Let's Pretend -Millionaires(homesteading or philosophy)

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Jack's thread go me to thinking-again: What would I do if I suddenly got a million dollars? I'd tithe, pay off all debts, do all the usual stuff that most people would do when coming into money. Then I'd plant trees and give some money to help stop female mutilation in Africa and even here. Hope my husband would get into singing more. He'd have to have some kind of work, he's not good and not doing anything. Then I'd "sit back" and homestead. Don't think much would change except I wouldn't have money concerns.

What about you? What would you do? Would you change? Would you still save the waste water while waiting for it to heat? Would you shop at thrift store? Would you invest? Would you travel? Take classes?

-- Cindy (SE In) (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), February 13, 2001

Answers

I think "homesteading" is not practiced to save money, saving money is a by-product of doing the right thing. I'm sure that once I saw to my basic housing, land and equipment needs that I would continue to be the frugal tight wad I've always been. Waste is waste whether you can afford it or not...

-- Willy Allen (willyallen2@yahoo.com), February 13, 2001.

A farmer was asked what he would do if he won the the Publisher's Clearning House Sweepstakes. His reply? "Keep farming 'til it's all gone."

-- melina b. (goatgalmjb1@hotmail.com), February 13, 2001.

I would pay my bills as far as it would go...

One time on the radio there was a contest for people to call in and win money. Some guy called in and won $1,000. The radio guy asked him on the air what he was going to do with the $1,000. The guy replied, "I'm going to spend about $950 on booze and women and then just waste the rest of it."

-- Joe (jcole@apha.com), February 13, 2001.


I would pay off all the bills and put the rest in the bank and pretend it was not there.Life would go on just the same but the futur would have less pressure to make money.

-- renee oneill{md.} (oneillsr@home.com), February 13, 2001.

I would be the same old me. I would give half to the needy and spend the rest on farm and family. God comes first even though I have back slid a lot .Family is the next thing in my life I love them all and then the farm tend the garden and animals you know the good life. It dont get much better if I got money or not. Indiana Country Friend Jack Bunyard

-- Jack Bunyard (bunyard@cnz.com), February 13, 2001.


I would buy land to sell to others interested in this lifestyle.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), February 13, 2001.

I'd buy my Perfect Homestead see the thread on The Perfect Homestead (where is it) Then pay off all debts. Help my family and friends. By then I'd be broke again. :o)

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), February 13, 2001.

I don't think I'd want a million dollars all at once. It'd be a lot of stress and cause a lot more problems than it would help. If I did get it, I'd be tempted to get 20-40 acres, plant some alfalfa and apple trees, and more goats, dayliles, and books. The one thing I would really enjoy would be being able to buy gifts for my family and loved ones- things they'd really like. There are several charities I'd like to help, but I have this feeling that money isn't half as important as people who really care and want to help others on a personal level.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), February 13, 2001.

The way to end up wiith a million dollars from farming is, to start out with 2 million.

-- Hendo (redgate@echoweg.net), February 14, 2001.

First off, I have absolutely no desire for a million dollars. I once talked to a woman who had won the lottery and she said it ruined her and her teenagers life. They all suddenly had loads of friend, all hoping for a piece of the action. If someone did force a million dollars on me I would donate probably half of it to spreading the gospel. My husband could retire now instead of waiting a few years. I would set up trusts for my grandchildren but for myself I doubt anything would change. I would continue being frugal. That is just me.

-- bwilliams (bjconthefarm@yahoo.com), February 14, 2001.


I'm not sure what I'd do with it. One thing I'd probably do is find the best interest rate and sock it away. Even at 3%, that would mean $30,000 a year. Since that's much more than I'd ever need, I'd give a lot of that away. How much fun would it be to be the "grocery fairy"? Find some needy family who's fallen through the cracks, buy a bunch of groceries, put them in a box with some cash and a note saying something like "The only re-payment I require is that you do a good deed. That good deed could be as big as giving some of this to the local food closet or as small as smiling and waving at some grumpy person in line at the stoplight tomorrow."

-- Wingnut (wingnut@moment.net), February 14, 2001.

Several years ago, when I was working, our office took a poll. What would you do if you won the lottery? Of the 20 or so people most of them said they would throw the biggest party ever and make everyone around jealous (what a waste). There were only two of us who said we would pay bills and buy ranches of our own. Money can only change you if YOU allow it too. Hubby and I are not wealthy, we are okay. We got that way by not keeping up with the Jones'. We still enjoy haunting the thrift stores and junk shops for useful treasures, going to the library used book sale, scavanging rather than purchasing new. If we had a million I don't think that would change us because that's what we like to do. I think most people who come into money start buying lots of stuff because they think that's what's expected of them and they want to show off. It's a waste.

-- jennifer (schwabauer@aol.com), February 14, 2001.

With what remain after Uncle Sam takes his share, I'd pay off my mortgage and invest the rest so that we can afford to send the children to college, as well as enjoy retirement. I might also donate some money to a local charity.

-- amy (acook@in4web.com), February 14, 2001.

Interesting the replies that say they would give some of it away. IMHO, you don't help people by giving them money. Their is something in money that tends to reduce character. And what is anyone doing with a million of anything? All things in moderation. As for me, I'd say "no thank-you."

-- Fred Taylor (fjcoalco@webtv.net), February 17, 2001.

Unfortunately, I bet that winning the millions would ruin my family and marriage. My wife and I talked about what we would do if we won the millions and in our conversations I found out that our life goals if all could be met are totally different.

I am a homesteader at heart and would take this chance to start a simpler life and homestead andto buy as much land as possible and conserve it as farmland and forest from builders. However my wife is totally repulsed by the idea of living the "simple life". Her idea of a house in the country is one of those huge 4,000sq.ft. houses on 1 acre lots with pools and servents which I think is obsene.

I bet a lot of families are ruined when winning the millions because life dreams can now be met all of a sudden and most peoples are so different. Think about it. Are you sure you and your spouse would want to do the same things with your time and money.

"What would you want to do with your life if you won millions"? This should almost be a question you ask a potential spouse while dating.

-- Robert Paul (rabbits_ca@yahoo.com), February 20, 2001.



There is nothing wrong with saving money or giving money away! Money sure comes in handy if you are suddenly ill or disabled and cannot afford to have someone care for you at home. Your option would be a nursing home--and that means possibly losing your home! Many of us don't see that aspect of life when we are healthy and independent. I see it every day in my work as a community occupational therapist, and it makes me even more determined to have some money safely tucked away for such emergencies. True, giving people money may not solve their problems, but charity is an important value to me. I sure don't want to throw money to organizations that use most donations to pay salaries and administrative costs, but I wouldn't hesitate to help a family that faces homelessness due to fire.

-- amy (acook@in4web.com), February 20, 2001.

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