$100 Million Got Us Thinking

We came right out of the box talking about what we would do with a $100 million. Trisha first gave a nod to taxes and figured the $50 Million left would be enough to design and build a house, adopt a few kids, and start a non-profit.

Marti said she’d buy lots of land with starry skies.

Joe didn’t think he could dream quiet that high.
When he did he finally said he would buy a machine to count the money so he didn’t have to count it himself.
Then he would hire two lawyers to watch each other and a third to watch the accountant.
Then he would hire someone to fire the two lawyers and accountant and hire replacements

Andrew would get out of debt to law school, build a dream house, and give a chunk to charities and church.

Char would pay the taxes, give family gifts, knock down her house and build a new one, donate to her favorite causes, set up a non-profit for children, and continue to work.

Robert would build a planned community in a beautiful forested areas for missionaries when they’re home on leave.

Renée had conflicting thoughts about hiring an investment consultant.

Rick had obviously thought about it before.
1. Get a lawyer.
2. Get another lawyer.
3. Get a good accountant.
4. Set up a couple of corporations to work through.
5. Give Habitat for Humanity an anonymous donation.
6. Never tell anyone.
7. Keep working.
8. Pay any debts.
And go from there – but not in that order.
Oh, and never go to strip clubs with half a million in the back seat of my car.

Vincent would pay Sylvester Stallone not to make any more Rocky sequels; start a trust for respite care and education of kids with disabilities; make sure his familiy owned their homes and safe cars; and invest.

bj would put away a bit (not much, enough for a nice country cottage) and use the rest for a foundation that offers yearly prizes for the best manufacturable and marketable alternative energy gizmo, gadget or other tool.

Becky said community development would be her thing with a vineyard and winery as part of the plan for the “destination” store.

MamaDuck wants to set it up in investments so that she was living on the income from the invested money. She figured there would be enough of the interest to allow for charitable pursuits and such too. She’d leave the main balance (minus taxes) intact for her children…..

Two Knives would fulfill her fantasy of owning a trinket shop on the beach. She’d sell soft drinks and get to know the locals. Open late and close early. Since it’s so much money, she might even buy U.S.-made trinkets.

Francie would work and share. She’d give some to charity, some to family and friends first. She’d set up a non-profit for them. Then maybe she would fund some scholarships.

Meikah Delid thinks like Rick.
If I had $100M, I’d do the following:
1. pay off debts
2. give sums to those who badly need it, esp. ill people
3. trust fund for the kids
4. buy a rest house by the beach or lake
5. travel around the world
6. save the rest and live as if I don’t have lots of cash (is this possible?)

Ben would still work, but as an angel investor helping successful entrepreneurs get funding.

Tim Johnson is going for world peace, curing disease, feeding and sheltering homeless people, and a Harley.

Nnenka would start a school that offers a holistic education for children and parents.

GP would invest and buy land in her dear Montana to build an equestrian center, and expand that B&B with more room for us to visit.

Minic would pay off anyone who is feeling like an owner, keep a little and give the rest to us all.

David Leggett would donate the $100 Million to Compassion International, a foundation that needs support to care for children, and he might buy some photography equipment..

Here are the links we shared

• May It Please the Court
• What Would You Do With A Billion Dollars?
• Compassion International
• Gifter

Thanks to everyone for the cool links and for being part of the conversation. Bring more links next week and we’ll post them again.

Oh and me? If I had $100 Milion?

I’m on a cruise ship city where there are condos and stores and every morning I wask to a different city. I get off the ship to visit lands I’ve never seen and converse with the people who live there. Sometimes we dock in a port for a week or two. I can sleep in my own bed and still enjoy the native culture.

Sometimes we stay only for day trips.

I work via wi-fi as the ship travels.

You’re welcome to join me.

See you next Tuesday? We sure hope so.

–ME “Liz” Strauss and Sandy Renshaw
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