Debt.
The boring but truthful answers of “I have bills that can easily soak it all up without an issue (mortgage, student loans, car, etc)” have been said, so assuming I cannot use it to repay any debts, and I have to make actual new purchases, I’d buy things that I could pay for now but enjoy for a long time. 3-year VPN plan, multi-year phone plan, gift cards to restaurants (especially with a bulk discount like at a Costco), etc. Upgrade my cockatiels to a cage that goes wall to wall with real plants hanging out and all that. The little things that cost enough that I don’t get them but not enough to be a life-changer. Probably be a good amount left, I’d get a moped or electric bike of some kind, and I’d upgrade my laptop to a stupid powerful one.
$20,000 worth of low-fee S&P 500 index fund
Debt, then idk. Maybe a burger or something?
Yeah, paying off loans.
Alternatively and less boringly, upgrade my desktop and peripherals, new laptop for me and my wife, get nice homelab/server stuff, smart home stuff/sensors, surround sound system for my family room and office/gaming room, proper furniture for my office, new matresses for almost every bed in the house. That would most likely eat most of it, give or take ~$2,000.
Hookers & blow!
