Sometimes life hits you with some financial surprises. These can be bad, like an expensive car repair or medical bill, or they can be good, like a bonus at work or a cash gift. Lucky for me this week, I received the latter: a large cash gift!

The day after my birthday, an unexpected $1000 was deposited in my checking account by my dad. Now, this is a very unusual birthday gift. In my family, we grew up quite poor and my parents have a long history of some very bad financial decisions. While this had some serious drawbacks — especially when I became aware of our financial shortfalls as a teenager — I wouldn’t necessarily say it was debilitating. After all, I’ve made it to adulthood with a university education, no consumer debt, and money in the bank. Anyway, the point of the matter is that $1000 is a lot of money to myself, and to my father, hence the surprise when it appeared in my bank account.

Well, it was more than a birthday present: when I was nine, my dad made a deal with my sisters and I that if we never started smoking, he would give each of us $1000 on our 25th birthdays. The promise was brought up a few times in jokes over the past few years, but for the most part was largely forgotten. However, now at 25 and still cigarette-free, I got to cash in on that deal (nevermind that smoking is by far one of the most expensive habits itself! At over $10/pack in Canada, a pack-a-day habit will cost you over $4000 a year!).

So what did I do with my unexpected $1000? Let me tell you:

$250 to my vacation fund, for my trip to Iceland in June
$550 to my emergency fund so it’s at $1000 and I’m finally practicing what I preach!
$200 to my house/car fund

I know, all into savings! Kind of boring, but I wasn’t all that interested shopping with it. Earlier in the day, I stopped by the mall to pick up a book I had on hold and I went to Aritzia for two more of the tank tops I love, so I was already out of my spending mood. Furthermore, since these purchases and the others I’m planning this month are already budgeted for, I don’t need to roll any extra money into my spending — and I really don’t think I should after all the fun I had last month!

What I really love, however, is not having to put this money towards debt. This is the first cash windfall I’ve ever had that I didn’t have to split between debt and savings! That in itself is such a reward, I almost didn’t want to spoil it by buying stuff. Instead, the $1000 gift from my dad is going to be part of a great travel experience with my friends, contribute to my financial security, and help me to reach some long term goals.

While I might not have a physical object to show for it, my cash windfall went very far and I am super grateful for my father’s generosity (if not a little bit concerned that he should be putting this towards his own retirement). I know savings was the best place for this money (for me, for right now) because this is where it will confer the greatest and longest lasting benefit — and that’s all it’s ever about: getting the most for your money!