What to do with $50-million

(Aired on July 23, 2010)

What would you do with $50-million? 

The Lotto Max draw will take place in about a half an hour.  The jackpot is back up to $50-million, and with multiple spinoff million dollar prizes thrown in for good measure.  And even though it may not be smart to come within shouting distance of anything connected to BCLC right now, I must admit, I've bought a ticket.  I only tend to buy tickets when the prize is obscenely large - which doesn't make sense, I know, but leave me be.

Buying a ticket gives you license to dream.  It's like voting gives you license to dream about good government.  Just the other day, the people in the office were fantasizing about what they would do if they won the big prize.  Would you keep working?  Most people wouldn't.  Of course everyone would help out friends and family, and make sure the people they care about are taken care of.  How much would you donate to charity, and to which causes would you donate?  How would you protect yourself from people trying to take advantage of you?

And finally, how much would instant wealth change the actual substance of your life?  I look at friends and acquaintances in upper income brackets, and it quickly becomes evident that money doesn't solve all of a person's problems.  There is as much misery and unrest among the rich as there is anywhere. 

So to the person who wins the big prize tonight - or whenever its awarded - try to keep some perspective.  And if you'd like, I'd be willing to discuss this further, for a small fee.