A listener left a voicemail with The Bobby Bones Show sharing that she had just received a $30,000 bonus at work and was unsure how to use it.
She explained that her initial plan was to pay bills, save the money, and be responsible, but others around her were encouraging her to spend at least some of it on something enjoyable for herself. After hearing the message, Bobby brought her onto the show to discuss it further. She confirmed the bonus amount and explained that her company had even increased the payout to cover taxes so employees would receive the full intended amount. She said the bonus was given company-wide as part of a transition involving new investors who wanted to take care of employees. Bobby asked her about their financial situation, specifically whether she had more than $30,000 in debt outside of her mortgage. She and her family had car payments, credit card debt, and planned to pay off as much as possible. However, she admitted that part of her felt like they should do something special, especially for their children.
She described her family as one that rarely takes vacations, extra money typically goes toward their daughters’ sports activities. She said they were considering whether to finally plan a trip. Bobby suggested a balanced approach, recommending that she use the majority of the bonus, around $22,000, to pay off debt, while setting aside approximately $8,000 for a family experience. He said that while being financially responsible was important, creating memories with her family would also have lasting value. Amy agreed and asked about the ages of the children, who are 14 and soon to be 13. She said it was an ideal age to create meaningful family memories and noted that experiences, even simple ones, often have a greater impact on children than material gifts. She shared they were already considering a trip to Nashville for her younger daughter’s “golden birthday,” as she would be turning 13 on August 13, 2026. Her daughter is a big fan of Taylor Swift and had expressed interest in visiting Nashville attractions like the Country Music Hall of Fame. Bobby thought that was a great idea and invited her and her family to visit the studio if they made the trip, saying the show would love to meet them. He emphasized that Nashville offered plenty of activities for the whole family.
Our listener admitted she had been struggling with the idea of spending any of the money on something fun. Amy reassured her that setting aside money for a family trip was still a responsible decision.