You Have Just Won 50 Million Dollars, What Do You Do With The First Million?

[Chong Inc.]

1) 10% tithing ($5 mil)
I'd put it into some sort of annuity or trust fund that will grow forever and never run out, so the Church will always be receiving the funds

3) Pay off debt, buy house, Porsche, etc.. ($2 mil)

4) 33% Give to family in forms of trust funds, cash, etc.. ($16.5 mil)

5) Investments/Savings...(stocks, funds, retirement, savings, etc.) ($10 - 20 mil)

6) Start a business, ensuring that I'll turn these millions into BILLIONS

[mmaria]

Great question, mmaria! I'd say you can buy the foundations of happiness but not happiness itself. However, I must warn against the pursuit of happiness. The pleasure paradox says that people who set happiness as a goal don't achieve it, whereas if you focus on other objectives, happiness will come naturally as a result of their achievement. Basically, if you don't look for happiness, you'll find it soon enough

What I meant was: Is happiness, generally, something you can buy for money.

[Joreads]

Buy happiness - is it possible?

No but you can buy a better class of misery

[Aspiring Champ]

My First Blog on here but this question is just too good not to answer.

I never play alone. That much money can isolate you and destroy your life. Half would immediately go to my girlfriend Helen. We always play together so when we win we can still play together.

I would just sit and ponder the overwhelming feeling of being in a position to do and go wherever I want. To make choices based on whether I want the experience and not whether I can afford it.

I would say a prayer of thanks for the privilege of being in a position where I could affect change and assist where before I was paralyzed by lack of resources in situations where my heart bled to help out.

I would carefully plan how I could use the money to create programs that would inspire and motivate all the persons or processes that I previously felt were deserving but where financial resources prevented me from assisting.

Like the nomads in the dessert that roamed from place to place and had no water, I would not dig the wells deeper, drying out the surrounding lands but I would ensure the money was invested in a way that created programs and opportunities for people to reach their goals and offer support that inspired hope and motivation to those seeking better situations for their families and themselves.

I would encourage my husband to leave his full time job and run for public office. Never have I met a man with more intelligence and integrity and that could make such a difference in policies and reform at the grassroots affecting future generations.

I would buy a white wash house overlooking the lake with a patio that blocked the wind where I could have my morning coffee year round and watch the sun come up. My favorite part of the day.

I would travel and see all the wonders of the world, all the great art pieces and take days to memorize the details.

I would go to Russia and find a large mined Alexandrite. A real one and have it made into a beautiful custom piece of jewelry that I could hand down for generations to come.

I would fill my house with Antiques and beautiful china and amazing art pieces and Persian rugs and things I love. I would only purchase pieces I loved and cost would not be a factor....And I would take the time to enjoy each item or piece everyday.

I would help my adult children invest in homes so there futures would be more secure and assist with their education costs to attend the universities they chose not the ones they could afford.

I would buy new shoes for all my girlfriends. Comfortable and fashionable in all the colors available. Only this seasons and not on sale. And I would buy them all the matching bags.

I would fly to Southern Spain, hit the beach with a good book and revel in the luxury of no financial worries, no schedules, no commitments. I would have great Merlot at a dark cafe in Barcelona with fringed red lamp shades and harp music in the background paired with peppered brie and fresh baked bread.

I would plant an amazing garden and water it by hand everyday for hours.

I would put in a walk in closet where I could see all my fashion choices and accessories and shoes at the same time. With big mirrors where I could see head to toe, back and front all at the same time.

I would go for manicures and pedicures every week and stay there until they were dry relaxing over coffee and chatting with my friends.

I would hire a maid and a full time handyman and a gardener.

I would rest everyday and drink lots of water and exercise. I would not work until I was sick. I would not push myself beyond my personal limits. I would look after myself and reduce my stress and make my health my priority.

I would write a book, or finish the one I'm writing and I'd do my taxes up to date.

Everyday, I would be thankful for the extra resources because everyday I am already grateful for this second chance.

The lotto here tonight is 50 million, my girlfriend Helen and I have a ticket.
She's on the beach in Southern Spain.
Thanks for the great question.

[JuniperWoolf]

I would give five million to my mother, five to my father, one to every other household in my family and one to my boyfriend's family. With the rest, I would get a nice appartment in Edmonton and go to school at my leisure without worrying about getting a stupid degree.

[prendrelemick]

I'd spend it on fast cars, hot women, wild parties, and gambling.



The rest I'd waste.

[cwfuture]

If I won $50 million AFTER taxes taken out, Id first buy a house, big enough of a basement to have my "man cave" which would have a big screen tv, papasan, large L shaped couch, air hockey table and pool table, then a large walk in closet from that room to put my large movie collection in. The bedroom would have its own separate bathroom with a stand up shower and a jacuzzi in the bathroom. Id have two dogs, and buy one car along with the car I already have- (One for the winter, one for the summer). Id love an in-ground pool with a diving board. Id buy season tickets to the Green Bay Packers, id go on a Trans-Atlantic cruise, get front row seats to the Superbowl, anddddddddd id pay for Steve Perry to sing at my future wedding some day. Id donate a millions dollars to charity, id start up a indoor floor hockey league in my town/surrounding towns, and id also like to set up a yearly trip to be given to a group of students of my choosing interested in film. Also buying my parents possibly a house. That still leaves A LOTTTTTT of money though! Id have to think of some other stuff

[MystyrMystyry]

Be careful what you wish for - look at aspiring champ: one solitary post and now vanished into the void.

For myself, being in a position of not wanting to win anything, I couldn't tell you what I'd squander it on, hopefully something worthwhile and useful for the most, but who can say if it would alter my personality (I know some would say it could only be for the better - but they don't know me - I possess certain incredible qualities hidden within me that can alter the course of the future and past). So yeah, perhaps I'd change that and then come back here and then tell you what I spent it on

[faithosaurus]

I'd spend it on fast cars, hot women, wild parties, and gambling.



The rest I'd waste.

May I come to those wild parties? Haha.

For me, I'd first pay off all my college bills, then buy a house, buy a pretty car, buy all my friends/family and myself some fun clothes or any other appliance they want, put some in the bank account for whenever, then some to charity.

[stephofthenight]

I would organize a big litnet get together, and fly all my lovelys in and have a unlimited fest big fun

[prendrelemick]

May I come to those wild parties? Haha.

Yep, I'd send the private jet to pick you up.

[Hyacinthine]

First million, I'd buy a great place in my favorite part of Boston. After that, though, I'd do a lot of charity stuff and also start my own non-profit. Put some aside for my daughter's schooling and college.

[Sancho]

I'd spend it on fast cars, hot women, wild parties, and gambling.



The rest I'd waste.

How-d-do Mick? I sense a kindred soul.

I saw this bumper sticker on a hunk-O-junk pickup truck in Alabama:

I spent most of my money on women and booze, and I just wasted the rest

[Three Sparrows]

I would give the whole 50 million to charity. I don't need all that cash, but other people are out there who do.