As a result of a sad situation (my grandad passing away) something nice has resulted. My grandad always laboured the point for as long as I can remember that life is short and that you should do the things that make you happy in the small amount of time you have.
So, though he was never wealthy by any stretch he had saved a small amount of money (£3000) to pass onto me with a simple caveat - that it's not to be saved, it should be spent and spent for my families enjoyment. So, that's my 4 year old son, wife and me.
I realise £3000 is not going to go far but I really want to use it to bring some pleasure to us as a young family (it's been a rough past 3 years). I've considered holiday's, weekends away etc and they are on the potentials list but I'm becoming a bit obsessed with the idea that I should use it to do something that could bring us all some ongoing, lasting fun. A hobby, a past-time that we can all enjoy, something along those lines.
So, I thought i'd ask the great and the good on here for some inspiration. Things that you do together as families, hobbies and interests that you have.
Caravan?
Get yourselves a nice camping set up?
A full set of nice camping gear, shall we call that a grand?
That leaves two grand, which is about 100 nights worth of camping fees.
Canoes?
Bikes!
Short answer, buy a Boat.
Seriously.
For £3k you could get a nice trailer sailer - limbo 6.6 (sportier but fun to sail), Sailfish 18, jaguar 22, e boat (again sportier but easy to launch, relatively speaking), Drascombe or a Wayfarer. It's a great thing to do together as a family - adventure, bbq's on the beach nice anchorages etc and will give you a lifetime of pleasure.
You will also never feel wealthy again running a boat (but I managed to run a similar one whilst a student!)
Boats are ace.
Buy a boat
Camping's a good one, likewise some sort of boating could be nice.
We're all biked up as much as I could quite happily find room for another...
Yeah, a boat is appealing. We have quite a large reservoir near by that do sailing training so plenty of people with advice locally too. It certainly would offer adventure for all of us.
buy your son a nice watch to give him on his 18th
Boat.
If say a campervan too but that's more £££ to get a good one.
One other thought is a trailer tent.
Get yourselves a nice camping set up?
That was my first thought as well, perhaps it's ok to open a special account to save what's left to use to replace and add to to the kit as needed. That's not really saving it.
Books. Lots and lots of lovely books.
Pens. Lots of them, they can become family friends!
A boat or canoe (or SUP?) and a magnet on a rope for magnet fishing.
buy your son a nice watch to give him on his 18th
LOLs
A decent camping setup and some inflatable canoes. Have a look at decathlon for both
buy your son a nice watch to give him on his 18th
Or an ISA for real shits and giggles.
3,000 scratch cards
your boy will love that!
Up to ~£1k on a midweek break at Center Parcs outside the upcoming school holidays, booking plenty of activities.
Long weekend at Disneyland Paris.
Camping set up
Trailer for taking camping stuff (and making logistics of going away easier)
Pot of money for adventures whilst camping
Finally, get a dog and name it after your granddad. I can't think of a more awesome way to spend the money than on a dog.
A 4 year old won't remember a 1 off event in years to come. So perhaps something like those mentioned above, camping equipment you can use for the next few years.
What else do you enjoy? Outdoor cooking, build an outdoor kitchen and use that at home between your adventures. What would your Granddad look on with a smile, how would he have spent the money if he had the choice?
Finally, get a dog and name it after your granddad. I can’t think of a more awesome way to spend the money than on a dog.
This is a brilliant idea.
A decent camping setup and some inflatable canoes.
That was my first thought. The idea of a trailer for it all or trailer tent is great but if you need a towbar fitting that's going to take a decent chunk out of the funds.
I'd go with a load of camping stuff and time away in it too. The dog idea's nice but make it a rescue dog if you go down that route, no ££££ pedigree breed crap.
Some sick bikes.
Finally, get a dog and name it after your granddad.
Get a dog and name it "Shark."
Take a day trip to the beach.
Instant family memories, right there.
If you have the capacity to store it the trailer & rig idea is great. We bought a bell tent, awning, wood burner, and really comfortable sleep pads - in one holiday around France it had pretty much earned its keep. But it’s a big rig, and a trailer or van is pretty essential (if you can store it dry most of the camping gear can just live in the trailer).
Also. It should probably be a small portable dog, else spontaneous camping trips suddenly become onerous and expensive.
Socks. You can never have enough socks.
an au pair.
Standards are slipping round here 🙁
Coke 'n hookers, you can tell your son when he's 18, and think how happy your wife will be never knowing.
That or a tent.
I'd say camping. Just bought a massive tent and a load of lightly used gear myself. I have two boys, five and three and they absolutely cannot wait to go out into the peaks and get the tent up. Pick a campsite on or near a bike trail (we have the Tissington, Monsal and others) that you and your family can cycle on. Disposable barbecue at night and let them toast marshmallows over the embers. Its all about the memories 👍
Grandad is a bit of a funny name for a dog
35 posts and I'm the first to mention Coke and hookers... this place ain't what it used to be.
So we were in a similar position, inheritance was spent on a massive tent from khyam, a tow bar for the car and a thule 4 bike rack. Still to buy a decent camping cooking setup and probably a roof box or trailer - expect to come to approx £2k.
35 posts and I’m the first to mention Coke and hookers…
Really?
Vegas
Or the dog idea....
what a lovely and amazing gift to be left.
I's agree with the camping gear, £3K would get an amazing set up, and I don't know any kid that doesn't love to go camping.
the dog's a close second though.
Coke and prolapsed chicken vents
Power kites and ceramic poppies.
Grandad is a bit of a funny name for a dog
Unless it’s a papi-llon
OP. It is a really nice idea - he sounded like a cool guy to think like that. I am lucky enough to have mucked around on boats a bit in my youth. They are great fun, but even small ones need more maintenance than most stuff.
I personally would spend some money on something that brings you all together as a family in the fresh air, so for sure a boat fits the ticket. But for more frequent use (and something you may be more able to do with other friends), as above I would get some cool camping gear. Kids love spending time outdoors, it gets you away from home chores and can be the basis for holidays away, bank holiday weekends with friends or biking trips as and when. Memories will be made and you can enjoy almost every 'chore' with a beer.
I would get a pimp bell tent for that cash and then splash out on a stove for the inside. I don't have either (we just have a basic 4 man dome which cost about £150), but they look cozy and I think would extend the camping season a bit (as in the evening you could enjoy beer/hot chocolate inside the tent). I was camping last weekend and looked on with envy at those who had such sweet set ups.
I would also love a campervan, but as above I think that requires a bigger budget.
Enjoy the shopping.
Half on a kayak/tent setup, half in a isa for the boys first car/bike/house.
Loving the suggestions in here for a lovely gift. Personally, I’d go with getting a rescue dog (provided it works for you). My 2.5 year old dotes on our mutt and I can see them being great companions for years to come, plus she (the dog) is a massive part of our family. Obviously that wouldn’t cost £3000 so I’d consider a nice watch for the 18th birthday.