...is a fantasy I often have - doesn't everyone?! And I've been having it a bit this week because the NZ lotto has jackpotted to its biggest ever amount - wow! Just imagine all that dosh!!! Of course, I'd have to actually buy a ticket to be in with a chance and that's not something I usually do... this week might be an exception tho ;)
But the really interesting thing my hubby and I have been pondering is which charitable organisations we'd contribute to and how we'd go about it. We're like minded in thinking that when you have too much money (and I think there is such a thing as too much), you have to give it away. Actually, I think you have to give a bit away anyway - even if there isn't 'enough'!
But I guess if you had a certain amount, it'd be easy just to make regular contributions to a few charities/organisations of your choice... but what if you have SERIOUS dosh - like, way, way, waaaaay too much money - like so many zeros in the line I can't work out if its millions or billions...
Then I reckon the 'giving it away' thing would be quite hard - do you make like Bill & Melinda Gates and have your own foundation?! How much fun would that be? But it'd be a full time job and how do you decide who to say no to? Or start up your own philanthropic empire like the awesome Paul Newman??? Apparently JK Rowling spends a huge chunk of time working out what to give and to whom...
One thing I feel really strongly about is literacy (surprise, surprise!) - but not 'cos I want all the kids in the world to grow up and buy/read my books (altho, that would be fab) but because I think that reading is such a pleasure and a comfort and way of growing in life - learning thru reading, living in another's shoes thru reading, simply laughing thu reading... you're never 'alone' when you love reading...
...so some kind of literacy programme for sure would benefit from my imaginary millions... but then for kids to learn to read they need to have had breakfast before school - and a half decent one at that, and they need warm homes and clean clothes and loving environments... and parents who aren't sick or hurting them or each other or themselves... and there are too many awful illnesses to mention that we need to find cures for... and then there's the arts and cultural endeavours that enrich all our lives...
hmmm.... its so easy to decide in what ways we'd spend millions on ourselves... in what ways would you spend millions on others??
4 comments:
Hi,
Thanks for all the information. Even I think playing lottery is not only a hobby but it is also a fantasy as it increases our economical status. It also makes us independent. The only thing we have to do is follow the Lotto strategies that makes us winners.
Natalie,
What a wonderful thought provoking post. It's quite simply mind boggling to imagine being so wealthy and as to what I'd do with the money? Well, first off I have to admit I'd buy a wagon load of Dom Perignon and invite all my friends and family over. I've only ever had this champagne once but I've never forgotten how the bubbles felt on my tongue.
Obviously my dream come true would involve being in a position to donate millions upon millions to the research fund that you know grips my heart and I'd die of happiness if it brought forth a cure faster.
After that I'd spend it on as many child related charities I could find. Then I'd donate to the sick, the lonely, the elderly, the poor, the hungry, the deprived, the abused, the ignored, the needy, the single parents struggling, the...OMG, I'd just have to give everyone something. Including organisations to promote reading, writing, the arts, the sports clubs....endless just doesn't cover the possibilities.
Oh, and clearly I'd buy myself a huge country cottage where the staff would be wonderful yet unattractive! (Scorpio here and I do jealousy spectacularly).
You have made me realise how fortunate I am today and for that I thank you. I may never have a lot of money but my kids are loved, fed, tended to. What more does a woman really want???
Aideen.
Aideen - a big 'yes' to all your list (laughing about the 'ugly' servants!) - its impossible isn't it? How do you decide what to do? Aside from your research fund which I totally understand of course... and on reflection I guess there are many out there for whom the decision would be easy...
Ah well, we didn't win last night - but nor did anyone else so it jackpots again... another week of fantasy ;)
All those zeroes are definitely mind-boggling. On a slightly smaller scale, my husband and I have dreamed of having enough money one day to start a mini-foundation to help seminarians with families as they complete their graduate work. We got married right before my husband started seminary and financially it was soooo tough--I'd love to just give someone in a similar situation a blank cheque, as it were! And I totally agree with you--you need to give money away even when there isn't 'enough'--otherwise there never will be!
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