# Thought experiment: What if you had a billion dollars? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 19, 2019, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thought-experiment-what-if-you-had-a-billion-dollars/835761 "2019-06-19T18:03:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thought-experiment-what-if-you-had-a-billion-dollars/835761/41 "2019-06-20T14:38:50Z")
I have modest requirements, no debt and live in a country with UHC so my needs are small. I’d give £500k to each of my close family (enough to make a huge difference, hopefully not enough to be catastrophic) I’d buy a ski apartment in the alps and a slightly bigger house where I am now. Say £600k in total for that. A nice car but nothing hugely flash, say £40k for that. I’d set £10 million aside for investment, contingencies and perhaps an income and that would be it. With the rest I’d set up an charitable fund that invested and support good causes. That would employ myself and a few like-minded people to manage it. That’d pay me a modest salary and keep me busy and my spare time would be a quiet home life and holiday travel. I think it is true that a billion would be too much for me, that’s why I’d give 98% of it away. I don’t need it and don’t really want it. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thought-experiment-what-if-you-had-a-billion-dollars/835761/42 "2019-06-20T14:43:46Z")
That should be enough money to [buy and manage a little ranch to call my own.](https://www.sothebysrealty.com/eng/sales/detail/180-l-3806-3cssve/molokai-ranch-maunaloa-hi-96770) ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thought-experiment-what-if-you-had-a-billion-dollars/835761/43 "2019-06-20T15:05:12Z")
> [@Limmin](#): > > Conclusion: I really don’t want a billion dollars. I’ll take yours. There are over 2100 billionaires in the world, another 1 isn’t going to warp reality. If it happens to me I’ll get by somehow, I’m sure. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thought-experiment-what-if-you-had-a-billion-dollars/835761/44 "2019-06-20T15:53:36Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I’d give a quarter to charity, then get to work on spending the remaining $999,999,999.75. Totally stealing this. Uh, the joke, not the money. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thought-experiment-what-if-you-had-a-billion-dollars/835761/45 "2019-06-20T16:38:03Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Mostly cocaine and hookers probably. It took until Post 32 for someone to mention it? Clearly I’ve had way too little time for the SDMB lately. 😃 Something that was a goal back in my college days (I did a lot of various substances) was to buy the Open Pantry convenience stores and remove all the “r’s”. That would still be something I would consider even though the chain itself is basically defunct. The world, or at least my vision of it, still needs a chain of adult-centered one-stop-ripoff-centers. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thought-experiment-what-if-you-had-a-billion-dollars/835761/46 "2019-06-20T16:47:43Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > It took until Post 32 for someone to mention it? Clearly I’ve had way too little time for the SDMB lately. 😃 > > Something that was a goal back in my college days (I did a lot of various substances) was to buy the Open Pantry convenience stores and remove all the “r’s”. That would still be something I would consider even though the chain itself is basically defunct. The world, or at least my vision of it, still needs a chain of adult-centered one-stop-ripoff-centers. “Plaid Panty” is still an option, y’know. ---
**Author:** ![Limmin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f04885/32.png) [@Limmin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Limmin)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thought-experiment-what-if-you-had-a-billion-dollars/835761/47 "2019-06-20T16:48:43Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > That should be enough money to [buy and manage a little ranch to call my own.](https://www.sothebysrealty.com/eng/sales/detail/180-l-3806-3cssve/molokai-ranch-maunaloa-hi-96770) You could get 4 of those… > [@Telemark](#): > > I’ll take yours. > > There are over 2100 billionaires in the world, another 1 isn’t going to warp reality. If it happens to me I’ll get by somehow, I’m sure. Would you rather it happen to you, or not? I’m not reading a full commitment either way…😉 > [@Red\_Wiggler](#): > > Totally stealing this. Uh, the joke, not the money. LOL ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thought-experiment-what-if-you-had-a-billion-dollars/835761/48 "2019-06-20T16:50:33Z")
> [@Limmin](#): > > You could get 4 of those… Not if I want to keep it running. I’m factoring in management costs. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thought-experiment-what-if-you-had-a-billion-dollars/835761/49 "2019-06-20T17:54:04Z")
> [@Limmin](#): > > Would you rather it happen to you, or not? Hell yes. I would make it work for me and do good for the world. My world would change, but for the better. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thought-experiment-what-if-you-had-a-billion-dollars/835761/50 "2019-06-20T17:57:26Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > If I had a billion the first thing I would do is consult with the best nursing home in town, and set aside enough money, plus 10%, so that when the time comes I would be well taken care of. I would set up similar funds for my immediate family. I would buy the best nursing home in town, which would ensure a lot better experience for me than just having the money prepaid. If the manager knows they will be out on their ass if someone screws up, I’ll be sure to have a good experience. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thought-experiment-what-if-you-had-a-billion-dollars/835761/51 "2019-06-20T18:12:22Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > I would buy the best nursing home in town, which would ensure a lot better experience for me than just having the money prepaid. If the manager knows they will be out on their ass if someone screws up, I’ll be sure to have a good experience. You need to make some provision in case you go senile. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thought-experiment-what-if-you-had-a-billion-dollars/835761/52 "2019-06-20T18:14:30Z")
I would establish a research commission to study and eventually implement a program of reparations for discriminatory policies and practices by the US government aimed at a single majority-black small town or neighborhood, to be tracked as a long-term experiment about the viability and results of a reparations program. ---
**Author:** ![neutro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc8723/32.png) [@neutro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutro)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thought-experiment-what-if-you-had-a-billion-dollars/835761/53 "2019-06-20T20:51:44Z")
It’s funny because when I read a lot of the answers people come up with I still feel like they really aren’t understanding how this money will change them and those around them. For example someone mentioned gifting their family members 500k quid or something. Well what happens when they come back for the second 500k? You still have a billion dollars because you didn’t even give away one years interest (you can easily spend $40M a year with a billion indefinitely). So when they come back to the well do you say no? Why? 500k is literally nothing to you? What if they get mad and the family starts to disown you because you are being an “asshole” or whatever? Remember, again 500 is nothing to you at that point. Or do you have the family who keeps begging talk to your “people” who will “take care of it” for you? The handlers will start to appear and shield you. Most people don’t have the exposure to this kind of money to see how much this is going to change their life and most importantly their thinking. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thought-experiment-what-if-you-had-a-billion-dollars/835761/54 "2019-06-20T20:53:09Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > You need to make some provision in case you go senile. You mean when I go senile. I was assuming a conservator. And you’d know I was senile when I started spending my money on hookers and blow. ---
**Author:** ![neutro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc8723/32.png) [@neutro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutro)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thought-experiment-what-if-you-had-a-billion-dollars/835761/55 "2019-06-20T20:53:48Z")
Ok here’s my challenge on this thought experiment. You’ve thought about what you would do immediately with the money. Now consider, what will it be like in 10 years? Consider now you’ve lived for 10 years as a billionaire. How would you change? How would that change what you do with the money? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thought-experiment-what-if-you-had-a-billion-dollars/835761/56 "2019-06-20T21:05:04Z")
I’d still be managing the ranch. ---
**Author:** ![neutro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc8723/32.png) [@neutro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutro)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thought-experiment-what-if-you-had-a-billion-dollars/835761/57 "2019-06-20T21:15:47Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I’d still be managing the ranch. Ok. Try to imagine how running the ranch for 10 years might change you. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thought-experiment-what-if-you-had-a-billion-dollars/835761/58 "2019-06-20T21:19:05Z")
First I would do everything to make sure that I and everybody I care about was healthy and secure. Then I would try to make that circle of people bigger in a sustainable way. I would also eat hot dogs for every single meal and banish anybody who dared question me. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thought-experiment-what-if-you-had-a-billion-dollars/835761/59 "2019-06-20T21:37:00Z")
> [@neutro](#): > > Ok. Try to imagine how running the ranch for 10 years might change you. I would be a lot happier than I am now, making it my job to ensure that others have a grand time. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thought-experiment-what-if-you-had-a-billion-dollars/835761/60 "2019-06-20T21:52:25Z")
> [@neutro](#): > > It’s funny because when I read a lot of the answers people come up with I still feel like they really aren’t understanding how this money will change them and those around them. > > For example someone mentioned gifting their family members 500k quid or something. > > Well what happens when they come back for the second 500k? You still have a billion dollars because you didn’t even give away one years interest (you can easily spend $40M a year with a billion indefinitely). That was me, and the two points you are missing are that a) My close family are not like that b) I would purposefully not retain the ability to give them a second 500k and they would know that. It can be hard to understand that some people aren’t motivated by money but hey…I’m not, my family is not. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thought-experiment-what-if-you-had-a-billion-dollars/835761.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thought-experiment-what-if-you-had-a-billion-dollars/835761.md?page=4)