Lottery

If you won the Powerball or Mega Millions, how would you spend it?

No, for real, though.

I’m not greedy. I’m sure my material quality of life would improve some, but I wouldn’t go bankrupt blowing it all.

(Yes, I realize how funny that is. Why do you think I chose it?)

There have been some jackpots over $1 billion!

Since this is my fantasy and there is absolutely nothing at all wrong with fantasies since we all have them (you hear me?), that’s the number I’m going with.

Now don’t hold me to the following numbers; this is just a little thought experiment to show you a little bit where my head is at.

Of that $1B, maybe something like:

• $500M for taxes; pay unto Caesar that which is Caesar's
• $250M into a charitable trust foundation; proceeds distributed annually to:
• grants for community projects that will have the greatest impact to improve lives, especially the most disadvantaged 
• grants for people who make the greatest difference in other people's lives, especially the most disadvantaged
• $170M for a family trust fund
• pay modestly for a long time to each member
• allow for low-cost education, mortgage, etc loans for the family
• allow for venture growth opportunities
• $50M for my long-term personal investments
• $25M for immediate debt relief of my family and friends
• $5M for myself
• Tesla
• Goldwing
• slightly bigger house with solar panels, rain catchment system, large garden and greenhouse, small home theater, etc

Again, this is purely hypothetical and I would need to consult with a team of financial planners and advisors and accountants before deciding anything. But honestly, I wouldn’t want the burden of hoarding all that cash for personal use.

Money is worth absolutely nothing except what we do with it. It's only value is that which we assign, which we create.  If what it does is cause stress, then it has a negative value.  If you create joy and improve lives and can extend that for generations, then you have put it to good use.

This also reminds me of The Parable of the Bags of Gold (Matthew 25:14-30).  I don't read this literally, but there is a very real symbolic message here.

I wonder how others would invest.