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Last Updated on October 23, 2022 by Chris Panteli
Things To Buy With 1000 Dollars
Legendary American actor Steve Martin had this to say when asked about money:
“I love money. I love everything about it. I bought some pretty good stuff. Got me a $300 pair of socks. Got a fur sink. An electric dog polisher. A gasoline powered turtleneck sweater. And, of course, I bought some dumb stuff, too“
Steve Martin
Spending money is easy for most people. Sometimes though it’s hard to decide what to buy.
To help you figure out what to spend your hard-earned extra cash on, here’s an epic list of things to buy with 1000 dollars.
Things To Buy With 1000 Dollars
This list of amazing things to buy with 1000 dollars covers everything from unforgettable experiences to shiny stuff that your friends will be envious of.
Even if you don’t have a thousand dollars saved up right now, it gives you a target to aim for.
Experiences
Most stories we tell each other don’t focus on the stuff we own. Instead, people love to talk about the fun things they did.
That’s why experiences are first when talking about how to spend an extra 1000.
If you have an exciting experience, you’ve got a memory you can talk about forever.
Bungee Jumping
Take the plunge (literally) and do a bungee jump. You could make a great day of this with a group of friends.
The United States has lots of amazing locations for bungee jumping. You could jump off the scary-sounding Bridge to Nowhere in Los Angeles. Or try the highest bungee jump in the United States by jumping off the Rio Grande Bridge in New Mexico.
One thing’s for sure. You will have lots of incredible photos to share on social media.
Deep Sea Fishing
Deep Sea Fishing is awesome as you can do it with a group of friends, solo, or make it a family trip.
A day at sea in calm waters is a top way to relax and build deeper bonds with friends or family. Depending on the local laws you may even be able to keep your catch and make a delicious meal out of it.
There are some incredible places to go deep sea fishing around the United States including:
- Charleston, South Carolina
- Montauk, New York
- Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Recommended: Make Money Fishing: Ultimate Guide
Hot Air Balloon Ride
Taking a ride in a hot air balloon isn’t something people often do. This is an experience that would be truly memorable.
You could take a significant other or go with a friend and soar hundreds of feet in the air. Some packages include food and drinks to make the hot air balloon experience even more memorable.
Road Trip
The great American road trip will always be popular. Here are a few world-famous road trips you can do:
- Route 66
- Highway 1 to Big Sur
- Blue Ridge Parkway
- Overseas Highway
- Route 101
These are just a few suggestions for road trips that already have a reputation for being magical. The beauty of doing your own road trip is that you can go anywhere you like. Total freedom.
Plus, you can discover some hidden gems that you wouldn’t otherwise see.
Shark Cage Diving
Sharks are amazing creatures that can be both scary and captivating to look at.
Going shark cage diving is an incredible way to get close to these magnificent sea creatures without losing a limb.
Shark cage diving can be found at many locations around the US. If you’re planning a trip abroad, then consider New Zealand, Australia, or South Africa as these all offer unforgettable shark diving experiences.
Skydiving
Jumping out of a plane thousands of feet in the air is going to be an adrenaline-fueled experience you’ll never forget.
Skydiving has got to be the ultimate experience for anyone seeking a thrill like no other.
Bonus points if you can get a photo of your reaction as you make the jump.
Whale Watching
A more relaxed experience than some of the others mentioned is to go whale watching. Whales are majestic creatures that will leave you feeling awe-inspired after a day at sea watching them.
You can make a day of this with family or friends and soak up all that nature has to offer.
If whales aren’t interesting to you, then look for other similar experiences like dolphin watching.
Ziplining
If you want to feel like James Bond for a moment, then why not give ziplining a go? You’ll find hair-raising zipline experiences all over the United States.
One of the most extreme ziplining experiences can be found at Zipline Adventure based in Hunter Mountain, New York. Here you can find the second longest zipline in the world. The Summit SkyRider Tour. 4.6 miles of zipline at over 600 feet high will give you an adrenaline boost like no other.
Lifestyle
If you’ve got extra money you may feel like spending it on cool stuff or experiences is a waste. That’s OK. You should spend your money on whatever makes you happy.
For some of you, using every spare dollar to build savings and investments is your preferred option. Here are some of the top ways to boost your lifestyle by creating wealth.
Crypto
Crypto was launched in 2009 with the inaugural crypto coin, Bitcoin. Today, there are over 10,000 crypto coins in use. That’s not to mention the addition of NFTs to the digital marketplace.
When investing in any product, including crypto, you should exercise caution. The crypto market is volatile, and you could lose your investment at any time.
Investing $1000 in crypto could be the beginning of a nice nest egg for your retirement.
Investments
Investing in the stock market is a traditional way of wealth building. An initial investment of $1000 would be a terrific way to start your investment fund.
By investing money in the stock market, you are building a passive income. Your money grows over time and the more you add to the investment pot, the bigger returns you’ll get.
If your risk tolerance is high, it’s possible to make a lot of money by investing in riskier stocks. To mitigate the risk, you can join investment platforms like M1 Finance. These platforms give you all the data you need, all you need to do is invest your money.
Building investor relations with experienced investment firms means you can make informed decisions when investing your hard-earned money. That reduces the risk of making a poor choice, but any investment could lose all the money. Never invest money you can’t afford to lose.
These days you can invest money in a lot of different things. You don’t have to keep all your money in the stock market. In fact, diversifying your investment portfolio is strongly recommended. Alternative investment ideas include:
- Peer-to-Peer lending
- Art
- Wine
- Precious metals
- Commodities
Real Estate
Investing in real estate is one of the best ways to build wealth. $1000 won’t buy you a property, but it can be used to start investing in real estate.
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are one way to invest in real estate without owning property. You invest in a REIT and get paid dividends. REITs work in a similar way to investing in mutual funds.
Fundrise
Create a real estate portfolio that’s built to last!
✅ Institutional-quality real estate
✅ Low-cost, diversified portfolio
✅ Flexible investment minimums
✅ No complicated paperwork
Another option is to invest in an online real estate investment platform. One example of this is Fundrise. These platforms connect investors with real estate developers looking to finance a project. If all goes well, you get paid a nice return.
These are the two best ways to use your $1000 to invest in real estate.
When you can afford it, consider buying property or land as you then own an asset. Plus, you’ll earn a rental income as a landlord.
Savings
Data shared by the United States Census Bureau following a survey shows a frightening stat. 49% of Americans have no retirement savings. An even scarier stat is that 45% of Americans have no savings at all.
Do you have any savings?
If not, using your 1000 dollars to start a savings account or retirement fund might be the best decision you ever make.
An emergency fund could be a lifesaver in the event you suffer an unexpected bill. Health insurance, life insurance, and a credit card may come to your rescue. However, there are so many situations when insurance doesn’t cover you or your credit card is maxed out and of no use.
When emergencies happen, and they will, having an emergency fund can be the difference between ending up homeless or not.
Retirement may feel a long way off, yet the sooner you start saving the better. The bigger your retirement fund the sooner you can retire. Plus, you can maintain your standard of living.
Social Security may give you something when you retire, but it won’t be enough. You need to supplement your retirement with your own savings. Start putting money into a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA today.
Frequently asked questions about retirement are best directed to a professional. Make sure you ask for any help if you’re unsure about which retirement plan to invest your money in.
Cool Stuff
Buying a cool thing doesn’t have to cost the earth. Instead, you can spend $1000 on a cool thing that’s just for you. Gadgets, jewelry, watches, and designer clothes could all cost $1000. Here are a few mind-blowing ideas to spend your cash on.
Beats Headphones
A quality pair of Beats headphones give you the ultimate listening experience.
Listen to music, podcasts, and phone calls on your pair.
Digital Art Frame
Wall space is limited which means you must carefully choose what to hang on the wall. Not anymore. By getting a digital art frame like this one from Canvia you can display everything you want.
Personal photos, videos, art, paintings, and even NFTs can all be displayed in amazing resolution using a digital art frame.
DJI Mavic Air Drone
Taking aerial shots no longer involves leaning over high buildings. Now you can stay safely on the ground and use a drone to do the hard work for you.
The DJI Mavic Air Drone can be used to take stunning aerial photos and videos in 4k quality. You get up to 34 minutes of flying time to take as many jaw-dropping shots as possible.
Dyson Pure Cool Purifying Fan
As the world heats up it might be time to invest in a quality fan.
The Dyson Pure Cool Purifying Fan not only cools you down but removes allergens and pollutants from the air you’re breathing in.
Hipresso Coffee Machine
Coffee enthusiasts will be delighted with the Hipresso Coffee Machine. The hi-tech device uses a touch screen to choose from 11 different coffee brews.
At the touch of a button, you can have the perfect americano, espresso, macchiato, or whatever coffee you desire.
Indoor Rowing Machine
If you’re interested in improving your fitness, then why not consider getting an indoor rowing machine? These machines are great for legs, arms, and your core.
Indoor rowing machines can help you lose weight, get in shape, or simply maintain fitness.
Roomba
Science fiction stories of old always predicted that everyone would have robot helpers in the future. Although robots in the home aren’t a thing yet, there is one tiny robot you can get. Introducing the iRobot Roomba.
This innovative device will do vacuuming for you. Plus, it will automatically dispose of the dirt. Now you won’t have to spend time doing a tedious chore. You can also impress your friends by showing off your cool robot helper.
The Roomba does connect to your wi-fi as it needs to map your home for vacuuming. However, your personal information is secure. Data is only collected to improve the Roombas performance.
Smart Watch
A smartwatch isn’t just for telling the time.
You can use them to stay connected, track your sleep, and improve your fitness. There are many advanced smartwatches on the market like this one from Samsung.
Sunrise Alarm Clock
Getting a good night’s sleep is important for your health. Equally, waking up properly can also give you the perfect start to the day.
A sunrise alarm clock can help you sleep better, wake up feeling refreshed, and gives you more control over how you start your day.
VR Headset
Virtual reality headsets let you become part of the action. The Goovis Lite is compatible with your TV, console, or other devices including drones.
These virtual reality devices make you feel like you’re in the future. Enjoy immersive experiences as you watch your favorite YouTube channel or stream content via Amazon Prime. Whatever you watch or play you’ll be in the thick of the action.
Every one of these cool things to buy with 1000 dollars is available on Amazon. If you’re not already a Prime member, then you may want to consider signing up. As a Prime member, you get faster shipping, access to deals, and early notice of Amazon Prime day.
You may also find the perfect deal on Black Friday if you can wait that long. Make sure to do your research as the average cost of things isn’t always cheaper on Black Friday. The best buy can be any time of year, so check back often.
FAQs
What can you buy with $1000?
As you’ve seen, you can get all sorts of cool stuff for $1000. You could treat yourself to a thrilling hot air balloon ride, start investing, or buy a futuristic robot helper.
How do I find things to buy with $1000?
The easiest way is to use the list above. Alternatively, do a Google search for more ideas. Ad choices based on your previous searches could throw up some interesting results.
For example, maybe you want to buy a rare book. If you do a Google advanced book search, then you could find 1st editions within your $1000 budget.
Is 1000 dollars a lot of money?
If you live paycheck to paycheck, then 1000 dollars is likely a lot of money. In that case, if you’ve saved up $1000 you may prefer to use it for an emergency fund.
How can I get rich overnight?
Other than winning the lottery or receiving an inheritance there’s no way to get rich overnight. If you want to get rich, or at least financially secure, you need a plan and hard work.
Should I borrow $1000 to buy stuff?
Borrowing money should always be a last resort. Even if you get a loan with 0 APR or a credit card with 0 APR, you still owe money. Saving up the money first is a much better idea.
