What to do with Christmas money?

[techenthusiast]

I have $300 Christmas money.

I've wanted for a while: a husky home depot 72in low profile aluminum truck tool box

I currently keep everything in a tool bag, cardboard box and the storage space behind the back seat (4 door pickup so everything is in the cab)

---BUT something else has been bothering me for a while...

my driver side door and fender have damage, previous owner opened the door too far and it dented in the door and fender, the mounting on the fender is broken and the door hinge is broken. Everything still works just fine and cosmetically the damage is only noticeable up close.

That would start another project because my whole truck could use a paint job and I doubt I could find a door and fender to match the rest of my truck anyway. I also don't have a strong enough compressor to run a DA or RO sander and own no paint equipment so the project would be very slow and expensive. Keep in mind I only have $300 Christmas money here, anything else would take months to accumulate to stack on the $300. But I could probably get the door and fender for 300 as a start.

----- I have also wanted to overhaul the front end on my car. My truck is my daily driver so my car rarely gets used. That is going to set me back about $500 in parts so I would have to save the money, continue saving on the side and nothing would happen for a while.

----- I have also wanted to learn how to weld for a long time. I have a hobart 140 picked out with a Miller digital elite helmet. That will set me back about 700 not including material. I have a project lined up for a lawn mower trailer once I become skilled enough. This would have to take the Christmas money and save it for about 4 months adding onto it to make the purchase.

---- and then I have things that I need for work (mechanic) such as tools, clothes, etc. My Amazon account has probably $1000 worth of items that I've been researching and want to buy some time , the most basic being work shirts and pants. These things will slowly be bought over time with or without the Christmas money.

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[Jacobson]

I don't want to sound like a buzzkill or a smug A-hole, but if it would take you months to save on top of the $300, it sounds like you're living razor thin, and are one step away from catastrophe.

Save the $300. You should have 6 months of living expenses in cash.

Look for a free wooden box to replace your cardboard box.
Try to borrow a welder from a friend and invest in your skillset.

Personally, I would prioritize your projects as follows:
1) Work clothes.
2) Tools for work. (wants vs needs)
3) Truck door (does the door work?)
4) Car front end
5) Truck paint job.

 

[Kevin54]

I hate to say, but this is a double post. A big no-no in the GJ world.

Aside from that, look at the $300 as free money and spend it on what you want. Get something you normally wouldn't buy for yourself.

 

[BFHtime]

Take the money and invest it, in what will get you the best return, right now. It you were to buy a tool that would help make you more money faster then buy it. If you have some debt, credit cards or something else with interest, pay that off first. Someone could total your truck, right after you fix it. Tools could get stolen, too I guess. I think the tools are a better investment than the truck IMO. I would get a new cardboard box, or milk crate. Maybe get another tool bag. Or maybe a portable toolbox for organization. If you can make money welding, then it would be worth investing in. I just throwing ideas out there. I would check craigslist for a good used box. Guys get new trucks, and sell the old box often. I have a weatherguard sitting on my back deck, now. Think more about the best way to use that money. I think you should hold onto it, in case of an emergency, like the alternator on your truck dies, and now you need an alternator and a battery. At least you would have some cash for that situation. Plan for up coming expenses, like replacing the tires on your truck.

 

[FigureItOut]

I realize you asked WHAT to spend it on, not whether you should spend it, but I'm in the same camp as others. It sounds like you should either invest it in yourself (tools for work) or save it for some unanticipated vital need. Something WILL come up, and you'll be relieved to be able to cover it.

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