What would you do if you had $1 billion?

[Anonymous]

I'd piss off my friends and family by almost immediately giving away $999 million. It would go to existing churches and charities that already have programs. No need to set up another organization.

Keeping a million would double what we have now. I'm fairly certain that keeping more than that or taking much time to think about it would be bad for me and result in worse decisions.

[Anonymous]

Ocean front house in Fenwick Island and 20 million invested in dividend stocks

The rest given away to family, friends and co workers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would begin by buy a small declining, underpopulated town and resettle it with ex-military and ex-fed (people who have pension coming in). Start some organic farming and small industries (bread making, soups, health farm) - and let the vets run it. Other infrastructure would naturally come about. I would also restore the degraded land around it and make it a self-sustaining and cute place. People would come for weekend of fishing, food, entertainment etc.

Then I would repeat this again and again. Just restore and remodel.

Interesting idea... but why ex-military? Would they be good at running organic farms?

Army discipline and ability to work in a chain of command for common good. Also, they do have pensions and VA benefits coming in and so they are not without some means and ability to be consumers fueling the local economy.. Many of them are able bodied and miss the camaraderie of the military - and will thrive if they are in the civilian world with mostly ex-military people. It is a different mindset and code of conduct.

I am just giving the example of organic farm, but essentially some kind of industry based in nature that is useful, legal, makes money and provides employment and is good for the environment. Also provides vets with a place to call home and settle down in such communities. Best of all, it revitalizes the small towns and provides low COL areas for our retirees or vets who have left the military.

If we have such kind of set up in several nearby towns, maybe VA can set up infrastructure to serve these members in one central area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And I don't want to hear your weird ass investment ideas—not the place to pitch your theory on bonds or whatever.

Besides the variety of houses I'd buy, I'd also buy a really nice private rail car. Something like one of those super fancy RVs, but with a garage that I can have a car in, or maybe room for staff to travel with me.

Obviously, if you need to go from LA to NYC, it's absurd to take Amtrak—expensive, uncomfortable and slow... but if I was a billionaire the cost of a private rail car would not be cheap, but would be cheaper than a private jet, it would be as comfortable as I want and who cares if it's slow—I'm rich, people can wait for me.

Upgrade our family travels (first class, maybe private jet, 5 star hotels, etc), set up grandkids college funds, and trusts for our kids (they wouldn't inherit until later - need to he decent, productive citizens first), then set up a foundation to give most of it away to those organizations and causes I find important. No one can spend that much in a lifetime.

[Anonymous]

I would set up scholarships for kids to go to private dyslexia schools. And in places where there aren’t any, I would help fund their establishment.

[Anonymous]

- Set up organizations to help boys be more prepared for the world.

- Donate to politicians who have backbones

- Get a better car than my basic Toyota

- Travel more

[Anonymous]

Set up my family comfortably, give a few sad coworkers the ability to retire
Support some wildlife charities. Maybe buy a few thousand acres someplace for permanent non development

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m torn. Our only child graduates in four years. Do we stay put, get out financial ducks in a row, and allow her to graduate with her friends? Or do we just pull the rug out from under her now and relocate?

We for sure would eventually move to a warmer climate. We’d quit our jobs and live a simple life near the water, enjoying a peaceful life. I think I’d also enjoy a second home somewhere out west, so we’d take some time to explore those options and pick a location. Maybe something in the Caribbean, too.

We’d cruise a lot, staying only in suites, taking only the best excursions. We’d stay at expensive and exotic resorts. Fly private. It all sounds so simple but to us would feel so luxurious.

Travel. That’s what I’d do with a billion dollars.

You'd go on a cruise if you had a $1b. Why not buy a yacht?

Touché! I’m so out of touch with how much money that is, the thought of a yacht hadn’t even crossed my mind!

Still, doubtful I’d buy one, but I’d charter one most definitely!

Buying and maintaining a yacht is an example of how lottery winners blow their winnings. Even a billion will go fast if you spend it too lavishly.

[Anonymous]

Pay off my debts, pay my children's debts, pay taxes honestly, fix my house, buy a car that is for my own use, buy good health insurance , quit working and enjoy life by myself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m torn. Our only child graduates in four years. Do we stay put, get out financial ducks in a row, and allow her to graduate with her friends? Or do we just pull the rug out from under her now and relocate?

We for sure would eventually move to a warmer climate. We’d quit our jobs and live a simple life near the water, enjoying a peaceful life. I think I’d also enjoy a second home somewhere out west, so we’d take some time to explore those options and pick a location. Maybe something in the Caribbean, too.

We’d cruise a lot, staying only in suites, taking only the best excursions. We’d stay at expensive and exotic resorts. Fly private. It all sounds so simple but to us would feel so luxurious.

Travel. That’s what I’d do with a billion dollars.

You'd go on a cruise if you had a $1b. Why not buy a yacht?

Touché! I’m so out of touch with how much money that is, the thought of a yacht hadn’t even crossed my mind!

Still, doubtful I’d buy one, but I’d charter one most definitely!

Buying and maintaining a yacht is an example of how lottery winners blow their winnings. Even a billion will go fast if you spend it too lavishly.

Not sure you understand the scale here. After the initial outlay of $10 million, you easily have enough for 30 years or so of yachting at $2 million/year for expenses.

https://theluxuryplaybook.com/costs-and-expenses-of-yacht-maintenance-and-operation/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And I don't want to hear your weird ass investment ideas—not the place to pitch your theory on bonds or whatever.

Besides the variety of houses I'd buy, I'd also buy a really nice private rail car. Something like one of those super fancy RVs, but with a garage that I can have a car in, or maybe room for staff to travel with me.

Obviously, if you need to go from LA to NYC, it's absurd to take Amtrak—expensive, uncomfortable and slow... but if I was a billionaire the cost of a private rail car would not be cheap, but would be cheaper than a private jet, it would be as comfortable as I want and who cares if it's slow—I'm rich, people can wait for me.

Pop in a guest room? I would love to try that.

After getting as much of my families debt in check as I can and setting all the kids up with trusts…hmmm. since I rent id wrap up this housing situation. Probably lose most of my belongings- put a few things in storage. Set up a small place in this zip so we can stay steady with school.

Maybe we’d go on a couple of hot air, balloon tours and ponder what’s next?

Going to dream on this a bit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ocean front house in Fenwick Island and 20 million invested in dividend stocks

The rest given away to family, friends and co workers

Fenwick? So boring.

[Anonymous]

I've had the same idea that a PP posted of seeding local newspapers. That would be my foundation.

Honestly, I don't want a billion dollars. I'd buy a new house, peel off about $20m to invest for college/retirement/LTC/etc, give similar amounts to close friends and family, create modest trusts for my kids, and then give the rest away in support of causes I believe in.

[Anonymous]

Get out if the USA. Obtain property and citizenship in Britain. Do the same for my family. Set up trust that gives each of my family the maximum allowable gift every year to fund education or retirement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And I don't want to hear your weird ass investment ideas—not the place to pitch your theory on bonds or whatever.

Besides the variety of houses I'd buy, I'd also buy a really nice private rail car. Something like one of those super fancy RVs, but with a garage that I can have a car in, or maybe room for staff to travel with me.

Obviously, if you need to go from LA to NYC, it's absurd to take Amtrak—expensive, uncomfortable and slow... but if I was a billionaire the cost of a private rail car would not be cheap, but would be cheaper than a private jet, it would be as comfortable as I want and who cares if it's slow—I'm rich, people can wait for me.

One billion USD is really not much nowadays. It takes multiples to pull off what you silly geese are describing...but keep dreaming big!