JOE HELLER

True story, Word of Honor:
Joseph Heller, an important and funny writer
now dead,
and I were at a party given by a billionaire
on Shelter Island.

I said, “Joe, how does it make you feel
to know that our host only yesterday
may have made more money
than your novel ‘Catch-22’
has earned in its entire history?”
And Joe said, “I’ve got something he can never have.”
And I said, “What on earth could that be, Joe?”
And Joe said, “The knowledge that I’ve got enough.”
Not bad! Rest in peace!

- Kurt Vonnegut

I have some friends I'd give money to.

Number one rule of coming into stupid money is do nothing for like a year.

but in general, for me as with a couple of other comments - put it in some investment account and send the interest to my checking account, send some other amount to another account to pay taxes every year.

Well, I'd finally finish up my projects, then get replicas of all my favorite TV and Movie cars. But only after I set up funding for No Kill shelters that could operate off the interest of the gift.
Then it would be on to real-estate.

I suppose it would depend upon how "stupid" the money was. Lets say it's one of those BILLION dollar power balls that come up from time to time.

from ~ a year ago
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/powerball-jackpot-hits-1-billion-what-would-you-take-home-in-texas-after-taxes/3299284/

My thought has always been "take the lump sum". I guess the theory is that you get less, but if you are able to take a bunch of it and get it to a GOOD investment person that is actually looking out for your interest, then that's still the way to go.

I'd probably invest the bulk of my $392 million. I'd retire. Pay off all debts probably for myself and the kids. My mom and grandmother would be set and as comfy as possible. I may even gift some to a little of the extended family. I've got several hard working cousins that I would be happy to help out.

The missus and I would probably get another house. We'd probably get a couple of different cars.

Then I suspect we'd do A LOT of travelling. And yes, it'd be first class.

God bless you... Buddy! I love you too! :D ;)

Split it three ways among myself, FB II and FB-ette. Give some to St Judes and the Wounded Warrior then work overtime spending the rest on travel, great food and beautiful gold diggers.

thought about this a little bit more:

id buy up medical debt and forgive it.

ive considered doing this already as its incredibly cheap and incredibly helpful to people. maybe after the next promotion.

i also wouldnt retire, but i would reduce to 75% or 50% time. what is life without work?

Fun Angelmans research and endow my niece's living facility.

Wounded Warriors gift.
House in mountains
One in some place warm.

Who knows what else/!

I probably won't outlive the bit of $$ I already have, but depending on just how 'stupid' this windfall is,

I'd probably look into getting myself one of these ↓

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1727817156.jpg

Along with several of these in choice spots around the world ↓

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1727817156.jpg

And one of these to get around in ↓

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1727817156.jpg

I'd also fully fund organizations like the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1727818107.jpg

They're out there right now looking for survivors in the aftermath of hurricane Helene. If you were ever to find yourself in such a hopeless mess, know that these dogs will not give up 'till they find you. Simply amazing animals...

I snipped some of your post but so nicely done...what I bolded above is substance personified.

I don't need a thing, others do...great idea, PG.

Fund some sort of puppy rescue
Buy a congressman
My own personal darpa initiative for interesting inventions I want
Collect vintage airplanes
The red head from mythbusters

Assuming your serious... This alone is very difficult. It's actually easier to get into Med School.

After seeing how much good is being done with private helicopters in North Carolina at the moment, a few of those have climbed up my "stupid money" priority list. (Presumes resources to fly and maintain and pilot skill.)

Yeah, its impressive what NASCAR nation and Cletus and others have been able to do in challenging conditions. Chapeau.

Become Batman or iron man

If we are talking fantasy play $…

Finance one more episode of the grand tour and make them race beetles around the Nurburgring as part of it.
Just because.
But mostly so they don’t end on that maudlin note.

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Full track day setup. Car and enclosed trailer. And the time to use it!

Big family travel would be great. Take my entire family to see the best of Europe. That's a gift that gives forever.

Very nice non-mcmansion home.

Ask RFK Jr what he needs to accomplish some of his health related national goals.

House of some sort in Montreal.

Acreage for bird hunting where my dogs could live the best dogs life ever. Creeks to play in, mud to roll in, animals to say hi to. Just total dog heaven on earth.

Lots of quail hunting. A good amount of pheasant hunting. A fair amount of duck hunting. Flyfish the best trout streams I can find. Also lots of flats fishing in warm places.

Dinner with Giorgia Meloni.

Multiple custom Perazzi orders. Maybe buy the company back from the Czech co that bout a controlling interest. Lots of time with the best clays coaches in the world.

A man jumped off the Rt 90 bridge a couple years back to save a baby that had gone over the side in a car accident (ejected maybe?). Literally jumped off the bridge into the Assawoman Bay and saved the baby's life. I'd find him and make him rich.

oh and a 997 gt3rs in green.

Mustang P51
GT3RS

At 74 yrs old, I don't think it would change my lifestyle. I don't feel the need to collect anymore. I would donate to 3 of my favorite charities and set up plans for my family and grandchildren.

I would travel to Greece and Italy

i am serious.

and i know. good clown is amazing.

i spent 30+ years learning things, and learning how to learn things, and learning how to know things. and that has done me well in life, ive achieved intellectually and professionally a lot of amazing things. and i am particularly good with the use of tools, be they wrenches, kites, or race cars. i am very good at using my body to manipulate objects in the world to do what i want them to ... but, i dont feel particularly skilled with my body directly. and when i watch fantastic clown, i am in awe, and have much envy for people who spent the last 30 years not pursuing knowledge, but pursuing skill with there own bodies. the precision, the expression, its an amazing skill that takes decades to learn. I know quite a few dell'arte educated clowns, and they are all amazing.

i wouldnt go and get a phd ... i would go to clown college in a heartbeat if i had the time.

Seeing that most of us are a bunch of old farts, we better spend the money quick!

These friends are actually poor.

Like, one is a 75 y/o widow living on SS and 15 hr/wk bookkeeping work, and she'll probably lose her cheap rental house within the year. Her greatest fear is becoming homeless. We won't let that happen, my wife and I have already decided we'll help her with rent indefinitely, but if I could ease her mind I sure would.

None of youse guyse qualify, sorry!

You know that is correct http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1727901052.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1727901052.jpghttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1727901274.jpg
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http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1727901274.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1727901274.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1727901274.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1727901274.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1727901274.jpg

I would buy myself a cone of vanilla ice cream :)

I would take it to the bank and swap it for smart money.

I’d pick the place I want to live then build a house and public race track there. Of course I’d buy cars… lots of cars. And travel a lot. I’d probably have a second and maybe third house but having multiple houses is not something I’ve dreamed of.

I think a movie about someone winning a billion dollars would be pretty good if Hollywood went all out on it.

I like the way you think, but I'd try and buy Air Force One. If they won't sell, I need to buy Boom and have my own SST.

I would create a program that sends inner city kids, by the thousands, on vacations all over the world, every year.

I'd start an international spay/neuter clinic for those that shouldn't have children.

The thread title says stupid money, not unlimited money!

Stupid money...

If I were to answer this 20 years ago my plan would be toys, homes, extravances, but upmost investments.

Now in my 60's, I would sell my two homes in SoCal, and buy a nice 2500/sqft home on the Santa Barbara Rivera, hire money managers, and someone to pay the bills so I don't have to see them. A couple vehicle toys, an early 911 and a new BMW GS 1250. Wife gets a new car and some nice do-dahs. Put money into my kids current situations to help near term - they will get the inheritance. And plainly, live simple and low stress. So overseas vacations a couple times a year. Hire a personal trainer to help us in shape.

Boring for most here. I like boring these days :)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1728165669.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1728165669.jpg
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http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1728165669.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1728165669.jpg
My bodyguard http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1728165786.jpg
And just because she is adorable and can tie my shoes.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1728166074.jpg

"I spent 50% of my money on alcohol, women, and gambling. The other half I wasted."
- W.C. Fields

I sort of accidentally came into 'stupid money' depending on your definition. I/we are not doing anything much different except that we don't have to hesitate when we need things. Today I ordered a pair of nightstands that are taller. For years we've tolerated nightstands that are 10" or so below the bed level. But those were like $90 apiece. I'm starting a guitar-building hobby. We're not doing silly spending.

But we are starting to travel. Going to Amsterdam late this month. Belize in February. We need to get it spent before medical eats it up. I foresee 2-3 trips per year at least. The silly money is invested and growing, plus we have pensions and SS. It'll be challenging to spend it as fast as we are taking it in.

I’m with you. No more kill shelters. Nice clean well staffed dog adoption centers.

I just saw one for sale with I think 90 miles on it, 90….what a waste.

Edit I looked it up it has 90 not 70.

- Most of all it would be really nice being able to help your family and friends.

With no strings attached.