You’ve finally struck it rich and won $144 million — as did an 82 year-old man in Washington, D.C. who just won the Powerball Jackpot (”As the Powerball Jackpot Is Claimed, Mystery Remains: the Winner’s Name,” Washington Post May 5, 2009).
So, tell me. What will you do with the money? It will change your life, either make it much better, or perhaps worse.
Tell me about the selfish things you would do with the money, such as spending it on things you would like.
Tell me about the unselfish things you would do with the money, such as helping others. The man who won this amount of money plans to create three trusts or savings funds: one to educate his children and future generations, one for their health care, and one for philanthropy, or helping others.
Now it’s your turn to use the money. What will you do with it?
Share your ideas with us.
I think we would do what most people would do quit my job. My husband being military and I am a DoD we would not have a thought about it. We would pay off our debt, buy a nice house (not big nor expensive), purchase reliable nice looking vehicles. Once we took care of that, we would set aside money for the kids and invest a good majority of it. We would then help out the rest of our extended family who is in need. It would be so nice to not have to worry about finances.
Hi Bill! I found this site a couple of weeks ago and I think it is great! As always, you excel at making people think.
The selfish thing I would do is put away enough for a secure retirement, so I could continue to help others. The more important thing I would do with the money is create organizations geared toward helping older animals and “older” children find homes.
First, the animals. I have been involved in animal rescue and one of the saddest things is how people are not interested in rescuing older animals — everyone wants the puppy or kitten. In many cases though, what holds people like myself back is the huge financial cost associated with rescuing an older pet. They often require expensive medicines, surgeries, treatments, etc. If we could offer funding to people who are willing to give these abandoned animals a dignified and loving last few years, it would greatly reduce the number who are put down.
Now the children. As a stepmom of a young man with learning differences and a PDD (Pervasive Development Disorder), and someone who has considered adoption, I see a real need to support parents who are willing to adopt older children who require psychological and educational resources that are beyond the parents’ means. I would love to create an organization that would give assistance to such people, and reduce the number of older children who simply age out of the foster system without ever having a loving forever family and without receiving the tools they need to succeed in life.
Just a couple of longwinded thoughts from a former features editor at American Banker…