Atlanta Reports Mega Million is $103 Million, What Would You Do with All that Money?

AP reports thru the WJZ TV newswire that the Atlanta multi-state lottery purse is up to $103 million. I suppose you have to play to win. I don't play, so I won't win, but I wondered, if I did play, and won just what would I do with all that money?

First off, I think that would put me in a slightly higher tax bracket. Say, from 27% to 75%? Let's give the government some slack, and say they only slightly more than half of the $103 million. I'll say that would leave me with $50 million.

What does one do with fifty million?

I suppose I'd have to quit my job. Since I work for myself, it would be hard to peeve anyone off about me winning the lottery, because there would be no one in the office besides me. I would probably relocate to Maine, and get rid of my home in Baltmore. I'd sell it at a price to move it fast, as I'd be in a hurry to get to Maine and figure out what to do with my winnings.

First I'd probably do 33/34/33 split. I figure 33% to cover my family, 34% for charities and to "give back" and 33% FOR ME.

33% FAMILY !

I would consider best friends as family, and take care of all those in my immediate circle of best friends and family members who have taken care of me over the years. I'd do an OPRAH and buy them energy efficient cars, or pay off their houses, or buy them new houses if they prefer. I'd make sure to give them enough money so their kids could go to college or so they would take family vacations for the rest of their life. I would buy my best friend Don a house on a lake, complete with an art studio and a live in nurse for his folks, as I'm sure he would want them close. My Aunt and Uncle would never have to work again. My parents would be in the Betty Ford Clinic and I could finally sigh with relief. My dogs would get a good grooming, the cat would get fluffed up, my stepkids would get houses and cars and paid off child support accounts and I would be happy. Then trust funds set up for when they turn 30 (or else they will spend it like water) and then I'd be on to figuring out what else I would do with all that money.

34% CHARITY !

I believe in giving back. I think this part of spending the money would be the best. There are so many needy people and causes outside your family and friends circle, ranging from charities you believe in to the homeless you don't know. I would do ample research on different organizations and then choose wisely so that my monies would be well received and applied to a good cause. You have to watch some organizations that spend 77% of every dollar sending out promotional materials. I also think it's important to look outside the box, and not to stick only to causes in the USA, but worldwide--so many problems exist.

After those donations, I would then go to a homeless shelter and hand out free clothing, money, and buy a hotel out for a month to put the folks in. I would hire a vocational counselor to work with them to teach the survivors job skills and get them enrolled into a work program. I would essentially give them a second chance at life.

After that, I would open a shelter for animals and purchase a farm and pay people to take care of the animals.

I would even for fun send people I don't know money in the mail and sign the letters "Yes, there is a Santa Claus." I would make sure that I could do this for the rest of my life, especially around the holidays. Maybe even set up a "send a note to Santa" website and send the gifts to the kids who give addresses.

33% TO ME?

I would put money aside in case anyone gets greedy or needs more money. Not to mention set aside enough for the rest of my life for upkeep of the animal shelter. This set aside, I would then pay off all my bills, and invest some in the bank for future use and payment of house bills.

I would then stay in my very same cabin, on my very same lake, looking out my very same window, writing my very same stories. Only this time, I'd probably publish other people as well as myself, and create a foundation for writers in my area. Perhaps give the opportunity for someone else to write.

Since my husband hates the cold winters in Maine, I'd probably buy him an island somewhere warm and send him there while I write my next book.

Trading in my car for a more efficient model, I would think about getting a new haircut and maybe taking a trip out west one day. I would love to someday splurge on a boob job, but who wouldn't? I would have to visit the places I wanted to visit before I die, so in the USA I'd make my husband go on a month long road trip when he returns from his warm island, provided he hasn't run off with a bikini babe. Soon after a trip to New Zealand and Cotswold, England would soon ensue but since I hate flying I'd have to hire a private plane just until my overseas travel was finished. I would then go to Italy to visit my family, quickly returning when I find out I can't speak their dialect, and that with gargonzola in hand, that would be the end of my travel.

Other than that, I suppose the big winnings and rewards would mostly benefit everyone else in my life except me, as I'm happy with where I'm at and who I am. I think the best thing about the big win, would be the smile it brings to everyone else's face when I share it with them--perhaps it is better to give than to receive.

You can't take it with you when you go, so why not give it away while you still can?