<prompt> Human: As title says, Ill be getting a roommate soon. I can pay my own bills for the house on my own, but Ive invited my friend to live here because Id like the company and, yes, extra money. Hell be paying 570 a month. Since this is temporary bonus money Id like to save it in a constructive way. I dont want to spend it because Id get used to having that money, and then when he moves out...you know. What would you do? Are there any special savings accounts that accrue better interest than normal? What about investing, what would you suggest in that vein? Anything else that comes to mind? Thanks all. Edit: after some thought, currently Im more interested in investing it somewherehow. All of you have some great ideas, some of which Ive already thought about. However, perhaps if I could find a way to get a bigger return no matter how relatively small, I would then have even more money to go back and put into your suggestions.  <response>: A common error is to treat windfall money as a separate thing completely independent of other kinds of money. You should have a plan and goals and if you dont you should sit down and make them. And then a windfall allows you to make progress on your plan and goals. If you dont have an emergency fund then the windfall should go there. If you do, congratulations, and move on down your list of financial goals. 