# You've just won 10 million dollars - do you share? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 17, 2010, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-just-won-10-million-dollars-do-you-share/564522 "2010-12-17T16:48:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-just-won-10-million-dollars-do-you-share/564522/21 "2010-12-17T18:51:59Z")
I don’t think the lifestyle changes that much money would bring would actually improve the lives of me and my family. We tend to be a pretty happy lot. I wouldn’t tell anyone I won. I’d pay off my student loans and set aside 100k for family emergencies. The rest would go to an organization that sends girls in Cameroon to school. School fees are about $40.00 a year. You could get quite a few girls through school that way. ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-just-won-10-million-dollars-do-you-share/564522/22 "2010-12-17T19:15:24Z")
> [@Tranquilis](#): > > I consider lotteries to be a tax on people whom are bad at math. What about people whom are bad at who/whom? > [@even\_sven](#): > > I don’t think the lifestyle changes that much money would bring would actually improve the lives of me and my family. We tend to be a pretty happy lot. > > I wouldn’t tell anyone I won. I’d pay off my student loans and set aside 100k for family emergencies. > > The rest would go to an organization that sends girls in Cameroon to school. School fees are about $40.00 a year. You could get quite a few girls through school that way. For that money, you could just make your own school. It might be an even better investment, $-per-girl-wise. ---
**Author:** ![Hedda\_Rosa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hedda_rosa/32/1204_2.png) [@Hedda\_Rosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hedda_Rosa)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-just-won-10-million-dollars-do-you-share/564522/23 "2010-12-17T19:25:35Z")
Yes, I’d set up a trust fund to pay for schooling for all my neices and nephews. Then a second trust for everyone in my generation and for my parents, grandparents and in-laws to pay transportation costs, and a third trust that would pay housing payments. All would be capped at some generous limit. I wouldn’t gift anyone money outright but isntead try to cover the big things so they can keep more of whever they earn. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-just-won-10-million-dollars-do-you-share/564522/24 "2010-12-17T19:26:25Z")
Yes, I would share to such an extent that there would be relatively little left for me. It would all go to my family; mostly to my sister and her children and their children. Some would go to my estranged son and some would go elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-just-won-10-million-dollars-do-you-share/564522/25 "2010-12-17T19:35:39Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > For that money, you could just make your own school. It might be an even better investment, $-per-girl-wise. Well, ideally I’d support a program that enhances the government education program rather than poaching from it. It’s a little problematic when aid starts providing basic services that the government really ought to be providing. What I would consider doing is building boarding facilities for girls in some schools. Many students who live in far-flung villages move to larger cities to attend school, and often live alone from a shockingly young age. I’ve known ten year olds who were living on their own, preparing their own food, etc. Many parents, not surprisingly, are reluctant to allow their pubescent girls to live on their own in a strange city with nobody to watch them or protect them. Anyway…that’s my big plan. Anyone want to buy me a lottery ticket? ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-just-won-10-million-dollars-do-you-share/564522/26 "2010-12-17T19:38:24Z")
I’d set aside one million for gifts and two million to accrue safe, reliable interest. The other seven is for capital projects for my own benefit (although some of them could earn more money, too). ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-just-won-10-million-dollars-do-you-share/564522/27 "2010-12-17T19:44:08Z")
One million in long term, retirement investment. Half million each to my father and four siblings. One million to get out of debt and assorted fun stuff. I’d spend the rest on buying and maintaining a Veyron. You must have the obligatory very silly car. ---
**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:** [December 17, 2010, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-just-won-10-million-dollars-do-you-share/564522/28 "2010-12-17T20:16:31Z")
Nope, I wouldn’t give anyone a cent. $10 mil earning 5% interest should set me up to make around 200K a year after taxes. I’d use that to make my life enjoyable,throw parties, give presents and help out my friends but the principle is all staying in relatively safe interest bearing accounts with me. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-just-won-10-million-dollars-do-you-share/564522/29 "2010-12-17T20:27:05Z")
Definitely, some of it. My parents get a little chunk, maybe my sister, and a downpayment wedding present for my best friend. The rest gets invested. ---
**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:** [December 17, 2010, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-just-won-10-million-dollars-do-you-share/564522/30 "2010-12-17T20:31:33Z")
I’d share with my brother and my daughter, plus we’d send enough to Mexico to help out the village my Mig came from. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-just-won-10-million-dollars-do-you-share/564522/31 "2010-12-17T21:07:53Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > I’m assuming Canadian lottery rules; The 10 million is given to you in a lump sum, entirely tax free. You would only pay taxes on the income you earn from interest or capital gains. _shrug_ Don’t live there, don’t know the rules there. Even so, my general plans wouldn’t change - just more money to play with. Excepting the exchange rate still knocks it on the head a bit. > [@](#): > > could be worse - it could be a tax on people whom are bad at grammar. Or those whom can’t capitalize. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-just-won-10-million-dollars-do-you-share/564522/32 "2010-12-17T21:09:13Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > What about people whom are bad at who/whom? You get 10% of my words as tax revenue. May your newfound wealth take you far. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Mrs.Cake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@Mrs.Cake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrs.Cake)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-just-won-10-million-dollars-do-you-share/564522/33 "2010-12-17T21:24:11Z")
25% of found money goes to our designated charitable causes, regardless of amount or source. Of the rest, $50k a piece to each of my 4 siblings as a one-time gift, $300k split between my 13 nieces & nephews, and $1M put in a trust aimed at bringing in 5% interest & dividends annually to provide additional funds for my parents for the rest of their lives. That leaves $6M. $5M is invested to provide funds for my husband and I to to live off, and the last $1M is to play a bit, pay off debt, and possibly start a small business to entertain ourselves. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-just-won-10-million-dollars-do-you-share/564522/34 "2010-12-17T22:00:24Z")
> [@Tranquilis](#): > > Excepting the exchange rate still knocks it on the head a bit. Not too bad - $9,873,000 US at today’s exchange rate. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-just-won-10-million-dollars-do-you-share/564522/35 "2010-12-17T22:12:53Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > $50,00 to **Bearflag70**. Hey, that’s me! I’ll keep looking in my mail. Thanks! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-just-won-10-million-dollars-do-you-share/564522/36 "2010-12-17T22:16:16Z")
Nursing home expenses and upgrades for Dad. Better yet, home care with full-time staff. College tuition, room and board for relatives and the children of close friends. The rest, I pocket. ---
**Author:** ![Pai325](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Pai325](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pai325)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-just-won-10-million-dollars-do-you-share/564522/37 "2010-12-17T22:16:54Z")
Yes. Some to church, some to school, lots to family, some to random people I see doing good deeds, some to the animal shelter … It’s more than I need to live a good life, so why not share? ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-just-won-10-million-dollars-do-you-share/564522/38 "2010-12-17T22:16:56Z")
I’d make sure my parents are shored up, and give a reasonable contribution to my church (probably about $20K–this would make me the top donor this year). Beyond that, not especially. I’ve never asked a friend for a non-trivial loan in my life–and haven’t asked for even a trivial loan for 17 years. I have an uncle who could probably stand to have his debts cleared off, but that’s probably it–and I might not do that if it turns out he’s really f’ed up. ---
**Author:** ![RedWood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f08c70/32.png) [@RedWood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedWood)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-just-won-10-million-dollars-do-you-share/564522/39 "2010-12-17T22:23:05Z")
One million to Mom, one also to Sis, one to pay off mortgage/repair house and replace our car, one to travel and play with… the rest to investments so I need never worry about Social Security supporting me. I’d keep my job, I like it… but I’d go to The College Of My Dreams, and I would not tell anyone I did not have to about my newfound wealth. Charitable contributions (anonymous of course!) would come out of travel and play money. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-just-won-10-million-dollars-do-you-share/564522/40 "2010-12-17T22:33:45Z")
$100K to the March of Dimes GREAT presents for my family for the forseeable future [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-just-won-10-million-dollars-do-you-share/564522.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-just-won-10-million-dollars-do-you-share/564522.md?page=3)