If you won the Lottery, what would be your plan for the rest of your life?

SrA Jeff Campbell — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 15:58:31 -0400

I am curious how my fellow RPer's would answer this question......LET THE DREAMING BEGIN!!! I personally would pay anyone I owe....and then take at least a 6 month vacation to EVERYWHERE! Get my Bucket list and start working on it! Take care of my Family....and some of my close friends! After that.....well, I guess I would donate to charities.....I can only imagine how much fun it would be to never to have to worry about financial challenges.....

Response by SPC James Mcneil made Oct 17 at 2014 5:53 PM

SPC James Mcneil — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 17:53:02 -0400

For me, the first thing would be paying off debts. I hate owing people or businesses, and having the money to pay off debts would be awesome. Second would be buying a house and a couple of cars. I do not need or want a mansion or supercars. A nice 3 or 4 bedroom house and a decent pickup, and I'd be happy.
Last on my list would be to open a business. Even with millions of dollars, I would go straight up crazy if I just sat around all day. I would keep my public speaking business, but I would open up another business.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2014 8:59 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 20:59:30 -0400

Retire, really retire ... and start volunteering with charities, at the library, etc. Give back to the community.

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Oct 17 at 2014 9:08 PM

SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 21:08:03 -0400

SrA Jeff Campbell My plan would include:

1. Clearing all debt including in-laws and children.
2. Planning for my second retirement from the USG with additional deposits into the TSP and other shrewd investments.
3. Finishing a PhD I started.
4. Volunteering at the VA and VFW.
5. Taking my wife on the vacation she deserves. (If she ever gets on here this is actually #1)

Response by SSG Jeremy Siebenaller made Oct 17 at 2014 9:12 PM

SSG Jeremy Siebenaller — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 21:12:32 -0400

I'd probably just keep farming until its gone!

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Oct 17 at 2014 9:33 PM

MSG Wade Huffman — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 21:33:31 -0400

Luckily, Ohio is one of only five states where you do NOT have to go 'public' with your winnings and you can remain anonymous so....
1. Disappear quietly (not 'off the grid'.. just a calm, casual move to a new place where no one knows me)... and do my best to live the rest of my life in comfortable anonymity. All donations would be anonymous as well...
2. Well... if I'm going to live in anonymity, I can't really tell ya the rest.. one of you might find me! LOL!

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Oct 17 at 2014 10:51 PM

Cpl Dennis F. — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 22:51:12 -0400

1) Buy C-130 have small apartment built behind cockpit.
2) Buy Hughes 500D load in C-130
3) Buy hi end RIB w. 500HP load in C-130
4) Buy Land Rover load in C-130
5) Hire two aircrews
6) Go and stay airborne
7) Buy cheap globe and darts.
8) Spin globe, throw dart.
9) Tell aircrew "Go there!" point at dart in globe.
10) Off load appropriate vehicle, Play until bored

Repeat 8 thru 10 as needed.

Response by PO3 Shaun Taylor made Oct 20 at 2014 1:15 PM

PO3 Shaun Taylor — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 13:15:52 -0400

1. Take care of my parent's and kids financial needs.
2. I would buy my brothers and sisters each a house and car.
3. I'd follow my dreams.
4. Travel more.

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Oct 20 at 2014 1:26 PM

SFC Stephen P. — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 13:26:57 -0400

Pay off debt
Retire at 20
Get a degree
Contribute to open source projects

Pretty much the same as my current plan, but with more guns and power tools.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Oct 20 at 2014 1:48 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 13:48:41 -0400

The, "wish I could" list:

1. Buy a company that I used to work for and fire all the A-Holes who gave me a hard time just because I can.
2. Hide everything offshore so my kids can go to Brown University for the bubble just like all the other rich bastards do.
3. Buy a seat in Congress as an independent for the sole purpose of blocking and downvoting every piece of lame-ass, pork-ladden, sef-serving, do-nothing legislation possible.
4. After elected in #3, tell John Boehner to kiss this country's ass!
5. Become a defense contractor and make millions more for manufacturing the thing-a-bob on the doohickey that causes the little light to go on when the circuit for the watch-a-ma-call-lit gets turned on when you flush the $3000.00 toilet.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Oct 20 at 2014 1:53 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 13:53:11 -0400

Ok but seriously:

1. Buy stock in RallyPoint!
3. Build a new Scouting center in my hometown
4. Fund as many local veteran causes as I can
5. Insure my kids were set up for a sound financial future.
6. Re-retire and write that book I always wanted to.
7. Travel in style.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2014 3:36 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 15:36:51 -0400

I would in this order:
Pay off my student loans
Buy a nice house in Arlington
Make sure my kids were set financially
Buy my best friend a new car
Go to Mardis Gras, Salsa dance in Miami, Kiss the Blarney Stone in Ireland, stand in Trivoli fountain in Italy, kiss someone atop the Eiffel Tower, visit Big Ben in London, shop Harrod's
Go see friends in Stuttgart and look up some special people
Donate to causes to assist fellow Vets
Follow the Chicago Bears and Nationals on the road for a season.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Oct 20 at 2014 5:04 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 17:04:16 -0400

I have a graduated plan that adds up with higher winnings, these goals would be rolled up with higher winnings:
$10 million (after taxes)
Buy a house with enough land for a firing range, dog kennel to support Dogs on Deployment, and a stocked fishing pond.
Buy 2 houses to provide Soldier families in need of larger housing for a larger family, rent free housing. Soldiers would have to pay utilities but would be able to keep their BAH as a savings for a starting point nest egg. I would allow them to stay for 2 years before cycling to another family in need.
Save $500,000 for each of my kids for a gift after completing their Bachelor’s Degree.
Take some cool vacations.
$25 million (after taxes)
Expand the gift for my children to $1.5 million.
Expand the rent free program to 5 houses.
Take more cool vacations.
$50 million (after taxes)
Secure a building and machines for a manufacturing / textile set up. Hire a cadre of veterans who have been unemployed for more than 6 months to design, manufacture, and market gear for hunters and outdoorsmen. The newly hired operations officer would be responsible for setting wages and employment practices. The goal of the operation would be to bring profitability to the point where line workers would get $15 / hr, supervisors $18 /hr, shift managers $23 /hr, and executives earn over $30 /hr.
Take more cool vacations.
$50 million and higher for every $50 million, find another base to start another business staffed only by veterans in need of employment. NEVER hire a civilian until all veterans are employed that want to be employed.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2014 6:32 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 18:32:14 -0400

Give God His part.
Pay my debts (what little I have left).
Set my kids up.
Go Fishing.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2014 6:51 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 18:51:40 -0400

Share some money with family.
Travel
Invest

Response by SGT Richard H. made Oct 20 at 2014 7:17 PM

SGT Richard H. — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 19:17:56 -0400

To make myself tired every day by screwing off instead of by working.

Response by PO2 Rocky Kleeger made Oct 20 at 2014 7:35 PM

PO2 Rocky Kleeger — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 19:35:08 -0400

In this order:

1. Become debt free
2. Set up college and trust funds for my kids
3. Quit my job
4. Take the wife on that cruise she's always wanted, but we never went because I was in the Navy
5. Buy a house wherever she wants

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2014 8:41 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 20:41:09 -0400

Assuming this is a win it big 100's of millions of dollars. I would pay off all of my debt. Then I would pay off all my parents and in-laws debt. I would give some to my siblings and wife's sister. Of course I would get a nice comfortable house, not too large. I enjoy my day job, so I would probably work part time. I would stay in the Guard, I love my unit too much to get out. I would probably buy a box truck and tour bus to use for the unit. LOL! Who knows what I would do with the rest.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2014 9:23 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 21:23:31 -0400

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tajhs_FdT98

...nough said

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2014 10:22 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 22:22:14 -0400

Since I'm going to win the Mega Millions lottery tomorrow night, I'll be buying a large plot of land and building a house right smack in the middle. I'll have Rally-Point festivals annually and set up a charity for disabled vets.

Response by SrA Jeff Campbell made Oct 20 at 2014 11:02 PM

SrA Jeff Campbell — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 23:02:24 -0400

WOW!!! I am so impressed with how many giving individuals we have on our Site! So many talk about helping VETS, Family, Churches, and even tithing! not one response was, I would buy a mansion that was so big I could get lost in it, purchase 7 sports cars for each day of the week, buy so much jewelry and dom perrigon champagne that I could take a bath in it!! YOU PEOPLE are Good People. I personally credit the fact of our service to our country for not being selfish A-holes.....That all we would think about was doing something for ourself........instead you RPer's that responded to my question probably have no problem sleeping at night!!! Thank You all for RESPONDING and THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE!!!!

Response by SFC Melker Johansson made Oct 20 at 2014 11:18 PM

SFC Melker Johansson — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 23:18:19 -0400

1. Pay off all debts
2. Educational funds for my child and her cousins.
3. Buy a ranch in the hill country of Central Texas
4. Start an animal sanctuary.
5. Open up a dog rescue.
6. Camp for Special Needs children and adults.

Yes, I'm serious.

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Oct 21 at 2014 12:06 AM

PO2 Steven Erickson — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 00:06:14 -0400

1. Return a whole bunch to God, since it's His anyway. Then return some more to God, since it's still His anyway.
2. Pay off the debt on the church I attend and the Christian School my son went to.
3. Pay off my debts.
4. Buy a brand-new, fully-stocked 85' ketch and sail to Grand Cayman.
5. Walk into a bank there and open accounts for my kids.
6. Make like a tree and get the flock outta here... (What?)

Or whatever my wife thinks we should do with OUR winnings instead of 4, 5 & 6...

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2014 8:32 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 08:32:49 -0400

1) pay off mine and my wife's cars
2) pay off both of our schooling
3) buy a new house outright, and pay utilities up for a year
4) put half of what is left into a savings account
5) invest a small percentage in a Roth Ira

Response by CWO2 Shelby DuBois made Oct 21 at 2014 3:04 PM

CWO2 Shelby DuBois — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 15:04:32 -0400

Open a string of "0 Clubs", "SNCO Clubs" and "EClubs" outside bases with 'All Hands Clubs" just because that's the way it should be, with them being loud, louder and loudest..in that order.

Response by SGT Justin Holmberg made Oct 22 at 2014 10:58 AM

SGT Justin Holmberg — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 10:58:55 -0400

My uncle won 29 million in the powerball back in 2001. And he's doing what everyone else would do if they won... pay off all bills, buy a big house, buy a dodge viper, buy many many new toys every year, travel the world, give money to family (Christmas and birthdays are always fun for me lol), invest in different companies. He also bought 1.5 million in gold when it was less than $300 an ounce and he also invested in Apple before they got crazy big.

One bad thing about winning the lottery is the 'curse of the lottery'. A lot of people will get into trouble, die, or lose their money after winning the lottery. Like my aunt (my uncles X wife). He gave her 3 million before they divorced and back in 2004 she got drunk and killed 2 people and permanently injured another person from the waist down in a car accident. She put up 250k in bail and ran on it, so they kept it, put up another 500k in bail and ran on it, so they kept it, then put up 1 million in bail and ran, and they kept that too. She waisted 1.75 million in bail. Before she won the lottery she was doing really really well. She was a surgical nurse at HCMC and had a great career. She did 5 years in prison for vehicular homicide. She's doing better now but only had 200k when she got out after all the lawsuits and stuff. She will never be a nurse again, which sucks because she was a really good nurse.

Another plus side of my uncle winning is that I'm the only person in our family that still talks to him. He has no kids and doesn't want to get married. Guess who's in the will.... lol ;)

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2014 8:55 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 20:55:36 -0400

I would invest a good portion of it in real estate and build a nicer house a riding track around the property and have a shooting range.

Response by PO2 Donna McIntosh made Jun 17 at 2015 9:47 PM

PO2 Donna McIntosh — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 21:47:29 -0400

first, I would give a lot to the USO, and other veteran organizations. then pay off my house and other debts, open up art/crafts store/bookstore where you could come in and paint, or knit or
whatever..

Response by SN Jennifer M. made Aug 23 at 2015 5:24 PM

SN Jennifer M. — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 17:24:06 -0400

Travel

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2015 2:47 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 14:47:52 -0500

Real simple.
1. Pay off what little debt we have
2. Set my nieces up(we have no kids)
3. If I won the "big one" ie: 200mil plus. I would take 10mil and start and non profit specifically for homeless/vets in need. No strings attached, and I would not have a 6 digit "paycheck" for running it.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2015 9:13 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 09:13:13 -0500

Conquer the world!!! wait ... I need more money than the lottery ...