How would you handle a bonus at work?

[Hector]

Pay off debt
If not debt, into emergency
If enough emergency, towards retirement
If enough retirement, donate some and spend some

[SimplySaving]

Congrats on your bonus!
For us, it would all get thrown into building up our emergency fund. And that would make us just about as happy as splurging on something huge. We REALLY want that emergency fund to be done.

[greenskeeper]

purchase physical precious metals

[krantcents]

In the past, I invested it. Occasionally, used it for a major purchase.

[ThePennyHoarder]

I've been eyeing a new couch at IKEA

I suppose the responsible thing would be to save it, but the holidays have put me in a spending mood.

[snshijuptr]

Just like all extra income, 15% goes into a Frivolous Account (for vacations, concerts, wine, parties, etc) and the rest goes toward the goal that occurs the soonest (currently buying a car). Then I adjust our monthly allocation toward this goal and allocate the difference to the monthly goal that is currently underfunded (currently boosting our EF to afford a baby).

I wish we got bonuses.

[scfr]

When I used to get bonuses, I used a 10/10/80 formula: 10% charitable giving, 10% mad money, 80% extra savings (or pay down the house when there was a mortgage). None went for regular expenses, as those were covered by the regular budget.

[cptacek]

To the Credit Card! I know you are in a different situation than me, so if I was you, I would spend some on a trip and put the rest to retirement.

[snafu]

congratulations, it's a wonderful feeling to get an unexpected bonus. All 'found'/unexpected income gets the 50/30/20 split. We had a nice lottery win earlier this year and stuck to the system.

[timpane]

Well my first bonus I've paid off a personal scholar loan. I've furthermore paid off a vehicle (still have the vehicle years later). However, I would take a twosome century dollars and purchase certain thing that you actually want. Or put it in a holiday fund. Reward yourself for hard work.

[fruitbowlk]

I put my bonus towards my EF.

[Katharina]

Congrats on the bonus!

I would use half of it to pay off debt, put the other half in a savings account, wait for a great sale and splurge.