Amazon too; stuff that's $60 everywhere else is sometimes on sale for $25 new on Amazon.

Speaking of which: do you have a Bluray player yet? Do you want one? You could spend some of your money on one, or a PS3 (I think there are finally bluray players cheaper than PS3s now, haven't kept up).

Some random things I've been wanting to get that may or may not suit you, but in case:

If you're much of a reader I'd personally get something like a Kindle with part of the money, but if you plan to eventually get an iPad eventually than maybe that would be redundant for you. The iPad doesn't hold a lot of appeal to me, despite my love for Apple products, and I would want electronic ink in an e-reader because backlit stuff hurts my eyes -- I can't even stomach the Stanza app on the iPhone for long.

Dunno if you like to cook, but the current thing I'm watching Craigslist for is a KitchenAid stand mixer; they run about $200-$250 new (unless you want a crazy big or advanced one, which I don't).

The only other thing I can think of is a treadmill; similar story to the speakers, there: you can get old, but really good ones on Craigslist sometimes for cheap. I've been wanting one to use while I listen to podcasts or watch TV, which isn't enough of an event to go to the gym for.

Have you considered taking a mini-vacation? Depending on your destination, or if you know someone there, $500 might be enough. If I had an extra $500 I might visit my friend in New Mexico or something. Anything like that apply to you?

I hope you get many awesome things out of it!
posted by Nattie at 10:02 AM on May 30, 2010 [1 favorite]


I don't want to be a downer, but, since you mention your job search and hopeful eventual employment, maybe it would be good to just hang on to the money for a little while until you see how things are going to play out.

Alternately, Serato/FinalScratch.
posted by box at 10:03 AM on May 30, 2010


Do you want an awesome memory, or a mediocre thing? Because $500, while it won't take you to Paris, would be a weekend full of fucking awesome, with restaurants you'd never visit, shows you'd never see, a concert, and a decent hotel, in the company of a friend or two. Something you'd remember for a long time.

Alternatively, keep it in a small jar with a label on it that reads "GO TO HELL." With Go To Hell money at your disposal, any time you just need to get the fuck out of town for whatever reason, you've got a stash to make it happen.
posted by seanmpuckett at 10:04 AM on May 30, 2010


Spend it on something that will make your life easier and give you more free time. An appliance? Travel card upgrade? It needn't be a luxury.
posted by fire&wings at 10:04 AM on May 30, 2010


Response by poster: In seriousness, though, your question, as phrased above, is a little ambiguous. You say you want to spoil yourself (which indicates splurge to me), but then go on to indicate that maybe the money should be used in a somewhat more practical manner (buying things that could help in a job search). Which is it? Do you truly want to blow the money on simply a good time or do you want something more practical but rarely considered?

Closer to option A, probably. I mentioned the job search wardrobe to see if there are any luxury items of clothing or accessories I might not have considered. meerkatty's Hermes scarf suggestion or amtho and hot soup girl's nice leather boots are exactly what I mean--something I probably wouldn't buy for myself unless I had this $500 to blow. kmennie's undergarment suggestion is great, too.

I am also open to experiences or travel. The restaurant suggestion is a good one.

Art History major, eh? In that case, you should probably forget spoiling yourself and sock that money away for the inevitable disappointment of the severe lack of job prospects you will have. This is not schadenfreude either. I say it with the full knowledge of such a state I enjoy from having my two degrees in anthropology and one in philosophy. ;)

Oh trust me...I know. Hence "ongoing job search" and not "sweet new gig I just landed."

posted by cosmic osmo at 10:08 AM on May 30, 2010


I invested in a killer "interview outfit" right out of school, it was a houndstooth suit with skirt and pants, which I tailored slightly to fit me perfectly, and three color-fun blouses that went well with it. The cut was very classic, no shoulder pads, not frilly, and the quality superb. The sum total wasn't near fivehoundred dollars, but just FYI, that suit jacket was trotted out on Friday again (14 years later!) when I needed to look smart, it still fits me like a glove.

So yeah, I'd go shopping for a very nice interview outfit. Consider cut, color (and possibly pattern) carefully. I've loved houndstooth all my life so the choice wasn't as bold as it might sound. If you're a pinstripe girl, this is a winner too.
posted by dabitch at 10:09 AM on May 30, 2010


Mangled a clause up there, should be

* or they do understand that other people won't understand and won't pay a lot for something that isn't new.
posted by Nattie at 10:10 AM on May 30, 2010


Response by poster: Re: dress shoes, I guess I would be worried about them going out of fashion (hence why the boots are a good suggestion...something more timeless).

Obviously I know I should save it. But as it was earmarked as a birthday present and I've finally managed to graduate, I'd really like to treat myself, just this once.
posted by cosmic osmo at 10:17 AM on May 30, 2010


Undergarments, yes; actually you could probably spend just $100 there and get your bases covered. Seconding the warning against Victoria's Secret; their stuff is pretty shoddily constructed. You can get cheap underwear there that looks decent but in a year or two it'll just be a bunch of shreds -- and that's not because of any kinky treatment. Haven't bought much of anything there that hasn't fallen apart quickly, with the exception of some bras, but they have issues with losing their shape no matter how carefully I handwash and dry them.

I switched to Frederick's of Hollywood and found their stuff to be of much higher quality. The weird thing? My bras at Victoria Secret were about $40 - $50. (To be fair, they weren't as terrible quality as the cheaper stuff.) But my Frederick's bras were $15 on sale, they look way better, and they're very well constructed. I can even wash them in the washer and dry them in the dryer. Blows my mind. Also, I think the Frederick's girls are better at bra-fitting. Anyway, just another example of how you can actually pay much less for higher quality.
posted by Nattie at 10:17 AM on May 30, 2010 [1 favorite]


Unless you are independently wealthy and live in lavish digs, nice speakers for the NYC apartment of your average college grad will only serve to piss off your neighbors/roommates. Stick with what you have for music -- headphones.

If I were you, I'd stretch that money into as much of a business-appropriate wardrobe as you can put together. And no, a purse or jewelry most certainly is not the female equivalent of a suit and dress shoes. Blowing $500 on a single handbag would be a crummy way to put together a wardrobe if your goal is to look professional enough to get and work a job.

It sounds like you will need a complete professional outfit or two (not just a bag) very shortly. Spend the money on what you need or will need, not what you don't.

I feel my self getting older as I write this.
posted by drpynchon at 10:17 AM on May 30, 2010


Get work clothes, hon.
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 10:28 AM on May 30, 2010 [1 favorite]


I would suggest finding a pair of chic shoes that are also comfortable enough to stand up in for hours. The best example I can think of would be Cole Haan shoes with Nike Air technology.

I tried on a pair with 4-inch heels once and it felt like I was wearing cushy house shoes. There are a ton of options shown here.

I always spend the bulk of my shopping budget on quality shoes, coats, and handbags- all of which will last many years if treated with care.
posted by rachaelfaith at 10:35 AM on May 30, 2010 [3 favorites]


I recently did the underwear update suggested above at discount and I got all new nice things for $150 or so, and it was totally worth it.

I would spend the remainder on a blazer if I were you. I have one Theory blazer that fits me like a glove and it would be the first thing I would try to pull from the closet in a house fire. Full suit is optional.
posted by slow graffiti at 10:39 AM on May 30, 2010


Response by poster: Re: work clothes...I think this is probably the direction I'm going in. I took time off from college to work, so I'm not totally starting from scratch as far as office-wear goes. Still, one or two really kick-ass outfits is probably the best option.

I'd still like to "splurge" a little, though. I'd love to have something classic that'll last me years. So, what's the best "luxury" investment I could make? What's worth really spending money on? Shoes/boots? Jacket?
posted by cosmic osmo at 10:44 AM on May 30, 2010


Spoil yourself with good feelings: a $500 charitable donation!
posted by mizrachi at 10:58 AM on May 30, 2010


I'd get a couple of really good winter coats. You'll use them every day in winter, and you'll thank yourself every day for getting something that you really like.
posted by pickypicky at 11:02 AM on May 30, 2010 [1 favorite]


undergarment your --> your undergarment

For $500 you could certainly make your winters more pleasant. I have good things to say about this work-appropriate "down commuter coat" (boring, well-made, toasty) and the Sorel Joan of Arctic boots (2nded here!); you could then blow the remaining $200 on great mitts/hats/scarves. I spent thirty years being Canadian and buying fashionable but not very practical winter stuff, and once I finally sucked it up and got serious coats and boots that part of my year was much nicer. You will get a nice cost-per-wear out of good outerwear, too.
posted by kmennie at 11:22 AM on May 30, 2010


I've heard men say that they will judge other men on their shoes, and I feel that handbags are a comparable item. Your taste in shoes and scarves may change, but a classic designer handbag that is well-constructed will last you for many years and be an item you can use every day if you choose. Go with black, brown, or grey leather and you can wear it with almost any outfit. A nice handbag has the added bonus of making whatever cheap outfit you might have on seem chic.
posted by 200burritos at 11:34 AM on May 30, 2010


Get a nice long massage or two over a couple of weeks. Go into your interviews more relaxed and free of finals stress.
posted by Uncle at 11:53 AM on May 30, 2010


One of the best gifts I ever received was a $1000 shopping trip to a Theory outlet to start my work wardrobe. This was in 2004 and $1000 got 4 jackets, 2 shirts, 2 pants, and 3 skirts. Six years later these pieces are still the core of my wardrobe and I wear something at least once per week. With $500 I would invest in a jacket with matching pants and skirt. It's easy to find cheap but expensive-looking shirts, and my simple Nine West black pumps looked fine and lasted me for several years before I had more money to upgrade to fancier pairs.

If a suit is too dull but you still want to buy something somewhat practical, I LOVE the lingerie suggestions above. I finally upgraded my underwear a year or so ago and it was honestly some of the best money I ever spent. I spent about $300, which would leave you $200 to buy a really nice handbag.
posted by gatorae at 12:41 PM on May 30, 2010


Buy yourself a set of 6 hour long massages at a good spa.
posted by dpx.mfx at 12:52 PM on May 30, 2010 [2 favorites]


Best Buy in NYC is selling an electric bike for $500 right now.
posted by hermitosis at 1:07 PM on May 30, 2010


a really nice blazer can dress up all kids of outfits.
posted by rmd1023 at 1:44 PM on May 30, 2010


I second the nice boots--get something that will be classic, and if you take good care of them they will last for years and years.
posted by exceptinsects at 1:55 PM on May 30, 2010


Art History major huh? $500 could get a round trip ticket to some museums, say Chicago?
posted by >> at 2:04 PM on May 30, 2010


Buy some advice and/or learning. I got help from a stylist type person on what colours suited me, and it changed how I buy clothes and I know now that they will (nearly) all go together.

I'd like to pay for someone to show me how to use makeup. I'd like to know how to do some other things too, like how to cook a nice meal (a weekend away on a cooking weekend would be awesome), and I'm sure there's a bunch of other experiential learning type things where there's no assignments due and less stress in your area.
posted by b33j at 2:19 PM on May 30, 2010 [1 favorite]


11 years ago, I blew money on a great pair of speakers, and it was some of the best money I've ever spent: I still own them, and they still sound great. Since you're really into music, you'll get a lot of use out of them and be able to enjoy their quality.

As far as work clothes? I assume you have an interview suit, and most workplaces are business-casual, these days. Besides, for a special-occasion splurge like this, you want to be able to say, "I spent that gift on this item." Unless that's a single kick-ass suit, spending the money on a bunch of decent blouses and skirts will just mean your splurge will get lost in the shuffle after a few years.
posted by deanc at 2:47 PM on May 30, 2010


A Burberry coat will be great for work or weekends, and will last you forever. For the classic raincoat you have to spend more, but for this snazzy red one or this white rain jacket you are in the range.

I am in a similar situation (I got a new job and want to spend about this much on a present for myself with my first paycheck) and I am getting Louboutins that I can wear in the office, I think.

I like the idea of something you can wear to work, and I think shoes or a bag or coat would be great because you could use them almost every day. For bags, I like Cole Haan. They seem to last a while.
posted by rmless at 2:57 PM on May 30, 2010


Let me suggest a good down comforter and a nice sheet set, as many as you can manage, even -- especially -- if you already have good bedding.

Do you want to have a child, dog and/or cat someday? Any one of these animals is going to have an accident on your bed, no matter how much they are Not Allowed on it. You will want a spare, so you don't have to do laundry at 1 am, or else sleep shivering on a bare mattress.
posted by Countess Elena at 4:47 PM on May 30, 2010


A Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress would be my absolute first option. Smart for work and job interviews.
posted by nunoidia at 11:17 PM on May 30, 2010


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