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

[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]

Originally Posted by 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?

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..

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.

[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

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]

Originally Posted by honeybarbara

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

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.