Years ago, as entertainment on long drives, I would envision what I might do if I won a large lottery prize. First, I’d go into survivor mode. I’d hire a lawyer, a financial advisor, and a security guard. All the grifters I knew back when would discover a great need to descend upon Casa Carreras and humbly request a repayment of that dollar loan from 1967 – with compounded interest. So, I needed some protection from my past. Being that all the relatives I had not seen nor heard from since my Dad’s funeral (fifty years ago) would suddenly congregate, I’d have to put up a tent outside and a soup kitchen to feed them.
After handling those details, I would huddle with my financial team to consider investments and disbursements. Back then, the kids were young, and mortgages here were still high, so I would take care of those immediately. That would be followed by taking care of medical bills.
Eventually, my concentration would start drifting, and I’d have to pull into a motel or campground to spend the night. I’d be exhausted by this time but still so caught up in my fantasy that I’d wonder why all I had in my wallet were ones, fives, and tens. Where were all the larger denomination bills? How was I going to tip the servants?
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After checking with my lawyer, financial advisor, and primary bank trust fund manager, I’d set up a trust fund of some sort for part of the winnings that doled out inconsequential living expenses after I replace my aging car with the 2024 VW Arteon, which won’t be sold here after 2024. That’d be my only big expenditure.
I am satisfied living humbly, so the major part would be set up to assist local charities that provide meals for children and people dealing with tough times; a charity that provides a safe place for abused women; Habitat for Humanity; the local animal shelter, on the condition it became a no kill shelter; and a few others. The only criterion: it must be local.
I suppose I’d donate to improvements in two local history museums, the state historical society (History Nebraska), and the Nebraska public television and radio, all of which have been important elements of my life. The later two would be the sole exceptions to the local criterion.
I don’t maintain debt beyond the monthly billing schedules of places I do business with and those that I pay with auto-debit, so paying off debt wouldn’t be a big deal.
All those people who show up wanting a handout? I wouldn’t have a lot of cash on hand or access to more than the small amount I set up the trust fund to pay out to me each month. To the unrelated people showing up for a handout: “Have you checked with your family, your bank? Your family and bank won’t ‘lend’ you money? Why would I then? I’m not the 1st National Bank of Doug!” Or, for those mysterious family members that come out of the woodwork: “Have you ever send me a birthday card or Christmas card? Have I ever meet you? Which aunt or uncle are you related to? Did you know I never met that aunt or uncle, let alone you? Why would I give money to someone I’ve never had relations with? I’m not the 1st National Bank of Doug.” Yes, after a hundred try to hit on me, I’d post a sign on my door: “I’m not the 1st National Bank of Doug”.
Of course, one has to enter to win, which I don’t, so all of this fine “talk” means nothing. I’d probably go on a silly spending spree and be broke in short order like most other lotto winners!
I too never enter, so can’t win. but it’s fun to imagine what we’d do. Of course Andy woukd want more Greenies, better windows to watch birds from and a few more items. Cats have pretty simple tastes in luxury.
More Greenies and ‘nip…. i suppose we’d have to build a four season sun room so we could grow ‘nip and endless cat grass, too.
Luckily my cats are out of the room right now. A four season sun room? Don’t say that too loudly!
I’d like one myself!
I’d go live in Switzerland.
After all the necessaries of lawyers and banker are set (making sure I’ve got all taxes and stuff completed), I’d hand out sums to immediate family (siblings and children) and tell them this is yours, spend as you wish, but never come back for more. Which means I get to determine if a cause is worth supporting.
With what’s left, I purchase a modest house with enough land to insure privacy, and live humbly, except for those once a month lavish dinner parties!
Where to travel, hmmm … There are several parts of the US that I haven’t seen more been to, and maybe that’s okay, so more of the places I enjoyed. I would like to see New Zealand, Japan and the Rain Forest.
A well thought out plan!
It’s a subject I think about when I see the billboard jackpot rising! But I don’t play 🙁