Happy Tax Day, America!
Hopefully you ended up with a nice, fat refund … even though the average return is down 16% (thanks to recently adjusted tax withholding tables) and high-tax states like New York are getting screwed (guess where we live?).
But let’s imagine you got an unexpectedly nice return. This is found money; enjoy it.
That’s the ethos behind our guide to blowing your refund, a once-a-year, no-guilt exercise in conspicuous consumption for government-issued checks of all shapes and sizes, from $400 steaks to Bruce Willis’s $33m private island.
Responsibility can wait until tomorrow.
212 Steakhouse “The Gold Experience”
A 6-oz. steak covered in flakes of edible gold, from the only restaurant in NYC certified to sell Kobe beef. ($400)
The Woodford Reserve 2019 $1K Mint Julep
Fly down to the Kentucky Derby and sip on this four-figure cocktail, which utilizes fresh-mint grown on the grounds of Churchill Downs and a honey sweetener crafted from honey laid to rest in a small oak barrel for 145 days in the ground’s iconic Twin Spires. At least here, the money’s going to a worthy cause. ($1,000-$2,500)
FORNASETTI Set of Plates
A gold tone and white plate set reproduction of a white male form, or a cheeky way to start a conversation at your next 12-person dinner party. ($4,427)
Ferrari
A limited-edition tome with pics from the Ferrari Archives and private collectors enclosed in an aluminum display case. ($6,000)
Skullis Quartz Rock Crystal Skull
Amazon actually offers an array of hand-carved, five-figure gemstone skull sculptures, which double as healing sculptures that “cultivate peace, relaxation and quiet.” Or gives you nightmares. Note: not available on Prime. ($14,899)
The Glenlivet Winchester Collection Vintage 1967
A blend of rare single malts, the youngest laid down 50+ years ago by former The Glenlivet Master Distiller Robert Arthur. Only 150 handcrafted bottles of this non-chill-filtered, cask-strength tipple will be released globally. If you can’t afford it … follow our Instagram. We’ll be trying it Wednesday. ($25,000)
Audemars Piquet Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra Thin
While it would be hyperbolic to say that Royal Oaks of any type are commonplace, there are some that are even less commonplace than others. For example, this 39mm precious metal version, which combines a white gold bracelet and case with a textured gold-toned dial. It’s impressive simply by virtue of being a Royal Oak, but the real flex here is in how rare it is — there are only 75 available, exclusively at Audemars boutiques around the world. ($55,400)
Samsung “The Wall”
A 146-inch, 80mm MicroLED set that you can link together with other Walls to build your own in-house Jumbotron. ($100,000+)
White Desert “Greatest Trip” to Antarctica
A 24-hour escape to Antarctica. Starting off from Cape Town, guests board a Gulfstream private jet and set off for the icy continent. You get eight hours to explore and your icy adventure ends in a gourmet champagne picnic; on the flight back, you’ll have drinks served on 10,000-year old Antarctic ice. ($195,000)
Charter the Christina ‘O’
Rent the yacht once owned by Aristotle Onassis and Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis. This restored “floating mansion” has hosted the likes of Winston Churchill, Marilyn Monroe, Princess Grace and Frank Sinatra. And bring your friends, who can take a dip in the vessel’s salt-water swimming pool…which converts to a dance floor. ($894,000 per week)
1995 Bugatti EB110 Super Sport
This supercar — a lighter, more powerful take EB110 GT — was recently put up for sale on Girardo & Co., and it’s the last version of a limited-run of about 30 supercars. And the last recorded odometer reading was just 702 miles, so it’s in pristine condition. ($2.3 million)
Bruce Willis’s Turks and Caicos Islands Resort
This beautiful, seven-acre beachfront estate is comprised of three homes spread over 35,000 square feet, with 11 bedrooms, 13 full bathrooms and 12 monkeys (in spirit). Also comes with its own yoga pavilion, a fleet of buggies, and a playground complete with pirate ship. ($33 million)
Additional reporting by Mike Conklin, Kayla Kibbe and Logan Mahan
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