Dream On: 10 Ways the Average Joe Would Spend $10K

When it comes to daydreaming about financial windfalls, it’s a case of go big or go home. 

Seeing how money doesn’t grow on trees, sweepstakes like the one offered by MyDailyMoment.com might be the next best thing. By entering to win the $10,000 grand prize, as well as weekly giveaways, a whopping financial windfall will become a reality for a lucky winner.  

Although it may not sound as enticing as the million-dollar jackpots offered by the lottery, a little can go a long way, especially for those people who don’t have a nest egg socked away. A recent study conducted by the credit card comparison company CreditDonkey.com found that an estimated 41 percent didn’t even have $500 on hand in case of an emergency.  

In fact, research conducted by the American Payroll Association determined that around two-thirds of Americans live from paycheck to paycheck with little money to spare. It’s understandable why many people are often left feeling like they can never get ahead. But what if you were one of those people lucky enough to win a $10,000 prize, do you know how you would spend it?  

MyDailyMoment.com spoke with 10 people about what they would do with $10,000, and it was definitely a case of different strokes for different folks. From better bathrooms to bigger breasts, the possibilities are endless.   

Alex V. of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., wants to give credit where credit is due. Literally. After carrying credit card debt, it’s time to pay the piper. The frazzled father-of-two says he would use the money to pay down his debt, debt that’s accumulated from holidays and other spending. With the leftovers, he would stop being house poor.  

“I hate owing people money,” says the 38-year-old small business owner. “After I paid off all of my debt, I would put the rest toward the house, specifically fixing up my sons’ bathroom, as well as any other household projects. I would do all of the things I have thought of doing but never had the money to blow.” 

Psychologist Craig R. thinks the idea of having an extra $10K is all wet. “I’d spend my cash on a major backyard oasis that includes a pool and hot tub. No expense would be spared on landscaping the area to make it a vacation spot right at home.” 

Ryan D. of New Smyrna, Fla., knows what it’s like to win big. More than eight years ago, he was a contestant on NBC’s stunt reality show Fear Factor. After completing three feats that included noshing on tarantulas and getting himself unlocked from a car spinning under the water, the professional photographer took home a whopping $50,000.  

Although money can’t buy love, it definitely helped Ryan celebrate his. He used the jackpot to purchase an exquisite engagement ring for his wife. In addition, he put part of his winnings toward financing a fairy-tale honeymoon in Fiji. Of course, Uncle Sam also got his cut. If the shutterbug had it to do all over again — this time with $10,000 — he says he would go in a different direction with his money.  

“I have no regrets about how I spent my Fear Factor prize because that is basically how we started our lives together,” Ryan explains. “That said, I would now use the money to plan for the next chapter. I would buy some stocks that look good for the future. My goal with $10,000 would be to grow my money to double it or even triple it over time.” 

As for Vanessa R., debt and investments hardly make the cut. For her, it’s all about building her assets…and a whole lot more. The seasoned editor says that she would put her $10,000 toward a better body. Liposuction and a breast enhancement top her wish list. And the Alabama resident is not alone. In 2012, there were more than 10 million surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures done in United States. The most popular procedure? Breast augmentation.  

While she knows it would be more practical to save a $10,000 windfall for a rainy day, she admits she would secretly keep the funny money all for herself.  

“I have long wanted to get work done. However, I’m too fiscally conservative to do it. But if I ever happened across an extra $10,000, you better believe I would have my consultation before the check ever cleared.” 

There is no denying how great it would be to win $10,000. However, there are some people who believe it’s better to give than receive, which is exactly how they would dole out the cold, hard cash. For nurse Kerry F., she has a couple of agenda items in mind as to how she would use the money. The first thing she would do is put a dent in the college debt carried by her two daughters, ages 18 and 21. 

But the 51-year-old medical professional wouldn’t stop there. With the remaining $5,000, she would use the money to make her mark. 

“I would split what I take home after taxes with money toward my kids’ student loans and then make an anonymous donation to a local start-up charity that would make a huge difference to get them off the ground. 

“Money comes and goes. Quick impulses are fun in the moment, but every once in a while, it makes you feel good when you feel like you’ve made a little difference.”  

Eric L., 38, says he wouldn’t give those impulses a second thought. In fact, he would use an influx of cash on pure enjoyment by pouring some extra funds into his favorite pastimes. The avid musician and classic car enthusiast says, “If I had an extra 10K thrust into my bank account, I know exactly where it would go. Nearly half of that would be used to restore my ’65 Chevy. The other half would buy a new tenor saxophone, guitar amp and finishing these tattooed sleeves.” 

Media buyer Steve K. also acknowledges that winning a $10,000 giveaway would be a wheel deal. Only in his daydreams could he purchase a Jeep CJ-7, a true classic. Although he realizes it would take some work, the father-of-three knows that a monetary prize is likely the one shot he would have at getting his hands on the car of his dreams. 

“The way it stands now, I’m a slave to the minivan. But should I win $10,000, you better believe I would be footloose and fancy free in my very own Jeep.” 

And he’s not the only person who would give into his whims with no regrets. Deb K. has long had the itch to do some serious globetrotting — and she would use the $10,000 to scratch it. The cool cash would go directly toward satisfying her wanderlust.

The 40-year-old marketing exec says, “I constantly have daydreams about winning the lottery and taking a fabulous trip, usually Rome. So if 10 grand were to magically appear in my bank account, I would take my best friend (sorry, hubby!) and spend a week roaming the ancient city. We would gorge on pasta, eat gelato while riding a Vespa and gleefully shout ‘Ciao!’ to everyone we see. After shopping in designer boutiques, we would buy the knock-offs for sale on the Spanish Steps. We would flirt with our concierge and get passes to see the Sistine Chapel on a personally guided tour. We would get lost trying to find the monument to ‘La Popessa,’ the allegedly female Pope Joan of the Dark Ages. We’d drink limoncello until we were knee-walking drunk, and then we’d make the local polizia haul us, soaking wet, out of the Trevi Fountain. It would be the best trip in the history of EVAR. That’s $10,000 well spent!”

But not everybody would spend so frivolously. Public relations guru Michele H. says that at the age of 55 taking care of her health prevails, although there is that niggling voice in the back of her head reminding her that you only live once. 

“It’s a tough one, because these days every purchase I make has to go through my mental ‘decision committee’ which consists of two members: the practical me and the passionate me.The practical me would suggest the best thing to do is to save the money, because I anticipate some income interruption in the next 12 months, plus I’m changing medical insurance plans, and I’m not sure how coverage will change. I have to take an expensive medication for osteoporosis for goodness sake, and I want to make sure I can afford it. The worst-case scenario is, it could be $1,000 a month, and I need to take it for 24 months. 

“But the passionate side of me would like to use that $10,000 for an exotic, incredibly relaxing diving trip in Indonesia. I haven’t taken a trip like that in about 15 years and would love the escape. The passionate me is always berating the practical me by saying, life is too short and everything will work out in the end anyway — it always does.”

Forget fun in the sun – property owner Elizabeth D. points out that when the tax man cometh, she would be prepared. The 69-year-old retiree says that her biggest expense is often the insurance and taxes she has on her multiple investment properties. The $10,000 prize money would be put directly toward those bills.

As the old saying goes, “To each his own.” 

Do you want to win $10,000? Why not enter MyDailyMoment’s Giveaway? Click here and register for your chance to make your dreams come true.