# You win the lottery. Which of these activities do you most enjoy? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 18, 2016, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-win-the-lottery-which-of-these-activities-do-you-most-enjoy/752568 "2016-04-18T16:40:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Pai325](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Pai325](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pai325)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2016, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-win-the-lottery-which-of-these-activities-do-you-most-enjoy/752568/21 "2016-04-18T19:15:48Z")
2, 1, 4, then the rest all rank together for me because they are nothing I would do. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2016, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-win-the-lottery-which-of-these-activities-do-you-most-enjoy/752568/22 "2016-04-18T19:23:09Z")
1 and 6. As for 2 I would obviously take care of my kids and help my family on a case by case basis but many lottery winners give away their money and become poor again. Not me. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2016, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-win-the-lottery-which-of-these-activities-do-you-most-enjoy/752568/23 "2016-04-18T19:24:17Z")
1,2,4. 7 would have been awesome with my last boss, but now I have a good one. I would retire, give personal gifts ($14k per year) to my immediate family and set up a small donor directed charity foundation to give money away. It would not have my name and my business cards would not list me as CEO or President or anything like that. The other day I was thinking how funny it would be to name it **The Illuminatus Foundation**. Especially when I’d probably be targetting food banks, non-profit health and mental health orgs, Medicine Sans Frontiers, etc. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2016, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-win-the-lottery-which-of-these-activities-do-you-most-enjoy/752568/24 "2016-04-18T20:01:24Z")
1. Paying off all your current debts and setting yourself up for lifelong financial security. 2. Giving gifts to loved ones (which can include paying off THEIR debts as well as giving them cash, buying them houses, etc). 3. Making anonymous donations to worthy charities. 4. Going off the grid completely. ---
**Author:** ![TheChileanBlob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thechileanblob/32/435_2.png) [@TheChileanBlob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheChileanBlob)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2016, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-win-the-lottery-which-of-these-activities-do-you-most-enjoy/752568/25 "2016-04-18T20:18:08Z")
> [@](#): > > 1. Paying off all your current debts and setting yourself up for lifelong financial security. > 2. Giving gifts to loved ones (which can include paying off THEIR debts as well as giving them cash, buying them houses, etc). > 3. Making public donations to worthy charities. > 4. Making anonymous donations to worthy charities. > 5. Allowing non-worthy charities to solicit you for donations just so you can tell them to fuck off. > 6. Blowing large sums on hookers and blow. Or champagne and caviar. Or vintage cars & comic books. The point is to spend money on stupid crap. > 7. Telling your boss to eat shit and die. 1,2, a certain amount of 6, 3=4 (I never thought about anonymous vs public giving. I wouldn’t hold a press conference, but it wouldn’t have occurred to me to make a special effort to be secretive either. I’d just mail them a check.) I doubt I’d do 5. I like my boss so I wouldn’t tell her to fuck off, but quitting my job would be part of #1. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2016, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-win-the-lottery-which-of-these-activities-do-you-most-enjoy/752568/26 "2016-04-18T20:23:11Z")
7 is the utmost and is miles beyond the others. After that would be 1. Anything else isn’t even a thought. Why, yes, I’m a selfish SOB. ---
**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:** [April 18, 2016, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-win-the-lottery-which-of-these-activities-do-you-most-enjoy/752568/27 "2016-04-18T21:51:45Z")
Option 1 first. No one in the family is in need of financial support, yet. Should my niece or nephew require expensive schooling I will be delighted to fund it. Charities? Any charity or person that approaches me will get blacklisted; I’ll donate on my own initiative, be it public or anonymous. Good food and good wine? You bet! No boss at the moment, so that’s not relevant. So: 1, 2, 6, and 3-5. ---
**Author:** ![Crazy\_Canuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazy_canuck/32/5282_2.png) [@Crazy\_Canuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazy_Canuck)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2016, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-win-the-lottery-which-of-these-activities-do-you-most-enjoy/752568/28 "2016-04-18T22:26:55Z")
This is actually pretty easy. 1. Blowing large sums on hookers and blow. There is no step 2. In the past I would have dropped a deuce on my bosses desk first, but I’m fairly happy with my boss right now. I did some quick math and figured I would need 80.6 years to go through 100 million, given current local prices for high-quality cocaine and prostitutes and accounting for inflation. Challenge accepted. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2016, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-win-the-lottery-which-of-these-activities-do-you-most-enjoy/752568/29 "2016-04-18T22:39:44Z")
1, 2, 6, 3, 4, 5, 7. Although I might modify one of the top two into “Paying off all a loved one’s current debts and setting them up for lifelong financial security.” Then, of course, I’m buying myself a space tourist ticket. Or three. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2016, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-win-the-lottery-which-of-these-activities-do-you-most-enjoy/752568/30 "2016-04-18T22:43:23Z")
Old Number Seven is the only one that applies to me. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2016, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-win-the-lottery-which-of-these-activities-do-you-most-enjoy/752568/31 "2016-04-18T23:32:23Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > And your point is…? _shrug_ Your OPd specified “in a state requiring that winners accept their fortune publicly; thus everybody and his brother is gonna know.” I was pointing out that, even in such a state, everybody and his brother need not know. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2016, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-win-the-lottery-which-of-these-activities-do-you-most-enjoy/752568/32 "2016-04-19T00:28:40Z")
1 - probably not the most fun but the real reason I want the money 7 - I actually quit my job 6 weeks ago but I’d love to be able to afford to rub it in their face 6 - it certainly wouldn’t be hookers and blow but spending money would be fun 2-5 - I have set amounts I’m giving to friends, family and charity I’m not looking forward to it and generally am doing it to keep people off my back. I am not looking forward to spending the rest of my life telling people to fuck off so all of these are have to that I’m not excited for. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2016, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-win-the-lottery-which-of-these-activities-do-you-most-enjoy/752568/33 "2016-04-19T01:03:19Z")
1, 2, 3 and some travel (6). I have no debts, am retired and fairly secure, although I would always travel first class. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2016, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-win-the-lottery-which-of-these-activities-do-you-most-enjoy/752568/34 "2016-04-19T01:13:22Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Take it that you’ve a life-altering sum – say $100 million – in a state requiring that winners accept their fortune publicly; thus everybody and his brother is gonna know. It seems to me that this will allow you to engage in any or all of about seven different categories of activity: 1. Paying off all your current debts and setting yourself up for lifelong financial security. (This includes huge trust for my son.) 2. Giving gifts to loved ones (which can include paying off THEIR debts as well as giving them cash, buying them houses, etc). 3. Making anonymous donations to worthy charities. 4. Allowing non-worthy charities to solicit you for donations just so you can tell them to fuck off. 5. Making public donations to worthy charities. 6. Telling your boss to eat shit and die. (Not sure this really applies, but I have a past boss I would have enjoyed doing this to.) 7. Blowing large sums on hookers and blow. Or champagne and caviar. Or vintage cars & comic books. The point is to spend money on stupid crap. (Not sure I’d do this one, but I would definitely get some new stuff I could use. My car is 22 years old. I’d love to have one with more safety features.) ---
**Author:** ![Arcite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/67e7ee/32.png) [@Arcite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arcite)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2016, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-win-the-lottery-which-of-these-activities-do-you-most-enjoy/752568/35 "2016-04-19T01:21:49Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Take it that you’ve a life-altering sum – say $100 million – in a state requiring that winners accept their fortune publicly; thus everybody and his brother is gonna know. It seems to me that this will allow you to engage in any or all of about seven different categories of activity: > > 1. Paying off all your current debts and setting yourself up for lifelong financial security. > 2. Giving gifts to loved ones (which can include paying off THEIR debts as well as giving them cash, buying them houses, etc). > 3. Making public donations to worthy charities. > 4. Making anonymous donations to worthy charities. > 5. Allowing non-worthy charities to solicit you for donations just so you can tell them to fuck off. > 6. Blowing large sums on hookers and blow. Or champagne and caviar. Or vintage cars & comic books. The point is to spend money on stupid crap. > 7. Telling your boss to eat shit and die. > > Rank those categories from most to least enjoyable. 1, 7, 2, 4, 3, 5, 6 Though I’m taking #6 literally–stupid, over-the-top crap. Doesn’t seem to me you’ve allowed for spending money on “nice things” that many would not consider to rise to the level of “blowing money on hookers and blow”: e.g., a vacation cottage on a lake, a boat, a nice but not over-the-top luxury car, etc. If such things can be subsumed under #6, then it moves up to 2nd place. ---
**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:** [April 19, 2016, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-win-the-lottery-which-of-these-activities-do-you-most-enjoy/752568/36 "2016-04-19T02:23:49Z")
1 for sure - I underestimated when I basically retired. Not terribly much but to be able to readjust my comfort level would give me a lot of joy. 4 and 5 are basically tied for second place. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2016, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-win-the-lottery-which-of-these-activities-do-you-most-enjoy/752568/37 "2016-04-19T03:20:33Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Take it that you’ve a life-altering sum – say $100 million – in a state requiring that winners accept their fortune publicly; thus everybody and his brother is gonna know. > Rank those categories from most to least enjoyable. 1, 2, 4, bleen\*, 6, 3, 5, (7) (\*bleen: the previously undiscovered integer between 6 and 7, per George Carlin) 7 is parenthetical since I have no problem with my current bosses but in general I have realized that once I’m that fiscally secure, what do I care, it would be beneath me. I could just walk away. I might however (bleen): fund a podcast/blogsite/PAC dedicated exclusively to trolling all those people and factions in all fields of human endeavour that I diagnose with figurative fecal impaction. The unworthy charities rank at the bottom because however satisfying to tell them off, having to listen to their pitch will annoy me greatly after a while. ---
**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:** [April 20, 2016, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-win-the-lottery-which-of-these-activities-do-you-most-enjoy/752568/38 "2016-04-20T01:42:06Z")
I don’t have any debt or a job so that leaves those out. I would probably enjoy giving gifts to my loved ones the most, and especially paying off my brother’s and my roommate’s houses. I’d have fun shopping for me too, I’m sure. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to have real Converse tennies instead of the knock-offs. That’s my hookers and blow. Tennies and witty tees. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2016, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-win-the-lottery-which-of-these-activities-do-you-most-enjoy/752568/39 "2016-04-20T02:43:22Z")
Actually, they’re pretty much already in the right order. Maybe I’d swap 5 and 6, and perhaps 7 would go up higher if I reinterpret it to “Never work again” as I have no animosity. I don’t want to reject unworthy charities as such, but I’d love to be able to go through crowdfunding sites and choosing the highest level of perks for the projects I like and think deserve a boost. I’d want to be a philanthropist as much as was realistically possible. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-win-the-lottery-which-of-these-activities-do-you-most-enjoy/752568.md?page=1)