It's interesting to note—and perhaps symptomatic—that almost none of the suggestions are for activities that produce real economic value.

You could, for example, use the money to get a good degree, or learn a good trade that would make you indispensable in an economic downtown.

I suppose much depends on your age and the timeline you have.

…and quietly starve to death in the process. An education is very, very expensive in the states with no likelihood that youll wind up doing anything other than waiting tables or mowing lawns when you're done.

not that interesting, more like expected. Something for nothing is fully ingrained in the US mindset.

but it's the parasitic suggestions that really bother me.

That's about what I've been paying through friends/family/angel loans to cover expansion and cash flow. To me, it's cheap money as I have the opportunity to grow in a down economy while banks do nothing for Main Street. Hope to close a small private placement by the end of the year though.

This is often quoted, but not correct. It is true that the best schools can be quite expensive. But most place have "Community" colleges, which offer 2 year degrees and advanced vocational training. These are not expensive, and many are quite cheap. And if you are a low or no income person, you can get both loans and grants.

If your plans are for a 4 year degree, you then can go to a tier 2 or 3 state school. Again, these are relatively inexpensive and loans and grants are available.

The general problem is that a 4 year degree does not mean you will get a job. You need to pick the right degree. Studying english or art or philosophy or even a hard science does not generally lead to a high paying job with a 4 year degree. Engineering does.

Anyone with the brains and the drive can go to college here.

Back on topic, again, it depends on what the person wants, what their drive is, what their capabilities are, etc.

My sister finished a ballet career and asked me what she could do to make a lot of money without too much work. The only 2 things that came to mind were stripping and hooking. She finally, after a lot of pushing, started a ballet studio. She has little head for business; it just isn't her thing. She has a setup at a community center which will collect the money and pay the bills, she teaches the classes.

She has had a taste of running a business with her yearly "Nutcracker" shows. But she doesn't want to do that year round.

I would look into starting some sort of NON-PROFIT organization to help the downtrodden youths of today learn a trade.

You get to earn a directors fee $150k is max if what I heard is true plus plenty of tax bennys.

You saved my bacon.

Start a liquor store across the street from Arizona State University. Accept anything that remotely resembles a drivers license.

Wait...we already have that

Jackson

beer bait and bullets INC!

Start a ballet studio that is really a front for the ballerina/hookers.

I would probably buy rental property.

start a cathouse (brothel).

Write a book; 100 UNSOLVEABLE PUZZLES

Sell it on the Internet. People love challenges.

Somebody has to say it, hookers and blow.

Are you talking make quick money and get out or invest in a business?
For a value-added, income producing investment that's likely to stay around I would go with a food franchise.
If you want to shuffle money around trading wealth other people have created, - my opinion is we already have too many people wanting to get rich without contributing to the economy and it is one of our nation's biggest problems.

Forensic Auditing.
If you gave me 500K-1million I would get into the forensic auditing business. Simple model , fee based on realized gains, say 35-45%.
You would need several good accountants and scratch for advertising / sales, but with the government set to take more and more Companies are going to be looking at ways to get back some serious money from previous over payments. Things like sales taxes paid on materials that went into manufacturing that can be recouped. In large volumes it can be serious money with no up front cost or risks to the company.

The other option would be legal pirating. You can legally hold a ship (container or otherwise) in port if you file a lien against the company for outstanding debt. Ships don't make money sitting in port and firm are usually quick to pay. Nice thing is it can all be done from your home office with enough money to pay brokers and bondsmen in foreign ports. Your not going to make many friends and probably a few rather nasty enemies but it is very lucrative.
Again little up front costs, fee based on realized gains to your clients

Steve

At my age, I'd probably buy as many chrome bumper, wire wheeled Ferraris as the money would allow. Obviously staying away from the ones that would cost more than the whole nut.