As members of the 'working class' (yes, that means you) we are faced with a common dilemma. Come payday our wallets are bulging and heavy in our pockets, urging us to go out and ease them of their monetary burden. But, all too soon, the cash is gone, leaving us wondering where it all went-and what to do with the few NT$100 notes left over.
FYI South asked a few of our regular contributors for answers to this question: "What would you do with a full wallet, and what would you do without one?" This is what they came up with...

ADELINA HOLMES
You would be forgiven for expressing disbelief that serious money can be spent at the LiouHe Night Market's Animal World but, once you begin investigating the wide variety of animals displayed, you soon learn that is the case. Chan KooYen has had a wide variety of devoted animal-loving customers, from the turtle-collecting lawyer to the snake-obsessed English teacher. Current hot animals are the recently imported seven-color chameleons (NT$12,000), the red-tailed boa constrictors (NT$18,000) and the leopard-spotted frogs (NT$25,000). KooYen mostly wholesales to pet stores (and procures animals for Kaohsiung Zoo when required), but he is more than happy to take orders from collectors for specific breeds. A rarity among Kaohsiung animal suppliers, KooYen takes great care with his animals' welfare, and does not advocate buying animals on a whim. Be warned, collecting can be highly addictive, but your new prize deserves a comfortable home. Animal World is CITES1 (exotic animal import) certified.

Animal World
Address: Shop 79, LiouHu Night Market
Tel: 0937-637-115, e-mail: chkooyen@yahoo.com.tw
Hours: 7 pm-4 am daily
Visa and Mastercard accepted.

STEVEN CROOK
Never having had the pleasure of carrying a wallet bursting with money, I knew that before I could answer this question, I had to find out how many purple NT$2,000 bills it would take to fill the thing. I took out my credit card, health card etc., and stuffed in bits of paper. I reckon I could get NT$200,000 in my wallet. So what would I do with it, if I had it? Travel, in luxury, with my wife and son, to some place we've never been. Cambodia is too near and too cheap. I've done Western Europe. I think we'd go to the Rocky Mountains in Canada, the Grand Canyon in the USA, and (if there's money left) Alaska. I'd rent a car and hire a driver, so we could enjoy the scenery all the time, and stop anytime we wanted to. But we wouldn't rush--time is more precious than money.
If you already have the gear, hiking in Taiwan's high mountains is a wonderfully cheap way to pass a few days. But what if I didn't have enough money to buy a bus ticket to the start of the trail? I'd take an empty backpack and go for a hike near my home. I'm lucky that there's nice scenery--farms, forests, small hills--right behind my house. While enjoying the birds and wildflowers, I'd pick up every piece of recyclable trash I come across. Soon I'd have a backpack full--I know this because I see dozens of soda cans, Mr. Brown coffee cans, drink cartons, and plastic cups by the roadside every time I go cycling. I'd return home, and haggle with one of my neighbors (a recycler by trade) to get some cash in exchange for the garbage. Then I'd buy a filling but inexpensive meal, say chicken curry and rice.

JOHN MATTHEWS
Kaohsiung City has a huge and impressive variety of massage places. However, few places match the experience of a good old-fashioned Bali-style massage. There, both mind and body are truly taken to the far reaches of pure relaxation and comfort. If you have the cash, the new LOFO Bali Spa is where you want to go.
The name itself is a veritable acronym for 'Love for all'. Combined with the influences inspired by the Indonesian island of Bali, you get a place that delivers the full spa massage treatment. From a full range of massage oils to aromatherapy products, this place has three floors of 'treatment' space for ladies and couples only. The facility is completely unique in that nearly everything, from the products for sale (cosmetics, oils, etc.) to the very tiles on the walls, are from Bali. Inside, you will notice a space that is the embodiment of some of the Hindu character of Indonesia - the aromas, the setting and overall aesthetic of the facility.
All treatments are priced in three categories (first visit price, second visit price and member price) and be prepared to stretch your wallet a bit. Membership will cost you NT$10,000. A 90-minute massage starts at NT$3,800, while a 150-minute massage is NT$6,000. All treatments come with optional bath, shower, steam bath and a daily dessert special. All records are kept of your visit to promote a personalized direction in your health, healing and longevity.

LOFO Bali, The Spa
Address: 142, WuFu 4th Road, YenCheng District, Kaohsiung City
Tel: (07) 532-6968
http://www.lofo.com.tw
Hours: Everyday from 11:30 am-9 pm
*Please note: By appointment only.

For those with tight purse strings and clenched wallets, just head to the Culture Center. Here, very skilled and certified practitioners from the visually impaired community provide massage in an outdoor urban setting to paying clients. From Wednesday to Sunday evenings (weather depending) a cluster of about a dozen portable massage chairs sit with their blind handlers waiting patiently nearby. With a host/hostess on sight, clients will be assisted with times, prices and treatments in Chinese only. Starting at NT$100/10 minutes, the price is easy for anyone with a tight budget and even tighter foot, back and neck muscles.

AMELIE TSENG
Kaohsiung's Culture Centre, situated on WuFu Road, is where most people go for walks, performances and all sorts of art exhibitions. However, you probably haven't noticed the library, located near the gate of the culture center on HePing Road. The library, which has a large collection, is divided into different sections: the children's library room, the periodical room, the art book room, an open reading space and a performing arts information room. Story telling by volunteers is held on Sundays. Various magazines, both Chinese and English, and newspapers link you to the most updated information. Internet service is also available. A huge selection of music, plays, dances and art performances on DVD, VCD, CD or tape can be enjoyed in the performing arts room. Performing arts seminars take place irregularly. Illustrated books of Western and Chinese music, coupled with various instrument music sheets and references, can also be found here. The Culture Centre's library has to be the coolest place to beat the heat.

PIETER VORSTER
With money being the most elusive of all commodities, I would celebrate a full wallet with a surf trip around Taiwan. I would rent a luxury car and travel around the coastline, staying in expensive hotels and searching for perfect waves. Obviously a brand-new wetsuit and surfboard would be included. In the meantime, I'll continue to frequent all-you-can-eat buffets and filling my container at water stations...