Childhood Dreams Meet Adult Money: 29 Funny Things People Wish They Could Buy

Remember when you were a kid, and you imagined how awesome it would be to have your own money? I used to daydream about all the things I'd buy—like an endless supply of candy, the coolest toys, and maybe even a rocket ship. Now, as an adult, those childhood dreams have shifted a bit, but there’s still a part of me that thinks, "What would childhood me want me to buy?" Turns out, I’m not alone in that thought. Plenty of people have looked back and wondered, "What would little me think of my adult purchases?" And the answers range from hilarious to downright bizarre.

This funny thread captures 29 hilarious moments where people reflect on what their childhood selves would want them to buy with adult money—and the results are nothing short of entertaining. You’ll see everything from grown adults wishing they could splurge on their childhood dreams, like buying a life-sized bouncy castle or stocking up on every toy they never got, to modern-day indulgences like fancy LEGO sets and nostalgic throwbacks. The funny thing is, as adults, we might still crave a little bit of those childhood dreams in our purchases. These photos and tweets highlight how the wild, imaginative wishes of our younger selves clash with the practical realities of adulthood.

Some people have actually gone through with buying things their younger selves would be proud of, while others hilariously lament their grown-up bills taking precedence over fun.

You’ve just enjoyed a collection of funny reflections from adults reminiscing about what their childhood dreams and what they would buy with grown-up money. From playful indulgences like LEGO sets and toy splurges to the hilarious regrets of being a responsible adult, you’ve explored how people’s wild childhood dreams collide with adulthood realities.

If these childhood-inspired purchases made you smile, there’s plenty more on Thunder Dungeon to explore. Dive into other collections featuring nostalgic memes, and even quirky shopping fails that’ll remind you why adulthood comes with its own set of surprises. Whether you’re reminiscing about your youth or simply looking for a laugh, we’ve got the meme galleries that are perfect for tapping into your inner child—or entertaining your grown-up self!