What was the first big ticket item that you bought with your first military paycheck?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 09:03:28 -0400

Many of my friends that joined the military in the last few years bought new cars or motorcycles when they received their first paycheck. What was your first big ticket item that you bought when you were young with a pocket full of money?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2015 9:21 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 09:21:29 -0400

My brother was graduating RIP the same week as I was graduating basic training. I paid for their tickets to go to his graduation. As much as I wanted them there for me, I knew how much of an achievement it was for my brother.

Response by Lt Col Fred Marheine, PMP made Apr 30 at 2015 9:29 AM

Lt Col Fred Marheine, PMP — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 09:29:52 -0400

I bought my dad an Evinrude 9.9 horsepower outboard motor for his 12' fishing boat - something I had grown up hearing him talk about and never quite finding the flexibility to get. I had it in the back of my truck and went to see him for lunch at work - he had just dropped paperwork to retire and was ready to travel the country in an RV, so my big reveal was to pull back the tarp and say "happy retirement."

Pretty friggin' awesome day.

My brother still has the boat and motor 30 years later.

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Apr 30 at 2015 9:29 AM

SSgt Dan Montague — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 09:29:28 -0400

A pair of $20 boots. I only made 13k a year
Now my first big ticket item when i was just make over the poverty line was an M-1 Garand. My retirement gift to me was a divorce from my wife...and a new V8 Titan truck

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2015 9:36 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 09:36:39 -0400

My pay check for a month was $85. Didn't support any big ticket items.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2015 9:52 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 09:52:21 -0400

I did not make enough money to buy a big ticket item. But I bought these with my annual bonus

Response by SPC David Shaffer made Apr 30 at 2015 11:06 AM

SPC David Shaffer — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 11:06:14 -0400

Ha ha ha! This is a funny question! I was the sole provider for my wife and our first child. We were happy to pay all of our bills each month and have bread and ramen to eat. Those were the days...

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2015 2:39 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 14:39:51 -0400

um, still haven't made a big ticket paycheck from the Army, but when I graduated OSUT at Benning I treated myself to a multicam woobie and a SOG backpack

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Apr 30 at 2015 2:50 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 14:50:44 -0400

Furniture

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2015 6:50 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 18:50:15 -0400

First thing I bought........ Financial Freedom and paid off my student loans.

Response by SPC Carl K. made Apr 30 at 2015 9:05 PM

SPC Carl K. — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 21:05:24 -0400

While not big ticket at the time, I bought my parents a satellite dish for the company that later became Dish Network.