An image of pizza that has been plated.
Ivan Torres/istockphoto

There’s nothing like getting that first paycheck when you’re still fresh and not yet jaded by navigating the emotional rollercoaster that can be creating a successful career for yourself. That being said, there are certainly certain paychecks that are nicer to look at when compared to others, and plenty of us can remember being particularly unimpressed with how our first paychecks turned out to be. Maybe these people’s own accounts of their first paycheck splurges will make you feel better or at least nostalgic about your own experiences.,

1. The combo meal would certainly be rightfully labeled a splurge purchase nowadays.

A large-sized milkshake with a cookie and whipped cream.
Saminaleo/istockphoto

Our first retelling comes from Redditor u/Ouish, who writes, “It was 1976, I was making a whopping $2.50/hour at age 16 (20 cents higher than minimum wage, and it was an office job so I wasn’t on my feet all day)….my family didn’t have a lot of money (which is why I started working while in the 11th grade), so with my first paycheck I took my Mom and brothers out to dinner at Big Boy. I remember being all proud to say “Get whatever you want, even the combo meal and a milkshake, it’s on me.”

2. A Playstation 2.

An image of a Playstation 2.
CTRPhotos/istockphoto

3. A used car.

A grey-colored car.
deepblue4you/istockphoto

When you really think about it, purchasing a decently priced car with your first pile of hard-earned work money isn’t so bad of an idea. With a car you might be able to split time between a couple different jobs, or at least spare yourself the routine soul-grinding experience of commuting to work via public transportation.

4. Rented movies.

Someone who is taking a rented movie through the window.
Matic Grmek/istockphoto

Oh boy, this is just a tad bit nostalgic. Remember the days of old when you weren’t able to stream pretty much any show and/or movie that you could think of, and instead had to stroll on over to your local movie store? Wild times, indeed.

5. Some pizza.

A red plate that has a frozen pizza on it.
Photography By Tonelson/istockphoto

Sometimes it’s the simple and reasonably priced things that mean the most. Should you elect to purchase the economically agreeable frozen pizza as opposed to a fancy night out, and you might actually find yourself with some money left over to stow away in your financial nest egg for the next rainy day.

Meet the Writer

Matt has spent over the last 8 years as both a writer and editor, working in Seattle and Brooklyn, where he is now based. He loves escaping the tirelessly fast pace of the “Mad Apple” that is NYC by taking walks and runs through parks where he’s able to catch up on the latest tea about society from the city’s ever chatty, always hungry, occasionally maniacal, pigeons. They always have a lot to say. When he’s not taking his urban nature strolls, or dutifully combing the deepest rabbit holes of the internet to find the content that’s worth sinking your mind’s teeth into, he’s likely holed up at a dark-lit dive bar with a new book and/or some friends, or just as easily he could be on the hunt for the next addition to his steadily growing plant family.

These days Matt’s caught up in trying to provide folks as many vivid glimpses into the days long since passed as he can, through fun and engaging collections of hand-picked vintage photos.