What would you do if you won the lottery?

[Gorn Captain]

Buy a big patch of land, open an animal sanctuary, and take care of critters that need help.
That would give me all the satisfaction I need.

[Duncan]

First, I'd hire a lawyer, an accountant and a financial advisor. I'd probably set up a trust and some shell companies to minimize taxes and pass wealth on to future generations. I'd invest a large chunk conservatively (US gov't & safe corp bonds, plus S&P index funds), and maybe speculate with a small amount. However, I'd also want a house in the Caribbean (maybe St Barth's), one in the Adirondacks, one in Ireland or Scotland, and maybe a farm & bunker in northern Michigan. If I had enough to do all of that, I'd also write checks to my extended family and maybe some coworkers.

[jwyblejr]

I'd buy a big farm. Just not really into anything too fancy. Except maybe a tractor.

[Captain Big Trousers]

Start a secure investment fund that I could live comfortably from.

Buy as many houses as possible with whatever's left over, including a beach house for myself.

Lease a Tesla. Buy beach buggy.

[Werewolf]

I'd share it with my parents and I'd get a Ms. Pacman arcade cabinet. Maybe even make a little retro arcade room.

[Hedji]

LOL. I admire your determination, but I think I prefer watching grindhouse cinema in the comfort and cleanliness of my old home. No raincoat required. Have you seen the 42nd street Memories documentary? Yecch.

[cjefferys]

I think I'd also like to buy myself my own drive-in movie theatre. And have them show nothing but old school movies, (nothing past the 80s)

Great idea! If I won a crazy amount of money, I'd buy one of the theaters on 42nd St in NYC and turn it back into a grindhouse. Take that Disney!

For example, a couple weeks ago I walked by this ex-grindhouse and it made me sad. I'd buy it, kick out Cirque du Soleil, and have the place running exploitation films like it used to. I'd bring back it's old marquee too.

[Hedji]

^Thats a great one! Could I come park my lottery-won Batmobile at your lottery-won drive-in?

[HardyGirl]

I think I'd also like to buy myself my own drive-in movie theatre. And have them show nothing but old school movies, (nothing past the 80s)

[MRP]

Hmmm let's see. As others have said do my due diligence, my wife is a banker so I would follow her lead, but contact lawyers and financial planners to make sure we set aside an annuity or trust to make sure we have a steady income for the rest of our lives and not have to worry about finances in our retirement.

Then find a nice lot in the country (my wife's preference) and have a house custom built for us (one level to avoid stairs as knees, hips, and feet start to become an issue as we grow older-for her as well as me). Gaming room (for our tabletop gaming), library, comics display room, toy room, viewing room (movies & tv), study, art studio & craft room. Lots of pet friendly rooms for our current and future cats and dogs.

Allow my wife to retire from banking and focus on her creative pursuits-art, crafts, etc-she has done some art and coloring for a few local comic self-publishers and had some interest form game publishers when I was doing freelance writing for the gaming industry, but never had the time to fully pursue it because of her job.

Start a small business focusing on buying, selling collectibles, toys, games, comics etc. and travel doing shows/cons and making buying trips. We've talked about doing this as a retirement activity when we wouldn't be dependent on the business' success for making ends meet anyways, so would make this a reality anyways. Probably add a studio/publishing wing under the umbrella to make our own comics, art prints, prose works, rpg & board games, etc. as we wanted.

Take care of family, helping them pay off/pay down debt, get homes, cars what have you so they are in better positions to be able to live stress free and pursue careers/retirements they want.

One of the other pipe dreams we talked about is starting a social club/gaming-hobby store combo for geek culture, kind of a like a Moose Club/fill-in-the-blank -American Club you see in cities and towns all over America, but where fans of geek culture can gather and socialize, play games (everything form D&D, Magic, classic board games, cards, what have you), eat, drink, etc. and have a little storefront in there where members can buy their comics, toys, games, etc. at a discount with membership as well as frequent the place for socializing, playing games, meeting people etc. with people who share common interests.

Essentially do things to put ourselves in a position where we are comfortable, able to do the things we enjoy, keep ourselves busy pursuing the things we enjoy while maintaining some income despite the lottery winnings, and have the opportunity to meet and mingle with like-minded people who share our interests and passions.

-M

[cjefferys]

First, I would have a tough decision to make: give around half my winnings to the IRS, or stay in Canada, keep all the money and never return to the US ever again. Then I would disappear for awhile like you are supposed to do (hint, I'd likely hang out a few months with my in-laws in Japan). When I come back, I'd sell our house, buy a bigger, nicer one in the same town (some nice place by the lake) with cash, and start a business I'm interested in (just for something to do to keep busy).

[JediJaida]

First of all, I'd faint. It's kind of a given.

After that, I'd make sure all relevant taxes were paid. Then resign from my job and move to someplace where the weather is better, like maybe Florida or Georgia.

As for a house? I'd get myself a nice three bedroom house, with at least two and a half bathrooms, if not more. I'd dedicate one room to sewing, customizing, keep one for myself, and the other could be a guest room.

[Boy_Wonder_1978]

^^ Relic, I like the way you think. I'd certainly do something like that myself. Like you say... Just because you could.

[Relic]

If I ever won lots of money in the lottery I would be in trouble really fast. I would buy a brand new Corvette and take a baseball bat to it right in the showroom. Totally destroy the car just because I could.

[Brown Bear]

I'd have everyone here post their dream mego figure and play Santa Claus to you guys