E. other... Get a bigger house, with a play room for 2 boys, 3 and 1. Pay off the mommobile = van, and other debt. Set up 5 college funds.(my 2 kids, and 3 neices/nephews) Have a plane so we could visit my brother and his 3 kids, in OHIO, any time. Give $ to both sets of grandparents. Have a box seat at the NCSU football games for my family/friends with AC and a cover in the rain!!! Take a little trip and shop for myself. Learn to cook, from a real chef! I'm on parental leave for 2 years, but I taught Kindergarten for 16 years... I would set up a fund to help: kids get school supplies/clothes, help single mom's be able to participate in school with out having to stay a work sooo much, and create a free/donations daycare/after school activity place, to help single mom's! (I have a husband, so I can only imagine what a single mom does!!!!)

When we were in New Hampshire, the Lotto jackpot was really high - something like 200 million. We never buy tickets but we thought we'd have some fun and we bought one. I spent all night thinking about what I'd do with it.

Initially I imagined all sorts of luxury items, but then realized that would be a dead-end. Money corrupts in so many ways. So here's what I'd do:

- Pay off our morgage - Give a small sum to each of our (Husband & mine) siblings

- Set a small sum aside for our kids - either in their college fund or savings, but nothing that would support them for the rest of their lives. They need to work for themselves.

- Then with the bulk of the money, I'd set up a non-profit foundation whose mission focuses on children's causes: medical treatment for kids, programs that assist abused or exploited children, education programs, scholarships, and programs that assist or educate parents in need.

This seems like a good way to spend a fortune, doesn't it?

I would like to pay off our house mortgage, put some aside for future use, have a very special anniversary vacation in November, have a very special Christmas this year and make some donations to various people and to my church. I would try to be very wise with all the money and splurge only a tiny bit.

I would ensure college for my daughter, save for retirement, give money to my church and help a friend of mine who struggles with making ends meet.

First of all I would pay off ALL of my debts, including my student loan which I can't seem to get rid of! I have a large family, 10 brothers and sisters to be exact, and I would give each of them $200K to do as they please, but hopefully they too would pay off all of their bills! I most definitely would take care of my mom and in-laws! They've done so much for us, and they deserve the world! I would make sure they can live the rest of their lives financially free! I would set aside a college fund in the family name to be used for my kids and any nieces and nephews in the family who would like to attend college. Not sure how long that fund would last since I have SEVERAL nieces and nephews who are either college-bound or soon-to-be college-bound. I guess I could make sure that fund would somehow always have money, maybe by investing a portion of it. Maybe that's not a good idea, since things don't look too great on Wall Street these days :0( I would take off a year and travel around the world to the places that I have always desired to go, like Italy. I want to experience a place that is culturally different than my own. I find it fascinating to view how we all are so different, but yet so alike! I would also like to get more involved in real-estate investing, in hopes that will lead to more community involvement, like re-building neighborhoods, cleaning up a run-down areas, etc. I would make sure those who lived there before can still afford to stay! My answer is a little long compared to the others I've read, but this is something I think about ALL THE TIME. I don't play the lottery, but I always daydream that if I did and actually won, this is what I would do :0)   Maybe one day I'll have the opportunity to make some of these dreams come true, even without the fortune! 

D. Surprise your TriangleMom2Mom site editor with the vacation of her dreams. Thanks in advance!!
That is, if I can come with you, and umm, I would assume no kids...or at least a place where it is legal to keep them in cages! :)

Becka+Chris= Nick 8 Michele 5 Wyatt 20 months
www.learnandgrowtogether.com

Yeah!! Why of course! It's your money - LOL! 

Sarah

Oh what I would do with 500 dollars......the ideas are endless and all of them fun!!

Now a million dollars...another story. Pay off my mortgage, send my children to college, buy a second home, travel. What a life I would lead with a mattress full of money!

You know, this one really gets the mind going. Would I really be happy with that amount of money? I'm thinking no. If there was one thing that I could do with that money and it's something that I've wanted to do for as long as I can remember, it would be to take $35,000 and adopt a baby girl from China. I want so desperately to do this, and then, I would give the rest away. I'm not sure that I'd even pay off the mortgage or anything, as nice as that would be.

If all of one's monetary needs are met, how would my faith and trust in God be strengthened? The process of faith is better than the security of money.

:)

Cady

www.cadydidrooms.com

that sounds like an enjoyable event!! too bad i can't make it!

have fun everybody!

Amanda

Hmm this is such a fun question. I've never thought before what I would do with 1oo million dollars. But here goes nothing! First I would give 10% to God's house. However, I'd need to find a church to go to first! :) Then, I would definitely buy a ranch style house (since I am tired of renting)/farm equipped with horses, goats, pigs, and chickens. It would have to be large as my husband dreams of having 8 (yes, eight) children of our own and then adopting a few more! And the goats are for goats milk as it is his favorite too. I would use this place as a learning center for children. Next, I would send for my mother in law as she has never even met her own grandson yet (he's 13 months) due to lack of funds. I'd buy her a house too next door. She is one amazing cook!
Then I would open a hair salon/day spa primarily focused for mothers and mothers to be. In the front of the salon would be a complementary daycare so that moms could relax at the spa while knowing their children were near by (for those of us who are apprehensive about leaving our children). I would like to employ local Dads at this day care. The middle would be were the food is located , because lets face it-- you can't relax if your tummy is grumbling. And the back is where the hair is done, massage, manicures, pedicures, you name it and it will be there!
Lastly I'd like to get together a team of women whose main job is to find pregnant women who are expecting and create healthy nutritious meals for them along with providing a maid service. We would deliver it to their houses as soon as their little angels arrive. This way they can really take time off and enjoy getting to know their little one while being nursed back to health by women supporting other women. The best part is I'd be able to pay the staff very well and it would be no charge to the woman who just gave birth.
Any money left over I think I'd invest it PAMPERS as they don't seem like they are going out of business! Also, I think I'd take a few thousand with me so that on an average day when I am going to the library for storytime and grocery store I can be mysteriously dropping one hundred dollar bills...one at a time..next to moms so they can find it! Oh..how fun this would be.

E. Other

I would of course do all the necessities first. Pay off my maxed out credit card, pay off the cars, buy a house. A big house. With a huge yard! Then I'd put aside some for Sebastian's college. I'd pay off my parents mortgage since they put up with me for as long as they did. Then I'd buy myself a whole new wardrobe. (I'm not the size 3 I was before I had my son!) My boyfriend and I both would still keep jobs because money doesn't last forever.
I guess my answer is kind of basic, but I'm not one of those quit my job, move to Hawaii kind of people. Kudos to those who are, I just want the basic stuff, then the rest to go for things we've wanted or wanted to do that weren't possible before.
Oh, so the last thing, I'd buy season tickets to the Carolina Hurricanes! :)

"Set a small sum aside for our kids - either in their college fund or savings, but nothing that would support them for the rest of their lives. They need to work for themselves."

 AMEN!....it is so important that our children don't grow up to expect everything to be handed to them on a silver platter.  Helping them to become self sufficient is so much more valuable than handing them a blank check.  

For my own ideas..... I think the first thing I would do is help my dad retire. He has been very discouraged with the events on Wall Street and his retirement date keeps getting pushed backfurther and further. My parents have done so much for me, I really need to give back to them. Of course, from there, the obvious... pay off the mortgage, invest more in our own retirement, savings (in trust, perhaps) for the bambinos. Make a nice $ gift to my brother and sisters in law and their families. I think the 'splurge' I would allow myself at first would be to buy a vacation house in the Dominican Republic. My mom and her side of the family is from there, and it would be so wonderful to gather all of us together much more regularly than we are able to do now. Plus it is a little like paradise on the beach! (oh, and being able to take a charter jet as we need to, that would be a nice touch! ANYTHING to avoid the commercial airlines!) From there, I think I would go over the remainder with my husband, who is much more financially savvy than I, and decide what we need to live and play comfortably. The rest can be donated. We could start a non- profit organization focused on helping my passion- which is education and children. There are so many children in the Triangle alone that come from broken homes where the vicious cycle of poverty repeats again and again. EDUCATION is the key to helping the children and their parents. Help with better financial decisions, trainining for jobs and support.... other programs can branch from there, but it is a start. Whew, I'm fired up- I should just get this started now.

Pay off all debt and save most of the rest. We have four girls=4 weddings to pay for, 4 college educations to pay for, etc, etc...and I have a few family friends that I'd love to be able to help out with their education as well. Education=awesome investment!

I would pay off my debts, put money away for retirement, pay of my daughter's college tuition and quit my full time job. Would most likely take a part time job and do volunteer work.

I would pay off the bills and buy a nice big house for my family of seven! Put money in the kids college funds; share with parents and siblings of myself and my husband. Invest the rest in an annuity so I don't spend it all!!!

E. Pay off debts, fill up your children's college funds, have husband quit his job and move to the beach/mountains/big city/small town/any other place you find appealing and live large. Travel lots, pursue advanced degrees in nothing useful, and of course, give to the charities of my choice.

I would probably take a much-needed long vacation, be able to spend some time on some personal projects of interest that I usually don't have time for because of work, then invest and give away the rest.

Definitely I would pay of debts and the mortgage. Possibly I'd give some money away to family and charities. With a good financial advisor I'd try to find some secure way to maintain the money or make it grow...but is that even possible with our current crisis?

I certainly could stand to get some pampering every now and then too!

E. Other ... buy a bigger house/car, give some to family members, put money into my niece's college fund and give money to a select amount of charities. The rest I would use to make my life comfortable :)

E. First I would pay off my debts. Then I would set up college funds for my 2 girls. After that I would find a nice place for me and the girls to live (I love you mom, but I want to be on my own again!). I guess financial stability would be my first order of buisness. . .after that charity. But not just a donation. . .I'd find something charity/volunteer that I can do with my girls. Charity is great but it's a lot more rewarding when you activly help. I spent 2 summers in Honduras during high school doing volunteer work. I have always planned to go back. Now that I have kids, I want them to have the same sort of experience; and I want to share it with them! Oh. . .maybe I would start my own organization. . .It's hard to find volunteer groups that let kids participate. Something that involves domestic violence, poverty, medical care, a soup kitchen. . .

I don't know if I am doing this right but here is my answer...

100 million - OK pay off bills including house, save for three kids college and our retirement go on a family trip to Walt Disney World for a couple weeks, get a more earth friendly car for hubby and maybe myself (better gas mileage would be nice), pay back in laws who always help us and save / invest some money as well. Of course we have siblings and such so I would help when and where I could.

Yes! You are doing it right - Sarah, site editor 

Oh an maybe I would hire a cleaning lady because I can't always keep up with my family.

I would just like to live a little more comfortably...not have to constantly stress.

First I would hire 24 hour private duty nursing and bring my mom back home which would make my baby sister (21 year old Downs 'child') SOOO happy. My mom's been confined to a skilled nursing facility for a couple years now, and it just breaks our hearts that her Muscualr Dystrophy (MD) has taken such a toll on her body. After that I'd take my entire family and extended family on a cruise (something I've always wanted to do)...then we'd take the kids to Disneyworld, of course! I'd donate at least 50 million to charities and churches and then I'd contact Ty Pennington and see if I could help out the Extreme Home Makeover crew help other needy families whose lives are affected by MD. Next I'd have my old fixer upper fixed! I'm tired of cracked walls, a leaky basement and holes in the ceiling...not to mention the rooms that aren't livable/useable! I would also have it made handicap accessible as it's only a matter of time before my husband's MD forces him into a wheelchair. I'd set up a college fund for my daughter and our neices and nephews along with some kids in town that I know could use the $$ for college. Oh yah, I would quit my job and go back to school to be a kindergarten teacher--a lifelong dream of mine! Since I've worked for the state for 22 years--I'd love to spend the remaining 8 before full retirement teaching kids!

E. Pay off the house, put money aside for college and retirement, and then keep living like I live now. Except maybe get a new car. Being generous to charities and to family and friends probably factors in there.

This is a fun question.
I'm an E - other.

I would put aside money for my children's education, pay off all my debts and my mother/MIL's mortgages, and INVEST INVEST INVEST.
As far as play money goes, I would plan a BIG vacation for all my family and friends - probably a cruise- so we could all go for a week TOGETHER. How awesome would that be???
Then I would donate to charity - Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, American Heart Association and MakeAWish would be first....
and then who knows......make more money since we'll hope the stock market would be back up. :)

E. I would first get laywers and accountants together to figure out exactly what I need to do with the money, and yes I have these individuals as plural because I will need them to know that I have someone watching them to make sure they don't steal from me. One can never be to careful expecially in todays economy. Ok with that being said I would then go and claim my winnings. I would then take a vacation first and bring my mom and my husband's mom and dad along. I would tell them both to bring whatever debts they have with them as I need to know what I will be paying off.

After that I would make sure that my son's college fund was all set and he will not have to worry about that. Then I would set aside a certain amount for each of my step-kids. Finally i would ensure that my niece and nephew had a college fund.

I would also give some money to my favorite charities, the ASPCA and the USO.

Now that the family was taken care of I would then pay off my husband and I's debts. But we would still live in the same house and drive the same cars and work. We would just be a little bit better off.

Thanks for asking.

My answer is A. I would do all that but not live large enough to lose allthe money. I would invest the balance the let the money grow......

With all this economy stuff going on. I would pay all debts and stuffed the rest under my mattress like my grandma did....lol...I would put money up for the kids and hopefully live a simple life with god first and then my family.

E. Other - Give 10% to church and/or other charities. Put away some for kid's college. Invest some for retirement. Pay off mortgage and other bills with the rest. Finally, something to loved ones.

E. Other.

Of course I would pay off our debt and all the debt of my family members.
I would get married to my fiance' of 4 years and buy us a house of our own (we rent).
I would buy myself a car because I don't own one and being a Mom, well you all know, WE NEED A CAR.
I would go back to school and finish my degree and also start a college fund for my daughter (she's 8).
I would help our neighbors who have 5 children and one income.
I would invest the rest and give whenever I see need.

I would do A, but since I don't need $100 million to live large, I'd give the excess to charity!! Gosh, figuring out how to spend it sure would be a nice problem to have these days, wouldn't it?

Ooh.....I guess I would be loved then? wouldn't I? I've always said that it wouldn't take much for me. My answers would be variations of all the responses......... I would definitely share with you, Sarah, (and all of my other long lost cousins and friends) I'd donate to our church & finally get the front built that needs to be fixed PLUS the playground, then pay my mortage and bills off. Grandkids need college funds. (Kids, you need to work as hard as your dad and I did to get you raised.......sorry!) I would buy/rent a motorhome and take several weeks off to travel all over our great country........dropping hundred dollar bills along the way (of course, I'd have to put enough gas money up to make sure that I can get back home) Grandkids & kids are welcome for parts of the trip. I want to ride a donkey down into the Grand Canyon and see the sunset. I want to see Vegas @ sunrise. I want to see the sunset & rise on the Pacific Ocean. I want to share with my friends & family. I'm not greedy, really...... I do NOT want to quit my job. I want to go to work after winning and THEN the 1st time someone upsets me AND they really need me, THEN I'll walk out..........(Johnny Paycheck is my hero!) I want to open a bed/breakfast in the mountains with a lake, creek, horse barn and trails and retire there early. This would be the perfect get away for families.  Kids are welcome.  Activities will be available for both parents and kids alike.  (Keeping enough money to pay someone to look after me and my husband when we're not able to look after each other) Again, I will look after you, Sarah!

I would pay off my student loans and our house and set up a college fund for our soon-to-be-baby.

You go, girl!

If I won a hundred million dollars, I'd be certain that I was deranged and dreaming. If the dream continued and I had the money, I'd pay bills, keep some for travel, donate lots to public art, since it enhances a community so much, endulge myself in more of my creative passions, rather than "working" so much, then pay off all my relatives' debts. Would set up a foundation to help deserving underprivileged kids. Will talking about this make it so?????

First I would pay off all my debts and those of my family members. I would buy my 21 year old daughter a new car and one for myself, of course. Then I would retire (I already have 26 years in) and pursue my lifelong dream of selling real estate. I know it sounds crazy but it is a passion that I have never pursued due to fear of not making ends meet at home. I would send my 10 year old son to private school (Ravenscroft is his dream) and MAKE my 21 year old go to college(any college)...like it or not. I think I would be so happy with everything - I would actually let my husband retire as well. What the heck, I'll be off selling real estate. :)

I would do A. Pay off debts, fill up your children's college funds, quit your job and move to the beach/mountains/big city/small town/any other place you find appealing and live large.

I would buy a new house and pay off the one we are living in now. I would pay off all debt and completely fill my daughter's college fund. I would also make our retirement fund, emergency fund, etc... We would both have new cars and we would upgrade some of our appliances, etc... However, I would put enough aside to not end up on some show that laughs at you for blowing millions of dollars...I really don't see how anyone with half a brain could do that! I can't quit my job because my job is being a Mom and I wouldn't want to quit even if I could. I would also plan for future vacations and special occasions. Oh and have the wedding of my dreams :D I would also give some of it away to charities because I don't think anyone needs 100 million dollars to be happy!

Hi

Everyone has some great comments. I, too, would pay off any debts. I would not move though. I would stay in Raleigh, but would vacation a lot more. I also would enjoy being able to go to Cameron Village and other shopping centers where they sell cute, expensive handbags, shoes, clothes and not think twice about buying them because it's not in the budget.

I chose C. I don't need alot to live on and I could help alot of people. It really annoys me when I hear about actors, athletics and the like getting paid more in a season than I will see in my life time. I think about all the people they could help if they just took what a middle class person would make and gave the rest to charity.

Wow! First I would pay off any family debts. I would buy a beautiful house that all of my family could stay in and be comfortable. I would have enough rooms so that when my children got married and had their own children, they could all live with me. haha! Like that would happen. I would adopt a couple or a few more children. I would start them all college funds, so that they would be set for school and make their own 100 million. I would definitely fund a couple of children's charities and some missionary groups. If I have anything left, I would invest it.

I would pay off all debt. Then when the dust settles and my head clears, go from there. I actually wouldn't change much in my day to day life....really!

Can't imagine! I'd pay off our mortgage; set aside funds for the girls' education; help my husband retire sooner so he could stay home and write--something he's wanted to do for years; make sure my mom & dad don't need for anything in their final years--have great care as needed; take a couple of big trips--to China and other parts of Asia where I've never been; finish up various house projects--the basement, etc. to finally get the house "finally finished"! Buy two decent, reliable fuel-efficient/hybrid cars--our 12+ year-old cars have now decided to die or are barely limping along for a little while longer. Decide with the rest of the family how much to give to the various organizations that we support and then see what's left before further decisions.

I'll take door "E"... This is a great question because it really provides focus for the future. What AM I working toward!?!!

First, pay off the mortgage for sure; it's our only debt because we've always worked hard to live within our means. Next step would have to be funding the college funds since we'll have
eight straight years of more than one in college at a time!

Then, because we've lived relatively frugally, I'd have to go on vacation with my husband and five kids. We've always stuck close to home or visited cities where our family members live. I think we'd bypass Disney since we never seemed to miss it and go straight for something exotic, like Nautilus! I'd rather swim with dolphins than ride a roller coaster at this point in life! I'd spend my beach time dreaming up something big to do with the balance upon coming home. Which brings me to...

Finally, I'd dream big and create a foundation where I could combine my teaching experience, love for kids, and an appreciation for elderfolks. How about building an incredible center that works to provide child care for children and incorporate seniors who want to volunteer their time and skills to work with kids by tutoring, playing, and teaching music and golf and other sports? An after school program would provide a safe place for students that would do more than keep them busy. How many citizens - seniors and others - would love to give an hour of time each week for a cause such as this? The money would build a considerable facility, and invested funds would provide for a small salaried staff to coordinate volunteer efforts. On weekends, the facility could be available for community events - dramas, worship services, fundraising events, and more. I'd love to see similar concepts replicated in other cities.
Now I'm dreaming big! Thanks for the catalyst!!!

I would choose E. First I would set up an endowment for my 4 children to pay for colleges and weddings. I have 3 girls, need I say more! Second I would pay off my existing mortgage and renovate this lovely ranch so all 6 of us could peacefully co-exist until college time. Next I would pay off my inlaws and parent's mortgages and set aside money to pay for their long term health insurance premiums. Next in line would be investments for us, so my husband doesn't have to work so hard. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I would set up an operating fund endowment for my church and my favorite charity, a crisis ministry. What is left over -- if there is any -- I will use to set up a family foundation to administer grants to benefit women and children.

Thanks for letting me dream a little!

A. Pay off debts, fill up your children's college funds, quit your job and move to the beach/mountains/big city/small town/any other place you find appealing and live large.

Pay off our mortgage, fund our future child's college fund (he'll be here in February!) Definiately quit our jobs and start our own business as we have wanted to for years! Get a beach house and give money to our familys!

If I came into that kind of money, I would choose E and here's the list:
- tell my husband to quit his job,
- tithe 10% to my church,
- pay off my house, student loans, and other debts
- Pay off the current debts of my brother and mother
- set up trust funds for my son and future children, nephews, and nieces
- invest 10% in diverse vehicles (real estate/land, stocks, bonds, maybe some actual managing shares of a firm)
- Donate another 10% to nonprofits of strong interest - promoting entrepreneurship and cancer research (and maybe some others)
- start a few businesses between me and my family (with $2 million or less) including a shared office space, UPS Store franchise or something similar, and other firms promoting business ownership
- that is, after taking a few vacations around the world with my husband and sending my mom and mom-in-law on a couple
- retire my mother from her profession or set up her retirement fund
- start a foundation (with a self-funded endowment) to give scholarships for college and grants for various purposes according to my choosing that promote wealth-building
- buy the house I really want in a similar part of town (maybe off of 98)
- get new (used) cars for my husband and I as well as new wardrobes
- buy new furniture!
I guess I'd save and spend the rest... there's so much that can be done with $100 million... I don't have to live large, but I can definitely be comfortable and do what I want to do while leaving a strong foundation for my descendents

Oh - and I wouldn't tell a soul that I won $100 million! I might even lie to my mother and tell her I won a couple of million (she talks too much). I want to help people but don't want people begging on my doorstep or looking to swindle me on a daily basis (like the people on the Lottery winners tv program).

So I would have to choose my answer as E. Other, although it would include some of the items from A. and C.

First I would pay off all my debt from college, sell my house and buy a larger one, put enough money into savings for my current daughter and future children to go to college and buy cars and weddings for them. After that I might buy a car for my husband since he has a 1993 2-door Honda accord which he can't wait to break down :)

So after we satisfy some basic needs for our family, I would give some to my family and in-law's. They have done so much for us and have been there for us, that I would have to give a sum to each one of them.

After that I would give money to my church and to Campus Crusade for Christ. They have been a huge support to us spiritually and have touched our lives in so many ways that we would only want to support them to do that to others as they have done to us.

Lastly, I would give to charities... such as the Salvation Army, Habitat, Pregnancy Support Services, charities providing clean water in Africa, and I'm sure there's more. I would want to share my wealth among many because I think there are so many organizations that need it and that provide needed services to help those in our community, nation, and world.

It would be tempting to keep the money to myself, but I have learned that you appreciate things the most when you don't get what you want and when you see the needs of others and are able to help them!

Oh I definiately forgot to add that I would buy some clothes! You as a woman definiately need some clothes if you have $100 million dollars!  I have a question for you though... where is the rest of that $100 million dollars going to go? I feel like you haven't spent much of that money...

Wow four girls... I think my husband would go insane if we ended up having four girls!

What a great idea! WE haven't even finished having children, but my husband would like to adopt!

I definiately agree with you about meeting all your needs... you are so right, if we have everything we need what do we need to rely on God for anymore? I feel that He teaches us so much when we are struggling, especially with money. We have to learn and trust Him or we could fall apart.

you have such great ideas... especially investing in PAMPERS! I love the idea of just mysteriously dropping hundred dollare bills next to moms, what a treasure that would be!

So you need to find a church I see as well... you can try The Summit Church near the RTP area, actually located in Durham. Great worship, fellowship, and preaching!

A definitely. then I would open a business that both my husband, baby & I could work at!

Oh, I suppose option A looks good, except right now I don't have any children so I'm not particularly obsessed with saving for their college funds. Besides, I think they should earn their own way with scholarships or go to community college. I don't think I'd quit my job right away. I sort of like what I'm doing. I'd definitely pay off all my debts and those of my mom, dad, sister, and husband (not necessarily in that order). My brother doesn't have any debt, but if he did, I'd pay that off too. I'd also give them all a portion of the money for themselves. I'd purchase a nice plot of land and have a house built for my dad. Mom's already got a fab home. I'd also invest in some real estate. I'd establish a foundation as a vehicle for giving some of it to charity. I'd also plan a luxurious Safari vacation to Africa. Oh, did I say I'd go on a shopping spree?

If I won millions, I would use it to bring my son, Corey, now twelve years old, home from the horrendously abusive, drug infested, alcoholic, and detrimental environment that he has so criminally been imprisoned in. We are the victims of the most heinous judicial and beauracratic criminal misconduct that I have ever been aware of. See my profile for a brief description of our story. Because I don't have thousands upon thousands of dollars to hire a competant attorney, it has been reiterated to me by higher ups, that Corey and I have not received equal protection of the law.

I would use a million dollars to not only bring Corey  home, finally, but to also hold all those accountable for their crimes and set up a trust fund so that other mothers of domestic violence and their children would never have to go through what Corey and I continue to go through because we can't afford legal representation to protect our civil rights by having endless thousands to shell out to ensure that our rights are not violated.

Ahhhh....money! Well, I would start with a pedi., glass of wine with friends, and a chef! While I am being pampered I will mull over my other options!

I would pay off all my bills, and set up my children for life, donate some to a worthy cause and big mama would go shopping.

I would choose E and I would...
-Give to the Lord in various ministries and to the church
-have my husband quit his job, then I would quit my full time job!!
-pay off all debts
-give a portion to parents and siblings
-set aside a fund for my husband's children and our new little one
-turn my etiquette business into my full time job, and promote manners to all ages!
-travel to places my husband and I have dreamed about
-join mamamidnight on her quest to help new mommies focus on their new responsibility and rest, while we cleaned for them & provided meals for the family
-save for the future!

Let's go with D. Everyone needs a nice surprise, right?!

I'll go with D - plenty left over for lots of fun for our family too!

I would pick A and pack my bags for Aruba!

First...CUT UP THE CREDIT CARDS, and pay them off. Buy me a house, by my mom a house and move her here.... After that, have a little fun See some of the world I haven't seen, and then start a nest egg. Somehow, I just want to live off interest and NOT WORK. Don't get me wrong, I would be a killer volunteer at the humane society.... Just would looooooooove to tell the boss buh-bye and good luck with your mess!

Other.

The ever obvious answer, "pay off debt."

Give my parents $20 million and my in-laws $5K. Just kidding. I'd give them at least $10K.

Give all sibs some coin.

Put aside a bunch for my three kids.

Give a LOT to my church and charity.

Get the quartz countertops I've been bugging my husband about for a year and maybe get a fence for the backyard so my three year old stops trying to escape.

Go get a massage.

See what's left over and stuff it into my mattress since it's a lot safer there than in the banks these days.

If I came into 100 million dollars I would give half away to charity because one can live out all their dreams easily on 50 million. My half would be used to pay off all my debt, then the rest would be put into tax free government bonds and I would live on the interest, as well as using that interest to re-invest in my families future.

E . Other
Well, My hubby might quit his job, but probably not-he loves it too much. I have a freelance business that I might actually turn into a real international thing, but that's another story.
I would definitely buy one or two more homes in places I love to vacation just so we'd have somewhere to stay: One in BC, Canada and one in Europe.
Then onto the practical things: pay off mortgage, set up college funds for my son and all nieces and nephews, move and bulk up retirement funds of parents and in-law, shore up our retirement funds, then onto the charities via a foundation of some sort.
For starters I would support local and national PBS programming and NPR in some way. Then give to literacy advocates. And, animal rescues.
And, if there is any left over I would treat the site editor to that vacation! ;)
Thanks for the dreams! And, good luck to us all! See you at Cameron Village!

Having 2 children with Autism and knowing all that my family and many others have gone through on a daily basis, why not donate the money to find the cause? The numbers are growing.
I would like to help others avoid so much pain and work so everyone could have a "typical" child.

Oh I just read about dropping off the 100 dollar bills next to moms in secret! Wow that is a very nice thing and so gratifying for the giver!!!

It would have to be a combination of A and C. I would not only help myself, but a whole big list of others as well!! But would definitely keep enough to do a whole lot of traveling to see the world and be a good Samaritan at the same time!

E: Pay off mortgage, buy my hubby a new car, put aside money for kids college, take the cruise my husband and I haven't been able to afford. Donate to charity.

A. I would pay off all my debts, give some to my favorite several charities and my church. I would pay off my daughter's college loan for her. I would like to help a friend get off welfare and have a nice place to live. I would invest some in retirement and give some to my mother and my inlaws, whom have help us during my illness and throughout my life. My splurge would be to buy a Bernina quilting and embroidery sewing machine. Mostly I would like to find a cure for my disease.
If I had lots of money I would love to find a cure for all the diseases, that take away all the people we love dearly.

Definitely set up a fund to pay for the kids' education and probably a trust for them later on when they were old enough to appreciate a house down payment, or even a house; Pay for a nice family vacation for all the extended family; Pay for the fertility treatments my niece wants to get but her insurance doesn't cover;
My husband might quit his high stress job and find something lower stress and more enjoyable with less travel and fewer hours! He'd definitely spend more time on the golf course! I'd probably hire a personal trainer to work out with me to help motivate me and get me in better shape. I've been working out, but it would be nice to have the extra boost of new exercises and someone to push me a little. Oh, and I like the idea of a cleaning lady occasionally, although I'm not sure what it would be like to have a stranger in the house - if my house would be clean, I think I'd learn to cope!
Then I would definitely give money to charity. I might set up a foundation. Some would go to cancer research, but I would also set up a couple of scholarships for kids who need money for college.
I might also set up some kind of free child care during the day for stay at home moms so they can go shopping or go out to lunch or to the movies and just have some "Me time". I remember how hard it was when my kids were little (they're now 15 & 19) to just find time to shop for clothes for myself or, heaven forbid, take a long bath!

If I were to win $100 million, I would first discuss the situation with my husband. Since we have similar values, I trust that he would agree that the bulk of the funds should be used to free young children (some as young as 5 years old) who have been forced into sexual slavery.
(story & video footage at Dateline NBC, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4038249/).

I would immediately seek the aid of an accountant who could tell us whether we could transfer the winnings to an already established non-profit corporation and avoid $30 million in taxes (I'd rather that money go to save children rather than to Uncle Sam). I would also check whether we could set up a non-profit of our own to achieve the same ends.

If it were possible to save that tax money, I would choose for World Vision or our non-profit to receive the full untaxed $100,000,000 to be used to free these children and establish many group homes in which they could receive the love and help they need. There is already such a program in Cambodia that is run by a former child prostitute (On YouTube search for Cambodia: CHILD SEX SLAVERY (2of2) or go to this web page: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyIpOCeYSIw).

If significant tax savings were not possible, I would use most of the money in much the same manner as outlined above, but I would surely save some for my own family and friends.

First, my husband would be free to leave his current place of employment and become manager of our non-profit corporation. We'd spend more time together just having fun. We would also plan something really special for our 20th wedding anniversary. We would take our children on an extraordinary trip around the world. We would buy the house one street over from ours that has a backyard adjacent to my mother-in-law's house.

We would pay off all mortgages and other debts of family members including my mother, father, 3 brothers, and 4 sisters. Also we would do the same for my husband's mother, father, grandmother, aunt, uncle, and cousins. (My husband has no siblings and few relatives in general.) With everything paid off, my husband's father and mother could finally retire completely. My parents are already retired, but I would set aside money for a live in helper for them.

We would set aside a fund (in a Swiss Bank would probably be best right now) from which we would draw interest alone to bless people anonymously--friends, neighbors, people we read about in the paper or just talked to in the grocery store.

We would also put aside money for the children, but not too much (no spoiled legacy children like Paris Hilton for us please).

I would contribute a significant sum to my friends' Christian non-profit org for them to use building more orphanages in India and getting more child prostitutes free there. My friend Susan grew up in an Indian orphanage and has big plans to expand the number of children they can help by building new facilities.

I would relocate the family of Burmese refugees that our family is working with so they can be closer to their brother in Texas.

I would establish or support an already established program to compensate low income Indian or Cambodian families who enroll in programs to learn to create income through business rather than by selling their children.

In summary, my most important priority would be to secure the freedom of these young children who have been so tragically forced into sexual slavery and to establish loving homes for them where they experience true redemption.

Of course, like everyone else I want to pay off my debts. But after that the one thing I would like to do is help my mom. She is 73 years old and is still working. She has worked her ENTIRE life!! She just quit her most recent job because the employees were treating her so badly. She's a good worker and when people see that they take advantage of her. The only reason she still works is because my step-dad is disabled and they still have a mortgage and she needs to pay for her supplemental health insurance. I think it's past time for her to kick up her feet and enjoy her 9 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Some of them leave in different states and her dream is to travel around to visit them. So if I won $100 million dollars I would pay off their debts, buy them a Winnebago and let my mom finally be able to enjoy her golden years!!!

If I had the money, I would choose option E. I would spend consertatively and save most of it, but I would definitely keep working, but I would do something that made me happy rather than something that will make alot of money. I probably would take a little time off to go on a much needed vacation with the family, and also finish college to get my Master's Degree. I would pay off my car and medical bills, and buy another car that we desperately need but can't afford now. I would definitely buy a small chunk of land (maybe 2 acres in a community) and build a house on it, so the kids have a yard to play in. I would fill up all of my childrens college funds, pay for my parents house and cars (and also buy them a small vacation home in NC so they can come more often to visit their grandchildren). I would also buy pieces of land for each of my kids to eventually build a house on, and put money away for that (I fear that with the price of everything going up, they won't be able to afford to buy a house when they get to that point). I would put more money into my husband's cleaning business since that has been his dream, and he is such a great dad, he deserves it. Everything else, I would save, save, save. If you put it in the bank, you can pretty much live off of the interest.

I would also donate some of my money. I spend alot of time volunteering, and love to give back to my community. Two major organizations that have touched my life are the Children's Hospital and Ronald McDonald house in Washington, DC, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

I choose E.
I would do the usual things, pay off debt, pay more into our retirement fund. Then I would donated MILLIONS to spaying and neutering every dog and cat in North Carolina that needed to be done. I do animal rescue (with a huge focus on doing trap/neuter/return of feral cats in Wake County and surrounding areas) and there are dozens of dogs and cats that will be killed in shelters in the Triangle today alone. Those animals did nothing wrong. They were just born into a world that didn't have a home for them. So I would help anyone and everyone in North Carolina spay/neuter their pets. It is a mission of mine. In the last three months I have helped get 25 feral and stray cats neutered and spayed. I wish I could help do more!! If anyone is feeding a stray cat in their neighborhood or at their workplace PLEASE get it spayed/neutered so you aren't feeding 15 by next summer! Please send me a message if you need help trapping or getting info on low cost spay/neuter programs (anyone with a dog or cat and use local low cost spay/neuter programs).
Helping homeless animals is a passion of mine. Sorry to be so longwinded!
Tricia

First I would payoff all our debt. Next I would well fund my husbands struggling business so he could grow the business. I would cut back my job to part time, to have more time at home with my children. I would fund the college savings for all three children and open retirement accounts for my husband and myself. Lastly, I would help payoff my parents house, so they could live a little more comfortably. If after all that, there is still anything left, we would take a family vacation that the children would remember.

I would do so much that our family is now doing only on a grander scale! My son is a childhood cancer survivor so I would finally pay off all of the medical bills we have incurred over the past nine years and start paying Duke for his college education instead if his diagnosis. I would pay off the house and car, I would finish an old car project my husband has been working on since we met. Then sock some away for travel, having fun family time and to live a normal middle class life. I would fund our son's non profit (www.nickelbyproject.org) that brings smiles to sick kids, make very generous donations to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the American Cancer Society, the Children's hospital in Washington DC, Duke, and Ronald McDonald House Charities and a ton of others who have helped us in our time of need to help find a cure.

I would say thank you, thank you, thank you!

I would pay off debt, buy a beach house, buy a second beach house for friends/family to visit, let me mom quit her job and buy her a house. Probably help my brothers/sister out and In-Laws, too.
I would probably work part time (for free) for a non-profit or maybe start one, I think I would need to find a good way to give back.
I like the NC State tickets, may have to do that.

I would first pay off our adoption debt. Then pay off my 2 oldest sons college loans. Set up college funds for the 2 boys at home and the 2 girls too!! Then I would like to move closer to my family or move them closer to us. Since we drive 3 older than dirt cars I would get 3 newer cars!! The ideas are endless!!

E. A little "A" and a little "C". The first think I would do would be to give up my full-time job and use that time to be with my daughter and become a dedicated volunteer. It would be so nice to just have flexibility! Yes, I would definitely pay off my bills, mortgage and do some nice things. I would probably give a great amount to the church and some charities it supports. I don't need to live in a big house or have a fancy car, just being secure and being able to help others would be a great feeling!

I would hire a lawyer to accept the money on my behalf and try to keep it on the hush hush then after taxes.. which should be about half.. Buy a decent house on a lake nearby, college funds for the 4 kids, and 6 nieces and nephews, fix up our current house and sell it or heck give it away, pay off all debts. Pay to have my mother in law's house rased and rebuilt! Hire a lovely household assistant.. and then invest the rest so i have a somewhat steady income and can continue to to good!

Pay off mortgage, fund kids college, buy bigger house, go on lots of vacations!

I'd finally be true to the requirement to tithe! Then I'd pay off all my debts, buy my dream home, set funds aside for my daughter's university education and a trust fund and help some family members. Then I'd establish a foundation in honor of my parents to help those with certain medical disorders and a scholarship fund in my late nephew's name for family and nearly family members. Lastly, I'd open my dream business where I'd work with the elderly and children.

Fund my daughter's 529 account.

Travel, see the world.

Give to local charities.

Live life to its fullest and take my friends on the journey with me.

I forgot to add that I'd let my 15 y/o get her drivers license as I'd be able to offer car insurance.  :)   Then I'd buy a hybrid  for each of us.  We'd go on a mad shopping spree in NYC and other places.  I'd take her on a 10-week long vacation when she gets out of school in June; cruising and jetting all over and visiting family and friends that we left behind in Miami.  I'd help out a couple of friends that are having it rough and I'd definitely pay off my sister and brother-in-laws mortgage so that they can breathe.  I'd also set aside special funds for my great nephew who has some developmental issues to ensure that he always receives the care that he needs. 

Hmm...a million dollars. By the time I am done answering this question I will probably be super sad this is just an imaginery question! :) But here goes. Of course I would love to get rid of our debt (student loans, mortgage, etc.). Because I feel education is so powerful and a key to success in life, I would like to set up college funds for each of my children. I will put away enough for each of them to never deal with student loadns like we face. Then I would love for my husband and I produce a CD in a studio. We both love to sing and that is actually what brought us together. We have always wanted to record together but never had the money. Even Paula Abdul said we could "make good money where we are from" singing together...however we do not have the funds to get "out there in the music world". You can go to our website www.dnkmusic.tk and listen to us sing under demonstrations (we are singing The Prayer). So having the money to make that dream come true would be out of this world fantastic. I am a HUGE family person, so with the remaining money I would love to help out some of my family members who have/are struggling to make ends met. To give a gift like that to people who I love so dearly would be so rewarding. With the rest of the money I would like to donate to various charities. Because I realize the remaining money is not enough to make a HUGE impact in another country I would like to put this money to "cheaper" items (ie. mosquito nets, formula for malnourished babies, etc.) that can be given to thousands...thus making a HUGE impact. This money can be stretched literally and geographically. So that's my story with what I would do with such incredible luck! :)

I would have to think about me and mine...college funds, adding a family room to our house, new tires for the car... and I would just have to have an impact on a larger scale. $99 million can have a large impact and today I would chose to focus on educating girls in seriously impoverished areas. It would take some research to focus on a specific area whether in this country or in a foreign land. Educating girls has lasting sustainable impacts on families, communities, and cultures that I feel can change things for the better for so many.

•  * I would PAY for the DREAM VACATION for the EDITOR OF the MOM2MOM giveaway.
•  *I would pay back my mother in law for everything shes done for us!
•  *I would buy my family a nice house to live in ..one with a room for everyone and a bathroom for everyone ( Also hire a Maid!!! ) LoL
•  * I would Give my mom enough to live on.
•  * I would donate a good lumpsum to our church.
•  * I would donate to the Childrens Cancer fund.
•  * I would open a college fund for all 3 of my children and one for my niece.
•  * I would fill up my fridge ( I hate worrying about what we might eat from day to day!)
•  * fill up my gas tanks! lol
•  * I would fix my cars, i dont need new ones just a tune up on the ones i have... LoL.

E. Other

10% tithe first.

Then I would certainly pay off all our debts. There probably wouldn't be too much left after that! ha.

I would set up a good retirement plan for my hubby and I and an educational fund for our 2 daughters.

If there is any left over.. I would buy a pimped out RV and travel across the US with my family (inviting any extended family members and friends to join in!)

I would also buy a lifetime supply of red licorice.

I would also update my wardrobe. I don't like to shop, but something has to be done!

Wow - this is my favorite game! My husband and I play the "what if" game all the time. After taking care of my boys' futures and paying off the house, etc., I would take care of the financial worries of some extended family members. I'd take everyone I know and love on a great trip, contribute large gifts to some favorite charities and churches, and find a REALLY good financial advisor to help me invest, living off the interest (OK, at least during the years when there IS interest). I don't care about living large - I would want my family and friends to all be comfortable and worry-free, at least in the financial sense. I think I would still work, because I love the people I work with and the company I work for. But I would work less - a lot less - and be with my boys and wonderful husband more.

Like most everyone - I'd pick "E". Of course, to be prudent, I would pay off our debts and put some away for our retirement. Then on to our little princess' college/wedding/misc. fund. I do agree w/ others that Sophie will need to learn the value of money, so she will still have to work in her lifetime. I would then move my mom from PA to here so she can be closer to us and finally be able to have her retire in comfort. I would donate quite a bit to Kiwanis International for all the great work they do w/ many organization and help the area Key Clubs with their projects. My hubby would want to finally get his dream land (10 acres) and boat. There are so many other things to do as well - tough to list them all in one post! haha.

of course - buying enough diapers to last her through the next few years will take a nice chuck of the 1 million.

well, they say that having alot of money won't make you a happier person, but I bet it would make you a more popular one ! that's probably the downside of having money. My first priority would obviously be my childrens education. I would want to make sure that my parents and in-laws can live out their retirement in style, being able to take wonderful vacations a few times a year. I would have family reunions every year on a private island and I would start a college fund for kids who can't afford it. maybe also donate money to schools for their arts programs. All three of my kids are involved in music / arts / drama and I think it's so important for them to have something special they can call their own.

E. Other

$100 Million!!!!!!!!!!!! Hummm the first thing i would do

1. PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!
2. Pass out
3.Wake up
4. Hire a Lawyer lol

Give 10% to my church which would really help them because we are building a new church right now.After that i would of course pay off my debt and set up a savings and college funds for my kids. I would spend $1 million on my parents and my husbands parents by paying of their houses off and debt etc. I would open up a non-profit business that helps people find jobs,write resumes,etc. Invest in my future so i won't be broke in 10 years and finally Take a wonderful VACATION to some island with VIP service.

First of all... that is totally unimaginable. Right now I am borderline between wishing daycare costs would end (have 1.5 years left) and not wanting my baby (Shes 3) to grow up. I also have a 10 year old and would love to give them the oppurtunities to learn by providing some of the things that my parents were not able to.

So, pretty much. I would keep my life just the way it is. I think it is invaluable to teach children about having to wait and work for things. I would however, pay off the $20,000 in debt I have incurred while being a single mom. I would set up college funds of some sort and get my daughter the tutoring she desperatly needs.

I would give my parents some money - they also struggle (probably just like most these days). I WOULD move out of the "ghetto" - no offense to anyone. I would invest the bulk of it in a trust fund with guaranteed returns. We could easily live off of the interest and I would have a part time job, so I could spend time with my children. Other worthwhile causes such as giving money to deserving strangers, funding non-profit organizations, and funding charities could be carefully evaluated as they came along. I can think of several worthwhile things in the world to spend money on!!! 

 So, thanks for the chance to imagine!! Its been fun!  But, truly I think we all have what we have because that is what god gave us - that is how I get through each day.  But, I SURE would not pass up any amount of millions! 

 OK Someone wake me up NOW.

I will pay off debits and have a wedding like I wanted and a honeymoon.This year I got married but we have to have it at the court house.Money was very tight.We been together for ten years.I love him to death even if we had a wedding or not. We been through alot in them 10 years. By the grace of god we been working it out.And I would love to help the homeless. Start up s shelter a place they can eat and take a bath.Help them to find a job. I have three boys I'll put their college funds aside.

E. Other. I play the lottery regularly so I think about this subject quite often. I would first and foremost take care of my family. Ensure that mortgages were paid off and college funds set up for the younger kids w/ new vehicles for the older kids with retirement funds for the even older relatives. I would love to be able to give a substantial sum of money to my sister's church in memorial to her to purchase property for a new school. Then I have 3 close friends who I would share my wealth with because I know they would do the same if circumstances were in their favor.

I would pay of debt, splurge a little and take 3 vacations , one with chidlren, one with my husband and one alone.....I would put $ in savings and sell my houe.  I would also want to first help family, then friends and then local charities.   

100 million???!!! Here's what I would do:

Pay off the following - minivan, student loan, house

Set up $ for each child's future, give money to relatives, buy a new house and a hybrid for my husband.

Retire early and enjoy spending time with family, and travel when the kids have a break from school.

Finally, work with Wake County to set up a Land Trust to preserve nature areas, set up a new no kill animal shelter, and work to set up a charity & scholarship program for local families in need & single mothers. :)

E. 1st I go on a cruise or another great vacation, I would take all of my family and friends. Then, I'd pay off all debt and put money in to college funds. I would buy a bigger house to have a bigger family, since I could now afford to have a large family. I would make sure that my parents and my mother-in-law are well taken care of for the future. I would put some money into savings to save for retirement. I would use the rest of the money for research for heart and artery disease to ensure my husband can watch his kids grow up. And maybe a shopping spree somewhere in there!

Hard to believe I know but I pick C. I would take what I needed to live and give the rest away. The love of money is the root of all evil and even if money can make you more "comfortable" it can't buy happiness. Studies have shown that the level of satisfaction in one's life may temporarily change with a windfall gain (lottery, inheritance, etc.) but that eventually the level of happiness and satisfaction in one's life eventually goes back to where you were when you started. So if you were a miserable, malcontent before you came into money, chances are you wind up being a miserable, malcontent after the money (especially after it's all gone). Look at the news coming out of Hollywood (or London) and it's pretty clear that having "everything" that our culture defines as success, including large sums of money, really isn't the key to happiness. I do believe that we need to share what we have (even though I am not always doing a good job of this currently) and if we all shared a little more the world just might be a happier place.

Debt, only the mortgage...would go for a bigger one on the house at the beach and one at the mountains. Fill the kids 529, you bet, particularly with the market as such basement prices. Live large and blow it in 5-years...not a chance. Keep living within our means and make sure the kids (all five) don't out-grow their genes. Support some favorite charities, but like brownie77 says, avoid the swindlers.

E. I would pay off debt then give my BIG family a chunk of it under certain stipulations and then invest another chunk of it in real estate and finally give the last chunk to my church. Yep! That's my answer and I'm sticking to it!

First, I would tithe 10% sending parts to the Interfaith Food Shuttle, setting up a "scholarship" for adoptive parents with Child of the Heart (the agency we used), sending some a Zimbabwean orphanage that really needs the money and some to Haiti. Then I would fix the house, fix the cars, fix the children's college funds. Hmmm, maybe get cable tv! I would be able to go back to school and finish my degree (that might make me the happiest!) and spend more time volunteering at my children's school. I would travel the world exposing my children to other countries cultures and histories (taking along Sarah, the site editor of course ;) ). Oh, the wishes!

Well where to begin... A million dollars would go a long way... new shoes, beach house, new car, trip to nyc... aaahhhh back to reality. I will probably put the necessary amount aside for my son's college fund. Then, pay off the house and the car, invest some so my husband doesn't have to work so much, give some to friends who are struggling and if enough is left over, spend the day at a spa.

E: Other.... I would buy a townhome in Morrisville, buy a new car, pay off my moms debt/house/car, pay off my debts, put money away for my son's college tuition, and contribute money to various charities. A good long vacation is in order too!!!

I would:
-Give 10% to church
-Pay off the mortgage and both sets of parents mortgages
-Set up college fund for children, nieces and nephews
-Pay off debts like student loans and cars
-Be able to staty home with son and would be able to have the 4 children I want (husband said if we can afford them)
-Give parents, siblings, and extended family money
-Take holiday trip with all extended family
-Set up college scholarships for police officers children
-Move to a log cabin where we would have some land and be able to take in rescued animals
-Invest
-I always thought it would be fun to put $ into American Express gift certificates and hand out randomly to people you meet on the street or leave in mailboxes in some of the houses I drive by on the way to work.
-Donate to causes we believe in such as breast cancer, MS, feeding the hungry, habitat for humanity, etc

With my million dollars, I would pay off my $70,000 home and be so happy. Pay off my car that has 110,000 miles, have a college fund for my daughter, Buy me a designer purse....Pay for all my parents gas for hauling my child to school for 8 years and breakfast at McDonalds for the rest of their lives.
Then I would do what I have always dreamed of being able to do. Give to others, just random acts of kindness that I can not afford at this time.

Man $100 million?!?! hard to even fathom.
1. 10% to my church
2. 10% to companies that help entrepreneurs
3. set aside enough to pay for college for our 3 sons
4. pay off the homes of my in-laws and my mother
5. Call Suze Orman and see what financial advisor she'd recommend. Pay him/her to help us finance everything else.
6. Purchase two reliable cars that are able to transport 3 kids around easily
7. Quit my day job and really pursue my side gig:
www.heaven-sown.com
8. Fund some type of program that offers a great speaker for kids who want to make something of themselves one day.
9. Sell our home and purchase a home that is not extremely expensive, but has the little character touches that we like, but couldn't afford in our current home.
...am I done yet? :)

Wow; what would I do with 100 million dollars. First, I would donate 10 million dollars to help find a cure for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, since I was diagnosed with this disease in 2006. Second, I would donate 10 million dollars for Autism, because my oldest son has just been diagnosed as having Asperger's syndrone. Third, I would donate 10 million dollars to find a cure for Diabetes, because my Uncle is having a hard time dealing with this disease now. I would also have fun with this money too such as I would buy a new house in the city. Me and my kids would take vacations all around this great country also.

I would do a modified version of A. Definitely pay off debts, fill college funds, fill a travel fund, and make sure we had a great house at the beach (gosh, the possibilities - in NC, the tropics, or Europe...ahh, to dream...).

I would also be sure that my sister and dad were set financially. They've had a hard time and deserve not to worry about the future ... and I'd feel the relief of not having to worry about them, too. :)

I wouldn't want to live to extravegantly, so I hope there would be plenty to be able to give to charities.

 Not telling many people (or at least not how much) is a great idea too. Money can create problems as well as opportunities.

I would love to pay off all my debt and fill a college fund for my daughter. I would give a yearly amount to my niecse and nephews for college funds. Then I would set up a yearly fund for my daughters school so that they could have different programs and activities with no cost to the families at the school. Finally I would take my entire family to Italy for a family vacation where we culd have fun and enjoy see some of the history of our family. I would pay back my parents for all the times I had to borrow money from them (with tons of interest for how long they have been waiting for me to pay them back). Finally I would start a business where I could enjoy going to everyday even if I did not have customers or made any money (like a fishing store where I could also book trips for people who want to fish around the world).

I would LIVE! Working all my life and making a better life for my family is what I have done. I am happy with that :) but I would make life better for so many people in my life who need a chance to Live and enjoy their dreams.
But this is only a dream too isn't it? back to work!

Good thinking Brownie77. You do have to worry about what would happen if you won that kind of money. If you've ever seen those specials about lottery winners, years later, most of them are broke and have miserable lives. I also know of a family personally that came into a little (okay alot) of money and they just went crazy....now it's gone and they are flat broke and borrowing money from family members for basics. What makes people lose self control and common sense, and couldn't it happen to any of us?

I would pay off debt, mortgage, husband's student loan, car, etc. I would set up college funds for my kids and nephews. I would definitely give some to my church and the church I used to attend before we moved here. There are several charities I would donate money too, that amount of money would go a long way. I would definitely go on a few trips especially to visit my family.

The question is what do I need to do with the money, not what I want to do with it. In these trying times, my husband got laid off. I've been a stay at home mom with my 3 children for the last 7 years. Both of us are college educated and looking for work. I would use the money until one of us got a job, than I would use the rest for establishing a free clinic for those families who have also hit hard times. You never realize how important healthcare is, until you don't have it. You take it for granted because you know its always there as long as your employer provides it. I've looked into private insurance, but it is so expensive. I will work very hard to make this clinic work, find the suitable people to back it up, and find the healthcare works to make it happen. I don't want others to worry. I've done that enough the last couple of months. I would like to thank our family for helping support us these last few months.

I would convert as many cars that I could from gas guzzlers to electric for FREE to the owner of the car. I also would take the motors to the scrap place for money and reinvest to give more conversions. The reason is simple, the only way we are going to become less dependent on foreign oil is if we get the gas guzzlers off the road. Not everyone can afford to buy a new car much less an electric car. By converting the cars, you get that many off the road and more people depending less on oil. By looking on UTube, it would be very easy to do if you had the parts and some manual labor.

E - Definitely other... when I have $100 million, then I'll figure out what to do with it. Until then, I don't have the time or energy to think of what I'll do with something I clearly don't have.

Now $500 at Cameron Village, that's something I could figure out how to spend very quickly. Can you say, shoes? :)

If I won 100 millon I first would finish God's church by finishing our remodeling of our church.I would also donate a sizable amount in our church account to be able to help people that needed help. I then would make sure my family had all they needed and would pay off my debt. Money is good but it can be evil if you don't use it in the right way. I would help anyone who needed it.

E: Pay off debts for sure and then secure my family's futures as best I could. I would probably buy a toy or two as well :)

I was drawn to this site by the idea of winning something I don't already have. But in taking the time to read through people's posts, I realized that I already do have everything I need. Yes, I have debt...but in time I will pay it off. Yes, I would love to buy my children a house with a bigger yard...but my townhome has served us just fine. Yes, I would love to be able to give my mom some extra spending money to make up for all the years she sacrificed for me...but had I not watched her struggle, I would not be the strong and capable woman I am today.
Last week two little angels rang my doorbell and asked me to help them wake up their daddy who was turning black and not waking up for them. Sadly I was unable to help him either. I had to stand there with these tiny girls and watch the hope leave their eyes as I told 911 that it was too late. In the days that have passed I have come to know this family, who only a week ago were strangers, and I have learned that nothing in this world is more important than the people we love.
As a single mom for the past 11 years, the idea of winning free stuff would be an answer to prayer. But having experienced what I did last week, I would trade any prize in order to bring joy to those little girls lives.

I would absolutely pay off my debts and buy a home. We had a home but lost it with the terrible economy. Being in debt and without your own home makes you feel sad all the time. Then I would give some to God to thank Him for making it all happen!

i agree w/ brownie77 and a few others - don't tell anyone you won! that way you can make smart decisions with the money rathre than rush into something you weren't expecting.

as for the $500 - that's a whole lot of christmas presents! (for other and me!!)

Winning a grand sum of money probably would mean we'd finally have the freedom to share with others what God has blessed us with. Of course I'd give my tithes, pay bills and set aside money for the children's education. After that, there are so many needs, that we would certainly give lots of prayer and thought to the how we could the most people with the greatest needs. I would most definitely be a blessing!

After reading some of the other responses, I would surely save for retirement. My husband, of course, would have put that way at the top of the list. Retirement seems so far away and probably will be since I'm still young (ha, ha).... but I'd just forgotten that tidbit.