Hatrack River Forum: Wishful thinking and daydreaming. What would you do if you won the lottery?

This is topic Wishful thinking and daydreaming. What would you do if you won the lottery? in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
http://www.hatrack.com/ubb/main/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=024526

Posted by beatnix19 (Member # 5836) on :

A group of co-worers and I play Mega Millions every week. I don't kid myself into believing I'll ever win but we were talking the other day about what we would do if we did. So... What would you do? and I don't mean the obvious. We would all buy a house, pay off our debts and blow some of it on cars and other toys. How would you're life change? What would you do with it? Would you continue to work or would you pursue some lifelong dream?

Me personally, I would open up a small book store dedicated to SF and Fantasy. Hang out in it all day long and write and talk books. No more teaching, no more deardlines and stupid administration. Just me and the things I love to do.

Anyone else?

Posted by Ayelar (Member # 183) on :

I've been thinking about that since CBS gave Rupert $520K last week... If I was given $520K, I'd do the usual paying off my student loans, Mark's student loans, and the car, and buy a house. Even if we're not going to be in Ithaca for more than a year, it would be a great investment. I'd also do a lot of awesome home improvement projects that I couldn't otherwise afford. [Smile]

So that would leave about $200K.... enough to invest and get some tidy monthly dividends, but not enough for either of us to retire or anything. I'd definitely quit my current job, but I have other possibilities on the horizon that I'd be waiting for. I might rent a studio space on the Commons and set up a real 3D contracting company for ads and stuff. Be pretty neat to be able to do something like that without constant pressure to make money off of it right away.....

Also I'd change the ceiling light in the kitchen. I hate fluorescent. [Razz]

[ May 23, 2004, 05:28 PM: Message edited by: Ayelar ]

Posted by Dragon (Member # 3670) on :

If I had anything left after using it to pay for college and travel Europe I would start a circus school.

Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :

I've thought about this, too. [Wink]

First, the house I build would be completely networked - every room in the house would be able to take a computer. I would have a small guest house built for my mom.

I would set up a fund for people to get their pets spayed if they can't afford it.

I would contribute to the art and music programs in my school system.

I would go back to college. [Smile]

And I really want a minivan with a dvd player to keep my kids quiet when I'm driving. [Big Grin]

Posted by T_Smith (Member # 3734) on :

Buy a house. Buy a car. Buy a second house with fun stuff in it. Put half of whats left in bank. Use other half helping others.

Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :

The first 3 frivolous things I'd buy would be :

IPod
Martin Guitar
LCD monitor

Posted by Pixie (Member # 4043) on :

I'd pay for college and put some in savings. The rest I'd give away.

I'd give my mom enough to leave my dad. I'd at least kick off funding for an international anthropological network in the media to raise awareness about the kind of issues I think are important - human issues. I'd... I don't know what else I'd do.

Posted by Happy Camper (Member # 5076) on :

I'd buy a modest little house and live in it for the rest of my life. Then when I died people would find out, and say "Holy crap, that dude was loaded! Never woulda guessed, he wore the same ratty old jacket for 20 years."

You know, something like that.

Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :

Assuming I won one of those $200+ million prizes, I'd give a bunch to my childhood church; a fair amount to my high school; pay off my debts; build my dream house/observatory up in Maine; buy a bunch of skywatching equipment to fill said house.

A bit more on the house: it would look like a large simple New England colonial. Inside where would be multiple hidden passageways and doorways and stairwells. They would all be controlled by a computer system, so on any given day, various versions of the house would exist. You'd never quite know how you'd get down to breakfast every day.

-Bok

Posted by tt&t (Member # 5600) on :

Haha KiwiCon. *grin*

That is, I'd pay for all of Hatrack (or as many as wanted to, at least, heh) to come to a gathering so as I could meet y'all. 'Twould be Awesome. [Big Grin]

Oh and of course I'd buy a farm, that being what I've always wanted. I wouldn't do that right away, though - not until I've finished with uni and everything. [Cool]

There are, of course, many things I would do with the money but those are the first two that come to mind. [Smile]

Posted by Damien (Member # 5611) on :

I would go to school, first and foremost. Then, if I had anything left over....hmmm...small island with a prebuilt dungeon, and my own helicopter/pilot. The rest is pocketcash. ^_^

Posted by Rakeesh (Member # 2001) on :

Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I'd sleep in maybe, watch some TV.

Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :

I would quit my current job, fix up my house & farm. Then I would like to go into business for myself (in some as-yet unknown direction, but probably involving plants, like a nursery). Save some back to help my daughter build her vet clinic when she gets out of college.

And I've always wanted to build a nearly totally self-sufficient house (energy sufficient). They have some in Arizona that I would like to tour for ideas. Uses solar and wind energies.

Oh yeah -- and buy a new lawn mower. Like a Walker or Grasshopper. My riding mower, inherited, is now over 25 years old.

Farmgirl

Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :

The Skycar.

After that, savings, set up a nice investment scheme, and use the income to fund a foundation for legal troublemaking.

Dagonee

Posted by cochick (Member # 6167) on :

Pay off my debts; Pay off the mortgage; Buy my parents a house; Get a new car; Go on holiday

Use balance to start new business - holiday rent cottages around the UK.

EDIT: oops didn't read first post properly

[ May 24, 2004, 09:26 PM: Message edited by: cochick ]

Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :

I'd be very suspicious since I've never bought a lottery ticket.

Posted by Da_Goat (Member # 5529) on :

I'd buy New Zealand.

Then, with the money left over (and, trust me, there would be a lot left over), I'd buy as many foreign sports and luxury cars as possible and rent them out for $4,000 a day.

Posted by Damien (Member # 5611) on :

If yew buy NZ, tt's coming up to the states. [Razz]

Posted by Da_Goat (Member # 5529) on :

Good riddance. Suckage goes down, value goes up, don't you know? [Wink]

[ May 24, 2004, 09:42 PM: Message edited by: Da_Goat ]

Posted by tt&t (Member # 5600) on :

Aw, Goat, you're so sweet. [Kiss]

Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :

I would join the World Poker Tour and donate half my winnings to charity. [Cool]