You could buy things for your friends and/or make good investments that long term puts you ahead but short term means you have very little available money.    If somehow that leads you to have better luck with the little money left then great I guess.   I'd say thats the smartest approach anyway, pay bills first, pay down the mortgage as much as possible with the few bits left after all monthly bills paid only then gamble the little left that is of no consequence.   Its a bad idea to gamble with money you need later anyhow.