If you haven’t yet spent your dividend (let’s face it, times are tight and it’s probably already gone, sucked into the ether that is modern living in an expensive city), we thought we’d digress into a world of fancy and frivolity and come up with some inventive – and somewhat silly – ways to spend your $320.

1.       Get Whippy With It
Since summer is just around the corner, hit the bank and trade in your $320 for 160 two-dollar-coins. Put them into a large jam jar (or three) for a Summertime Mr Whippy fund. Your money will last the summer and afford your heaps of awesome memories and frozen-headaches!

2.       Get Your Kicks
Buy yourself a pair of those super stylish Back-To-The-Future shoes that have just hit shelves. They don’t have the same bells and whistles as Marty McFly’s – but they’ll look awesome when you head out on your hoverboard. Great Scot!

3.       Put on Your Dancing Shoes
Music. Yep, we all have our faves. Whether you love dancing on the ceiling with Lionel Richie or Tiesto is your cup of tea – $320 goes a long way on iTunes. While you’re at it, invite the neighbours over for a Sunday morning dance-off. There’s no better way to get to know your community.

4.       Go on a Date with Brad and Angelina
Right, going on a real date with Brangelina isn’t going to happen for $320. But you can book a table at a nice restaurant and take your beloved to a movie starring the handsome Hollywood duo. There’s always a silver lining!

5.       Splish, Splash, Splosh
Grab your $320 and get set for the beach. If your bargain hunting skills are super honed, than you’ll get more bang for your buck. We’re envisioning sun tents, some new giant beach towels, sand castle building tools, Haviana’s and new pair of togs. Go on, ignite the sales freak inside of you!

6.       Find Yourself a Flying Circus
Maybe it’s just us, but there’s something to be said about owning each and every Monty Python film, show and crazy skit ever created. You’ll either laugh your socks off or stare silently in confusion at the screen. Either way, you’ll have a DVD collection worth bragging about.

7.       Put a Down Payment on Happiness
Okay, happiness and what makes us all happy is different for each of us. But we’re pretty sure that spending $320 on a canvas print of your kids or your favourite place (heck, print out an image of your favourite food if it floats your boat) will make you smile again, and again, and again...

8.       Take a Walk on the Wild Side
New Zealand is known for adventure sports and plenty of outdoor activities to get your motor revving. Why not spend your cash on something that gets your blood pumping and the adrenaline flowing? Bungee jump, go off-roading, discover underground caverns or play on an adult-sized slip n’ slide. Whatever you do, do it with flair!

9.       Find a new Identity
Not literally. We’re talking about spray tans, hot stone massages and haircuts. Yes boys, treat your ladies. And ladies, treat yourself. There’s nothing like a little pampering. Let the good times roll.

10.   Pay it Forward
Okay, so this last idea isn’t as frivolous, fanciful or ferocious as the other ideas – but it has a lot of merit behind it. Investing in someone else’s happiness is something that makes everyone happy on many levels. Whether it’s buying a stranger’s coffee, helping a mate pay a bill or just spending your time – being there for someone without them having to ask is worth $320 and then some. Go forth and spread Good Energy!

So there you have it, a few ideas on how to spend your $320 AECT dividend if you haven’t spent it all already. In reality, our ideas are light-hearted and frivolous (there’s always some space for fun and frivolity) – and that’s what we’re aiming for. Getting your imagination wandering and a sparkle in your eye is a great outcome.

For more information on the AECT dividend and to see if you’re eligible, click here.