What Would You Do with $1 Million?

I recently ran into the article titled The Dark Side of Financial Windfalls which detailed the hardships many people suffer when they receive a financial windfall.

I know, you're thinking the same thing I was: "Boy, I'd love to have their problems." ;-)

But I don't really want to discuss that issue now, but the bigger issue this piece brings up: what do people do with financial windfalls and, specifically, what would you do if you came into a bunch of money?

There's a poll associated with the piece that asks What would you do with $1 million? At the time of this writing, most people are saying "Not much, I'd invest and keep working" but this doesn't give much detail . So I'm asking you, "What would you do with $1 million?" Leave your answer in the comments below -- it should be interesting to see what everyone says.

As for me, here's what I think I'd do, assuming I actually had $1 million to spend (meaning I already paid taxes and had $1 million left over):

• Give 10% off the top to my church (actually, I would give 10% of the gross amount (before taxes), so let's say that's $140,000 just to have a round number).

• Put $600,000 away for retirement/college costs.

• Give another $200,000 to various charities.

• Splurge with the rest and buy a few "fun" things (as well as some needs -- such as improvements to our house) plus give some nice gifts to family members.

Of course, no one knows what they would actually do with the money until they had it. Plus, I'd (of course) make the decisions above with my wife, so this is only my best guess as of now.

So, what would you do with $1 million?

Comments

[Steve Mertz]

First thing-Put in trust
secondly-put in money market, short term T-bills for 30 days and let the smoke clear.
afterwards, devise a written plan to invest-for me it would be dividend paying stocks and I would use the dividnds and interest to fund various endeavors such as charity, funding college etc...without invading the principle

[Getting to Enough]

First, like FMF, I would tithe the 10% ($140,000), which would leave me $860,000.

Combined with my current savings, I think if I invested it prudently that would be close to enough where I didn't have to work, or at least, wouldn't have to worry about what my salary would be if I was working. I wouldn't change jobs right away, but at least it would give me the freedom to choose a new job that's completely independent of how much it pays.

As I see it, I think most of us pick a job at least partly based on what it pays, but if we didn't have to worry about the money, we would choose something different. I think this is especially true if we've been in our careers for a little while and have steadily moved up the pay scale and we've become accustomed to our steadily rising standard of living.

Would I have the guts to really change jobs to a much lower paying, but potentially more fulfilling job? I don't know, but the $1 million would at least help give me the option!

[Richard]

Quit my job

Put money away for college for my yet to be born kids.

Buy a lake house

Rest into savings and retirement

Split my time between being a handyman and webmaster for hire.

[Rhea]

I would start a foundation to fund projects working on sexual violence. I would have to quit my job to do that, of course. Then I would travel, buy a fabulous house, treat my friends to lots of fun stuff, enjoy life!

[Chuck]

For me a million dollars wouldn't be enough to quit my job... well I guess if I stretched it enough it could be but I wouldn't right away. I'm fairly happy at my job now so don't see a reason to unless something happened.

Like Steve I would put it in short term funds until I came up with a plan. Most likely would take around $50k paying off my fiance and my own student loans and various debts. From there I would keep 100k fairly liquid in tbills / savings / money markets. Another 700k into various mutual funds towards no particular goal (retirement, college savings, income, etc). 50k for some business ideas I have that I never seem to be able to complete myself. The remaining 100k would be split between charity, some nice items for myself and family, wedding expenses, and some money to travel.

I feel bad because I am not nearly as generous as FMF, I don't know how much I would give to charity but it certainly would not be 340k of it.

[Ron]

Like FMF and GTE, I'd start with tithing, and I'll keep the same amounts as those two, leaving me with 860,000. Since I'm currently looking to sell my house and move to another area, I would go ahead and do that, paying cash for the new place. (It would be tempting to buy more than we need, so I'd have to try to keep that in check). Considering housing costs where I want to live, that would probably be around 250 - 300,000. I'll go with the 300,000 so I can be sure I won't be moving again for a long time! That leaves ~560,000. That is certainly not enough to retire on, so I'd be looking at short term funds and a good CPA to help me get the most bang for the remainder. I know that a good portion would be earmarked for college funds for my 3 kids. Beyond that, I've wished I could buy my wife some nice furniture, so I'm sure there would be a good portion going toward furnishing our new home!

[FMF]

Chuck --

No need to feel bad. As I said, this is my best guess on what I'd do. Who knows, I might not give away as much as I think. ;-)

[RSA]

1. Tithe - $100,000
2. $100,000 to each parent
3. Invest and use the interest to become a stay at home mom for the next 4-6 years. (My husband would still work.)
4. Once I started working again, would invest the money for retirement and college costs.

[Mike J]

Oblig. OfficeSpace:

L: "I'll tell you what I'd do. Two chicks at the same time, man. Always wanted to do that. And I figure if I had a million dollars, I could hook that up, 'cause chicks dig guys with money."

P: "Not all chicks."

L: "Type o' chicks that'd double up on a guy like me."

Sounds like we'd all do pretty much the same thing. Maybe fifty years ago we'd all retire, but now it's just not enough to retire on (esp. for the 23 year olds among us . . . )

[Blaine Moore (First Time Homeowner)]

First, finish paying off mortgage and student loans and cover the tuition for the rest of the wife's law school.

Second, invest.

Third, set up trusts for all my neices and nephews.

Fourth, I'd either keep working or else take a year or two off to devote to running while I'm still young. I'd try to see exactly how competitive I could be. I'm not sure that I'd do too well at that though. Not from the running stand point, but from the not working aspect. Maybe I'd take the opportunity to write a book. Most likely I'd just keep working.

[Scott]

1) Pay off any/all debts that have no tax benefits.
2) Invest in college funds for my kids.
3) Do some nice things (home improvements, travel, couple of toys).
4) Give up the day job and take that entry level position in the field I dream of working in. Give it 2-3 years to see if it really is for me, all the while living of interest/dividends from the invested balance not spent above (should have 700-750 left after 1-3).
5) If the career change doesn't work out I should still have enough left to HELP fund my retirement as I return to my old career.

[Lord]

A second home. Since homes cost twice what you pay for them, invest a similar amount to cover the expenses. Then travel with the remainder, which wouldn't be much.

[MAJ]

Ya know, i don't have a lot of needs or wants. i already like my house and neigborhood. So for me, I'd pay off all remaining debt.

We have two young sons that we would like to pass along some wealth to. My wife and I do well enough to save a decent amount each month.

We are first genenration college graduates, and building for futute generations is what it's about. Our parents gave us college.

[Anon for This]

Interesting question because I inherited over $1MM two years ago.

So I can tell you what I've done with the money: Absolutely nothing. I am very rare in that I have not touched one dime of it. All of it is invested safely and solidly and it compounds and earns approximately $60K per year. What do I need to be aggressive for? My IRAs/401K's (currently $250K) from my job(s) are invested semi-aggressively as I'm a young woman (45 years old). After I inherited the money, I never missed a day of work and never changed my lifestyle. Everything I buy I earn the money to pay for. I live in the same house I bought in 1990 - it's almost paid off and currently has $700K of equity (I live in the second most expensive City in the USA).

Someday I may find a small house in the country and move there and rent my city house. I would use the inherited money for the downpayment. Other than that, my life hasn't changed, nor will I let it. I am simply at Peace. I have no debt, a husband I love, a job I'm proud of, no children to support or educate (we decided not to bring another mouth to feed into the already over-crowded world), and a life I love. I don't need anything. I don't really want anything. We live very modestly and drive a 22 year old car. Our friends and neighbors and family would be SHOCKED if they knew our net worth was $2.1MM. We don't look like it, or act like it.

When we die, our entire estate will go to charity, so I give virtually nothing now. I feel if we gave generously, then too many people would know our financial status, and we don't want that. We enjoy a stress-free, worry-free, fun and happy life knowing that we're safe if we need the money. But it has not changed my life in any material way whatsoever.

[Brad]

I wouldn't do much differently. It isn't enough money to quit my job....besides I would be bored as hell! I would continue working, investing the majority of the money. I would want to enlarge my house (it's only 975 sq. ft.) to maybe 1300 sq. ft. and, oh yea....buy a small airplane!

[Jack]

Since charitable contributions are deductible, a $100K donation could be made with pre-tax income and it would still only cost $100k.

[Dus10]

I posted what I would do on Rational Cents [http://rationalcents.blogspot.com/2006/09/what-would-i-do-with-1-million.html]. Basically, pay some stuff off, invest a little, give some away, and start figuring out what to do with the rest.

[Matt]

Pull out enough to live on comfortably for five years. Invest half of the rest conventionally, and put the remaining half into the business. Then quit my day job and work full-time salary-free in order to get LEL into the stratosphere. With luck, in less than those 5 years I'd be rich enough to never need to work a W2 job again. And if not, then I could shut it down and try something else...but I'd know that I'd given it a fair shot.

[MB]

One Million Dollars!

Let's see:

1. I would do my own form of tithing. As an atheist, I don't give money to a church but I make it a point to give 10% of my income to charitable causes. So...that puts me down to 860,000

2. I would pay off all of my debts:
25,000 in student loans
5,000 in credit card debt
6,500 to pay off my car loan

3. Give my little sister 30,000 to pay for her last two years of college

4. Like others above, I would put the rest of the money into short-term investment vehicles and take 4 or so months to get my life into order. Finish out my last term of undergrad, get a more complete picture of what my family's business' financial health looks like.

5. I would find a career about which I was passionate and a job within that field that I found fulfilling. Instead of taking a job that I know I won't love but that will pay me enough money to put myself of solid financial footing.

6. Find a financial planner that I trusted and put 300,000 into long term investments to begin building my nest egg

7. Put 300,000 into carefully selected income-generating business ventures

8. With the remaining approx.

9. At that point, with the remaining 194,000 I would like to put a down payment on a home of my own and treat myself, friends and family to some treats. A week in London for my best friend and I, a trip to Alaska for my dad, take my grandma for a roadtrip down the east coast of the United States, take my cousin (also one of my dearest friends) to Paris. All the things I'd love to do now but can't for lack of time and/or money.

[prlinkbiz]

I'm already financially free through my investments, but I would a lot a % to charity and tie up the rest in cashflow producing investments and really be set for life. Funny to find this post, it ties in with one I wrote about the Curse of the Lottery this week! LOL (I put a link to this in it!)

[FMF]

If you write a post that refers to one of my posts, and links to it, you can get an automatic link back by leaving a trackback.

Just FYI.

[moom]

I don't think the money would change my current plan much but would give me a lot more confidence to execute the plan. That is to quit my current job and become a fulltime trader/investor and maybe a part-time academic. First I need to get my green card though. I would likely end up marrying my girlfriend faster than I might otherwise as I would be sure of being able to live in the same location etc. without having to worry about jobs etc.

[McClausky]

Well..some 40% would go to stable long term private investments. I'm talking about the kind of investments that return around 95% per year. If anybody wants to know more about this private investments just drop me line.

Around 10% would be invested in some aggresive online programmes. Then 30% would go to mutual funds.

And finally the rest for my relatives and to buy a couple of nice things like tech toys, nice car, etc.

Oh and I almost forgot...I would organize a great wedding and let my fiancee choose the most beautiful wedding dress she wanted.

[Rob]

I enjoyed reading your posts. I just found out this weekend that when my father dies I WILL inherit a little about a million and a half and I was waaaay surprised. So I am researching to get a little info.

I have learned that a million is not enough to really retire with.. I am finding out about inflation and how that will cut down on the amount over the years. And I am getting a LOT of advice from the few people I have shared the info with.

I am also realizing that I will need a prenup before I marry my fiancée now...

It is way complicated. But I am NOT complaining!

[Richandwise]

I wouldn't tell anybody. I am going to inhert a lot of money one day(husbands parent is extremely wealthy). I made the mistake of telling my mother that my mother-in-law is wealthy. My mom tried to influence another family member to disinherited me. Even her new husband (step-father) requested a copy of my grandmother will. Most of that money belonged to my grandfather. It was his wishes that half of the money go to me and the other half to my uncle. He didn't want his money to go to his daughter (my mom). Can you imagine that your very own mother tried to influence your grandmother to disinherit you? My uncle is the executor of the will. When he heard this he almost flipped because he know that was unfair. My grandfathers wishes was to give half of the money to me and the other half to him. Personally, to me, it seems fair that my uncle receive half and that my mother and I split the other half. Since then, a new will was written, and 25% goes to me.

The first thing you need to do is not tell anybody about the money you have - including relatives or most friends. Never, ever tell your family about your spouses wealth or lack of it. Or, yours for that matter. NEVER tell anybody about your financial situation. Then go to a financial planner. Research individuals that won a huge fortune or inherited it.

I think the thing that hurts the most is that my own mother tried to steal my inheritance. But, in a way I am glad I learned more about human nature now. BEWARE of FAMILY! Most of them will try to take your money! NEVER LET THEM KNOW. This will avoid the whole problem.

If they do stumble across the fact that you have money...don't flaunt it. Figure out a way to make them believe you don't have access to most of these funds. Don't move into a multi million dollar house. Why? Because if they are only living in a small apartment (and never managed their money correctly) they will want yours. This will cause MAJOR arguments! I have seen this happen before. Only to end up in divorces and hatred among families. I know the best way to avoid this. DON'T TELL ANYBODY. LIVE in a home only a little larger than the one you have now. Why? Because if you could manage a small home, then managing a house 25% larger will easier to handle. Then after 5 or 10 years move into a home that is a little larger. If you try to move into something that is 100% larger than you previously had you will have no idea how to do it. Your not ready to do it. Even if you are good with money. Now matter how good you are with money, people will start to wonder how in the heck you are able to afford a home that is a million dollars when you only could afford a $200,000 home. Does this make sense? Your relatives will be really jealous of you if you do. If you move into a home that is about $300,000 you will not cause other to pay attention. If you went from driving a used piece of crap to a Mercedes people will know something is up. If you drive a used piece of junk get a one year old decent car. Then after a few years get a new car this is just a little nicer. Then after so many years get a mercedes. If you flaunt your wealth in the beginning people will watch you. Better to keep a low profile or you could have a lot of people try to take what you have. Trust me. I had to learn this the hard way! Thank God no weapon formed against me will prosper. I want to save you heartache. I have learned a great lesson in life from what happened to me, and I want to save you from heartache and lawsuits.

More Good Advice: The worst thing to do is to is to blow you money fast. To get cosmetic surgery, a Mercedes or whatever else you desire. Ask your self this? Do you desire to have money or in a few years loose all the money? Do you have a plan to save the money? Or, are you spending whatever you want without any idea how to manage it? That's what I did in the past with a small portion I received from my mother-in-law. Now, I am prepaired. I would never waste money or tell anybody about my financial situation. I keep my private life private and tell only a few close friends that loved me when I had nothing. This is the determining test is when you go out with your friends - Did they buy you dinner or offer to buy you dinner when you went out with them? Usually those that said "Hey, I am going to buy you dinner because you did this or cause I love you," that shows they will love you if you have money or not. But, those that only enjoyed your company for the gifts they received will not make great friends and family in the future. I know because a family member threw a fit when they only got one present from my husband and I for the holidays. I now know they are not somebody we should associate with. Usually, it's the friends that are true to you and will help you are the one's you should keep. I realize that not everybody has many of those kinds of relationships with others, but hold onto friendships with those that love you regardless of your financial situation. :)

[ymapazagain]

I would try to keep the amount of money to myself. I would say I won or inherited a little, to explain the obvious splashings out, but I would be very discreet about the majority of it. I would quit my useless jobs first of all and buy a house for around $500,000 (people can be led to believe i'm still renting). I would put $400,000 in a high interest account so that at the end of each year I would have the interest to play with. With the remaining $100,000 I would buy myself some much needed clothes and some furniture for my house. I would also buy myself musical equiptment so that I could focus on my music, hoping to still be earning several hundred dollars a week from performing. I would use my spare time to learn and I would spend a lot of my time in other countries studying and backpacking as my other major passions (aside from music) are travel and languages! I would also spend time volunteering in less fortunate countries, offering not only financial help (for medicine, food and infrastructure), but direct help through labour and education.

[new yorker]

Well, we now have a dilemma. It will yield $500,000 if we exercised stock options today. Company's doing very well and it's expected that stock value will double in a year. I know we should diversify our wealth by divesting but I"m not aware of any fund that will yield what's comparable to my company's.

Anyway, we're only paper rich. Can't really spend any of it. Have to think about taxes.

Haven't changed lifestyle. Just stopped contributing to 401k and college savings. That's all. We'll be able to take a slightly better vacation since we don't have to worry about having to save bonus anymore. But $1MM can't even buy us a 2 BR apartment where we live.

Nothing much will change.

[W.H.]

When i get $1million i will:
1)give 10% to my church
2)give a portion to my family & friends
3)pay off debts
4)invest and purchase a home.

[Veronica]

If I had a million dollars...

I would not make a point of how much I had; I would never lie about it, but would only tell those who would necessarily discover/seriously suspect it anyway. (Brothers, mother, possibly father.)

I would not spend a penny of that million.

Instead, I would spread it across safe investments; the higher-interest, FDIC-insured online savings accounts, CDs. With a 4-6% rate of interest, a million would make (gross) $40-60,000/year. I would treat that as my income, live as though I were earning $25,000 and use the rest to pay off my $26,000 of student loans quickly, give to charitable organizations, and add to the savings accounts. I would also try to repay my family for their help with my college costs. I know they could use it.

As to work, I would enjoy the luxury of not worrying. I would try to find some job in a ceramics studio - not full time, probably, so I could afford the time to enjoy what I'm doing and perhaps take on part-time volunteer work. After learning what I could from another potter, I might try building my own studio. And I would certainly spend a lot of time with my cameras and Photoshop.

With a million dollars, I would buy my life.

[jimbojones]

I have a million dollars put away, firs of all I did not give one red cent to any church, they are a bunch of scabs, let them go to work, or better yet, if god exists and is all powerfull let him make his own money.
F%$& god. Second, I put 5% into stocks and mut funds and add 4k every year to deduct.
also I put 5k into 3e savings bonds.
The lions share I put into CDs and draw 45k a year interest.
I used to make working 40k a year.
My wife works and makes money for her IRA and pays for the health insurance, another thing this country needs, national health care.
To many of you god people think any time the government trys to help, it is the fulfillment of revelation and the not buying or selling with out the mark of the beast crap. If I had a nickle for every time I heard the end of world was here, well I would have a crap load of nickles.
Most of you people who give 10% would already be at the million dollar mark or a bunch closer if you did not give it to people who bend your little alter boys over and stump them.

[Jack Steven]

I would spend it on stuff -

[AJ]

If I won, I would:
Tell no one, not even my parents(trust no one)
$100,000 ($2000 to 50 different charities)
$5500 to pay debt
Leave $1000 in my checking account(im frugal)
Buy a few tech gadgets to reward myself
$893,500 Left: Divide it over 9 savings accounts at 9 different banks; about $99,278 in each to stay insured by FDIC
Then aim to reach 1 billion dollars

[JR]

$140,000 (10%) to my church / church-related things
$150,000 to pay my house off entirely
The rest I would invest; at least one part of the investment would have dividends that I would use to pay bills off of, and I would live very, very frugally off of that$, and devote 100% of my time to my website ministry.

I would so very gladly do that.

The remaining amount at my death would go to my brother, who would be required to distribute the money to appropriate areas.

[clw]

How much is 10% of 1 million. These all look like 14%

[Crazy A 64]

If I did...

Damn I'd have some fun but I'd be selfish as hell with it!

[Daniel]

First of all like a lot of you I would give 10% to my church. With 900K left I would put 500K toward retirement which is 30 years away. Then with the remaining 400K I would pay off my house and then live off the interest.

[Big Cheese]

Did you all see Austin Powers or what? Dr. Evil: "I will ask for 1 million dollars" followed by peals of laughter by his posse....

1 million dollars is not a lot of money these days, $600 k after tax. That will yield $27,000 per year gross income at todays rates and not take into account inflation loss of the principal. Yes you'll be able to quit and have a substitute income close to a slight multiple of minimum wage.

But then again if you worked and saved the $1 million painfully the money may mean more to you- just a thought.

It wouldn't make much difference to me and my lifestyle wouldn't change at all. I would keep it discreet though and not flaunt it. Great advice on this point.

BC

[vy]

Actually with minimum wage as low as it is...$27,000 is significantly more, not just a "slight multiple." At 40-hour weeks, minimum wage $5.85, and assuming you work 52 weeks of the year, gross income would be around $12,000. (5.85*40=234 and 234*52=12,168) A "pithy" $27,000 is well over double the gross income at minimum wage. If you're a single person without dependents (I am) that's not so terrible, especially considering you'd still have all your time to do as you like, including a full-time job if that's your fancy.

[h]

I'm in the process of making a million dollars every 4 months now. I made the mistake of telling my mom how I made this month, and then she wanted to know how much I was making everyday.

Then she started asking the same question in front of my sister, even though I told her very seriously how I wanted to keep it secret. Then I had the first harsh conversation ever about money with my mom, who I trust as my unconditional friend.

So, I've learned so far, DO NOT TELL ANY ONE.

I've already put some of the money I've made into Tax deductible accounts (IRAs, 401ks).

At this point it makes more sense to invest in my own product/business, my business just has the power to make 250k a month without investing much time or effort (free service on internet that leads users to a famous search engine, I get 65% of what they click on, and I've millions of people clicking). So all I can do to keep my business rolling is invest in marketing and grow my brand.

I've been researching on what to do with the money and found this post. I need to figure out why people want to give to churches, I don't believe in god, so I might as well invest in some non-profit open source organizations, gotta find out why people always mention 10% and not less, probably its an IRS magic number, wonder if giving so much money to charity is not an invitation to getting your ass audited.

I'm planning to invest a percentage of the money on money markets, tbills, then invest some part of it that im willing to loose on some high risk mutual funds in china, some are returning +100% in one year, so I could probably double up on 500k, and have a whole million next year.

I'm planning to open 2 or 3 startups for other no brainer internet ideas that aren't there yet on the net. I plan to use the contacts I've made and my credibility on how to run a successful business to make these innitiatives happen. Also when you're making money, it's easier to make money, bigger companies and players want to do business with you if you have something valuable.

I already quit my job, not because I was unhappy with it, but it only made sense that I should be focused 100% on my idea, which is also programming.

I haven't changed my way of life much, except I work from home and save a lot more money, I've always tried to live as if I have 4000 to spend every month.
I've helped my family move out of the states, they live on a cheap place, and they support themselves, since they don't have an idea of the scale of money I got, they just thought I had saved all the money to give them a head start in the US.

I want to buy a home, but I've learned from one of the comments the idea of moving to homes that are only 25% larger, so you don't raise any flags around you. Envy is a powerful feeling from those around you, and I think I rather live normally, I honestly don't feel like buying myself a Ferrari, or any expensive toys, I just love having the best computers and tech toys in my house, I feel its the most fun and safe, and you end up saving money anyway cause you don't have to pay for insurance, or you won't get into accidents.

I might go to the school of my dreams to pursue a master, MIT, to learn the new field of science that I think will change the world, Nanotech. My wife always wanted to pursue a second career in Law, maybe I'll send her to Harvard.

I think it's about securing your elder years, helping your family and securing next generations, as someone said in this post, our fathers gave us college education, now we need to secure wealth for future generations.

Now it's all about keeping this company going for as long as I can, and maybe selling it for a lot of millions when it makes sense. For now, let's learn how to manage the money first.

[vy]

10% is a traditional tithe for church - it has to do with giving an offering of your "first fruits" to God. Even when I still went to church, though, I was a bit skeptical about the notion of tithing specifically to your church - seems more likely the money will buy a stereo system than help out the people who really need it. ;) I'm more in favor of donating to places like Oxfam or environmental conservation, etc. Anyway, 10% is just the standard tithe, nothing to do with the government or taxes as far as I'm aware.

[LTR]

I would buy businesses that already earn a profit, hire a management team to build and manage, and would do so continuously and tirelessly. I would build a separate management team to buy into commercial real estate. I would then reinvest 80% of the revenue making sure all operational costs are covered, then I would invest in my own enterprise. This way I still work hard for a living but if something goes wrong, I'll have many assets contributing to my living. Any excess from the businesses in 3-5 years would probably build and help other select charities in the world. No need to be greedy.

[Jocee]

Once I convince myself that I'm giving to God's people and not some self-serving preacher, I would tithe 10% to the church, eventhough my faith in the church is shattered. I'd keep my present job, but I'd allow my wife to quit working. I'd put 200K in a savings account for my children's education, have some home improvements done and make investments that will allow my wife and me to live off of the interest or dividends that our money yields if I decide on an early retirement.

[dave]

put a pool in my backyard, fill it with jell-o, then finally solve the age old question 'can you use a pool full of jell-o as a trampoline?'

[jean]

i would buy a lot of land in foreign countries and make farms to employ people who do not have jobs and need some (for example in mexico), With the produce i will start an organic food market in the United states and i will design environmentally friendly houses for all over the world. And for myself i will buy a good sized house with a HUGE backyard and a pool and a 32 car garage filled with classical, antique and luxury cars. I would also start a non-profit organization that urges people to grow their food in the backyard and to go green. Then if i have any money left over i would spend it by traveling all over the world and doing things that not everyone does.

[jean]

i would buy a lot of land in foreign countries and make farms to employ people who do not have jobs and need some (for example in mexico), With the produce i will start an organic food market in the United states and i will design environmentally friendly houses for all over the world. And for myself i will buy a good sized house with a HUGE backyard and a pool and a 32 car garage filled with classical, antique and luxury cars. I would also start a non-profit organization that urges people to grow their food in the backyard and to go green. Then if i have any money left over i would spend it by traveling all over the world and doing things that not everyone does.

[jean]

i would buy a lot of land in foreign countries and make farms to employ people who do not have jobs and need some (for example in mexico), With the produce i will start an organic food market in the United states and i will design environmentally friendly houses for all over the world. And for myself i will buy a good sized house with a HUGE backyard and a pool and a 32 car garage filled with classical, antique and luxury cars. I would also start a non-profit organization that urges people to grow their food in the backyard and to go green. Then if i have any money left over i would spend it by traveling all over the world and doing things that not everyone does.

[chris]

i would buy a house and a tree

invest the rest so i dont have to work a day in my life

[Anonymous]

Those who mentioned giving money to God (a church); simply stated just that "I would give money to my church" (paraphrased of course). There was no mention of atheism, or attacks on those who do not believe in tithing or God. Why, then, do the non-belivers feel it relivent to not only say you are not giving money to a church but proceed in a very degrading and destructive manner in attempting to break down those who do believe. Is it really so bad to believe in God or tithing, why must you steriotype "preachers"? Obey your parents, don't steal, don't lie, don't kill; you know the rest these are the basic principles of Christianity and the foundation of the laws governing our society, is it truley so bad.

[Guest]

I would give

25% - Charity
20% - Parents
35% - Starting Businesses
10% - Investments
10% - Personal

[Mr. PayItForward]

I find most of these remarks quite uninspiring and almost completely lacking in imagination. I find some of the comments by people who have come into money through inheritance even somewhat disheartening.

The woman who actually inherited a million dollars and is smugly complacent to do absolutely nothing with the money can hardly see beyond her own nose. She says when she dies the money will go to charity, and for now it provides her with insurance. She can instead buy insurance to cover any type of calamity. And let us say she wants to give her money to a charity for breast cancer patients, but she lives 20 more years. In that time, it is quite possible a cure will be found, and she totally missed her chance to help a favorite cause. Or if her favorite charity is Habitat for Humanit--there are lots of people in the here and now that could use her help. Why wait 20 years to give any help?

About giving a tithe to a church--I am not a religious person, pretty much of an atheist as you can get, except I strongly believe in the concept of doing good--and no, I do not believe in any type of karma. However, there are some churches that do some good. If the money is not being used to build cathedrals
or to support narrow-minded bigotry, then the tithe is not a bad idea. For me, I have 2 medical charities I would give such a tithe instead of a church.

For me, it looks like I am actually going into come into almost this much money, and, it might even be tax-free. However, unlike anyone else, I will not come into it by inheritance, winning the lottery, or working for it. I cannot possibly explain the story here, but I sacrificed everything in my life so that a person from another country could finish her medical school and come to the U.S. and realize her dream of becoming a medical doctor. It took her almost a year extra, and terrible things happened to her, and I got her out of trouble over and over. I had to hire a very expensive lawyer so she could stay here and he became very indignant when her heard her story. He sued the institution responsible for those terribe things, and there apparently will soon be a judgment of 1/2 million dollars for me and 1/2 million dollars for her. She has insisted on giving her share to me, knowing that I sacrificed so much (and also I have a limited lifespsan since I have a rare form of incurable cancer). Also, as an M.D., she can expect to make 200,000 dollars a year after she finishes her residency. By this time, I will most likely be dead.

I can tell you I certainly will not be putting my money away in the bank in CDs, nor doing almost anything that anyone here says he or she will do, except I will give a certain amount to those 2 medical charities and possibly others such as Habitat for Humanity, St. Jude's Hospital for children, and so forth.
Also, there is a person here at my local bank who helped me a lot--I plan to give her some money and also a person at the bank in another country who did so much for me and this other person. Finally, there is someone who has worked in my family as a domestic for 25 years who needs some a little help now, and I do plan to provide just that--a little help.

The rest will be mostly or fully invested in other people. There are tons of way to do this. Use your imagination. Or go visit Prosper.com. There are a lot of other internet places like this--people looking to fund various things or business ideas. Maybe a friend or relative of yours has a really good business idea and plan but cannot get the funding now. Go read the story of the Grameen National Bank

Do you know south of our border morttages are few and far between as are school loans? I plan to try to do something about this. Also, microloans are difficult to fund in the United States because the maximum interest allowed does not cover the default rate. However, I have seen a solution to this for a very long time, but it will take some seed money to initialize.

Finally, languages are also a hobby of mine, and I have a way to preserve the many dying languages that are still extant on our entire planet. This will also take a small amount of seed capital.

There are so many other things one can do with some seed capital. If you are not an imaginative person, find someone who is.

To me, salting away 100s of 1000s of dollars in the bank in CDs is equivalent to being given the talent of a Horowitz, Rubinstein, Perlman, etc. and not touching a piano.

Perhaps I see everything differently as I do not expect to live more than 5 years more, unless I am very, very lucky, as the cancer I have normally takes people on an average in 3 + years, and I am already on year 5.

Thanks all for helping me come to terms with what I will do if we really do win this judgment.

A man who sees life quite differently.