# You come into a huge fortune. What frivious thing do you buy? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 12, 2010, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-come-into-a-huge-fortune-what-frivious-thing-do-you-buy/546440 "2010-07-12T20:20:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-come-into-a-huge-fortune-what-frivious-thing-do-you-buy/546440/1 "2010-07-12T20:20:08Z")
Let’s define _huge fortune_ as being over $100 million. Define _frivolous_ however suits you. All that matters is your own opinion. How you acquire the money is irrelevant. Maybe you win the lottery; maybe Bill Gates declares you his heir for some strange reason and then gets chokes on a chicken wing; maybe you save Saudi Arabia from destruction at the hands of a band of Crusaders and a grateful prince signs over his fortune. However it happens, what utterly frivolous thing would you be likely to waste some of your money on? Me, I’ve always wanted a [garden maze](http://www.gallagherstravels.com/States/VA/AerialViewGardenMaze.jpg). I don’t especially want a mansion or palatial estate, but I suppose I’d need them to justify the maze. ---
**Author:** ![Ian\_D.Bergkamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Ian\_D.Bergkamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ian_D.Bergkamp)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-come-into-a-huge-fortune-what-frivious-thing-do-you-buy/546440/2 "2010-07-12T20:39:29Z")
I’d get a moat that doubles as a “lazy river”-type ride around my property, complete with waterfalls and faux ruins. I might also have to hire someone to keep it clear of snakes and other pests, though. ---
**Author:** ![Palo\_Verde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-come-into-a-huge-fortune-what-frivious-thing-do-you-buy/546440/3 "2010-07-12T20:42:50Z")
A full time professional masseuse to rub my feet at a moment’s notice. ---
**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:** [July 12, 2010, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-come-into-a-huge-fortune-what-frivious-thing-do-you-buy/546440/4 "2010-07-12T20:54:23Z")
I want a really nice new car with a kick-ass stereo. That’s about as frivolous as I get. Although a garden maze with a waterfall sounds pretty sweet too! ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-come-into-a-huge-fortune-what-frivious-thing-do-you-buy/546440/5 "2010-07-12T20:58:55Z")
> [@Rushgeekgirl](#): > > I want a really nice new car with a kick-ass stereo. That’s about as frivolous as I get. Although a garden maze with a waterfall sounds pretty sweet too! Even if I become a zillionnaire, I’ll stay in Shelby Country, Rgg, so if you see a piece on News Channel 3 about some idiot building a house with those, just come on by! ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-come-into-a-huge-fortune-what-frivious-thing-do-you-buy/546440/6 "2010-07-12T21:02:16Z")
A safari trip to Tanzania, but this time staying in the $500-a-night lodges instead of at campgrounds. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-come-into-a-huge-fortune-what-frivious-thing-do-you-buy/546440/7 "2010-07-12T21:06:29Z")
I don’t need a huge house, it would be a liability. I just want some land to play on. But I’d love to have an attached, two story greenhouse, like some of those older British houses. On mine, I’d be able to walk out from the basement into the thing, which would extend to the roof. Upper floor windows would open into it without screens, so people could lean out and scope it out. I’d put a hot tub/spa in it both as a heat sink for the Minnesota winters, and as a generally cool place to hang out in a hot tub. With the height, I could have some short trees in it, of the sort that wouldn’t grow in this climate zone. Then I’d put an 8 foot tall, chain link fence around a larger chunk (half an acre, perhaps) of the yard with some hawk netting over the top as a sort of 3-season greenhouse and outdoor playpen for my cats, who could go from the house to the greenhouse year round, and out into the enclosed yard about 7-8 months of the year. Then I’d just lay out in the middle of it and giggle myself to sleep in sheer joy. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-come-into-a-huge-fortune-what-frivious-thing-do-you-buy/546440/8 "2010-07-12T21:11:43Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > I don’t need a huge house, it would be a liability. I just want some land to play on. > > But I’d love to have an attached, two story greenhouse, like some of those older British houses. On mine, I’d be able to walk out from the basement into the thing, which would extend to the roof. Upper floor windows would open into it without screens, so people could lean out and scope it out. I’d put a hot tub/spa in it both as a heat sink for the Minnesota winters, and as a generally cool place to hang out in a hot tub. With the height, I could have some short trees in it, of the sort that wouldn’t grow in this climate zone. > > Then I’d put an 8 foot tall, chain link fence around a larger chunk (half an acre, perhaps) of the yard with some hawk netting over the top as a sort of 3-season greenhouse and outdoor playpen for my cats, who could go from the house to the greenhouse year round, and out into the enclosed yard about 7-8 months of the year. > > Then I’d just lay out in the middle of it and giggle myself to sleep in sheer joy. I’m with much of your design, but why a chain link fence? I’ve never seen one that wasn’t ugly, and if you were a zillionaire, you could get a nice stone fece of similar height, no? I don’t mean that as a criticism; I’m wondering if you’re thinking of something I have not. ---
**Author:** ![anya\_marie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@anya\_marie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anya_marie)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-come-into-a-huge-fortune-what-frivious-thing-do-you-buy/546440/9 "2010-07-12T21:16:14Z")
I’d buy awesome jewelry: a diamond tiara, rings, necklaces and a big safe to keep it in. And a Ferrari. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-come-into-a-huge-fortune-what-frivious-thing-do-you-buy/546440/10 "2010-07-12T21:16:38Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > I’m with much of your design, but why a chain link fence? I’ve never seen one that wasn’t ugly, and if you were a zillionaire, you could get a nice stone fece of similar height, no? > > I don’t mean that as a criticism; I’m wondering if you’re thinking of something I have not. The kitties have to be able to look out from it to watch the rest of the world. If I could find something else that served a similar function and looked better, I’d be all over it. ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-come-into-a-huge-fortune-what-frivious-thing-do-you-buy/546440/11 "2010-07-12T21:18:53Z")
> [@I'm Not Dennis Bergkamp](#): > > I’d get a moat that doubles as a “lazy river”-type ride around my property, complete with waterfalls and faux ruins. I might also have to hire someone to keep it clear of snakes and other pests, though. But half the fun of having a moat is to have snakes and alligators that shoot lazer-guided bees out of their mouths. ---
**Author:** ![Audrey\_Levins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Audrey\_Levins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Audrey_Levins)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-come-into-a-huge-fortune-what-frivious-thing-do-you-buy/546440/12 "2010-07-12T21:29:01Z")
I would either buy or build my own skating rink. Just for me. And I would put my own playlist on my own absurdly advanced sound system, and I would skate away to my heart’s content. I should mention that roller skating is the only form of physical exercise I’ve ever truly loved, and if I won that much money, I would obviously have to do what I can to avoid getting horribly lazy and fat. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-come-into-a-huge-fortune-what-frivious-thing-do-you-buy/546440/13 "2010-07-12T21:31:49Z")
A heated and air-conditioned indoor arena and a riding coach. As it is, I don’t even have central heat and air in my house, let alone a big empty building to riding in a couple hours per day. StG ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-come-into-a-huge-fortune-what-frivious-thing-do-you-buy/546440/14 "2010-07-12T21:31:57Z")
I’d have sex with two chicks at once. I would got nuts in B&H. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-come-into-a-huge-fortune-what-frivious-thing-do-you-buy/546440/15 "2010-07-12T21:39:07Z")
First editions of all 12 Heinlein juveniles, in as close to mint condition as possible. Then a set in readable condition for every day use. ---
**Author:** ![Belrix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed655f/32.png) [@Belrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belrix)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-come-into-a-huge-fortune-what-frivious-thing-do-you-buy/546440/16 "2010-07-12T21:46:46Z")
House stuck on the side of a mountain with a view… and a housekeeper to keep it clean. I’d probably blow a decent chunk on a couple nice vehicles. Mercedes SL550, BMW M5, Jeep Rubicon Unlimited (or maybe the Toyota FJ), something big with 3 rows of seats for family travel & towing (Nissan Armada?). Then the motorcycles: Honda ST1300 or maybe a Goldwing, and maybe a Can Am Spyder RT to go along with my cruiser. ---
**Author:** ![BobArrgh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobarrgh/32/2881_2.png) [@BobArrgh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobArrgh)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-come-into-a-huge-fortune-what-frivious-thing-do-you-buy/546440/17 "2010-07-12T21:52:55Z")
I’d buy a tropical island for my very own. It would have to have a house, and I would have to be able to have high-speed Internet. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-come-into-a-huge-fortune-what-frivious-thing-do-you-buy/546440/18 "2010-07-12T21:55:23Z")
I’d get a Segway. All the rest I’d get probably wouldn’t fall too much into the frivolous category, like a new house and a horse or two. ---
**Author:** ![Enuma\_Elish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5e9695/32.png) [@Enuma\_Elish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enuma_Elish)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-come-into-a-huge-fortune-what-frivious-thing-do-you-buy/546440/19 "2010-07-12T21:59:29Z")
My own gymnasium where I can shoot baskets or run laps or just lay around on the thick gym mats anytime day or night. ---
**Author:** ![Al\_Bundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@Al\_Bundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al_Bundy)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-come-into-a-huge-fortune-what-frivious-thing-do-you-buy/546440/20 "2010-07-12T22:06:36Z")
My wants and needs for material things are very minimal. I might buy a digital SLR, a color laser printer, or an old car that is restored. Aside from that, I’d seek to keep the wealth hidden and look for ways to give it away. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-come-into-a-huge-fortune-what-frivious-thing-do-you-buy/546440.md?page=2)