How Did You Spend Your First Adult Paycheck?

Laptops, comics, and an English bulldog named Cha Cha.

During those uneasy months leading up to my college graduation, there were talks about the salary I’d make at my impending “grown up” job, the regular paychecks, the health benefits, the 401(k).

I remember some sage advice my favorite uncle gave me: “Invest your entire first paycheck — don’t even open the check, just invest it. And don’t touch it until you’re retired.”

“Do 22-year-olds really do that?” I asked.

“The smart ones do!” he replied.

After college, my trusty laptop that I’d used during my latter years of high school and all through college wasn’t cutting it anymore. The battery was completely dead and it functioned at an agitatingly slow speed. So I happily put my first paycheck towards a new laptop. It wasn’t the investment my uncle suggested, but a still a valuable one.

How did you spend your first ‘adult’ paycheck?

“After having an unpaid internship after college the experience of getting a paycheck was rather surreal, so I didn’t spend it wisely! I spent part of my first adult paycheck on a nice pair of designer jeans I had been eyeing for a while.” –Sarah, 29

“My first paycheck was when I was a junior in college and joined the Navy. I bought two things with my first paycheck — a TV and clothes. But more importantly, I had proof of a paycheck which allowed me to buy a car!” –Kara, 45

“Comics and cheap beer via a friend’s older sibling.” –Jamie, 35

“I made $7,600 teaching in Maine that year! I budgeted tightly so I could save to go on a nice vacation to Bermuda — ate cheese, dreams, and hot dogs, and drove a Pinto. But I can’t remember what I did specifically with my first paycheck. Probably went over to a bar in Canada and had a beer.” –Deborah, 62

“After leaving college and receiving my first real paycheck, I bought at new 55″ DLP HD Television, without thinking about the transportation aspect, of course.” –James, 32

“I used my first adult paycheck to satisfy creditors from the oh-so-fun spring break I treated myself to in college!” –Sara, 34

“My first real paycheck was for around $225. I was living in Lido Beach, Florida and it mostly went towards rent.” –Jim, 56

“I worked at NAB Bank in Sydney, Australia, and my first several paychecks went towards saving for a trip to New York City. It’s been four years since I moved to NYC — the trip turned into me permanently living here!” –Kathleen, 28

“Most of my first adult paycheck went toward rent for my first apartment. I also remember buying my first cell phone right away. It was in the early 2000s and the first camera cell phone had just come out, but I’m pretty sure my sweet flip phone only served one purpose: to call people.” –Megan, 34

“I made a very small paycheck at my first real job, working at a Children’s Photography Studio. It all went towards expenses like food and rent, not something exciting.” –Nancy, 43

“I bought a Breitling Avenger Skyland SS. Needed it!” –Ryan, 31

“Most of my first ‘adult’ paycheck actually went into a savings account — never know when you need a rainy day fund — but I thought it was worth a little splurge on a new backpack for adventures around the city” –Hannah, 23

“I received my first ‘real’ paycheck in Balmain, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. After work, I took a bunch of friends to the “Rose, Shamrock & Thistle,” my favorite pub, for libations and then we had dinner at a tiny Chinese cafe, I think it was too small to be called a restaurant. It was a great night and because I paid only $25 a week for a room, I was able to save a good portion of my check every two weeks. These were the days before student loans.” –Dave, 64

“I bought Cha Cha, my English Bulldog.”– Morgan, 34

“I was living with my parents in Orford, New Hampshire for a few months after college with no real bills, so I bought myself Bud Light and pizza.” –Dan, 29

Kelley MacDonald is a business development professional and freelance writer residing in Brooklyn, NY. Previously, she worked as a research engineer for the federal government, focusing on alternative energy and vehicle simulation. Currently, she is the Business Development Manager at the tech startup Bloglovin’.

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