If I gave you $20, what would you do with it? I asked various people and just sat back to see what they’d say. It’s a fairly inconsequential amount to many of us, while to others it represents bread and milk and enough gas to make it into work for a few more days. I found it such an interesting activity that I might just keep going with it, but here’s what I heard so far:
My friend from seniors’ yoga: ‘Oh, I could buy a CD, maybe of a German symphony. But do they even make CDs anymore? I was at the store in the mall the other day and it was full of albums. I don’t have a player for that anymore. But I’m not sure you can get a CD for $20, anyway. Maybe I would get a book, but that would be the same thing. It would just be $20? Maybe it needs to be $30. Or I could go to the used bookstore. Or the library, I guess, in which case I wouldn’t need it.’
Thirty year-old artist: ‘I’d put it in the bank.” (As her mother, this pleased me, until she added): “I hate using money, so I would still spend it. I’d just spend it electronically. Probably on food.’
Sixty-something CEO of medium sized Calgary company: ‘Beer.’
Twenty year-old college student: ‘I would buy some flowers and Timbits for my great-aunt. I visit her every month, so this could be an extra visit! She’s 90 years old and lives in a lodge, and she doesn’t get a lot of visitors. I love going and I also know how much difference extra money can make for a person. I’m a waitress in a restaurant to help pay expenses, and the other day a fellow gave me $10. I wasn’t even serving him, but he knows I’m a student and wanted to support my efforts. It meant so much to me.’
Seventy-something grain farmer: ‘Oh, that’s enough get a cup of coffee for the fellas. It’s enough.’
Retired couple: ‘He would keep it in his wallet for a rainy day and I would spend it on Blizzards because it is a sunny day!’
Visit Sandy’s website at LifeInRetirement.ca
