When you have more money than you need

[beekeeper]

If you're college age, then investing in a Roth IRA right now is a great idea. I think the max contribution is $8,000, but you can also still contribute for 2004 (I think?), which will increase that amount. The great thing about a Roth is that the money you put in now has already been taxed, so you won't be taxed when you take it out. Any broker can tell you how investing any amount in your 20s yields far more than investing the same amount in 30s, 40s, etc.

Another suggestion, with the holidays coming up--you can contribute to charities in the name of persons you want to buy gifts for (e.g., I sponsor a cougar at a wildlife refuge for my mother every year; she gets a picture, quarterly updates, etc.).