If you were rich...

[NightAngel]

I don't know why I was thinking about this but I was.

If you were suddenly rich tomorrow how much would your life change?

I would pay up my debts and buy a house. Not a big house though- I can't ever see myself in a big house. Mansions and the like are definately out of the question- bleh.

I'd donate our 2 cars to charity so someone else could reliably get to work. Yes, I'd get us 2 new cars. But I can't see buying anything that's huge, over the top, etc. Personally, I've always wanted one of those Jeep Wranglers. Don't know why- just do.

While I can certainly blend in in fine restaurants when it's required of me- I'd rather not. I'm happier in places like T.G.I. Fridays.

I also can't see myself not working at something. However, I think I'd have my own small business instead of working for someone else. I see myself as the owner of a small cafe serving various coffees and pastries- maybe some sandwiches.

Now, what I would spend tons of money on is my children's educations. No more public school!

I have a lifelong dream of going to Egypt. Valley of Kings, pyramids, etc. I'm sure I'd probably go there once anyways.

[Broomjockey]

I don't know if I'd make any large purchases. I'd pay for my schooling and housing, and probably save the rest so I would actually be able to retire when I get older, rather than have to be a working stiff until I become a real stiff.

[Blueberry]

Pay all off debts, finish university, buy an acreage and raise lots of cats and dogs.
Oh, and I'd buy my sisters a bengal kitten.
And I'd pay Bernard Callebaut to make me chocolate for the rest of my life.

[Kiwi]

I always saw a difference between being rich and being wealthy....

If I won the lotto, I would hand the money over to a financial planner and set up a monthly allowence.... no way Im touching that money for 6 months! Id need to sit down and take a long hard think over what I need versus what I want.

I would pay off all my debts (although I only have a student loan) and would most likely buy a house, to start with, but that would be it for a while. Ive watched too many shows where lotto winners end up bankrupt, or have to go back to their old crummy jobs to stop them going bankrupt.

I inheirited ALOT of money when I was 20 and Im ashamed to say that most of its gone now, I still have 10 grand sitting in the bank (and believe me its STAYING in the bank) and I have some awesome experiances to show for it, but knowing ive spent it makes me feel really really guilty and sad. That was my grandfathers money and he worked damn hard for it... I feel like in part I squanard it. My brother spent all of his in 6 months and ended up nearly 25 grand in debt.

If we had both been wise, we would both have houses now with low mortages and no debt. Recieving a large sum of money isnt always the blessing it seems to be. I dont want to rain on your parade, just playing the devils advocate. Ive been there, done that and Im terrified of it happening again.

[Rapscallion]

If I were rich...

Let's see - I'd definitely be able to spend more time working on this site. I'd also leave work and get some sort of eco-friendly power going, were I rich enough to invest in it. I'd also want to just sit down and write for fun. That's when I do my best work.

Rapscallion

[ArenaBoy]

Aside from school and other various payments I'd use my richness on these things: Travel. I've always wanted to go through Europe and Asia. Chelsea FC season tickets (I can only dream) and a house out in the country.

[draftermatt]

Pay off debts for me and my family. Buy bigger house, new cars. And invest the crap out of the rest of it.

[NightAngel]

I don't know if I'd make any large purchases.

I have kids and a dog which is why I'd buy a house. You know, a nice yard to play in- in a decent neighborhood. I can't even see myself in a rich or fancy neighborhood. Just a nice one.

I've spent some serious time teaching my oldest son how to work and save money for the things he wants. He's 15 and he works hard for his money. He paints houses, does yard work, whatever. He knows how to dig in and get his hands dirty and I'm proud of him for that. I'd still be that way with my kids if I was rich.

[powerboy]

Pay off every debt I have. Become the owner of some business', Buy a house and a few vehicles.

[Plaidman]

How rich are we talking here? I'm going to assume there's no spending limit... but I'd do this.

1: Pay off all debts.
2: Quit work, or at least make it so I only have to work once a month or something. Start perfect diet. (Vitiums, water, the food pyrymid, etc.
3: Buy home
4: Build underground lair.
5: Super computer, programmed with lots of memory in lair, plus super gym.
6: Invent super invention that can control time.
7: Freeze time: Learn as much as possible about everything, learn and find location of fountain of youth.
8: Bottle fountain of youth and go back to batc-... underground lair.
9: Make myself young again, and train my body to perfection. Also, learn more and keep on super diet. Repeat for 1000 years, while using fountian to become young again each time.
10: I now know everything possible, and have a great body to boot.
11: Break into Super secret for everyone but me mitary bases, and take armor/veliche/weapon tech. Leave large sums of money to /pay/ for it.
12: Rework and improve said technogly.
13: Unfreeze time, and move to St. Louis, Missouri.
14: Go out at night and ... talk... to the thugs there, making the place less crime like.
15: Repeat steps 13-14 in a downward order of crime cities.
16: Retire after people stop being stupid and evil with a wife and dog/cat/bird that have humorius adventures that I can write stories on.
17: After decade of retirement, come back out because I am no longer me, I am the ...talk... person.


XD: In all seriousness, I'd like to say I'd pay off my debts and invest, but in all likelyhood I'd spend it all within a month. My own house, car, licence to drive said car, go to work once a week, try to invest, and buy every freaking DnD book that comes out. Cause I'm a nerd.

[blas]

I would pay off my car, my laptop, give my landlord notice and pay for all remaining rent, bills, and all charges for after I move out. I'd walk up to my roomate and shove my half of the security deposit that I supposedly "owe" him right in his face and then I'd bid him farewell and good riddance and drive away watching him chase after the money blowing around his feet.

I'd buy my parents a new car, because they currently need a new one. Not that they can't afford it, but to pay them back for all the shit I put them through as a teenager, and because they will need a fancy new car to go with their fancy new home I'd buy them......I'd buy them a brand new Bentley to go with their mansion.

I'd buy my little brother a Ferrari and pay for all of his college and get him a nice condo in the big city where I live.

I'd donate at least 3 million dollars to the local animal shelters, make sure that every cat and dog had their OWN cage, had the best food and toys, and would do everything in my power to make sure unwanted pets were not killed.

I'd break in to every animal testing facility, steal the animals and then blow up the facilities, then find appropriate homes for the abused animals.

For myself........I'd buy a few Bentleys, a hot pink Escalade, and a purple Hummer H3, and invest several days and hours and lots of manpower restoring Dodge Challengers, Dodge Chargers, old Corvettes and TransAms. I'd keep all of those toys for my personal use. I'd keep my Neon to trick people, lol.

I don't want to even start with my house or everything I'd have. Everyone would want to move in with me, lol.

I'd start an organization similiar to what Montel does, helping working class people afford insurance and prescriptions. I'd give several young adults free college tuition every year, kids that could normally not afford college due to no money or because they didn't qualify for scholarships because they weren't valedictorians. I do not want anyone else to end up in the same situation as me, never going to college because they can't afford it and denied scholarships because they weren't 4.0 students but still bright as any other star in the sky.

I'd donate to breast cancer research, cervical cancer research, and I'd donate hundreds of thousands of dollars to women who are victims of abuse and don't have a place to live, to build them homes and to give them and their children everything that they need.

Yes, I dream BIG.

[Ryu]

my life wouldnt change
i'd pay off all debts for me and my family and my friends too assuming it was enough and they wanted me too
i would make sure i had enough to live then invest the rest, using the interest to support charities and other good causes

[Broomjockey]

I have kids and a dog which is why I'd buy a house. You know, a nice yard to play in- in a decent neighborhood. I can't even see myself in a rich or fancy neighborhood. Just a nice one.

And that's awesome, but considering after I'm done school, I don't even know what province I'm going to live in, I think a big purchase would be premature. And I know I'd want to work still, so I'd not need the money right away, especially if I paid my debts first. :)

I'd probably get a place if I knew where I wanted to live in a few years, and maybe a nice car, but that's about it. I'd live fairly similarly to how I do now.

[reformedwaitress]

I would pay off the house my children and their adoptive parents live in. I would set up funds for them so the dads never have to worry about bills, so the kids can go to private school and whatever college they want (so the family doesn't have to move out of a house and neighborhood they love just because the school has gone down hill -- I don't want them in public school anyway!) and so my kids have a nest egg when they graduate.

I'd pay off both Momma and Grandma's condos and set up funds so they could both retire if they want to.

I'd set up a fund for my sister and brother in law so they never have to worry about the fact that camp directors or ministers don't get paid much and so my sister can do whatever volunteer and charity work she has her heart set on.

I would be a "silent partner" in the store my friend want to start so they don't have to start out in debt. I would gift her the money to start it and not require anything ever be paid back.

I would buy a very specific house down in Key West and open an animal friendly inn. And I would buy the house across the street from it to live in and so my family and friends could come visit me.

I would buy the Kia I've been wanting -- the one that will hold the big dogs I want.

I'd adopt a dog or two (or three) and probably another cat or two.

I'd look into becoming a foster parent, or an "emergency stop" when the children need to be taken out of where they are, but there's no where to place them yet.

I'd start a theater that did after school classes and workshops for school aged children.

There's a lot of other things I know I would do, but those are what come to mind first, in the order they would be done.

[Crazyredhead]

They all say that money can't buy you happiness. Well as I see it, it will definately help a great deal. I would pay off every bill that John and I have, past and present. Get out of here and buy us a 6 bedroom house, in the country, with acreage. Get me a new Ford Mustang and a new family van. John wants a pickup and a new car. Furnish said house. Get toys and clothing for all of the kids and put some back for there education. Buy me a new computer and MP3 player.

I would probably start my own Medical Transcription business.

Ahhh, so many things to do, I can't even list them all.

[protege]

Ah....where to start :devil:

First off, I'd get the house paid off. While I was at it, I'd get a summer home at the beach, and possibly a place in the country. After living in the 'burbs for 30 years, I'm tired of it.

Second, I'd get the MG finished....and possibly start a small British car collection. I'm thinking of an MG K3, Jag E-Type, Derby Bentley, and a few other toys. Oh, and a Lotus Elise would be nice too :p

Third, anyone up for a massive CS party? Now that would be freaking awesome :)

Fourth, I think I'll do some traveling. There are many places I can only read about--I'd rather see them in person--the Kremlin, Egypt's pyramids, Sydney's Opera House, etc. plus the many race tracks, and automotive history sites in Europe.

...and add me to the "own my own business club." I wouldn't mind having a hobby shop, since I spend time in one anyway :p

[Greenday]

Well, assuming I was filthy rich, I'd pay off my sister's college debts, pay of my mom's, buy my sister a house, buy myself a Corvette, and then just invest the rest. Set my future kids up.

[digilight]

Pay off all personal and business debts (had to borrrow from my grandmother to buy the business).

Buy a piece of property and either have a home custom built on it, or have modular home custom built to our specs and installed their.

Replace and upgrade some of the equipment at the shop. Yup I'd keep working.

I would probably buy a commercial condo or a storefront so I wouldn't have to keep leasing. Then I could also have satalite TV installed and watch the Dodgers play during baseball season.

Get my car detailed and the leather cleaned. Yup, I'd keep the old car I freaken love it.

I would have the money invested under the proper guidance of a few different people including my former boss, this man has done very well for himself and knows how to make money and have it work for you.

And for fun, I've always wanted a soda machine in the office (folks walk in, buy a soda, walk out, leave me their money, its beautiful).

[Alfie]

I would:
-Take my partner to meet my relatives and see where I grew up fo 5ish years, and spend a month or so there. He would be forced to buy me an engagement ring while we were over there (not to use now, but to save until after uni).
-Buy myself a new purse.
-Donate some of the money to charity.
-Put the rest into the bank, and do the following:

If I had millions of dollars, and I was five years older (out of uni), I would:
-Buy a really nice house for my partner and I.
-Buy my parents a unit here, and one in England, and hey, why not one in Finland too?
-Pay for all of my relatives to come over for our wedding.
-Buy myself and my partner a new house, nothing too over the top, just something nice and simple.
-Buy my youngest older brother (makes sense?) a house, but tell him that once he screws it up, then I'm not buying him another one.
-Put about $20,000 away for my neice for if she wants to go away to uni etc. I would also take her on a holiday too... Or heaps of holidays.

[MystyGlyttyr]

Let's see. First, I'd make sure my parents were supported for the rest of their lives in the comfort they deserve...my mom would have all the best doctors (and I would make life more hell than usual for the next one to start some shit over whether she's actually sick) and a maid, my dad could have a golf cart and all the guns he could want (don't worry, he's not crazy, heh).

I'd give my brother and sister some money to invest and whatnot, but I wouldn't just out and out support them...just kinda help them out when they needed it.

I would set up trust funds for my nieces and nephew so that they could have some decent college in the future. Or wrestling school. Or clown college, or whatever, I don't care. Just some sort of schooling.

WRESTLING SCHOOL. Major big time yes. And I could so have a blast because I imagine it's a lot more fun working for Vince McMahon when you aren't desperate for his money and you can tell him to take his wrinkled ass and go jump in a wood chipper when he pisses you off. What's he gonna do, fire me? Big whoop-de-doo, that automatically makes me a title contender in TNA. :p (I haven't given this one a ton of thought at all...)

Open my non-kill cat shelter. And run it well. And viciously prosecute anyone I caught even thinking of maligning the cats. I don't care if he did pee on your jacket, you touch that animal and I'm going to touch you with this ball bat. You bring me a cat that I even THINK you've abused, I'll stake you into the ground. I'm rich and I can afford Robert Shapiro, see if you actually get away with suing me. Other than that, I'll treat my employees like royalty as long as they don't fuck around with me. (You can't find a babysitter for the third time this week? Bring them with you. If they're old enough to walk, they're old enough to work a pooper scooper.)

Hang out in stores just waiting for irritant customers to wander by, then eat them alive.

Hmmm...I'd have to debate the whole Bruce Wayne thing. I think it would be fun to be a vigilante superhero crime fighter. I would be Teh_Tazer. Oh yeah. "You like mugging old ladies??" *ZZZZRRRRRRRRRRRAPT!* ...yeah...I like that...

Oh yeah, I guess I might buy a house or something, too...

[Geek King]

First I would set up an account that would pay out about $2000 a month, adjusted for inflation, to live on.

Next, I would set up a gaming store for gamers. No crappy kiddie games, no accepting any and all used game returns, only selling games that I feel are worth selling. No sport games that just tag a new year on the cover and update the roster. It would have an arcade with the best games I can stock, from the latest-and-greatest to greats from years past. Unatended minors would not be allowed on the premises unless they can prove (under parents supervision) that they are mature for their age and can behave in adult company.

I would also have some rooms set aside for gamers to hang out in and play D&D or whatever. The room-renter would be forced to clean up after the group or be banned and a photo put on "The Wall of Slobs."

That would be heaven for me, I think. Running a buisness selling things I love, BSing about games, and not worried about making a profit.

[iradney]

Hmmm....
Lessee
I would pay off all my debts and all TTO's debts. I'd buy TTO's sister a nice new C2 (she loves that car) and a nice flat for her to live in.
I'd get our dream house built and furnished, and buy TTO the Nisson 350Z coupe he's been drooling over the past few years. I'd get me a Toyota Yaris. I like small cars :D I'd also invest some money in TTO's company - be a silent shareholder type thing...

My parents - I would send them both on a year long tour around the world, all expenses paid. I would buy my Dad a house for him to hang his paintings in (he's a rabid art collector, and they're rapidly running out of wall space). I'd buy another dog for Hopper to play with.

TTO's parents - I'd buy them a nice house, and also send them on a year long tour of the world. They deserve it.

I would buy a bookshop, pay someone else to manage it, and work in it as a salesperson. That way, if someone gives me shit and asks for the owner, I'll go into the back, put on my "Owner" hat, and come back out :D

I would give a certain amount of money to all my close friends for them to do with as they please. I would invest at least half the money for old age and stuff.
I would also donate to charities that deal with AIDS babies and adult education. Might also set up a scholarship/business loan trust thingie in conjunction with the adult education so that those who do well can either study further or start their own business.

That's about it really. Obviously I would take TTO and his sis overseas, since they've never been and it would be way fun!

[morgana]

Well, I think the first thing I'd do would be pay for Misty's wrestling school. I'd want video, though. :p

House, car, clothes, yadda yadda. Maybe some plastic surgery, so I'd look more like I feel.

Trust fund for the deeply autistic son of friends who worry about what's going to happen to him when they're gone.

Buy a building for the local herb-and-candle shop, that nasty landlords can't force them out of.

Take Mom on an Alaskan cruise, since she's always wanted to go.

Take the sis along on the trip to Egypt. And Greece, and Rome . . .

And when I got back, I'd spend some time wandering around the town looking for store clerks working alone. When I saw one who was really busting ass (like the girl last night at Baskin Robbins), I'd surreptitiously put a hundred dollar bill in the tip jar. That would be so fun.

[Mr. Rager!]

I don't really have much in the way of debt... besides some student loans. So I'd pay those off.

I'd get a new car.. actually a new car, SUV and pickup. Car would be something fast and sporty, the SUV would be my daily driver, and the pickup would be my working-man vehicle. I'd also buy one 1993 5-speed Ford SHO and do what I've always wanted to do with the SHO that I had.

I'd buy a house, not an overly large house, but a really nice one, in a really nice neighborhood. I'd want some land though. I don't want miles between me and my closest neighbor, because neighbors come in handy some days.

I'd make sure my family is taken care of.

I also promised someone I'd buy them an island. Depending on how rich I am, that island may or may not be very big. (HA! Little kids pool with a sand hill in the middle! "I got you an island!!!")

I'd get a puppy... probably a German Shepherd or an Airedale. I'd also get a kitten. Actually, probably a couple of each. I love animals!!!

Then I'd do more in the way for charity when it comes to animals causes. Volunteer more of my time, donate more money, raise more money. I already do that as much as I can, but if I didn't have a job, but a lot of money... it would be easier.

[Spiffy McMoron]

Well, I'm not really sure what I would do with a sack full of money. I'd like to say that I'd give most of it to charity, not let it change my life, etc, etc. I'm not entirely sure that I have that much internal willpower.

That being said, onto the dreaming!

-Finish school.
-Give money to Mom and Dad; they deserve it.
-Be a little bit picky with job selections post-university. Perhaps go back and get a Masters and Doctorate in history if I felt so inclined.
-Buy a reasonably-sized house on an acreage, with a double car, oversized garage. Have game room in basement, with pinball machine, foosball table, big-ass TV/DVD/surround sound system, and a couple of arcade machines. I'm thinking of Silent Scope, Area 51, or Street Fighter.
-In the aforementioned garage, place a Subaru WRX wagon in one stall for the winter. (NOBODY suspects the wagon :devil: ) In the other stall, look for a 2006 Pontiac GTO from the States, buy it, and fly down to pick it up and drive it back. Road trip!! (HAS to be a 2006--that was the only year that it came with a dual exhaust system.
-More tattoos. More, more, more!
-Become an F1 roadie for a year. :p Go to every race in a year, starting with Australia and ending with Brazil.

[PuckishOne]

Like everyone else, I'd pay off debt - mine and hubby's as well as my mother's. Then I'd sell our condo, but specifically to a young couple trying to start out in the property game - and for barely more than we paid for it ourselves. Next I'd buy a decent little house in the 'burbs for hubby, doggy and Pucky...nothing extravagant, just a normal house with a garage and a bit of yard to do my gardening in. Then I'd buy a smallish house for my mother to live in and put aside an annuity for her impending dotage.

Hubby and I would invest most of any riches we came across, to make sure that we have something for that inevitable rainy day - but we'd also have a little fun. Take that trip to Hawaii we've been dreaming of. Buy nice new eco-friendly, power-saving appliances for the new house. Get that 36" LCD flat-screen TV we keep drooling over ("Lord of the Rings" looks so much nicer on one of those, don'tcha know!). Buy a Toyota Highlander hybrid.

On the employment front, I know that hubby would quit his job abruptly, but as for me I'm with those who say they'd keep working, but in a more personal vein. My choice would be to become a science writer and critical-thinking advocate...sort of a Mythbuster with boobies. ;)

[nekoro]

Pay off everything, of course. Then either buy Fiance a new sexy car like he wants, or fix his current car.

After that we'd move to Osaka, and have as many animals as possible.

I'd buy all the video games and books I've been drooling over, and then get a nice sewing machine and start making most of my clothes.

After that, I would learn how to ride Horsies. :p

[BookstoreEscapee]

I would SOO move out of this house. Buy my own place, nothing huge or fancy, get some Chihuahuas to keep me company, go out and buy a man... -oh, did I say that out loud? :D

[ShortTemperHatesStupidity]

Holy crap! If I was suddenly rich tomorrow boy would it change my life!

First things first I'd tell my job that they can take their pennance of a severance pay and shove it. I'm tired of showing up and having nothing to do because we got cut out of the loop last week and feeling like a dead man walking. Takes too much out of me.

Next thing I'd do is take half of my, um, "richness" and put it in stocks/bonds/cds/other type of long term savings plan. No need to have it all if I can live off half of it comfortably.

I'd pay off my car, my credit cards, and then buy myself a nice house. Nothing huge, but I wouldn't want for much in it. I would even suffice with a fixer-upper and take the time to supervise the construction myself to be sure it was what I wanted.

I'd go back to school for a bit instead of working, and then I'd start up my own business. For a while now I've really been diggin the idea of making personalized gift baskets. I have a creative eye and I'd love to test it out.

[Writer Cath]

Hmm, good question.

- I'd pay off my student loan for sure.
- I'd pay my parents' mortgages, if they'd let me.
- Definitely keep working.
- Ahem: HORSEY! HORSEY! HORSEY!

That is all for now. I'm sure I'll think of other things.

[Der Cute]

Hmm.

Kiwi's right: save and give yourself an allowance.

I'd do that with 80% of the principle. The other 20% (this is all after taxes) would be to purchase land & build a house, or find a nice house & yard and purchase that.

I'd get all new furniture.

I'd get to custom decorate the place.

I'd pay off student loans & CC loans - then sell the car I have and buy a new one.
Mazda 3, loaded...or even a zippy little BMW. I like sporty cars.

I'd get a kitty cat to help soak the sun up with me.

I'd keep working, because I like to work, and I like what I do. This chunk of change is to sit in the back and grow. But I'd take an extra $1k out for my time off!

Those vacations I get at work: go back to England, check out Ireland, Spain, Egypt, Turkey, Aussie.... I want to hit all 7 continents.

Every Xmas instead of spending the $ for pressies for friends, the $ would be donated to a Woman's shelter or Epilepsy fund...or even for mental help programs.

I get tired of needing help in tight times and being turned away due to lack of funding.

I might even donate a few bux to Raps just to help keep up this webby.

Cutenoob

[Jinxy]

This is a game I used to play a whole lot until someone told me that spending it before you got it was a sure-fire way *NOT* to win the lottery. LOL well since it's to late anyway,...here's my plan.

I would not claim any winnings right away, I would contact a lawyer and an accountant versed in tax law and find out what I needed to know about how to get the most out of my money and then claim.

I would pay off my debt, buy myself a car (mine was totalled a month ago and not replaced yet), pay my mother's and sister's mortgage/debt, set up a trust for my sister to use for schooling if she wanted, or a car and a flat sum if she declined.
I would honestly set aside some money for a flat out spee, but nothing more then about $5,000, it would go towards house, business and personal things.

Once everything settled down I'd find a decent space and buy it and set up a used bookstore that carried a decent selection of comics, with a nice workroom in the back and settle in to design and have decent conversations with book junkies and kick out any and all assholes who dared set foot in the door.

Jinxy

[Daphne]

If I won megabucks tomorrow, I would do the following:

1). Buy a house
2). Pay off the mortgage left on my father's house
3). Quit work
4). Invest the rest of my money and have a huge savings
5). Take 6 months to a year off to travel
6). Become a perptual student. I loved college, and I would go back in a second to get degrees in everything I am interested in.

[Ackee]

I'd get a house with a garden and get three big dogs and really nice furniture, and flooring and a small truck( to bring the furniture home in. no more rip off delivery charges for me!!)

Oh yes, and buy world peace

[Broomjockey]

Oh yes, and buy world peace

Some want world peace. I'll settle for a piece of the world. :devil:

[Jester]

I would buy the Kia I've been wanting -- the one that will hold the big dogs I want.

There's a Kia that holds big dogs?!!??! :eek:


Ah, the old "what would you do if you won the lottery?" discussion. Hehehehe.....

Well, first and foremost, I would take about half the winnings and put them under the financial care/planning of my wisest friend, she who is a lawyer working for Homeland Security. Because the other half? Is going to be used!

I would give my parents a huge chunk of change for all the bullshit that I put them through and that they put up with without (much) complaining. I would buy them a new house, if they wanted. Nothing fancy, as they don't groove on that. I WOULD buy my Mom a new Lexus. Not because she needs one--she leaves the driving to my stepdad for the most part now. No, just because she likes Lexuses, has always wanted one, and has been buying Toyotas for the last 22 years. (NOT, mind you, that there is a damn thing wrong with Toyotas.)

I would donate a decent amount to the non-profit organization my little sister works for in the UK. She would like that. I would also get her a decent car. She can't seem to find one that isn't utter crap lately.

I would continue to ignore my older sister. She is still pretty evil.

I would set up trust funds for college for my nieces and nephews (friends' kids) and for my stepsister's son and my little sister's stepkids. Assuming I am still with RW at the time, for her kids as well. It would only be to pay for their tuition and expenses to a school they qualified for, as I would not be one of those rich assholes that buys their kids' way into a big name school. (My nieces, nephews, etc. ARE my kids, as I have none nor want any of my own.) I would also get a damn decent math tutor for my niece in Arizona. Bright kid. Horrible at math.

I would NOT buy a car for any of my nieces, nephews, etc. I learned so much from my parents' insistence that any car we owned, we buy ourselves. I think college tuition and expenses is more than enough. Kids have to learn self-reliance at some point, don't ya think?

I would make a large donation to the American Kidney Association in my late father's name, as kidney disease is what killed him. I would also make a large donation to Key West and Tempe chapters of Big Brothers Big Sisters, as it is one of the charities I most believe in. Great work they do.

I would of course pay off all my debts.

Okay, that is all the responsible stuff. Once that was taken care, of, I would have fun. Oh, I WOULD have fun.

First of all, I love both of my jobs. I would still quit both my jobs, but I would give them a month's notice. Because I do love them, and the people I work for. And I would have so much FREEDOM in my last month waiting tables. :devil: With my luck, though, no SCs would darken my life that last month.

That is not to say I would not work. Oh, I would. I would devote a lot more of my time to pursuing my career as a professional magician. I would also open up a kick ass sports bar in Tempe, with all the bells and whistles and fun stuff. Preferably right near A.S.U. (The best sports bar near the campus recently shut down.) I might also open up a bar I have talked about opening in a place I know in Mexico. And yes, I WOULD bartend from time to time at either or both of these bars. Because I truly do love tending bar. And of course, being the owner, I could be far more of a smartass than normally, especially to SCs.

While I have never been a fan of owning my own place, I would probably get semi-nice places both in Key West and in Tempe, so I could finally have the best of both of my worlds, living in my two favorite places. Semi-nice as in the kind of suburban neighborhoods I grew up in. A decent house, but nothing over the top. The only thing over the top would be the entertainment room. I WOULD have a kickin' entertainment center for watching movies, sports, the Food Network and SportsCenter. (Of course, with how expensive it is to buy in Key West, I might just permanently rent a place here. Seems silly to drop THAT MUCH money on a place I would only be in half the time or so.)

I would keep my current truck, Cathy, as she rocks. I would of course fix her up, making sure everything wrong with her was fixed. This is NOT to say I would not indulge in my passion for cars....I would. OH would I ever! I will not list the cars I would buy here...let's just say there would be several very very VERY nice sports cars in the mix. Most of them I would keep in Arizona, as there is really no need for such things here in Key West. The one car that I WOULD buy that I will list is actually not that fancy, but I just WANT it: a 1970 fire engine red convertible Volkswagen Karmann Ghia. That was my dad's car when I was a little boy, and it was freakin' awesome!

I would do something I have always wanted to do, but never had the funds to do it....in Irish Kevin's, one of the busiest, rockingest bars in Key West, I would get up on stage and announce that I was buying the entire bar a round! I have done such a thing on a smaller scale before, and it felt GREAT! And yes, being that it IS me, the professional drunk, I WOULD party. OH would I party!

I would naturally travel. While I have traveled all about in the U.S., the only foreign country I have ever been to is Mexico. I would go to Ireland, Romania, Russia, Italy, England (hi sis!), Spain, Greece, Brazil, Hawaii, Japan, etc. I would also spend three quality weeks in France. Not that I have any love of anything French...I don't. There is only one thing in France I want to see. But that would involve me being there for three weeks in the summer, as I would LOVE to be at the Tour de France. I am, after all, a cyclist. I would also be bringing my bike everywhere I went and cycling in these locales. Not to mention cycling more than I have been lately....one of my true passions.

Speaking of my passions, I would cook a lot more. For my friends and acquaintances. Might even take a cooking class or two to learn some of the stuff I don't know.

I would unquestionably have season tickets to the Oakland Raiders and the A.S.U. Sun Devil football games. And not a luxury box....something down in the muck with all the other crazies. WOO HOOO! (I would also visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, a whole hell of a lot more. Only been there three times so far.) I would also probably have decent seats for many Arizona Diamondbacks baseball games and Phoenix Suns basketball games. Just not during football season. (Unless, of course, the Diamondbacks were in the playoffs.)

I would of course buy more books....not that I don't have tons I have already bought that I haven't read yet. That is just the way I am.

That's about it. Nothing overly fancy, no bat cave, no high end country clubs, no gargoyles, nothing of that nature. Just the stuff I like now, only more of it. Make sense? :D