If You Won the Lottery What Would You Do With the $$$$$

[katsarecool]

I am wondering how many here play the lottery on a regular basis. And what games do you play?

And what would you do with your winnings say if it hit $10,000,000 net?

[Lynn]

If I won the lottery, I'd definitely hire that accountant as well as a lawyer. My inclination would be to pay off every debt I owe and then invest a large amount. I'd help out family members, and then fix up my own house. I know my lifestyle would change, but I can't really see quitting my job altogether--working is something I love and it grounds me. I'd probably work less hours so I could travel more, and spend more time with family. I don't think I'd be the person that spends it all and ends up broke.

I don't play regularly. Once in a while, someone gives me a scratch-off ticket, and sometimes, on a whim, we buy a Powerball ticket. Never won more than a few bucks on a scratch-off.

[SouthernStud]

Id be gone so fast!!!!! Would so be payin my exs bills since she got fired for a broken leg!!!!! That would be me gettin my foot back in the door with her!!!! Takin care of her and our kids..i say our cuz they will always be mine as well as hers..even if i dont get to see them

[pajama]

Oooooh this makes me feel good. Seeing so many (percentage-wise) say they would hire an accountant. :D PM me when you hit and I will be glad to offer my services.

If I were to hit, I said I would cash the ticket and dissapear, and I said move to an exotic location. I would probably also quit my job for a while, but would eventually volunteer or work at something I love but that doesn't pay well.

A

[dixie]

I also chose the "cash in and disappear" option. I would definitely do a lot of travel, before choosing a place to build a custom home. I would also give a lot to family, and make sure that my son would be well set for life. I don't think I would work a full time job, but maybe part time at something I enjoy since money wouldn't be a factor. I like different kinds of volunteering so I would do that as well as take all the college classes I always wanted to take. The possibilities are endless... :)

[Blade]

First I'd go into shock
Second I'd likely hire an attorney, don't need an accountant I can count my own money.
Third I do something for family and a few friends
Fourth I'd look for some land to buy, probably in the mountains
Fifth I buy a new Tundra a new boat and I disappear for quit a while fishing to my hearts content
Sixth when fishing season was over I'd go to that land in the mountains and build a log cabin and hunt all winter.

[bigbutchmistie]

I would :

Buy me a brand new fully loaded Chevy Truck...It would be dark blue with the prettiest rims on it.. And a nice stereo system

I would buy my land that my mom left me back from my uncle and build me a home with a pool in the back

I would give to my friends who have always been there for me over the years

I would donate to charity

I would invest some

I would put the rest in the bank

And not quit my job :)

[Rockinonahigh]

If I won the lottery,I would...
Get an accountant first
Pay off my fue bills,then do the same for my son.
Give my son enough $$ he could do some of the things he has wanted to do,then bank the rest.He is like me on saveing bucks.
I'd buy me a kentucky horse van with liveing qarters,a really nice horse to show..then i'd hit the road.
At some point I would buy a huge horse farm.Not that I would need that much room..but you cant hardly ever go wrong owning land cuse the price keeps going up.
Buy stocks.
More later ..coffee is waiting.

[katsarecool]

After I recovered from the shock; I would hire an accountant with expertise in investments. I would buy some land up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina and build a totally eco friendly home complete with solar panels enough that I would be able to see power back to the grid. The house would have a few guest suites for visiting family and friends.

I would donate some to charity and some to my kids. I would not quit my job as I am retired and a full time artist.

I love the answers here!!!

[Blaze]

If I won the lottery...
I would pretty much pay all the bills off and some friends that are important to me, as well.
It would be a toss up between buying an older hotel and renovating it. I would hire a bunch of people to help run it, which is important. My toss up would be if I would take in the homeless? Or I think I would prefer to take in the GBLT people that are in need of shelter and medical attention. I would want to help shelter them until they could get back onto their feet, offering schooling, medical attention, Job training, and of course the basics of food, clothing and attention.
Once I got that going, then I would perhaps take a little vacation, but then again, perhaps not, because I would be also attending to my tenants needs. So basically I would still be working. Tis what makes me happy anyway. The rest would be invested so I can keep my dream going.

[katsarecool]

Blaze you get huge points!!!!

[dixie]

If I won the lottery...
I would pretty much pay all the bills off and some friends that are important to me, as well.
It would be a toss up between buying an older hotel and renovating it. I would hire a bunch of people to help run it, which is important. My toss up would be if I would take in the homeless? Or I think I would prefer to take in the GBLT people that are in need of shelter and medical attention. I would want to help shelter them until they could get back onto their feet, offering schooling, medical attention, Job training, and of course the basics of food, clothing and attention.
Once I got that going, then I would perhaps take a little vacation, but then again, perhaps not, because I would be also attending to my tenants needs. So basically I would still be working. Tis what makes me happy anyway. The rest would be invested so I can keep my dream going.


Awesome idea. If that ever happens, keep me in mind...lol I used to manage a hotel, so I know how to keep the structure maintained and I'm currently a night manager for a domestic violence shelter that also caters to our community, so I have some knowledge in the things you have in mind. Being able to offer counseling would also be a big help in that setting. I think you have a great idea! :)

[Soft*Silver]

I would get advice FIRST from accountants and lawyers before I cashed in the ticket, so I wouldnt make a mistake and lose any portion of the money I didnt have to, just because I didnt know better.

I would then go on a spending spree. I would buy new furniture, new carpeting for my house and fix up some of the little things in the house. Outside I would put up new fencing, and set up the garden of my dreams!

I would buy a navy blue or forest green truck, with matching horse trailer, and one really nice horse and board it where i didnt have to do the work..lol

I would give my daughter the wedding of her dreams and a honeymoon, and a house of her choosing.

i would pay off all my sister's debts. And mine of course.

I would donate to these charities: Cat Ladies Society, For the Dogs, Hog Heaven Rescue (for horses too!), Newfoundland Dog Rescue and Newf Mix Rescue and our local Pride Center

I would travel to Europe and Africa

I would subscribe to all the magazines I love but cant afford to buy anymore

I would take my entire family on a vacation

I would buy a couple more newfs

I would buy clothes, make up and perfumes..which I havent been able to buy in three years

I would the local catholic church that just closed down and turn it into a social service program for youth in my town, and establish a college scholarship program for children who complete the program

I would establish a retirement fund for my kid that would build over the years

I would go see the chincoteauge ponies

I would order the midieval garb I always wanted for my re-enactment group I belong to

I would decide not to take most of it with me..but leave enough behind for my daughter to have, when I die

[WhiteTigress]

I would donate a portion to LGBT charities that I hold dear here in the Houston area.

http://www.assisthers.org/
http://www.legacycommunityhealth.org/
http://www.ersicss.org/

WT

[Gemme]

I am wondering how many here play the lottery on a regular basis. And what games do you play?

And what would you do with your winnings say if it hit $10,000,000 net?

I pretty much covered what I'd do in the other lottery winnings threads, but since we're being very specific with the amount....this is what I'd do if I won the lottery and netted 10 mil from my winnings....

1. Find and retain a financial advisor and lawyer
2. Distribution of funds into various accounts: retirement, savings, investments, debts, charity, family/friends, mine, Organic's, mine and Organic's, travel, fun and frivolity, and miscellaneous.
3. Quit jobs
4. Buy a home here in Austin and one in Washington and maybe one in Florida and furnish said homes appropriately
5. Set up a foundation for kids that fall through the cracks in the system and set up the necessary arrangements (land, permits, building, educational means, etc) so that they could live on a large platt of land, complete with house of worship (all denominations), garden and greenhouse, barn complete with animals saved from glue factories/labs/shelters/etc, a giant house, a fully equipped gymnasium, and homes for their caretakers and the caretakers of the animals as well.

There's more (traveling around the world, learning new languages, visiting friends and family, etc) but it's Christmas and my honey has never seen Jim Carrey's The Grinch, so I must rectify that immediately.

Peace!

[Venus007]

Supposing it was some mad money amount so I wouldn't do my usual worry about being frugal and planning for the future, blah blah blah

Of course I would do the responsible stuff first, establish a trust for myself and my dearest ones so they wouldn't have to work and really couldn't touch the base capitol unless it was life or death. Pay off my student loans and become debt free. Once all the mundane stuff is over then. . . . .

I would quit my job and go to school full time to become a midwife/midwifery teacher.

I would buy a Gypsy Vanner horse or a draft pony and some fine quality tack, not flashy but the good long lasting comfortable for horse and rider kind.

I would build a smallish art nouveau inspired log home on beautiful property with a great barn with an apartment and a climate controlled indoor arena, where I would hold master classes and seminars from innovative and wise horse men and women.

I would get a 1952 T-bird (the little ones) aqua and cream and a good, clean, stock, older pick up truck, like from the 1970s.

Unless circumstances dictate otherwise I would wear, velvet, leather, silk, linen, soft wool and fine Egyptian cotton -simple, high quality clothes that will be comfortable and durable.

I would set up a scholarship fund to buy cute clothes for fat college kids.
Another to help with surgery, or buy binders and what have you for transmen and gender queers in need.

I would set up an endowment for the "Heifer Project", my home town's art museum and library to keep them open.

As an annex to my small house I would have one of those dreamy libraries, with floor to ceiling bookcases with ladders and a secret room and big comfortable chairs and library tables. In another small annex I would have a medium sized glass green house so I could grow orchids, ferns and other beauties as well as leaf mantises and butterflies.

These are my wealthy imaginings

[NJFemmie]

Hire an accountant, a lawyer and invest.
Set aside a nice nest egg and we'd "retire".
Make charitable donations.
I'd have our dream home built on some very expansive farmland.
Mare could shop to Her heart's content.
We'd vacation a lot.
Family and friends would probably have to be beaten off with a stick, but they would be taken well care of.

[Lady Pamela]

Just saying:

This should have an "OTHER" button on it because how it stands, you need to choose one or the other. I wouldn't personally pick just one.


I would;

Make sure the meeds of those I loved are taken care of.
That my needs are met..not anything extravigant either.
Then invest in property in vacation rentals..in arkansas. To keep money flowing.
And create an animal shelter..no kill.
Also buy a building to house battered woman. And help them rise again.
And if there was anything left, I would invest in the youth programs for the tenn lgbtq services to help them.
And the homeless teens to have what they need in our area.

[miss entycing]

I'd run the hell away.
for real.
*poof*
see ya.
:sunglass:
:byebye:

[Gemme]

Just saying:

This should have an "OTHER" button on it because how it stands, you need to choose one or the other. I wouldn't personally pick just one.


I would;

Make sure the meeds of those I loved are taken care of.
That my needs are met..not anything extravigant either.
Then invest in property in vacation rentals..in arkansas. To keep money flowing.
And create an animal shelter..no kill.
Also buy a building to house battered woman. And help them rise again.
And if there was anything left, I would invest in the youth programs for the tenn lgbtq services to help them.
And the homeless teens to have what they need in our area.

Hi!

Actually, the poll's set up so that you can pick as many as you'd like.

Great ideas.

[Guy]

First, I would donate a portion to a few local charities, then a lil something something for my friends and family. I would sell my house and buy one on the intercoatal waterway, complete with dock and boat, and last but not least, spoil my girl with everything she wants, needs, desires and deserves.

see ya later, off to buy a ticket.. haha

[Melissa]

I would definitely cash it and disappear. I wouldn't want a bunch of strangers calling and writing for money. Me and Rufusboi would hit the road. I would love to just travel and live in hotels for a while or rent a place for a few weeks here and there. A few weeks in Greece, a couple of months in Italy :) I would definitely quit my job. The Cunard Line has a round the world cruise. I've never been on a cruise and not sure if I would like it, but I think I could handle sailing around the world for 6 months in a luxury suite :) You know, with a lottery win I'm going to book the biggest one they have. Oh and I would pay off my student loan and mortgage and hire someone to take care of the cats while we were on the road.

Melissa

[Tommi]

I am wondering how many here play the lottery on a regular basis. And what games do you play?

And what would you do with your winnings say if it hit $10,000,000 net?

RUN BABY RUN---->

I play Super Lotto and Mega Million here in California.

If I win big, I am building a Bed and Breakfast and camping Resort here. (http://www.idyllwild.com/).

My dream plans are a wish to live among the tall pines, and sunny skies, for the birds and critters to sit on my porch when I paint and sculpt. For others to be able to come and relax among the beauty of nature. With a zillion dollars, it would be a place for those like me, their families, friends,a nd animalas, with the need to just be there, and get away from the rat race and concrete jungles of existence. Of course, I would be the pilot to come and gettcha in my private jet.


:pendulum::pile: :artist: :flyaway::flying::flyingmonkey:

[MsDemeanor]

Save some, spend some, give some away, and move out of the country. Figuring out the financial part and how to protect my privacy is kind of a given; why would someone not do that?

[katsarecool]

Mega Millions hit 200 million a few minutes ago. I admit a few hours ago I plunked down a few $$$$$ to play it. Two cards for instant payout of 120 million cash. I also played a few $$ on Fantasy Five which is at 250k! Wish me luck as I wish all of you luck in your endeavors!

[Nat]

I dreamed last night I won the lottery. Sadly not the jackpot, but $5k. By the time I woke up, I had already paid off my Dell account with its sad 25.99% interest rate, paid off a third of one of my two credit cards and taken the two kittens in for their (late) first visit and a spay/neuter. It was a feeling of relief. Maybe it was just a relief to know that as little as $5k would solve the immediate problem of needing to get the kittens fixed, plus add about $80 back into my monthly budget. Even though I woke up to discover I didn't win, the feeling of relief stuck with me. Maybe there's a way to make $5k on the side somehow. God knows how, since my job exhausts me (though I love it.)

But today I let myself fantasize about winning the jackpot. I think that's the main fun in playing the lotto - to buy the fantasy for a few days time. And the powerball is up high enough now, that I can fantasize without the restrictions of a smaller jackpot.

It would be so very satisfying to pay off my debt. My total official debt load right now is $278k - though thankfully more than half of that includes two homes my ex-husband got in the divorce and for which I do not pay, $45k is student loans (and if I continue working for a non-profit or the government for the next 10 years, the rest will be erased under the public service loan forgiveness program) and the majority of the rest is my home mortgage. Only about $13000 are credit accounts - which still sucks but it could be so much worse. Oh, and my medical bills from my gallbladder surgery last year.

Anyway, to get out from under all that debt - including my ex-husband's mortgages - the sheer relief would be amazing.

Then to pay off M's debt would feel just as awesome.

Then to pay off my mom's and dad's debt - would make the world feel very clean and clear. And to set up a regular account for both my parents with weekly deposits for life.

And to pay off the rest of my family's debts/mortgages. And to get good, well-running vehicles for my sort-of niece, for M, for my parents, for my brother. To pay off my friend Shay's medical expenses from an early and unexpected and ongoing bout with congestive heart failure.

And to find my homeless high school ex-boyfriend (if he's still alive) and at least buy him a new set of eye-teeth.

Those are the things that would make me feel more like life was okay - the things money could buy.

And for the more selfish part - I would probably quit my job, spend a few weeks being pampered at some sort of spa, begin a regular diet of mani/pedis, laser off all annoying hair, get a new (old) house with some acreage and a lovely home gym, hire a professional organizer, an ADHD coach, a tailor and a maid. Buy organic happy food from ethical people, get some awesome therapy and further investigate the medical possibilities for restoring my sense of smell. And maybe go to dr. Amen's (rather controversial) ADHD clinic to get brain imaging done.

And I suspect I would spend a lot of time online, would donate to Bfp and go to all the reunions. And once all the mania of winning settled down, I'd probably go to grad school. For the pleasure of it. And get a useless degree. And maybe write. Heh.

And donate towards things that I'd like to donate to now: planned parenthood, hrc, that offshoot of the occupy movement that's buying up old debts and canceling them.

It woud be a grand old time.

I think the only hitch would be that (especially that much) money can amplify one's problems too - and alienate a person from friends and loved ones. I remember realizing one day that if I won the lotto, I would probably lose the friendship of my best friend no matter if I set her up well enough not to worry too much about work. But I lost that friendship anyway, so now I guess I could enjoy winning with less guilt. Heh.

So though not complete, that's my lotto fantasy of the week.

[Heavenleahangel]

Ive always said that if I hit big lotto like this week's Powerball, I would have an agenda of things to do like helping family members, charitable organizations, etc. No one could spend the $300 MILLION or so after taxes in a lifetime. That kind of cash will do sooo much for sooo many.
Some of the random things I would like to do is:
Pay random college tuitions for those who have kids and are struggling.
Give money to the GLBT community to benefit those in need.
Go to a dept store like Wal-Mart and buy random strangers gifts for their kid's Christmas.
Donate sizably to the local food banks.
Buy coats, hats an gloves for kids that need it.
The list goes on and on...that much money could do so much for sooo many who need it! That would be awesome!

[Nat]

I think I would also donate to lgbtq homeless programs and if there are associations for lgbtq eldercare and elder-advocacy, I would want to help with that too.

And if I could figure out how to - I would like to help establish an Lgbtq union of sorts - with an established independent marriage registry, professional development and mentorship, sliding-scale group health insurance that would include mental health, family planning - including help becoming a parent, services involved with transition, and legal, financial and other insurance services currently needed by our community.

Would probably also want to specifically support the partners of military and vets. And the children of lgbtq folks. And possibly a scholarship program for those whose orientation or gender has lost them the opportunity for college.

Then *poof* I would be out of money. :)

[GPS]

right off the bat I would give 5 million to the ravished upper east coast and help rebuild after Sandy.

[Luv]

Make sure mom had everything she needed,,no debt and could travel and see everything she has ever wanted to see and do everything she has ever wanted to do and then some. Set up trust fund s for my niece and nephews, buy a nice house with a pool and wood burning fireplace..buy a new mustang convertible and a new truck,, donate to Generosity Water, Ronald McDonald House and the Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation

[NJFemmie]

I got my tickets!

Hire an accountant and a lawyer, no doubt.
Take off somewhere quiet and anonymous so we can decide our next steps.

It would definitely include:
Early retirement.
Family would be well taken care of.
Donations to several varied organizations.
A little random philanthropy goes a long way.
After we buy our new (modest, but kick ass) house, new (practical, but bad ass) cars, yadda yadda .... do some traveling.

I sense Europe in the near future and I'd also like to see the rest of the USA.

Then, Mare and I would have to decide what business venture to start.

[sharkchomp]

Great thread, I'll post my answer in a bit... gotta run now!

[imperfect_cupcake]

Hire an accountant and solicitor
pay off all debts (student loans)
pay of debts of family and friends and ensure certain ones had extra dosh to use
donate some monies to certain charities
Buy small properties in several different countries - venezuala, australia, uk, amsterdam, thailand, japan, vancouver, utah.
get an investment portfolio
finish school
open a small lgbt spas in three countries
open a women's retreat charity - where women with little or no money can come for a little holiday for 3-5 days with healthy food and relaxing, quiet, care.
Open a healthfood cafe, spa, tattoo studio where I'd be spending most of my time - with an artist's community centre for gigs/spoken word/gallery.

300 million is a lot. and there is a lot I can do with it.
Mostly I'd want to travel between my houses and businesses.
Maybe occationally hire a nice butch gigolo.
Or maybe have a few butches with business investment ventures they want to start that are also attractive and we get along... I could be a sugar momma. Have some pleasant, friendly entertaining, fun company in exchange for silent, hands off investments into their dream business.
I get to help some people out and get good company and a little fun now and again ;) for us both.

I dunno, single and stinking wealthy might suit me.

[chefhmboyrd]

hire an accountant and a lawyer
and keep a low profile until my new record was finished,
then go on tour,
and donate lots of money toward a seriously HUGE BFP reunion party in Sept.
heh
:fastdraq:
and be a philanthropist

[starryeyes]

*pay off student loans
*pay off my house
*buy a new house
*pay off my car
* donate to Deaf Community Services
* save the rest and continue working and doing what I do!

[pajama]

My boss and I were talking about this today. We laughed 'cause we both said we would hire accountants. And we are accountants. :| But she made a good point, all you'd really need is a Tax Lawyer. And let the lawyer go claim the winnings as your representative, that way you can stay incognito as long as possible.

[clay]

Hire an accountant and solicitor
pay off all debts (student loans)
pay of debts of family and friends and ensure certain ones had extra dosh to use
donate some monies to certain charities
Buy small properties in several different countries - venezuala, australia, uk, amsterdam, thailand, japan, vancouver, utah.
get an investment portfolio
finish school
open a small lgbt spas in three countries
open a women's retreat charity - where women with little or no money can come for a little holiday for 3-5 days with healthy food and relaxing, quiet, care.
Open a healthfood cafe, spa, tattoo studio where I'd be spending most of my time - with an artist's community centre for gigs/spoken word/gallery.

300 million is a lot. and there is a lot I can do with it.
Mostly I'd want to travel between my houses and businesses.
Maybe occationally hire a nice butch gigolo.
Or maybe have a few butches with business investment ventures they want to start that are also attractive and we get along... I could be a sugar momma. Have some pleasant, friendly entertaining, fun company in exchange for silent, hands off investments into their dream business.
I get to help some people out and get good company and a little fun now and again ;) for us both.

I dunno, single and stinking wealthy might suit me.

raises hand to be one of Butches with a business venture..:)
I LIKE how you think!!

[cinnamongrrl]

We would.....

Buy a small farm....

Start an alpaca ranch....

get some horses....and other animals...pigs, ducks, chickens etc....

Start a foundation for barn preservation in New England etal....

Save our local mountain from destruction by the local paving company :praying:

donate to all children's charities....

Start trust funds for our kids and the nieces and nephews....

Pay off my mother's mortgage, buy her a nice car, get her a vacation house on Martha's vineyard....send her to Italy and Ireland....our nations of origin

Go to every single national park in the US....then go to Ireland and Italy....

Get my Jeep Wrangler....and teddy whatever he wants...lol

Learn to fly....

Get my PhD in anthropology....

[puddin']

move me gurl and hers to nz....

[DamonK]

I'm aware of someone's situation and I happen to adore that person, therefore I'd take care of that.

I would pay off debt for me and MBE and for a couple of others.

I would ensure my parents had all they needed, as well as my brother, grandmother, and godson. My godson would have college paid for.

I would ensure retirement for myself and MBE, as well as 2 others.

I would donate towards charity.

If feasible, I would buy a house in another country for when I'm ready to stop working, or am able to work remotely.

I would also buy a house here.

I would send my parents on the cruise they meant to go on, but didn't.

I would take a European cruise... At least a 14 day one.

I would buy a few necessities for myself. There's a particular hearing aid I'm reallyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy interested in.

Top surgery for myself and one other would be completed.

I would set up a scholarship for transpeople that need surgeries but cannot afford it.

MBE and I, and possibly one other, would have new cars. Maybe not new, but new to us.

Really, the majority of it would go to charities in some way or another.

[Rockinonahigh]

First thing I would have to call the e.m.t's cause I would most likely pass out from shock.Then I would hire an attorney and get money management help from my cousin(she retired fro the finace world) and let her claim the cash so I would stay out of site of the piblicty involved.Afterwards I would pay off the house,give my son a chunk of cash to pay off his bills then have some left over.I would buy that Kentucky horse farm I been thinking about..yes I would be back in the horse buisness in a flash.I would start up a foundation or two as well as a scolarship of some sort,then I would just injoy my life.

[macele]

i'd buy two things. a gold 1979 convertible camaro. and a rainbow colored hoola hoop. i'd hit the road. i'd go all over the u. s. of a. wherever i seen a need for a helping hand, i'd give. what about the rainbow colored hoola hoop?

[Ebon]

Go pick up my babies and roam the planet. Not this planet, the earth. Find a cozy island and settle there.

[bright_arrow]

Pay off debts
Buy a new truck
Put a chunk away for 4 years at a university for the kiddo, plus money for a car
Pay off our house
Put some away for emergency funds [yes, seriously]
Pay off my parent's house, or at least a good chunk of it [It is $250,000-ish]
Buy my mom a new vehicle
Maybe buy my sister one
Invest some
Possibly quit my job depending on the amount, after banking some for retirement
Looking into getting our dream cabin built somewhere on some lands, and the boi a John Deere

In that order too, I think.

[deb_U_taunt]

I will be buying this island:

http://www.privateislandsonline.com/islands/ram-island-wsh

[grenade]

I'd buy an accessible van for my kiddo. Then I'd bare my backside to my boss and point to the exact spot she could kiss. ;)

[sharkchomp]

The first thing I'd do is put my winnings in a trust. Then I would pay off every debt I owe, that's even going through my credit reports and making sure it's 100 % clear. Then I would donate to my church and probably some local food banks, because it sucks when you look in your cupboard and there is nothing there. I would also make sure the food banks have cat and dog food available for those people in need because if people are struggling to feed themselves and their families they are most certainly having trouble coming up with money to buy their pets' food.

Then I would give my Mom and step dad money, they're not poor but they are on a budget and screw that! They have given to me and done without, so the favor would be repaid. They would never have to worry about money again. Ever. I would also take care of my close family members. They are all good loving people. I've been very blessed to have such wonderful step brothers and sisters. My one blood brother and his wife would be well taken care of because when I was down and out they took me in, fed me, gave me a room with no board and never once complained. They showed me kindness that you really only read about in stories. It's a humbling thing, really. So I would want to make sure they were set for life.

I don't have a ton of friends but the ones I do have have been so wonderful. I'm really blessed with my friends so I would take care of them like they took care of me.

Then the fun would begin. Oh yeah, a new truck. A new house on the lake. A boat. I would probably work but I'd open a bait shop. There would also be lots and lots of fishing vacations. :)

~~~shark~~~~~~~~

[Dude]

I would buy this old farmhouse and restore it.
It doesnt show the barn which is twice as big as the house.
It's a "how highs the water mama" house and its likely been
flooded atleast once in 100 years.
11 foot ceilings , character for days , She is a beauty.
http://www.estately.com/listings/info/p2215-lewis-river-rd

[Dude]

I would fucking hire Bob Villa ;)

[Nat]

Maybe occationally hire a nice butch gigolo.


:) haaaaa this one's awesome

[Nat]

Jackpot winners in Missouri and Arizona this go-round

[Martina]

Same as most in terms of debt and helping others.

A house in Morro Bay and one in Tahoe.

A personal chef.

Travel.

Spa time.

Clothes tailored to fit ME. Lots of cashmere and silk.

[Dude]

after Bob finishes the house

I would adopt two kids and hire the sweetest nanny I could find.

We could do people with disabilities horse therapy , have a free-
range petting zoo and camp for poor kids that have never been
in the country before. Find or create jobs for the under or unemployed parents of the kids.

Free fish fries and crawdad boils in the front yard.
Shuttle bus to get them there.
Out buildings with showers and washing machines
Complimentary robes and slippers while they are waiting
for new or at least clean clothes.
I could go on and on
:coffee:

[imperfect_cupcake]

Same as most in terms of debt and helping others.

Clothes tailored to fit ME.


OOo. I totally forgot that one! I'd just hire a personal taylor/seemstress. and fund her experimental designs or whatever.

I think everyone should go into business for themselves, I think. and would love to support as many people as possible to do that.

Bosses SUCK!

Glad I stopped having them last march. Screw you past bosses!*


*except Jasson my Jamaican boss who rocked. All bosses should have a Jamaican sense of time keeping. And able to piss take to that degree...eg once when I screwed up and was whineing at her she said "I didn't make you stupid, go take it up with god" which made me burst out laughing and shut up and deal with it. (she never would have said this to anyone else professionally. insulting the intelligence of your staff and mentioning talking to god would have gotten her fired. But she knew how to deal with me [insult barb till she laughs and smartens up]).

[MsTinkerbelly]

I would donate a lot of money (church, Red Cross etc), take care of family, travel....but my dream would be a place where people could come in, have a hot meal, not be preached to...maybe walk out with some warm clothes and some shoes...a food pantry too.

[Ginger]

Provide start-up funding and partially sustain along with grants or government funding if possible (and then let someone else manage), a chain of fitness centers in low-income neighborhoods of all five boroughs of NYC. Members would have to income qualify, and a percentage of the employees would have to be either getting off public assistance, have a disability, or be struggling with employment. There would be wellness education, as well as tuition support for those returning to school. And it would have all the cool stuff any fitness center has—stationary- and free-weight areas, aerobic machines, excercise classes, a juice and health snack bar, and childcare facility.

Give a big chunk of money to Planned Parenthood.

Buy an apartment in the East Village and get a dog. Upgrade my car to something heavier and safer. Buy a house in woods upstate—Columbia county.

Set up trust funds for my nieces and nephews.

Hire a financial advisor and invest.

Spend winters in warm places.

Otherwise do all the stuff I do now; go to readings, have dinner with friends. Probably pick up the check more often.

[ruffryder]

Gotta be careful who you trust and hire when lottery winnings happen..

Lottery winner murder trial (http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/article/284058/8/Lottery-winner-murder-trial-starts-today)

They say you gain friends and lose friends as a result of the winnings. I told Zimmeh I would not gain friends and I would probably lose friends :blink: heh

First pay debt and invest in real estate. A mountain home in CO, a beach home in FL, a penthouse, and another beach home in Mexico. Renting them out when not in use. Other real estate? A restaurant perhaps, hotel...

Help our families and invest in ours and the kids futures.

Buy things we wanted, see the world.

Party for our friends and family.

Assist those in need and less fortunate.

[VintageFemme]

Turn on, tune in & drop out.

[not2shygrrl]

I would start by going into shock!
Then hide,
secure the funds,
start a business by investing in properties to rent,
of course pay off all my bills and gift some $ to family members,
donate to a few charities and BFP,
likely buy a new car, no more than 2.
develop an organization to help single mothers acquire their own home, nothing like Extreme Makeovers.....but something to be proud of!
above said organization(s) will need a few employees,
depending on the amount I won, I would travel the US of A and after a year or so extend my travels across the pond!
I might even dabble in hiring the "Millionaire Matchmaker" to help search for Ms. right!
Wow, this list could go on and on....... :)

[PoeticSilence]

After obtaining legal counsel and an accountant:
Pay everything off. Fix up the house and sell it. Move to a singular level house with a special room for the birds so that they can leave their cages and play in a communal place. Making sure the house has an open floor plan and a large kitchen, and was "green" in regards to energy. Making sure it has a large library/reading room/computer desks.
Make sure the house was on 100+ acres of land and in the center. Building four more houses in the four corners with trees and pastures and fields of wildflowers between us all. Giving each of the kids a house. Paying off the kids debts. Making sure we had chickens and horses and bees.
Donating to Drs without Borders and various women and childrens centers and foodbanks and programs that fight the slaughter of wild horses.
Having a large outbuilding used for arts and crafts.
Having a barn.
Having large gardens and fruit-bearing trees.

[alexri]

Hire a lawyer and an accountant..

I would take the lump sum and not the annual payments. Although it's a much bigger tax hit up front, I'd rather the money be in my accounts, not theirs.

Then I'd...

Pay off any person debts.

Pay off the debts of very close friends and help with things like home ownership, or any personal needs.

Make sure my family members are okay- pay off their debts, set up accounts for people, etc.

Set aside accounts where I can live annually off the interest. Get a house close to the water/beach, perhaps near Ptown.

Travel. Lots of travel.

And have a large focus on charitable giving.

I do not want to reinvent organizations when ones that already exist and are doing a great job. I would find a way to support already-existing organizations as anonymously as possible. I'd like to set up an organization amongst trusted friends (letting them leave their jobs to work for me). They'd scour the internet/news for individuals and organizations that need financial help.

I would help out local, small, independent animal rescues and shelters, support massive spay and neuter clinics, and put no-kill shelters as a priority. I will not support the big national organizations that spend too much money on operating costs and advertising.

I want to help out LGBT organizations, again focusing on small groups that make direct change and help out individuals.

And I will look for news stories on the individuals that have been victims of really bad circumstances, sometimes at the hands of others, who really need help. Like when the LGBT homeless shelter in NY got flooded out by Hurricane Sandy- I would help. Or if I caught wind of a fundraiser for someone to help with the expenses of a serious illness- I would help.

I'd also like to do as many random acts of kindness as I can to people.. put a little magic and believe in hope in people's lives.

But I would want to do this all as anonymously as possible. My state does require lottery winners to be publicly declared. After that happens, I would take myself away from society as much as I could. Sadly there are too many stories of people going after lottery winners for money, and often for things that are wants, not needs. My rule to helping would be- I will find you, you don't find me.

I would also look into some kind of microloan system for individuals and small businesses, especially women and LGBT owned.

[easygoingfemme]

I'd consult a professional before deciding how to cash in.
Then, pay off my house and eliminate debt.
Get a new car. Nothing fancy, I only drive Honda.
Set up my daughter's college fund. Set money aside for when she is ready for a car.
Set up a retirement plan for myself.
Make sure my parents are set up for the rest of their lives, including making sure I have what they would need if they wanted to live in assisted living or have live in professional help at some time in their lives.
Fund some education scholarships for teen parents or or other deserving group.

[Beloved]

It depends how much. The first thing I would do would be to give money to my friend Kim's parents. She passed away 14 years ago from leukemia and they are still paying her medical bills. :(

Under 10 million I would probably still work.

Huge powerball type winnings would be different. I would be build a nice normal sized house with a lot of character. It would be unique and have everything top of the line. I don't want or need a mansion. Maybe even build another in a second location, like California or buy a nice apartment in NYC.

I'd like to live a relatively normal life. I'm not flashy. I wouldn't want people to know how much money I had just by looking at my lifestyle. I don't know if that is possible but I would try.

Oh, I want a maid!!! And a King Charles Cavalier I can name Nigel.

[EmJay]

Buy my parents a new custom built house. Currently own a 2 story, however my dad fell ill and immobile so he is restricted to the main floor, therefor they have turned the family room into their bedroom and both sleep downstairs. I would make everything custom to fit my dads needs and give them back the privacy and space they both so greatly deserve.

I would hire round the clock care for my dad, for some extra help to relieve my mom a bit.

I would send my whole family on a Hawaiian cruise, as my dad loves Hawaii but can not fly so this would be his chance to get there again and for everyone to have a nice family holiday.

I would go on another vacation with my parents to Myrtle Beach because it was always a dream of my dads.

Shopping spree in Paris & New York with my mama <3 Always been a dream of ours

Pretty much give everything to my parents to give my dad the best quality of life for his remaining time here and to help my mom out with everything. #BestParentsEver#FamilyLove#HappyMemories

[Rockinonahigh]

First I would pay off whatever bills I owe,the pay off my son's house and bills.Then would buy this three story colonial home I wish I lived in then move it out into the country on a couple of thousand acers,I know I could build the same house with todays improvements in building but the workmanship in the house can't be reproduced by many people.I would set up a no kill center for any animal who needed a home plus hire people who really care about them then pay them well for helping our furry frinds.I would travel,go to places I never have been.I know I would donate some to charity( Iwould be very picky about which one).Before I did all this I definatly would have a finace manager with a lawer to protect my holdings.One thing I may try out is sit back then see what happends.

[Tommi]

Put ticket in wallet...
Put ticket under the mattress...,
or in the safe.
Hmmm, maybe tape it to the refrigerator, or microwave.

>>>>>> Give her the ticket.

Go back to bed and talk about it, her giggling, me teasing her, us :mohawk:dreaming about it all. :praying:

[Queenie]

I would pay off all my bills first. Buy my flat and stick a renter in it. Buy the most killer handbag from, Gucci. Hell, I might even buy the whole fall line! Uh buy a huge house in Primrose Hill. Give the interest I make from my winnings to a different charity every month. That one I really like. And mostly I would want to travel the world with my husband and make sure that my family members are set for life. I would want to do good things with my money. I couldn't live with myself other wise.