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-   -   If you won the lottery what would you do? (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=185812)

  • Feb 19, 2008, 10:36 AM
    Alty
    If you won the lottery what would you do?
    Hi Everyone,

    I'm just curious, if you won, let's say, 2 million dollars in the lottery, what would you do with the money?

    I would buy 40 acres of land, build a house and start a No Kill animal shelter. This is my dream and I'm working on doing this even if I don't win the lottery, although it would happen a lot faster if I did.
  • Feb 19, 2008, 10:52 AM
    Synnen
    Put a down payment on a house, buy a reliable vehicle, and go back to school for social work.
  • Feb 19, 2008, 11:33 AM
    Alty
    Sounds good to me. Buy that ticket now, you never know.
  • Feb 19, 2008, 11:55 AM
    HistorianChick
    Pay off bills, go back to school for a PhD in Historical Preservation or Military History, take that Egypt vacation I've always wanted, invest, and set my Mom and brother up for life.

    Even without the lottery ticket, its what I'm shooting for! :)
  • Feb 19, 2008, 12:20 PM
    kp2171
    Well if it's a 2 million prize, and you do lump payment, you'd get about 1 million, give or take about 100K. Then, by the time fed and state taxes are pulled, you are left with about 500K.

    So the first thing id do is buy condoms, champagne, hire a sitter for overnight, and take my wife out for a great dinner and hit the blues bar. Keep the bar in drinks. Keep the band in drinks. Keep the sultry songs coming until she pulls me out the door to go to the hotel.

    Second thing id do is talk to my tax guy and my lawyer about estate planning and especially wealth protection in my later years, as health care is going to get so fricking ugly expensive by the time I retire, its going to be crushing.

    Then, with whatever fun money is left after retirement planning and college funds (college costs increase at twice the rate of inflation), and I really don't think itd be a lot, the fun things id do... probably put down some $$ and buy real estate near warm, big water.

    If its straight up 2 mil (a little less than what you get with a 10 mil prize, lump sum) things loosen up a lot. All the above, and half of what's left into more business investments, the other half might go into a charitable foundation. I don't think you get that kind of money without a moral obligation to pass it on, at least in good deeds if not in dollars.

    That is, of course, after the condoms and champagne. ;)
  • Feb 19, 2008, 12:25 PM
    Alty
    That's one of the nice things about living in Canada, no taxes paid on lottery winnings, you keep the whole lot, hope I'm not rubbing it in.:p

    One other thing I would do with the money, probably before I start the shelter, is go to visit my relatives in Germany. I haven't seen them in almost 7 years and I miss them terribly.
  • Feb 19, 2008, 12:34 PM
    Gernald
    I don't know how much 2 mil would be after taxes, but if I won something like 200 million or something this is what I'd do.

    1. tell no one.
    2. Get a lawyer
    3. Change telephone #
    4. Claim my prize.
    5. Purchase land and build home in Alaska
    4. Give 1 mill to my mom, dad, sister, and grandparents.
    5. Make another press release that no one else is getting a penny.
    6. Change name and hope everyone leaves me alone.

    I think I'd be worried most about people, trying to get the money from me. Look at all those people that were sued after winning and then lost everything over stupid law suites.
    I almost think that even if it would be nice to win that money, I wouldn't want to. There's too much money, too much worry. I wouldn't want that type of stress.
  • Feb 19, 2008, 12:44 PM
    Alty
    Gernald- Good point. It's amazing how many long lost relatives come out of the wood work when you get your hands on some money.

    I don't know how much a private little island in the middle of know where would cost, but it's worth looking into.:p
  • Feb 19, 2008, 12:49 PM
    ScottGem
    Lottery values are expressed as total payout of an annuity. So a 2 mil payout would translate into a lumpsum payout of about half, from that you take our taxes if applicable.

    So even without taxes, you would get 1 mill which might just barely be enough to live on. Figure it would generate about $50K in annual income.

    if I were to win an amount like that I would pay down my debt and put the rest away for retirement.

    However, if I won a good sized prize, lets say a net of $20 mil. I would take a third of it and set up a philanthropic trust. With that amount I could generate about $250K annually which I would use to fund some scholarships and just look for where I could do some good.
  • Feb 19, 2008, 12:52 PM
    Alty
    Maybe we should up the ante? Why not say 5million after taxes etc. That's 5 million in your pocket to do with what you wish.
  • Feb 19, 2008, 12:55 PM
    HistorianChick
    Well, if we up the ante, I'm going to add some Jimmy Choo's...

    (High heels, stillettos, sexy sandals, flip flops, tennies... ) :D
  • Feb 19, 2008, 12:55 PM
    mafiaangel180
    Unfortunately, I guess they are allowed to give out the info on who won it. So people are bound to find out. :(

    I would buy back the family farm, hell, the whole hollow. And I would do a lot of traveling.
  • Feb 19, 2008, 12:58 PM
    Alty
    You know what people would say, "She bought the farm!":p
  • Feb 19, 2008, 01:01 PM
    bEaUtIfUlbRuNeTtE
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Gernald
    1. tell no one.
    2. Get a lawyer
    3. Change telephone #
    4. Claim my prize.
    5. Purchase land and build home in Alaska
    4. Give 1 mill to my mom, dad, sister, and grandparents.
    5. Make another press release that no one else is getting a penny.
    6. Change name and hope everyone leaves me alone.

    I think I'd be worried most about people, trying to get the money from me. Look at all those people that were sued after winning and then lost everything over stupid law suites.
    I almost think that even if it would be nice to win that money, I wouldn't want to. There's too much money, too much worry. I wouldn't want that type of stress.

    FUNNY. FUNNY. FUNNY.

    What I would do? Hmmm... the possibilities. Straight-up 2 million without taxes taken:

    *Give my family and loved one a heap
    *Pay off ALL debt (credit cards, school loan, car)
    *Stash some away in savings/retirement
    *Donate to all those who have lost their homes due to Katrina, tornados or any other disaster
    *Donate to AIDS awarness and a damn cure as well as luekemia and other cancer illnesses
    *Buy ALL the Disney movies possible
    *The rest goes to college and my future
  • Feb 19, 2008, 01:06 PM
    ordinaryguy
    If I won the lottery, I'd give the money to whoever it was that bought the ticket.
  • Feb 19, 2008, 01:06 PM
    mafiaangel180
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Altenweg
    You know what people would say, "She bought the farm!":p

    Lol! ;)
  • Feb 19, 2008, 01:23 PM
    kp2171
    Mkay 5 mil straight up, meaning lots of fun money.

    Condoms, champagne, flight to warm water. Id "buy" my wife a julio and antonio to keep her in drinks on the beach and keep her feet massaged. After the investments and philanthropy the indulgences would be...

    A smaller sailboat with a cabin... something like a 22 foot merit. Holds four easy. Not so big you can't pull it around. Also will need an even smaller one.. 16-18 foot scow or maybe a 'cat... something that screams like the wind and gets you wet, riding just off the water.

    Need a couple of cycles. Got a goldwing, but id hafta think about this a bit.

    Season tickets in chicago and kc, american football.

    Probably a different home. Real estate in Colorado and the big, warm water I mentioned.

    And id build a woodworking shop out in the back 40. Spend my days puttering in the shop making furniture. Id also buy a nikon d2 dslr and a bunch of photography equipment.

    And most definitely, there would be a cleaning service contracted. I love to cook... maybe even a bed and breakfast like casa de siesta in padre would be fun... but I wouldn't miss cleaning the house one darn bit.

    And more champagne and... well, you know.
  • Feb 19, 2008, 01:44 PM
    Synnen
    I'd pay off my parents' house with the extra money, set aside (in trust funds) $20k each for my nieces and nephews, payable ONLY towards a college degree. The money is null and void and reverts to me if they do not elect to finish school by age 25.

    I'd then buy all siblings a good computer, and a digital camera, and let them know that no visits should even be attempted without prior email confirmation.

    And I agree with the above poster (sorry, I'm too lazy to scroll up) about not telling anyone about winning, ESPECIALLY my friends. I'd also get a lawyer on retainer for spurious lawsuits (about WHAT, I'm not sure, but I'm suresomeone could find something). And the press release (even just intrafamily) about no one getting a penny otherwise would be good, too. I'm not squandering MY money on relatives, dang it!
  • Feb 19, 2008, 02:40 PM
    Allheart
    Dear Sir Boss person,

    It is with a heavy heart (and pocketbook), that I write this here note. I will not be reporting for duty, today, tomorrow, the next day, day after that (noticing a trend here ).

    You may have whatever items remain on my desk to do with, as you wish. Including, the hot project that you gave me yesterday at 5 pm, and expecting a completion date of today at 9 pm. I probably should let you go so you can get working on it.

    Sincerely,
    Allheart

    p.s. If I read my lotto ticket wrong... can I have my job back :eek:
  • Feb 19, 2008, 03:29 PM
    Gernald
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Allheart
    Dear Sir Boss person,

    It is with a heavy heart (and pocketbook), that I write this here note. I will not be reporting for duty, today, tomorrow, the next day, day after that (noticing a trend here ).

    You may have whatever items remain on my desk to do with, as you wish. Including, the hot project that you gave me yesterday at 5 pm, and expecting a completion date of today at 9 pm. I probably should let you go so you can get working on it.

    Sincerely,
    Allheart

    p.s. If I read my lotto ticket wrong...can I have my job back :eek:



    I like It!
  • Feb 19, 2008, 03:51 PM
    kp2171
    Screw that.

    I'm taking the stapler, the tape dispenser, and the binder clips. y'all can bill my arse.
  • Feb 19, 2008, 06:38 PM
    Alty
    KP- I'm also a wood worker, my garage is my shop. I make tables and other wooden nick knacks. I'd love a shop on my 40 acres with the most expensive tools money could buy, then I'd give my tables and such to the needy.

    Allheart - Nice to hear from you. I love the note. My husband always says that he would still continue working until he got his machinist certificate (2 years to go) and then he'd say so long and we'd concentrate on the animal shelter. I should probably go buy a ticket, you can't win if you don't.
  • Feb 19, 2008, 07:00 PM
    Gernald
    Wish I was old enough to buy a ticket. That's the first thing I'm doing when I turn 18! Only two more months. Until then, I suppose I'll just hope my parents win, or my grandparents. Better them then me anyway. They have actual needs (and they actually bought tickets.)
  • Feb 19, 2008, 08:32 PM
    Alty
    Hey everyone, just remember the little people when you win. Me, me, me, me:p
  • Feb 19, 2008, 08:34 PM
    ISneezeFunny
    Bacon. Lots of bacon.

    Or

    I'd buy my MD (medical degree). I'm not liking this med school business.
  • Feb 19, 2008, 08:38 PM
    Alty
    I love bacon, lots and lots of bacon. Don't forget the chocolate, no more Aero bars I'm going for the good stuff.
  • Feb 19, 2008, 09:51 PM
    Gernald
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Altenweg
    Hey everyone, just remember the little people when you win. Me, me, me, me:p

    I'd say sure, but then if I do win you'd sue me or something and all H e double hockey stix would break out. :)

    I like the idea about buying your medical degree, just let me know if you win so I can make a mental note not to go under the knife with you at the helm. :D :eek:
  • Feb 19, 2008, 09:55 PM
    Alty
    Gernald- I'm not the suing type.:) Even though I would go to Germany to visit relatives, my main priority would be to open the No Kill animal shelter. I am at this time trying to make a difference in the lives of unwanted animals, money would definitely help. I would, however, not expect a penny from anyone, unless of course you want to donate to the shelter.

    A bought medical degree? Where can I get one of those?:p
  • Feb 19, 2008, 10:06 PM
    Wondergirl
    I'd build a huge no-kill free-range cat shelter with has a 24-hr reception area that will accept cats, no questions asked. Right now, abandoned cats get left at the shelter door in unsealed cardboard boxes with maybe a hot dog inside for food or get smooshed between the wooden door and the storm door.

    If I had any money left, I'd hand out $20 bills here and there to people I see in stores and on the street.
  • Feb 19, 2008, 10:13 PM
    Alty
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Wondergirl
    I'd build a huge no-kill free-range cat shelter with has a 24-hr reception area that will accept cats, no questions asked. Right now, abandoned cats get left at the shelter door in unsealed cardboard boxes with maybe a hot dog inside for food or get smooshed between the wooden door and the storm door.

    If I had any money left, I'd hand out $20 bills here and there to people I see in stores and on the street.

    I hope I run into you on the street;) .

    My shelter would accept dogs, cats, rabbit and birds. I don't think that I would turn away any animal, but those are the animals I'd have facilities for. I would like a huge barn for the cats to roam around but not get hurt. I'd have an outdoor arena for the dogs to run, and an indoor facility for sleep and when it's cold. A huge atrium for the birds and another barn for the bunnies. I've adopted all I can, now it's time to find homes for the others.
  • Feb 19, 2008, 10:18 PM
    Wondergirl
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Altenweg
    I hope I run into you on the street;) .

    My shelter would accept dogs, cats, rabbit and birds. I don't think that I would turn away any animal, but those are the animals I'd have facilities for. I would like a huge barn for the cats to roam around but not get hurt. I'd have an outdoor arena for the dogs to run, and an indoor facility for sleep and when it's cold. A huge atrium for the birds and another barn for the bunnies. I've adopted all I can, now it's time to find homes for the others.

    Your shelter sounds like Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. Will you have room for donkeys and goats too? I'll help out with them. Also, I'm real good at scooping cat litter.

    (Wear a yellow tulip on your lapel and I will watch for you.)
  • Feb 19, 2008, 10:19 PM
    magprob
    I would buy 1000 acres right next to Ted Neugent and kill and eat as many animals as he. Maybe more. I like meat. Donkey meat is real good. I would mount their heads on all of the out buildings and fence post to scare off animal lovers and tree huggers and other assorted buggers.
  • Feb 19, 2008, 10:20 PM
    Wondergirl
    magprob, if you do that, I won't share my Spam sandwiches with you any longer. No brownies for you either!
  • Feb 19, 2008, 10:21 PM
    magprob
    I wouldn't need a Spam Samwich. I'd be eating Donkey samwiches.
  • Feb 19, 2008, 10:24 PM
    Gernald
    I'll start recruiting animals. We have enough strays around my house to fill several shelters twice over. Sure I'd give money, just can't be too careful these days you know. That's where other countries have it right, you can't sue anyone.
    Thanks magprob I now have lovely images in my head. :)


    Altenweg, Wo in Deutschland lebt Ihre Familie?
  • Feb 19, 2008, 10:27 PM
    Wondergirl
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Gernald
    Wo in Deutschland lebt Ihre Familie?

    Mein ist in Hanover. Sehr gut.
  • Feb 19, 2008, 10:35 PM
    Alty
    Gernald and Wondergirl- Ach, das ist so schoen. Meine familie ist I'm Weikersheim in der nehe von Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Ich hab viele Tantes, Onkels und cousine, ich vermisse alle sehr. Sorry, the Germans a bit rusty.

    I'd wear the yellow tulip but I don't think I'll be in Chicago anytime soon, I live in Canada. If you're ever in the neighborhood look me up, I'll have the pooper scooper ready.
  • Feb 19, 2008, 10:38 PM
    Gernald
    My German kind of sucks anyway, I was never very good at it.

    Cool, I lived in Heidelberg with my dad for a while.
    Wish I could go back, it's so much nicer over there.

    Come to think of it I'd spend some money on that too...
  • Feb 19, 2008, 10:39 PM
    Wondergirl
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Altenweg
    I'd wear the yellow tulip but I don't think I'll be in Chicago anytime soon, I live in Canada. If you're ever in the neighborhood look me up, I'll have the pooper scooper ready.

    Anywhere near Toronto? I'm from a little town in NY southeast across the lake. I could visit my mom and waterski over to you. Or meet you on Goat Island.
  • Feb 19, 2008, 11:27 PM
    wilddog27
    I would know no one! Only the daugther and the parents would get a dime! After that I'd plead poverty live in a shanty with twenty watch cats and make moon shine all day long(for medical reasons) No really I'd get a job as a door greeter at walmart!

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