# Lottery winner What-If, but new angle **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 19, 2018, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lottery-winner-what-if-but-new-angle/809094 "2018-02-19T02:01:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lottery-winner-what-if-but-new-angle/809094/1 "2018-02-19T02:01:30Z")
Say you’re 25, young family, you win a hundred million in the lottery. * * * What would be your life goals? How would you raise your children?\*\*\* (Presuming you have already dealt with the question of “What would you do with it?” and “How would it change your immediate life”) ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lottery-winner-what-if-but-new-angle/809094/2 "2018-02-19T02:12:48Z")
My own answer: I think my life goals would be to prolong my healthy life as long as possible. I wouldn’t want to die at 50 of pizza-clogged arteries or crashing my private plane i n Antarctica. I’d discipline myself to a sensible diet and healthy regimen of light exercise and avoid the risk of misadventures. That might be easier to say than do, but I hope I could do it. I think the value of the wealth would be the security, not the luxury. The child-raising part is more problematic. That’s a decision you only get to make once, and it has to be the right one. I think I might just settle in a comfortable middle-class community, pretend to have a job I can do at home or maybe a small inheritance, and not even tell the kids (or neighbors) we are rich. ---
**Author:** ![ASGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@ASGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lottery-winner-what-if-but-new-angle/809094/3 "2018-02-19T02:31:04Z")
I’m not going to respond to the child raising inquiry. But what I _would_ do is take the payments spread out over whatever period the lottery authority provides; 25 or 26 years. By doing so you have taken care of your family if you die the next year. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lottery-winner-what-if-but-new-angle/809094/4 "2018-02-19T02:32:14Z")
Life goals: Do whatever I felt like doing whenever. How would I raise kids: Don’t have any. But might consider having some if I get bored of the above. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lottery-winner-what-if-but-new-angle/809094/5 "2018-02-19T02:40:52Z")
Our kid is nearly 22 years old. I have a spending plan for my eventual jackpot win, which includes creating a one-million dollar fund to cover her future educational needs. Life goals would be pretty much what they’ve always been: to stop worrying about working to obtain the money I wish to spend, and other than that, just wing it. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lottery-winner-what-if-but-new-angle/809094/6 "2018-02-19T15:13:31Z")
That level of money is enough to last generations if stewarded but you’re not going to get _that_ large a net return on it - 1% or 2% after taxes and fees and inflation and everything else. That gives you a million-pound income. Still, it’s important to teach the children how to manage that wealth, but also guard them from excesses. How to do it? I don’t know. Maybe if I win the £140M lottery jackpot tomorrow I’ll find out. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lottery-winner-what-if-but-new-angle/809094/7 "2018-02-19T16:26:24Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > Say you’re 25, At 25 I had no children. One hundred million won in the lottery, my first expense would be a vasectomy. After that I’d get to work in an attempt to die broke. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lottery-winner-what-if-but-new-angle/809094/8 "2018-02-19T16:56:28Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > At 25 I had no children. One hundred million won in the lottery, my first expense would be a vasectomy. After that I’d get to work in an attempt to die broke. I like the way you talk. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lottery-winner-what-if-but-new-angle/809094/9 "2018-02-19T20:07:19Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > Life goals: Do whatever I felt like doing whenever. > > How would I raise kids: Don’t have any. But might consider having some if I get bored of the above. > [@kayaker](#): > > At 25 I had no children. One hundred million won in the lottery, my first expense would be a vasectomy. After that I’d get to work in an attempt to die broke. The hypothetical asks what you would do if you were 25 _with a young family_, not single or childless. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lottery-winner-what-if-but-new-angle/809094/10 "2018-02-20T00:50:22Z")
As a 30-year old, I am not far off from the OP’s hypothetical. So if I won the lottery today, or if I won it 5 years ago when 25: Do what I can to make the money last as many generations as possible. I would get myself as much education in finance as possible. Learn everything about annuities, bonds, stocks, investing, banking, etc. Tithe, get family retired, etc. Then also eat as absolutely healthy a diet as possible. Get LASIK, exercise, buy lots of houses in growing urban areas and get ready to flip them for a profit a decade or two from now. Go on a few cruises, vacations, etc. But mainly back to Financial 101: Educate myself furiously about all that finance stuff. (Which I could, technically, do right now on my income right now but I haven’t got the motivation to do so, not before or unless actually winning something big) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lottery-winner-what-if-but-new-angle/809094/11 "2018-02-20T14:14:54Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > Say you’re 25, young family, you win a hundred million in the lottery. > > * * * > > What would be your life goals? How would you raise your children?\*\*\* > > (Presuming you have already dealt with the question of “What would you do with it?” and “How would it change your immediate life”) Not much of a hypothetical: [20-year-old man wins $450M](http://www.businessinsider.com/mega-millions-lottery-winner-is-a-20-year-old-florida-man-2018-1) He took the $281M lump sum payment; after taxes, he’ll end up with about $160M. > [@Shane Missler](#): > > “I’m only 20, but I hope to use it to pursue a variety of passions, help my family and do some good for humanity,” Missler said. > … > “Although I’m young I’ve had a crash course this week in financial management and I feel so fortunate to have this incredible wealth and team behind me. I intend to take care of my family, have some fun along the way and cement a path for financial success so that I can leave a legacy far into the future,” Missler said. So for now, he seems to have his head screwed on straight. He doesn’t have a young family yet, but I imagine he probably will soon, and then he will be the embodiment of your hypothetical. Check in with him in five years to see how he’s doing. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lottery-winner-what-if-but-new-angle/809094/12 "2018-02-20T14:28:03Z")
> [@Doug\_K](#): > > The hypothetical asks what you would do if you were 25 _with a young family_, not single or childless. I’ve got a hundred million dollars; I’m sure I can convince the OP to modify the hypothetical.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lottery-winner-what-if-but-new-angle/809094/13 "2018-02-20T16:32:15Z")
Buy a bunch of crap, go on a bunch of crappy vacays. Then, I would finance my self right into the White-house and fix this shit. Kids tag along. White-house would be fun, talk about living history! ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lottery-winner-what-if-but-new-angle/809094/14 "2018-02-20T16:40:52Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Then, I would finance my self right into the White-house and fix this shit. I think you’ll need a lot more money than $100M. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lottery-winner-what-if-but-new-angle/809094/15 "2018-02-20T16:45:42Z")
If I were 25 with a young family, I would do the same thing as I would today. [ul][li]Tithe[/li][li]Pay off all my debts[/li][li]If I didn’t have a house, I would buy a nice enough house in a nice enough neighborhood. Not a huge expensive one, and not in a ritzy neighborhood. Upper middle class, not upper class.[/li][li]Invest most of it.[/ul]I would not quit my job - children need to see that grown ups work. I’ll pay for college for them, and I will spoil my grandchildren rotten, but they are not to think that they have it made for life. [/li] Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lottery-winner-what-if-but-new-angle/809094/16 "2018-02-20T16:51:34Z")
It’s not how much money you have; it’s how rich you are. You can be filthy rich while having a zero or negative amount of money. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lottery-winner-what-if-but-new-angle/809094/17 "2018-02-20T16:54:56Z")
How do you do that? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lottery-winner-what-if-but-new-angle/809094/18 "2018-02-20T16:58:48Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > I think you’ll need a lot more money than $100M. IDK Didn’t Trump do it for about $10 million? ( I may have heard wrong) ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lottery-winner-what-if-but-new-angle/809094/19 "2018-02-20T17:36:25Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > I would not quit my job - children need to see that grown ups work. Well, you could always wake up at 7 am, shower and dress, grab your briefcase, kiss the kids goodbye, then head to the park/bar/library/zoo/wherever.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lottery-winner-what-if-but-new-angle/809094/20 "2018-02-20T17:41:43Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > I think my life goals would be to prolong my healthy life as long as possible. I wouldn’t want to die at 50 of pizza-clogged arteries or crashing my private plane i n Antarctica. I’d discipline myself to a sensible diet and healthy regimen of light exercise and avoid the risk of misadventures. This is a good idea, but do you do it now? It doesn’t take $100m to eat well and exercise. Having the money might make it easier (hiring a personal chef and trainer certainly make it easier to eat well and exercise) or it might make it harder (steak and champagne every day!). Probably, it doesn’t make much of a difference. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lottery-winner-what-if-but-new-angle/809094.md?page=2)