What would you do with a surprise $10K? New research reveals how Aussies would spend it

Imagine waking up to find an extra $10,000 in your bank account. A new survey from ING asked Australians exactly what they’d do with a sudden windfall – and the answers reveal a lot about our priorities across different age groups.

Here’s what the research found:

• Saving comes first. More than half of respondents (53%) said they’d put the money away in savings. Among younger Australians (18–34), that figure climbs to 69%, suggesting financial security is top of mind for the next generation.
• Travel is the dream. 37% of Australians would use the cash to fund overseas or domestic adventures, while 32% would direct it towards home improvements.
• Investing and debt matter too. 28% said they’d invest in shares, buy a property or acquire some cryptocurrency, or use the money to reduce existing debt. Meanwhile, 26% would keep it aside for emergencies.
• Generational differences are clear. Australians aged 55-64 are more likely to prioritise superannuation contributions (26% compared with the 16% average), while those aged 65+ are the most inclined to support family and friends financially (30% vs 17%).

Younger Australians appear focused on building financial stability, while older generations are more likely to direct extra funds towards retirement or supporting loved ones. But no matter the age, many still see value in using money for travel, experiences and memories.

Beyond the practical, many Aussies dream about using $10,000 for something memorable.

The research also uncovered some unique splurge ideas:

• 27% would book a luxury wellness retreat.
• 26% would take an extended career break or sabbatical.
• 25% would try a mystery travel trip where the destination isn’t revealed until departure.
• 21% would use it for a weekend of bucket-list activities like skydiving or hot air ballooning.
• 14% would road trip around Australia’s famous “Big Things”.

ING’s Cashback Moments promotion

To make everyday spending more rewarding, ING has launched Cashback Moments – giving customers the chance to win cash prizes while they shop. Here’s how it works:

• The promotion runs until 30 November 2025 (or until the prize pool is exhausted).
• Eligible Orange Everyday and Orange One customers who opt in to marketing communications can win $100, $1,000 or $10,000 by making qualifying card purchases.
• Transactions such as ATM withdrawals, BPAY payments and internal transfers don’t count.
• Winners are randomly selected and notified by SMS or email.
• There’s a total of $750,000 in cash prizes available.

On top of Cashback Moments, ING also recently launched Pocket Perks – a rewards program that gives customers access to cashback offers and discounts from a wide range of retailers.