If you won 50M, how'd you spend it? Would you still work?

[valis]

Discuss.

[DS1]

1. I'd become a professional artist, photographer, designer, animator

etc.

Hey, if I sell 10 bucks worth of product a month, that counts as 'professional'

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

2. Well, $50M would just about clear up my outstanding debt.

But I'd have to work to pay the rest off.

Or maybe that's just how it feels. :freak:

[valis]

3. C'mon, you cannot have a 50M debt!!!??

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

11. LOL, no, not even close.

I'm just being sarcastic because it sure as hell feels that way sometimes!!

Reality, I'm not doing THAT bad. About $5k credit card debt, a car payment, and student loans. I'm managing anyway.

Seriously, I'd probably give $7.5 million to each mine and my fiancee's families in a one-time, "never ask again because the answer is no" type of thing. $35 million left? Safely invest $10M to ensure I could live rather nicely off the interest alone in case something fucked up happens. Use the other $10M for a couple of homes/toys. $15M to buy or start a business if I don't feel like focusing on my writing.

[Call me Deacon Blues]

4. I'd move

either to Europe or at the very least to a Blue State.

[Liberal Veteran]

5. No....I would not still work. I'd volunteer my time.

Become a professional student. Get a couple of degrees under my belt. Move out to the desert and watch the stars at night. Travel.

[Midlodemocrat]

6. I would set up a foundation to give away a lot of the money.

I would probably still work, because I really like what I do and it would be a good example for my kids.

[valis]

9. That's nice!

I definitely would not know what to do with 50M... I may spend to 2M for some real estate, invest 5M to live off interest. The rest I have no clue...

[HughBeaumont]

7. Travel a lot and do what I WANT to do for a living.

[ahem]

8. I would pay off my student loans!!!

The debts of family and friends would get paid. Then buy houses for the parents -- and one for me and hubby. Get a good car. Give to charity.


And I would work, but more for pleasure that anything else.

[MadHound]

10. Oh that's easy

I would take out 2 million to pay off the mortage/fix up the house/blow on myself, wife. I would take another 2 million and put it in secure investments, getting in about five percent interest. I would put another 2 million in secure investments to grow the nest egg, and the rest I would put in secure investments, and take the interest every year and give it away. That would amount to 2.2 million I could give to charity each and every year. That would do a lot of good.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

12. I'd set up de-programming centers...

throughout the country for the Kool Aid crowd. Join ranks with the uber-rich in bringing down the BFEE. And travel - A LOT.

[DaJoiseyAlleyCat]

16. Hi

Hmmmm? I would quit work, get a lawn service, an escort service would be nice also, but mostly I would have a significant attitude change!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

59. Hi there, DaJoiseyAlleyCat!

WELCOME TO DU!

[ET Awful]

13. Pay off all debt, then travel, travel, travel (and buy a home or 10

along the way if I find any I like) :).

[radwriter0555]

14. I would LIVE. Travel. Eat. Cook; domeciles in various exotic locales...

and MORE living.

Why work? It's pointless. Life is to be enjoyed.

[forgethell]

15. Sell the house

buy 40+ acres in the country. Let it go back to nature. Fish, hunt, read. Vacation in New York, London, Rome. Buy a motor home and a sailboat. Store my stuff on the farm and travel. Fence in a couple of acres and take in stray dogs. Kick back and enjoy life.

[DaJoiseyAlleyCat]

20. BFEE

TWriterD....What's the BFEE, and can I have your bike if you win?

[WorseBeforeBetter]

36. Discretion please...

BFEE is Bush Family Evil Empire and my bike stays with me!

[Shell Beau]

17. No, I would instead donate my time to charity and volunteer organizations.

I would have fun with the money, but I'd give some, save some, and spend some.

[valis]

18. Sometimes winning a fortune can be bad for people...

heard of lottery winners who become total addicts and their life goes to hell...

[tjdee]

23. Doesn't that happen to most of them?

I seem to remember reading an article/seeing a report on that...

[A HERETIC I AM]

81. My brother is a Stock Broker and YES! that happens to 3 out of 5 big

money lottery winners. They declare bankruptcy within 5 years so he has told me. (I guess someone is tracking this stuff) People that don't know how to handle large sums of money are the type that usually win big and they buy big ticket items that have hidden upkeep costs they cant afford. If they take the payments, they are typically spread out over 26 years and if the annual checks cant cover the costs of keeping up the million dollar homes, the planes the yachts and whatever else they buy...they go under. Also, most folks find it hard to say no and every obscure 2nd and 3rd cousin comes out of the woodwork with their hand out.

You folks remember that Contractor in West Virginia that won the $300 million Powerball a few years back? He was in the news recently. He has been arrested for DUI several times since he got the money. He was given an ultimatum by the court. Go to detox or go to jail. His wife said the worst day in her life was when he went into that c-store and bought the winning ticket! If i am not mistaken, she has filed for divorce. Late last year, his vehicle was broken into AT A LOCAL STRIP CLUB and something like $40,000 in cash was taken. Now, if he was at a titty bar with forty grand in his car and it got broken into, i think he got set up. He has apparently dropped HUNDREDS of thousands on the local strippers. BTW, this guy was pretty well off before he won the money. He made news by saying he was gonna give 20 mill to his pastor. I don't know how the pastor is doing.

Probably living in Fiji.

[Maestro]

19. I'd quit

my job but I would become a volunteer working at least 2 days a week at the school where I teach. Then I would start my own investment firm investing in different business ventures that I feel are worthwhile.

[leftofthedial]

21. wow! If I got 50M tomorrow

that would almost work out to minimum wage over my career!

I'd keep working. I'd fully fund the kid's nonprofit I run. I'd take one hell of a vacation.

[tjdee]

22. I would make my own films, publish my own books...

First I'd pay the bills, buy a house in a rockin' neighborhood, and set up funds for the kid and invest some for a rainy day. Then we'd go on the 7 day Western Carribbean Disney Cruise.

After that, I'd be hitting up actors at Sundance to be in my self-funded film about something cool. Then I'd write a book about...something cool. Then I'd publish it.

Sigh....:)

[Nikia]

24. Not sure

But I certainly wouldn't work where I work now although part of me would like to buy the company and do things my way there.

[Worst Username Ever]

25. At 2% interest, that is one million dollars a year.

I would live and give very liberally and invest very conservatively.

[MrScorpio]

26. I'll take $40M and put it in the bank. It's earning interest.

With other $10M, I'll settle all my debts. Set a aside a trust for my nieces and nephews. Education and some expenses for them.

I'll build a house with a nice studio/library outside of Atlanta

Give my wife a couple of Mil to play real estate tycoon.

I'll get a Chrysler Pacifica and a 1995 MB 500SEC (I'm going to pimp that puppy)

We'll take a couple of vacations; Europe and a cruise in the Caribbean.

When we get back, I'm going to write and draw the great American Graphic novel.

Money is going to some local Democratic campaigns and some to charity. I'm going to ingratiate myself into local Dem politics... Banquets, fundraisers and such. Environmentalism and education assistance in poor communities. Tuition assistance, health assistance and home ownership programs in poor communities will see some money too.

When the $10M is spent, we're living on the interest.

[chickenscratching]

27. i would start by

cheeses and red wine. and smoking.
i'd have to buy my own american spirit factory to support my habit.
several truck loads of alcapolco gold
=lovely little villa in southern france (where i can host my elitist friends and their elitist teevee shows)
--pay off all my debt
-have a humongous house with people in it wehre we have mass orgies and eat peyote paste crackers every day

buy old arcade games

invite fred savage, kurt russel, david spade to my house for carrot cake

[StaggerLee]

28. Two chicks at the same time

Or if you multiply it appropriately it would be 100 chicks at the same time.

YOWZA! :crazy:

No but seriously. I think I'd do a lot of traveling and along with that promoting the progressive ideology somehow.

I'd definitely look into acquiring a residence in Europe, Australia or Canada while I'm at it.

[lenidog]

29. Well there is a lot of charities to donate to

and yes I would still work but it would be something I really want to do and not have to worry about a paycheck. I would become an archaeologist. Usually what happens is that you spend a hundred thousand on schooling and end up making 25,000 a year. So if you have the money in the bank you don't have to worry about your paycheck.

[ihaveaquestion]

30. No work for me. I'd become a PRO!

A PROfessional student, that is! I love going to school!

[BiggJawn]

31. Maybe, but it'd be on MY terms for once!

I figure a 50-Megabuck windfall, 50% for my "fair share" of keeping this quasi-civilized society afloat (betcha'd never hear a Rand-ite say that) and that would STILL give me 500 kilobucks of play money annually for the next 50 years. I'd be 98 when it was all gone, provided I didn't invest any of it along the way, so who cares? I wouldn't out-live it, in all likelyhood...

I would keep myself occupied, but as for getting up to "BEEP!BEEP!BEEP!" 5 days a week? No, that'd be OVER!

[Hugin]

32. What I'd do...

Yes, I've thought about this...

$5 -- $100 buy more tickets.
$100 -- $5000 buy myself and family something nice.
$5000 -- $10000 pay off some debt, buy something nice.
$10,000 -- $100,000 keep working, pay off debt, think of early retire.
$100,000 -- $1,000,000 keep working, pay off all debt, invest, think retire.
$1,000,000 -- $5,000,000 keep working, POD, invest, think retire.
$5M -- $10M keep working, POD, invest, plan retire.
$10M -- $50M quit job, POD, invest, consider starting a business.
$50M -- $100M quit job, POD, invest, travel, start business.
$100M and greater quit job, POD, invest, start business, start institute or foundation.

[valis]

33. HEY!!! Wouldn't you give SOME to DU ????

Not much, just 100Ks :D

[Hugin]

41. Only if they gave me my own forum...

Ah, I can see it now... "The Prag Memorial Forum and
Ventilation Center"

[valis]

42. BWAHAHAHAHAH!

I want the VALIS FORUM and a MOD who works full time on that. OK?

[Hugin]

45. Wouldn't it be totally rad...

You could like sit there :popcorn: and have like
guest posters come in and post about interesting
topics.

[luvLLB]

34. work? maybe, but not for this sh*t company.

[sam sarrha]

35. I would start a Business to help Dyslexic and ADD children and adults thru

a new Bio Feed-Back technique, it shows miraculous results in a short period of time. I would give it free to those without disposable income and charge a fair price to those who could pay. I would try to start a nonprofit Franchise to distribute it around the country..

I have an IQ of 164, but a literacy level they say of 6th grade. I have been told i was Dyslexic, ADD, but most likely a form of Autism.. that probably involves some synestesia. I think that i am just "Totally" Right Brain, i see 'everything' in concepts and metaphor.

the Bio-feedback system does not interfere with the hemisphere dominance, it simply teaches the person to be able to "Shift" back and forth appropriately and effectively. it works in a month or so with some follow-up'booster' programs.. later. it is really simple and involves NO medication.

I have lived in abject poverty all my life because of this 'resolvable' condition. I have had some jobs in scientific research.. i am a savant in system integration and innovation.. but after i made millions for others.. they lay me off. I cant even get a job here in Tennessee. i stick out like a sore thumb the educational level is so low.. i never get past the interview if i can get one. I know that in todays economy that the children with curable problems, for which the money to resolve them is wasted on war and greed, now are just Doomed to worse suffering than i have endured. at 56 i am so far thru the cracks i cant even see the daylight anymore.

[Mutley]

37. hell no i wouldn't work

at least not for some smuck like i do now. i'd probably start my own business or try to get published. buy a nice house and a coupla cute cars. travel. invest. charity, actually i've always thought i would like to start a non-profit animal shelter if i ever had the money. i'd probably do that, and build it up really nice so all the little doggies and kitties wouldn't hate being there.

[7th_Sephiroth]

38. i'd put 10M in the bank and live off the interest

buy up some empty lots in new mexico and built houses and sell and rent them out, build my own house in a traditional japaneese design but modern, and i would travel and enjoy the world, or just sleep all day

[NewJeffCT]

39. Is that pre-tax or after tax?

But, let's assume it's after tax.

I would still work, but at something I really loved - maybe I'd open up a hobby/gaming/comic book store, or else try to establish my own line of miniature wargaming figurines. Say, $1 million for this.

I would make sure that my parents & my in-laws get a pretty generous sum of money so they could live comfortably for the rest of their lives. Maybe $1 million each (both pairs of them are fairly comfortably retired now, provided Bush doesn't demolish Soc Sec...) Net now is $3 million.

Make sure my daughter & my nephews are taken care of college-wise. And, also set up something in the $2-3 million range for my daughter.
Also, I'd help out my close relatives as well, and help a few of my close friends pay off their debts. Say, $5 million overall. $8 million net now.

I'd probably pay an expert to build us a nice sized & energy efficient home in a town with excellent public schools - maybe Westport, CT since it's also close to NYC but also still not too far from my family in the Hartford, CT area. Say $2 million (not really that extravagent for Westport...) $10 million net...

From there, I'd establish something so I could donate regularly to politicians & charitable causes that I liked. Maybe another $5 million? Say, $15 million net now.

I would then make other investments - real estate around the world - Hawaii, Hainan, Shanghai, somewhere in Europe; foreign currency investments;various mutual funds, both domestic & international; Say another $10 million for $25 million net.

Set aside another $5 million for my wife & myself. Total now at $30 million.

I'm sure I'd blow a few million on traveling the world, buying various nim-nobs & doo-dads, throwing a few big parties, buying special made hydrogen powered cars, expanding my collection of miniature wargaming figurines, having a specially designed gaming basement in my home, etc. So, now I'm up to $32 million.

Wow, what to do with the rest? no idea.

[valis]

40. I'm generous tonight. It's after-tax!

[MrSlayer]

43. Hell no I wouldn't work.

I'd be off on my world roller coaster and amusement park tour.

[EC]

44. I'd get the hell outta here

and work for Americas freedom from an undisclosed place...(maybe podcast or something like that)

[northzax]

46. have you seen Brewster's millions?

I'd blow it in a month.

[Hugin]

48. Yeah... Just buy air time on any network during sweeps. n/t

[TheMightyFavog]

47. Let's just say that UWSP will have a new communications building.

With state-of-the-art facilities for radio and television production.

[tammywammy]

49. I would still work

I'd pay off my parents mortage. I'd buy myself a nice house, not a mansion, but a house similar to my parents.
I'd send my cousins to college, but they'd have to keep up their grades.
I'd give money to my aunts and uncles.
I'd donate to charity.
I'd save most of it and invest.
I'd still work, because I like my job and the people I work with.

[LSK]

50. if I won 1M i wouldnt work

Id just get some rental condos or homes and have rents pay my income and travel or sleep late or read or go hiking or swimming or do WHATEVER I WANT, WHEN I WANT TO. Sorry Im just sick and tired of the rat race...

[valis]

54. Me too... I'm sick of it too...

[txaslftist]

51. I don't know. Bet I'd get a good night's sleep for a change.

[TheProphetess]

52. I'd like to believe that I'd still work

But I would certainly travel much more often. Even take quick weekend trips here and there.

Plus, I would make sure that my parents had everything they needed. O8)

[tjwmason]

53. I'd give a large pile away

obviously.

Damn sure I wouldn't work - but I'd probably occupy my time with as many ways of doing some form of good as I could find. Not just to be a nice person - but what the hell else am I supposed to do?

[Redstone]

55. Mrs R and I have already discussed how we'd give it all away

if we won big bux like that.

Being rich turns you into an asshole, and we wouldn't want that.

Seriously. We'd pay off out mortgage and debts, and put some aside for the kids' colege, but other than that, we'd give every cent away.

Truth.

Redstone

[valis]

57. WOW. You are a wise man!

[Redstone]

61. Thank you. We really would do that, especially because

I would get bored senseless if I didn't have to work.

Then one day, Mrs R would find me putting up a "PRIVATE--NO TRESPASSING" sign at the end of the driveway, which she has been instructed to shoot me if she ever catches me doing.

Redstone

[LSK]

58. i would donate a large sum too, I dont need 50M to retire

I just need enough to make sure I dont have to work for someone else ever again. 1m would work. Maybe another 1m for toys. Then I'd help my family some, and then donate stuff to liberal causes or anything that would help defeat Rethugs in elections.

[In_The_Wind]

56. OK ~ I'm a philanthropist

I'd make sure some of the money would help the people and causes that I believe in.

[ScreamingMeemie]

60. I would hope I would become a philanthropist and spread it around.

That's an awful lot of cash for one person. :hi:

[Lost147]

62. Convert it into Euroes !!!

Before it's not even worth the paper it's been printed on !!!

[BikeWriter]

63. I'd spend most of it on booze and partying. I'd waste the rest of it.

[flvegan]

64. Picture a state of the art animal shelter...and then some.

I'd stick $1M in the bank for me/family etc to live off forever (plus forthcoming generations, etc). The rest goes into the charity. Through my positive work with animals, I'd draw more donations which I'd use to connect the human/animal violence link which would bleed down to violence against women and children. I see a legal fund that will pay quality lawyers to take some of the cases that need a quality lawyer in these instances. I see scholarships to assist the next generation of same.

I figure that through my altruisic action, I could somehow touch a great number of wrongs in today's society that creates victims, be they human or non-human.

I'd open minds. Priceless.

[valis]

65. Dunno... Perhaps I'd buy a small island somewhere...

They are not that expensive. If you hire a few good people and buy a plane you can have your own little country... Of course, medical emergencies are a problem...

[LiberallyInclined]

66. I'd buy a compound on the big island-

bring along a few friends...and sculpt.

[valis]

67. are you a sculptor?

[all.of.me]

68. is that 50M clear, or 50M before the irs gets to it?

either way, i'd quit working, give a lot away, sell this house and move, buy the truck i really want, then invest some for later and for the kids to go to college. i'd volunteer my time somewhere and be a mom.

[valis]

70. 50M after-tax.

[all.of.me]

71. either way, i'd still do the same

there would be plenty to give away and invest for my kids!

[Generic Other]

69. I'd buy the elephant man's remains

Ha! Just kidding...

[fortyfeetunder]

72. Sure I would...

I like my work but I'd create something more fun.

What I would do once I won the $$$ (and cashed in that first big check) is ride into work on a donkey. When the guard at the gate tells me I can't ride in on a donkey, I will tell him to kiss the ass, give him the badge, then turn around and leave. Send in a resignation letter later.

[LeftyMom]

73. Would I still work?

Probably not because I'd move and my job is here. Maybe I'd work again when the kids were older. I'd definitely get knocked up again, since I'd have the money and wouldn't need to worry about work and my energy level.

How would I spend it:
Toyota hybrid van, due out later this year, one for me and one for a friend who really needs a van for her family. I don't know what the price of the van will be, but we'll call it $80,000 for two. LeftyDad gets a new car too, call that $30K. We'd give our old car to someone who needs it, it's a good car but I really want more room. While I'm at the Toyota dealership, I'd ask Mom to come over and see what strikes her fancy. (Mom's car is a peice of ****.) I'd get Dad a car, but he just bought his dream car, and kid sis has a really nice car too.

I'd pay for my sister's schooling, but my father would be offended. I'd set some money aside for her to have when she's older instead, and put money away for LeftyKid and his older sister.

A house for the family. Could be anywhere from under $100K to a mill depending on where we chose to move. Rig it up for solar and other ecological goodness. Get Dad one of the little brick houses he's had his eye on so he can sell the ranch he hates but bought so we could go to decent schools. Buy a place here in town for the friend I bought the van for, put hardwood in because two of her kids have really bad athsma and they need to be in a really clean enviornment. Tell her that she doesn't need to pay me back but she can put the money she was spending on rent away for the kids' higher education. (With four kids that's going to be brutal.) I'd get my mom a place downtown, because she loved it when she lived there and she needs a place to settle down in. Maybe something with a rental unit attatched so she'd have some income when her disabliity prevents her from working.

Call up the senior center in the town where my paternal Grandmother lived, thank them again for being there for her. Write a big fat check. While I'm at it, order some really good computers for thier lab, the ones they have are prehistoric. Send another nice check to the hospice that cared for my maternal Grandmother and allowed her to die at home like she wanted.

I'd do some sort of charity work for mothers and infants, I don't know what yet. Maybe free/low cost diaper service and hospital grade breastpump rental. That would be cool. I'd send money to the charities I suppourt now, but much more of it.

I don't really know what else. Depends on how LeftyDad wants to spend his share. His parents do well for themselves, I think most of his would be spent on his daughter and on LeftyKid. Also, we'd have to add a wing to the new house for all the D&D books and other random silliness he'd get. :)

[democracyindanger]

74. DU would be MeU.

[gardenista]

75. Yeah, I'd probably work after a six month vacation.

I'd collect insects from all over the world and study obscure species of fish.

I'd go to archaeological digs in Mexico, and draw what I found in the afternoon, under a cloth verandah, while eating mangos.

I'd cook elaborate lunches for my family and friends after flying them in to visit for a couple of days at my place in the Pyrenees.

I'd design amazing spaces.

[mark414]

76. i would do...absolutely.....nothing

[BlackVelvetElvis]

77. Not traditional work.

I'd start a scholarship foundation for poor minorities wanting an art degree or one to help single mothers go back to school full time.
I'd donate a bunch to causes that help the poor pay for medicine and women's shelters.
I'd invest in the liberal media.
Maybe start a gallery.
I'd build a studio and do art.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

78. I'd still work

but I'd be a lot pickier about which gigs I took. I'd probably move from this neighborhood; but I'd prefer to maintain a modest lifestyle.

[guitar man]

79. $50 mil?

Not even a 2 week notice. That would be the last they saw of me around this craphole.

I'd buy a nice acreage in the country, build a nice house to live in and a really tricked out recording studio to work in. I'd invest enough to make myself a tidy monthly income and retirement, then I'd invest the rest and donate the interest it earned to charities of my choosing.

[Radical Activist]

80. Hell no I wouldn't work!

I'd run for Congress, invest, and start a non-profit org. In other words, I would fund and help lead the revolution.

[A HERETIC I AM]

82. Invested conservatively, you'll get 8% return a year. Thats 80 grand for

every million invested.

I'd take 5 mill and splurge on myself. House on a lake in the panhandle of Idaho and one in the Florida Keys. Ferrari 360 Modena Spyder. Cobalt Blue.

Take 40 million and invest, with half of it (At least) in a foundation with the sole intent of using it to improve the living conditions for several villages or towns in Africa or Central America. I always thought that giving a sewer system and fresh water to a population that desperately needed it would be a right and good thing to do. The other 20 mill invested would (Just like the 1st 20 mill) bring in about 1.6 Mil a year.
Make sure that all my nieces and nephews had all the money they wanted for any and all education they desired. (No kids of my own)

Live off the rest and travel lavishly, First class. Round the world on the QE2 for instance runs better than a half million if i am not mistaken. Take every long distance passenger train ride i could. 1st class, of course.

Study culinary arts in France and the Napa Valley.

Buy one of those customized Prevost coaches and get back into SCCA club racing as a flag and communications official. Travel to all the racing events wherever i wanted to. Drive the coach to Alaska. And across British Columbia and Alberta.

In other words, be charitable in a real, meaningful way and travel like my ass was on fire!

[A HERETIC I AM]

84. BTW...if any of you ever win a lottery where payments are an option.....

DONT TAKE THE PAYMENTS! Take the cash. Most Lotteries are annuities. If they say the lottery is 100 million, the annuity that is used is about 52 million, a little over half. thats what you get if you take the cash. The feds get roughly 40% upfront leaving you with roughly a third of the original 100 million prize. If you are smart and invest wisely, you can be WAAAY ahead of the hundred million over the course of 26 years.

[Jamison]

83. What I would do...

I'd get myself into the Guiness Book of World records. My entry into that book would be titled "World's laziest person." That's right, I'd quit my job, sock the money away in the bank & live off the interest. Materially, I wouldn't change my life that much b/c I'm fairly happy with the way I live, but I'd rarely lift a finger to do anything. Here's how my day would go.

4:00pm - wake up
4:15pm - take a shower (maybe) and get something to eat
5:00pm - get my TV fix for the day
7:00pm - eat "lunch"
7:15pm - surf the internet & play games online
11:30pm - get some dinner before bedtime
12:00am - sleep for the next 16 hours

Yeah, it may sound boring and very unproductive to most of you, but working 80-100 hours a week for the past 5 years, I think it would be a welcome change. :)