# What "Poor" Things Do You Think You'd Do If You Won The Lotto? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 29, 2010, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-poor-things-do-you-think-youd-do-if-you-won-the-lotto/558828 "2010-10-29T22:40:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![multimediac17](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/839c29/32.png) [@multimediac17](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/multimediac17)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-poor-things-do-you-think-youd-do-if-you-won-the-lotto/558828/41 "2010-10-31T07:21:38Z")
I wouldn’t buy fancy cars because I can’t drive but I would get a chaffeur service or whatever, I can’t see myself using public transport if I didn’t need to. I’d still go out to all the crap bars and clubs I go to now (or at least their equivalent in a new city, I would move out of Brisbane). I’d buy nice clothes for important events but everyday wear I can see staying basically the same. And I would totally still eat “poor” food, like takeaway chips and microwave meals and all sorts of nasty shit - I genuinely enjoy eating stuff like that. I probably wouldn’t eat it as often as I do now, but there would still be a healthy amount of grossness on my daily menu. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-poor-things-do-you-think-youd-do-if-you-won-the-lotto/558828/42 "2010-10-31T12:23:05Z")
I’d still make soup every time I roast a chicken. I’d still want to drive a Prius, but that’s more a “middle class” thing. I’d also buy a small RV, which my Mother considers to be hopelessly declasse. But really, I can’t think of a better way to travel with a little one. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-poor-things-do-you-think-youd-do-if-you-won-the-lotto/558828/43 "2010-10-31T15:20:15Z")
I would still go to the library. But I would give the library a lot of money. ---
**Author:** ![gwendee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@gwendee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gwendee)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-poor-things-do-you-think-youd-do-if-you-won-the-lotto/558828/44 "2010-10-31T15:48:08Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > I would still go to the library. But I would give the library a lot of money. Oh, I’d do that too. I didn’t think of that as a “poo” thing, though. I’m pretty sure I’d still shop sales and use coupons. I’d still fly coach for domestic flights, and unless the hotel was the destination, stay in cheap hotel rooms (not fleabags, but if all I’m doing is sleeping there I don’t need a sitting room or a jacuzzi tub.) ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-poor-things-do-you-think-youd-do-if-you-won-the-lotto/558828/45 "2010-10-31T16:10:24Z")
I would still use public transportation. Quickest cheapest way to get from Queens to Manhattan, and I can always cab it home after a nice dinner and a bottle of wine. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-poor-things-do-you-think-youd-do-if-you-won-the-lotto/558828/46 "2010-10-31T17:27:30Z")
> [@gwendee](#): > > Oh, I’d do that too. I didn’t think of that as a “poo” thing, though. Remind me not to visit your library 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-poor-things-do-you-think-youd-do-if-you-won-the-lotto/558828/47 "2010-10-31T17:32:01Z")
I’d still go to thrift stores, more for the environment than my wallet. I’d still take stuff I want from the curbside garbage cans on pickup day. Ditto on the environment. I’d still go to the Strand bookstore and Academy Records for books and CDS. I’d still go to garage sales and flea markets. ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-poor-things-do-you-think-youd-do-if-you-won-the-lotto/558828/48 "2010-10-31T17:36:21Z")
I’d carry on working. I love my job and can’t imagine not having something to do to get me out of the house every day. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-poor-things-do-you-think-youd-do-if-you-won-the-lotto/558828/49 "2010-10-31T17:37:59Z")
I would probably lose my mind and buy until I became a huge horder…then I’d move to a bigger house and fill it up too. I worry if I ever DO come in to money. It’s unimaginable that I’d still count pennies or waste a minute clipping, saving and hunting for coupons or shop the sales like I have to do now. Maybe I’d settle down after a few years, but up front I’d buy a car because I LIKE it, not because it’s cheap. I’d buy new clothes I love instead of waiting until Walmart has a clearance sale (because Goodwill rarely has anything in my size). I’d buy the best, healthiest foods instead of starchy fillers and canned tuna or ground beef. I would go where I want when I want and buy ridiculous amounts of presents for my loved ones. While I might not have top-of-the-line best of everything, I’d buy what I WANT. And I would probably want a lot! So nothing. I’d be changed so much I’d do nothing poor. Best I just stay poor. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-poor-things-do-you-think-youd-do-if-you-won-the-lotto/558828/50 "2010-10-31T18:08:25Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > \ I can’t justify the depreciation. That’s the word I was looking for - “justify.” If I can’t justify spending more for something, I don’t see myself doing it. Just because I have more money doesn’t mean I need to _waste_ it. > [@emu2swan](#): > > \ > For a lot of people this is behavior taught to us by our parents, and it’s become a habit. I think you’re right - I think a certain amount of comfort comes from feeling like, “This is who I am, and this is what I do.” I could afford to throw everything in the dryer now, but I don’t, because my habit is to line dry most of the things I wash. > [@tumbleddown](#): > > \ I might hire someone to make things for me, therefore improving the local economy rather than buying stuff made in an overseas sweatshop by a twelve year old.\ I hadn’t thought of that angle; okay, I can justify having local people make custom things for me. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![may\_be\_ignorant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c5a1d2/32.png) [@may\_be\_ignorant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/may_be_ignorant)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-poor-things-do-you-think-youd-do-if-you-won-the-lotto/558828/51 "2010-10-31T18:39:29Z")
I’m young, and havent yet developed any frugal qualities. I’d be constantly spending. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-poor-things-do-you-think-youd-do-if-you-won-the-lotto/558828/52 "2010-10-31T19:47:00Z")
I would splurge on my hobbies. Build an observatory like I was a rich man in 1890, iow, large refractors. I would have an enormous amount of photo gear, too. But, my home would not be a mansion. Aside from work, storage, and kitchen, I can’t see needing a huge amount of space. I would still drive pick ups and midsize cars. They’d be nice, tho. I love couponing. I would still do it. Even now, we give away a lot of things we get free from combining coupons with sales. Feels good and it benefits someone. Why stop that? I would still dine in more than out. I like my own (and my wife’s) cooking. It’s fun and good for us. But, I would probably switch from 2 liter bottles to individual cans of coke. Convenience, ya know? I would still keep track of mileage. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2010, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-poor-things-do-you-think-youd-do-if-you-won-the-lotto/558828/53 "2010-11-01T00:16:59Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > I would splurge on my hobbies. \ Good lord, I mis-read this as “splurge on my boobies.” :eek: ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2010, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-poor-things-do-you-think-youd-do-if-you-won-the-lotto/558828/54 "2010-11-01T01:02:48Z")
“Poor things” I’d keep right on doing if^H^Hwhen I hit the lottery? Hmm. Well, I’m sure I’d still take the NYC subway, if probably much less often - because when you get right down to it, depending on where you’re going and at what time, it’s often the fastest way of getting there, and I know the system like the back of my hand. Similarly you’d still find me sitting at a table in a White Castle from time to time, because a few times a year I just gotta have me some of that crap and it’s usually while I’m walking by one, not driving by one. Ditto for the pizza place near my house. I’m still going to go there and sit and eat like any other person, be it as a retired pensioner, middle class wage slave or lottery winning bonus baby. That and wear my underwear and socks until it’s got rips and holes in it. That’s just 'cause I’m a lazy guy who absolutely won’t go shopping for socks or underwear until it’s very clear that if I don’t, I will be freeballing and free-footing it the very next day, or doing the inside-out trick that I swore I would never do again after graduating from college. ---
**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:** [November 1, 2010, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-poor-things-do-you-think-youd-do-if-you-won-the-lotto/558828/55 "2010-11-01T01:12:20Z")
If I were instantly rich… for any given item, I would spend double what I currently spend, which would yet be half what most other people spend, and yet still not enough to make a dent in a million dollars a year. That’s just for personal stuff, though. I would probably be tempted to start some sort of business venture, and we all know how those things can rip everything away so suddenly that you’re left with nothing but the elastic waistband from your underwear. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2010, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-poor-things-do-you-think-youd-do-if-you-won-the-lotto/558828/56 "2010-11-01T16:39:46Z")
I’d still walk places and take public transit when feasible. I don’t have to do those things now, but I still like doing them unless there’s a good reason not to. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2010, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-poor-things-do-you-think-youd-do-if-you-won-the-lotto/558828/57 "2010-11-01T18:50:23Z")
Per the OP, My eating habits would stay at the same “poor” levels since they’re not influenced by my finances anyway. I’d still live in an apartment, at least for a few more years because having a house is no big thing to me. ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2010, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-poor-things-do-you-think-youd-do-if-you-won-the-lotto/558828/58 "2010-11-02T16:46:24Z")
I would live in a relatively small house rather then a stately Home. ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2010, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-poor-things-do-you-think-youd-do-if-you-won-the-lotto/558828/59 "2010-11-02T17:01:04Z")
I wouldn’t eat at fast food places any more, but I couldn’t ever eat at five-star restaurants, either. I’d probably buy nicer clothes, but I’d still check the price tag, and I couldn’t ever spend more than X on any one item. I’d buy a nice house, but not a mansion – just a pretty, comfortable, higher-end middle-class sort of house, with a bit of land around it, for gardening and privacy. And I’d probably grow at least some of my own veggies, just 'cause. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2010, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-poor-things-do-you-think-youd-do-if-you-won-the-lotto/558828/60 "2010-11-03T14:57:57Z")
I’d still probably dress like a slob. I hate shopping for clothes, and with no job to go to (yeah, I’d quit that sucker quite soon). I’d drive a regular car. My Honda CR/V is just fine for anything I’d like to do. I don’t need a Lexus or anything else in the luxury-car realm. Agree with another poster that I’d still buy the store brand unless there was some reason the brand name was better (e.g. store brand raisin bran is yucky, Kellogg’s is better). I’d assume I’d go through the money far too quickly - and make plans to have a lifetime of income (e.g. take a chunk and purchase a separate annuity - so that at the end of the payout period I’d at least have _something_ coming in). I’d continue funding my IRA to the maximum allowed by law. I’d max out the 401(k) as long as I did continue to work (since I doubt I’d quit that sucker right away - need time to get my head wrapped around the concept, do planning etc.). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-poor-things-do-you-think-youd-do-if-you-won-the-lotto/558828.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-poor-things-do-you-think-youd-do-if-you-won-the-lotto/558828.md?page=4)