What Would You Do With $1 Million?

Hire someone to help me get to 2 million dollars, hire my personal trainer for two days a week, and send my mother some money.

I think this book is a good tool. I want to know more. 1 Million! I would first start out by traveling and taking some key best pals on a vacation with me. Not sure of the destination at the moment. It would be warm and tropical. Then I would come home and start some type of organization to help people take care of their existing animals kinda of a low cost clinic. Animal care has gotten so expensive. Then I would set up a program to help youth with the arts. Probably an after school or weekend art program. Possibly a scholarship with this too. I would hire my friend who is an ace grant writer to help me with some grants too. So all these causes could keep going. Me I would plan events to help further my causes and go back to school. I would also help family as much as I could with their dept. Of course hire and investment person.

I would begin by creating scholarships to honor both my grandmother and my husband's grandmother. I would also start college funds for nieces, nephews and friends children who are like family to me. And finally, I would purchase a home where my parents could live near my family when they need to be closer but want independance as well. And if possible, I would try to find the little village in Italy where my husband's grandfather was born and take my sons to see their heritage up close...hoping all the time that we would also find a link there to the family as well. Family is everything to me and I want my children to know where they came from so they will appreciate where they are today!

I'd do something really impractical like build a jewel encrusted rocket or a statue of myself to place in the middle of town. Not really!

I would probably pay off my student loans and the student loans of a few people around me, so we could all breathe a little and start dreaming again. It's a great investment, I think.

Invest, Invest, Invest.

I'd start work on further building my wealth cycle and "cash machine" by bringing in an editorial assistant, investing in a few more rehab or undervalued rental properties and paying for the repairs, fully funding my self-employed pension plan for 2007 and 2006 (which I can do until April 17 this year) so I can put some higher-earning investments, fund a stock market trading account where I can day trade, and -- luxury of luxuries --design my own clothing line for writers.

I would take my wife and I on several cruises and exotic places while she is still
alive. Would purchase a house for my daughter and her two children, and setup
a trust for their college education. Also, would finance my son's next movie. And
set up a website to help others less fortunate then we are.

I really enjoyed reading everyone's contributions to this topic! Loral, I asked a similar question to several financial advisors a while back. If you're interested in their replies you can check out The Bottom Line: What would the experts do with a lottery jackpot?. Thanks for getting this conversation started again Loral.

My goal is to live on 10% of my income and donate 90% to worthwhile causes like Rick Warren currently does.

My wife devotes much of her 'free' time to teach kids, especially the underprivileged, to experience horses and the healing they can foster from their unconditional love. We also want to model and run this idea as a non-profit, much like the top-notch organization we visited called Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch, http://www.crystalpeaksyouthranch.org/

Certainly I want to invest more into direct-participation assets, such as the oil & gas and real estate investing I've learned to do from you (Loral), to increase our passive income, and I want to take my freelance photography and network marketing (i.e. cash machines) businesses to higher levels of succcess too!

By the way, I liked "The Secret" DVD (and would like to read the book), and that has lead me to find "The Power of Positive Thinking" by Norman Vincent Peale. It is the same message as "The Secret" but based on teaching applied Christianity--a simple yet scientific system of practical techniques of successful living that works! Feel free to read Chapter 1 here for free; http://normanvincentpeale.wwwhubs.com/tpopt.html

Thanks Loral!

All I want to do is finish college without worrying about $50k of debt when I graduate. The rest of course goes to the standard places, pay off my bills and invest wisely. Then perhaps when I graduated I'd have more than I started with and enough to find the job of my dreams instead of settling for the first offer as is common in my very small town.

Get in solid financial shape for the future. Make sure my family is provided for. Give a good bit of it to charities close to my heart. Then, follow my dreams!

Sell all our rental property and go on vacation! Of course, a million isn't what it used to be, so we woud probably still need to work. I would save for our retirement and put money in my son's college fund. I would give some money to our church.

I would take $300,00 and put it in a trust fund for my son who has autism so that he will be taken care of if something would happen to me or my husband. I would donate 100,000 to an animal shelter to hopefully help save more lives. I would also donate 100,000 to homeless veterans, possibly a homeless veterans shelter. I dont think you should be living on the street if you served our country, I think you should have a place to live. The other 500,000 I would use to buy my mother a home, go on a family vacation and invest what ever would be left.

1 millon? Is that US dollars Loral? I am from Canada; things are a little different here!!!
Well, I will quit my job, start a few small businesses, surround myself with as many experts as possible, and invest in self education and learning from others.
Start buying and selling properties. I would like to triple this amount in 5 years.
And after I done all that, I'll keep 1/3 of it, and do it all over again.
2/3 of it I'll split between my 2 daughters, conditional on them doing the same thing for themselves.

I would find a way to invest it. one million dollars don't last long.
Even if I just put in savings. I would learn to live off the interest.
I don't have to have the finest things in life. I just want to be comfortable.

It would certainly stabalize things a bit. Some of the sum would be for the giving, otherwise life just isn't worth living. So 1st to pull out of any and all debts, then to invest in success, then comes the helping others part, & from there it's smiles as big as a chelshire cat knowing life from rock bottom , going to the top! I would fulfill my heartfelt promise to 1 of Earth's Finest Downsyndrome Angels & title it: "SOMETHING FOR MANDY" !

Invest, help my family, pay my bills, help others.

I would start by paying off my debt. Then I would start funds to make sure that my children are taken care of for college. Then I would pay off my mother's mortgage. Then I would make sure that my grandmother is living in a place that she will be happy. Then I would use some to help pay off any debt that the rest of my family (mine and my wife's) may have. Then I would build my dream house. After that, I would probably invest a good portion into at least 2 volunteer fire companies that I belong to to either pay off aparatus that they currently have or towards the purchase of new aparatus.

I then would find other ways to share the wealth, with both the money and the secrets that have been shared with me.

After ensuring that our children's education was taken care of, our house was paid off, and given a portion to our church, I would invest a portion and go on missions trips around the world with our church.

My best friend and I have gone through many turning points trying to get a home established where we both have income, a healthy lifestyle and friendship, and people who are supportive of us. I've known him for seven years now, and things just got worse and worse wherever we'd end up. He was sent to a homeless shelter after we began to fight at one place, around the same time I was jailed for harvesting wild marijuana toward tea and food seasoning, which started as a felony. When I was in jail, I began to hear voices and became more and more aware of people and reincarnation. He later found out too late that he had HIV and recently told me that he has AIDS. We aren't living together presently, but it came as bad news and something hard for me to believe because he has lied in the past to manipulate my support financially. With $1,000,000 I would surely split the money with him. First and foremost because through hard times when first meeting him, he became excellent support after a psychosis, and he's been my only friend for this duration. Also so that he can be happy, and I'd also build myself a home. I recently redesigned a home with more appropriate feng shui, and I'd build it close to where I'm currently living out in the country. I'm currently pursuing a writing career to support both of us as it is. At one place, after I was jailed, I couldn't get a job anywhere and was without a car. The voices became violent, and I attempted suicide twice consecutively, hospitalized both times but not on appropriate medication after the first time. With meds, I am recovering, but I can't control whatever thoughts I come to. I'm discouraged most by the attitudes of people when they don't seem to share the view of the world that I have. It's also hard for me to say where the two of us stand when I can no longer support him financially. So far, I haven't been able to establish work anywhere, and jobs are scarce. I'm disappointed with society, and I'd be sure to live a private life with close friends from the past. For him, I just want to see him happy because for him to feel that white people, including me, well with the distrust he has in people and the position he puts himself in with them sometimes, I just want him to be happy. We both deserve a normal life.

Afte paying off my debt, I'd put money away for my boys' school, invest so I can retire before I am 80, buy a house, and I'd give a portion to the charities I normally support. I'd also take a month off of work to travel and work on my photography and do something nice for my friends and family.

Wow that would be so much fun. I think I would invest in my community. I would do things that would help others to have better self esteem. I live in a small community and it is very low income. I am volunteer director of a County food pantry for low income families. I see the need for things that could give the youth some pride and self respect. We do not have a community center in our entire county. I would build a community center for the use of the community but mostly I would have an indoor pool and baketball court for the youth to have activities to keep them from roaming the streets. I am a firm believer that you cannot go wrong investing in the youth. As they progress and make something of themselves, they will bring their skills back into the community to better serve the others.
I would see that their was a place to teach CPR/SFA and swimming lessons to the community. With better CPR and Standard First Aid skills will come less visits to the Emergency Room by being better prepared to take care of their own families.

I would also love to see a gardening Seminars, food preservative seminar and quilting, knitting, etc come to out community. These arts have been lost with the last few generations and the Elderly who once did them have passed on or are too old to teach these skills that can help the faimilies become more self sufficent.

I just love the people in my community. I have come to see good in all of them but they hunger to have peace in thier lives and to become self sufficent. There are very few jobs in our community. most of the jobs that are available are minimum wage with little or no benefits including health care.

That is where I would begin investing my million dollars and go from there. I just want the families to have a chance that is not currently available to them in our community. I am a firm believer that if we strengthen the families, they will in turn take care of themselves and each generation will be better than the one before. They just need some help to get started. I would love to be able to give them that help so the entire community can be better.

I'd pay off all debt that accrues interest, invest a healthy portion, and increase my tithing.

I forgot to mention that I have been a member of your group for a while now. I love your articles but I am not much of a writer when it comes to my comments. Thanks for all your articles.

Invest. Put some away for my kids. Give some to friends and charities. Take a nice trip.

And wonder how I got so lucky!

Wow. There are so many different ways to go with this one. I would love to be in a position to help others by donating money and actually getting involved with some charities so that I can ensure the money is used properly. There are so many causes but the ones that most interest me are animal cruely and children in poverty. I would want to change the world in some small way (for the positive).

Money Management! I would open 5 accounts.

The first is for Uncle Sam he gets the first $200K

Next $200K I would blow on some extravagent "things" ie new cars (Lincoln Navigator and a tricked out Mitsu EVO), some jewelry for my wife and daughter ( a right hand ring for my wife, 1K diamond earings for my daughter),and a trip to the Caribbean (visit the Cayman Islands, sit on the beach with the sun at my back drinking a cool lemonade watching the waves come in)

Next $200K goes to charity - $50K to my local church, $50K to the local food pantry/helping hands group, $100K to open an investment account in a trust to award $5K to $10K each year in scholarships to students interested in becoming entrepreneurs.

Next $200K goes to investments - $150K to real estate and business start ups, $50K to my stock and options portfolio.

Last $200K goes to a living account allowing the freedom to work because I wanted to work not because I had to - financial freedom! Of course I would still work because I love what I do, but it would be nice not to have to.

With the first million I would have to say that I would take care of some health issues, then I have an invention that I would like to develop. I would like to move to a small community that has a high unemployment rate and a low cost of living. I would like to open a manufacturing plant to first of all invest in myself, and then invest in others, giving opportunities to people. I was in a car accident myself in May of 2000, I was ejected from the car in a 75 MPH rollover off a cliff, statistically I shouldn't be here. I have been living in a low for 7 years now, I recently watched the secret and i have changed my thinking ways. I am ready to live in my own home again, not a landlords. I am ready to bring beauty into my life, keep it near me, and share the blessings with others. I may not be able to change the world, but I can change my world, and make a very critical and wonderful impact on several families. My invention is a go. I can see it. I can also see myself on my porch of my small town home, watching as the beauty of the town grows, as do the people and their love. I can see the 50s style diner there on the corner of main street where you can get the best burger n' fries for hundreds of miles around. Of course I had to have the place renovated, I just love that nostalgia. I am 36 years old now, and I can hear the young families talk about how it used to be before. And the thanks and blessings they feel because they are able to stay near the area, around family instead of packing up to move a couple of hundred miles away to find work. I know that I must sound a little different to some folks, rambling on about the feelings that it produces. I have felt those feelings, like when out of the blue the invention, that is so obviously wonderful came into my head. If you are reading this, sometime very soon you are going to read a story, or flip Oprah on (yes I could see that coming towards me too) and you instantly recognize the story. I can feel the happiness of the little town, as its now buzzing again, people making decent money, living in decent homes and their children going to good schools. Seeing that, feeling that, loving that love would be worth far more than a vacation and a sports car. I am currently working my way towards that. I honestly can say that watching The Secret , then watching it again. Then watching it with my kids. I now have my passion for living back. I feel that little butterfly feeling in my chest like when you have bought someone a gift of something they have wanted for a really long time and you just can hardly stand not handing them the beautifully wrapped gift box to open. Isnt it beautiful sitting here on the porch with me, looking out, with the front yard shaded by those 2 huge weeping willow trees? The way the look like fireworks, and their shimmer in the breeze. I am so ready, I cant wait to get the ball really moving~ Many blessings to you all, and thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings with me as well! God Bless, he always does!

Well, my first thought was, I'd pay off our debt. But, the I realized that if I were following your program to make my first million, my debt would not be the dark cloud that hangs over me. So, I think I would just enjoy making that money, and enjoy the people that I would be interacting with while I made it. Of course, I would always be finding ways to "give it back," but I think the most important part would be the joy in making it, and the joy in sharing that joy.

Hire a top-notch tax guru and start with their advice. Then diversify my investment portfolio. There's a new business I'd like to start that requires some capitol investment. Sounds like fun!

Find a way to spread it around. My needs are modest as are my wife's so after our sons are set up we'd share the rest with those in need. In a creative way.

Leverage it.

Help make me a millionaire Loral!!!

Truthfully, I am not really concerned about about accumulating a million dollars. I have an eclectic and rather modest and simple lifestyle. However, I am interested in creating streams of revenue that I could invest in other things and in some particular people. I have two nieces and a nephew who I have already started college funds for. With their age range, college expenses will run for about ten years just to get all of them through their bachelor degrees. My vision for myself is to continue traveling and exploring, only more so and for longer and deeper immersion. My journeys have brought me in contact with with many interesting cultures and people, and also with people who have even the basic necessities of life dangle just beyond their reach. I would like to be able to help some of those people. Altruistic, and at this point ethereal, but something to work on and flesh out while creating those income streams that would fund the dream.

I believe that the most important place I could put my million would be into investments. I would start by giving 10-20% of it to charity- christian organizations. I would put another 10-20% into accounts for my kids. I would invest about 30-50% into real estate and other investments based on advice from my team. Spending the money will just make it disappear, but I would want to put it to work bringing in a stable income for me. However, I would spend some. I would pay off my child support so that I can get my drivers license and then buy a vehicle. I would buy a house for my family and then take a vacation that involved some type of workshop or motivational seminar and lots of quiet time to dream up and plan my next big goal.

I would pay off all my debt and that of my mother and build a "real room" kennel for my dog rescue. Hopefully invest some to keep money coming to help support the rescue.

After putting away half of it for my "golden" years, which aren't too far away now, I would take the rest and pay off all my debt,provide college educations for my kids and grandkids, purchase myself a well needed new vehicle and make sure my mom and stepdad were set for the rest of their lives.

First I would, give thanks for it and give a portion as an offering. Second, I would get counseling on what steps to take to secure my future. I am currently disabled on fixed income, so whatever I do with it would have to last. Once I made sure I have a place to live and funds to live comfortably, good reliable transportation. I would indulge myself with a few of my wants, and try to see some of the world. I'm a grandmother, so I'd like to make sure they are taken care of.

Hi Loral, Thank you for the question and opportunity to win one of your books. I would give away part of the money to theLlions who have helped my sister get a fake eye. She has/had diabetes and lost her pancreas and then kidney failure followed. She was fortunate to recieve transplants but those are now failing so she is once again on dyalisis and on the waiting list for new organs. 40 is too young to die. I would also invest. I live a modest lifestyle and don't need many material things to keep me happy. Give me some land to grow a garden and I'm one happy camper.. lol. To your health. Peace out! Cheers, Roger

The first thing I would do is gave thanks to the Lord for putting you and your book in my path. I would then promptly pay my tithes and give a substantial love offering to be used to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. I would then pay off all my debt, and that of my immediate family's, and invest wisely. My lifestyle would pretty much remain the same, as I happy with that. I would just like to be able to live comfortably, provide comfortably for my family. ensure a positive future for my children so they do not have to struggle as I have, and I would very much like to give back to the world. I believe that if we all helped one another in unity, we would stand much stronger as one nation. I believe that whether rich or poor it is our obligation as humans to help one another in times of trouble. be that financially or emothionally.
And if I were to slip into a selfish moment and do something all for me...........I'd own a cattle ranch that self produced and therefore became my big investment and return! lol

Most likely I would establish a trust for my children; just enough seed money to get them started on their way at a point in their life when the most need a boost. Then the bulk of it into a foundation for writers; creative non-fiction so that people are nurtured as they learn to tell the stories of their life.

First and foremost, I would repay some of the debt that I have incured with my parents over the years! When I was growing up, they were always financially stable. They worked hard for alot of years in order to provide for my sister and I, as well as our extended family. Unfortunately, the extended family members weren't real appreciative and have held it against my parents!! Now, they are looking at the 'retirement age' and they have none. Through no real fault of their own, they are in a very serious financial position and their future is rather uncertain. My dad is taking it all somewhat personally, seeing himself as a failure. This is real hard on him especially. I have been praying that I win the lotto or something, so that I could hand over that check to my dad...
Then I would have to pay off some debts and make a few home improvememts. After that, I would have to give to a charity for the homeless.

The frist thing I would do is consult with my daughter -in-law who manage's a Bank. And as a trained financial planner she can help me set up my company. Once all of details were taken care of, I would start to buy property, off of the foreclosure list and property tax list. Would invest around 250.000 into real estate.I would open a account with 250,000 as working capital to make needed repairs on these properties and pay any back taxes. Of course I would invest around 50,000 and purchase CD's with 50,000. Small returns on investments to be saved. The last four Hundred thousand some in a regular account for daily use. Some to purchase a reliable vehicle so that I could monitor property and work being done. Any rental's would be section 8 and some would be put up for immediate sale. Hopefully I would have cash left over. And then I could set up a Trust for donating money to my favorite "Charitys".

For you being you, and taking the time to publish this piece you are getting a lovely ten star rating. Yea For you!!!! :)

Some Chinese hookers and a bag of cocaine.

Buy my first piece of real estate. I want a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom home in Atlanta, with hardwood floors, big windows, a large family room, fenced in back yard, and tile in the kitchen.

Set up my business as a corporation.

Give 10% to two charities I support now.

Hire ghostwriters to complete two books I'm working on.

Get some more childcare help (I'm a work at home Mom of 4).

I would first pay off the debt I have. I would then sell my condo and upgrade to a modest house. For fun, I would have to take a trip to Las Vegas. The rest, I would invest for the future prospect of opening my own business.

First, and most importantly, I'd put aside 25% of the money toward my family's future, adding to investments I already have. That done, I'd take half of the remaining money and put it into my neighborhood, granting small amounts to homeowners to maintain and improve their properties, improving my own home to act as an example to others, and striving to become a more visible presence in the area. I'd donate 10% to my church and school to support their activities. I'd also take 10% and find a crazy idea or two to invest in - become a silent partner in a small business, finance an invention, help some idea come to fruition. The rest I'd keep handy to take advantage of opportunities as they appear. Nothing worse than finding a million dollar idea and not having a dime to put into it.

If by following your program and accumulate a million dollars, I would have most of my debt gone, and so I would be free to invest further into generating the streams of income. I would have enough to start my event center which has been my dream. I will pay off my children's college debt so they can start fresh in their careers. I would also contribute to the support of my parents and my mother-in-law who could really use a hand. I would like to provide copies of the books to be available to teachers in schools as part of their teaching program so that the new generation of children get this info while they're young instead of like me - almost retired - wish I had it about 25 years ago!

I would pay off debt, Invest, put away some $$ for my childrens future, make sure my mother was living comfortable because I want to Thank her for all the love and support she has given me through out my entire life. I would also put a down payment on a house so we could stop throwing our money away on rent. Lastly I would donate some money to a few various charities I believe in.

If I were to follow you program to become a millionaire, with my million dollars, I would do the following: I would pay off the debt that I had to file in a chapter 7. I would give some to my parents-in-law because they are amazing and take good care of my child during the day. I would put a big down payment on my dream home, which only needs a big back yard, a deck, and a nice kitchen. Lastly, I would save and invest, in order to make another million.

I would go on a month long vacation! Go sightseeing in Europe and then relax in the Greek isles, getting inspiration for my second bestseller.

I would invest in a rental property, preferrably with at least 4 units and hire a property manager to take care of it.

Then I would self-publish my first bestseller and pay someone to handle marketing it to the big book sellers.

And then I would hire web developers and designers to build a web application that I would grow until either Google, Amazon, or the other cash-rich web investors take notice and buy it from me for a couple of million dollars more than I invested in it.

And then since I've freed up my valuable time, I can then spend time volunteering in charities for handicapped or abused children.

First, my husband and I will give 10% to God's work (my church, support several missionaries and Christian organizations). Then we will buy a house to live in (right now we are renting), and perhaps another one for investment. After that, my husband and I will travel and visit family and friends around the world. Also, we will setup our dream of owning our own business.

I have always wanted to figure out how to build up our finances so that we could actually have a nest egg and not worry from week to week what bill was going to be paid next.

What I would really like to be able to do is plan a yearly vacation for the family and take them places that they would enjoy going. I think your books might just help us with doing that.

Loral,

I'm impressed by the number of people who would give to charity first. I certianly would, too.

What would I do with a million bucks?

First, I'd give 10 percent to charities. I usually give where I feel it's needed the most -- to starving and sick children in need of food and medical care. And I look for charities with low overhead. Some have less than a percent in admin costs, others have more than 25 percent going to employees and advertising.

The rest, I'd invest. The interest alone would be enought to make a difference in lifestyle.

It's not the money itself, of course -- it's what money can do for us.

After a few years, allowing the funds to build, I'd seriously consider retiring early from my non-fiction writing to work full time as a fiction writer -- and spend a lot more time with my family and friends!

Thanks for a fun discussion. Now, back to my non-fiction writing.

I'd pay off all my current debts and expand my business.

Raymond Day
President
Nu-Day Technology Corp.
http://www.xellon.org

With my million dollars that was created with Team effort, I would first ensure that it was invested properly to continue growing within my Wealth Cycle. I would, of course, enjoy the material trappings of wealth, but I do have a dream.

Oprah has been an inspiration with her opening of the schools in South Africa. If I were to have a million dollars, I would take the extra cash flow and buy a nice building in down town Sacramento and open up a Center for the Arts. It would be a dontation-driven arts center for children and limited programs for adults.

Public schools have cut funding for art and music and it has been proven that children thrive from the creativity that art and music brings. It actually develops their brains and their learning is improved. My focus would be on giving children WITH AN INTEREST an opportunity to participate in these programs. I would like to be able to pay teachers or teachers-in-training to lead the classes. The end of the year project or performance would be a collaboration of all art and music departments. Our center might even take part in community projects, such as painting a public mural or creating a piece of sculpture for a neighborhood park.

My building and surrounding property would be beautiful - let some landscaping apprentices do their final project in the garden. Let a beginning entrepreneur in house painting and improvement add my building to his or her portfolio. I want to give opportunity to as wide a range of people as I possibly can, and surround ourselves in beauty.

This would fill me up and make my life extraordinarily meaningful. I would love to have the opportunity to be a part of your Millionaire Makeover, Loral. I'm reading your first book right now and I feel empowered. Thank you for your consideration.

Amy

I would buy a house with a big backyard for my daughters to play it. (the oldest keeps asking for a backyard) Maybe a new car and a little investing. I would also use it to help out other members in my family and some to various charities.

I would use aproximately three- fourths of that money to start up my cash machine. I would try to focus ion somthing I love to do - as you suggested. Then I would use the other half to help my family, donate to charity and my church, and finally to have some fun--maybe take a good long vacation.

Loral – Oh, how much would I be thrilled to get $ 1 million in my hands! But, how would I get that much money and who would be crazy enough to thrust wads of a million dollars into my empty pockets while standing as a stranger by the kerb? I do not buy lottery tickets nor do I play games of chance.

However, let me attempt to answer the hypothetical question. First and foremost I would start indulging in my two human weaknesses. But, before that let me tell you what I would do simultaneously with the money. I would study every secret contained in your Millionaire Maker Guides and start investing the money wisely.

Now, about the weaknesses: First, I love to travel widely; see all the wonderful places in the world that we have bequeathed; meet the wonderful people of every clime, culture and economic status, mingle with them and learn about their lives. In fact, there is wonder in all forms of life around us that I would like to explore. Secondly, I want to read, observe, and improve my knowledge and understanding. And, in my solitude and at my leisure, write about anything, be it for my own satisfaction or be it for the eyes of a few inquisitive minds. All this while I will carry with me a blank mind that can be as easily cluttered and as easily erasable as a computer's hard disk except for a tinge of empathy and a glint of humor at the core.

However, I am not thinking of any change to my frugal and hardy lifestyle that encompasses basic sustainability in a wider sense. I would instinctively offer little kindnesses that can alleviate sufferings and misery in a big way. I would share the fruits of my wealth with others wherever it is possible to do so in a genuine and pragmatic manner.

Thanks, Loral for the conversation and the giveaway!

So many things, so little time! I would start by opening a small trust/grant for artists and hire a trustee to oversee it. I would also put some of it away, maximizing mine and my husband's retirement funds. Then, I would fund part my husband's small, budget feature film (the seed money should leverage additional investors, I hope). Next, I would buy a small apartment to fix up and rent in Paris ($1 million doesn't go far in the LA real estate market). I'd start that tea shop I'd been meaning to start. And if there's any left over, we'd go take a nice vacation to someplace I've always wanted to go: Easter Island. Hooray!

Such a nice thing to think about. I would buy a house for my family, take us on a much needed vacation which we have never had, give away some to my sister and her family who has done so much for us over the years, donate to my church and then put the rest in the bank for my son's education.

Help family and friends, pay off debts, and buy a house.

First I would pay off debts, then I would put money in cds and other investments and put away money for my girls to go to college. Then I would focus on getting things that my family and I need. Whatever's left would just be put away for hard times and/or retirement. I dont need to live a rich lifestyle, just need to feel financially secure.

The first thing I would do is set up funds to ensure that my granddaughter and my nieces and nephews all had the funding for a college education should they choose to go. Then I would make sure that my sister had a small but steady income to augment her social security. Finally, I would buy my daughter a nice new place to live.

Given that I'm already on Social Security, whatever remained would be invested for a small income so my savings were there only for emergencies and long dreamed of vacations.

With my million dollars I will buy my first house. I will also spend more time with my 1 year old son (instead of going to work every day and making him go to daycare) by investing wisely in market funds and real estate. I will donate some to the Black River Project....this is an organization that brings medical supplies to places that need them (Jamaica, Africa, etc.). I would make sure that my son has money to go to any college that he wants to, and to help him start his "life on his own".

The only thing I would purchase for myself would be a new bow for my violin (of course, I'm talking about a bow that costs 10 to 20 thousand!)

It's an interesting question. A million dollars is not what it used to be, but it is something that can be used to create security for myself and others.

Most of all, I would concentrate on living comfortably, but simply.........and I would invite all my friends from all over the world to a REALLY BIG PARTY!!!!!!!!

I would travel, take the kids and spend some time getting some good culture. I would be investing it of course so that it continues to grow.

I'd do the same as we have done with all extra money that comes our way - some into rental property, some into paying off mortgages, some into term deposits.

1) Take a 2-week dive vacation in Palau on a live-aboard with my husband.
2) Buy myself a hybrid car.
3) Invest the rest of the money in my company's model portfolios.

I would pay off all of my debt, pay off my father, sister and nephew's debts. Then I would donate 10% of the balance to my favorite charities. Lastly, I would invest the rest so that I could begin my to complete my life goals.

I really don't need money. Not money like that. I need enough to get by. It's getting by that makes me happy. Not struggling to get by, but getting by. Happy is what I want. For that, I guess I need The Secret. At least, that's what I hear. I have been through hell and back in this lifetime. Money wouldn't have changed it, one way or the other. I still would have went through it, just like i did.
I want to experience a good life. It's a simple request. I dream big, but I grew up being told to do nothing less.
It is because of that, (that if I had money) I'd make my surrounding supporters lives as good as my own. I owe them that much... for the time they have put in while we dealt with the life I have had so far...

I'd also do the obvious...
but not right away.
I'd want to make sure if was given where it could truly do the most good.
That would take research and a lot of thought.

Oh, don't think I haven't thought about this and winning Megabucks! First, a modest house and 5 acres. A modest amount given to my two children to invest. Donations to Tibetan Children's Villages, the Dalai Lama. the "Lost Boys" of Sudan who desperately need money for education and rebuilding their villages, and a fund to help displaced older homemakers in my state. Then I'd invest the rest and finally buy myself a Golden Retriever puppy.

Family always comes first and in my family my wife always comes first. I would ask for her advice and we'd sit down and draw out a plan. Both of us are frugal, so we would not waste money on new electronic toys, or new household goods. We are happy with our two Saturn cars and would make no plans to buy a new car. Our first plan would be a list of things we'll need in the future. We would set aside $100,000 for this in a separate bank account. My daughter is graduating from university and she will need a good car. She has enrolled to get her Master Degree and there is a possibility she will get married. My son graduates high school next year and will attend a public university. We would put around $150,000 in the bank for these needs of our children. This should be plenty with the interest we'll earn. We would put $100,000 in the bank as a rainy day fund for our children's future, but not tell them about this and only give our children money in the future when they really need it. Of course we'd buy some nice gifts for my mom and my wife's parents, but they have good financial stability and I know they'd frown on a monetary gift. Next on our list would be our health concerns. We would put $250,000 into a bank account just to deal with any future health needs. We know five good people who are struggling to pay their mortgage. We would give each of them $10,000. My wife and I have talked about what we'd do, if we won the lottery. If I had $1 million, $200,000 would go into bank account to draw interest, then I would set up a non-profit organization and get IRS tax exempt status. The purpose would be to change the visual environmet in blighted neighborhoods. $200,000 isn't much money for this purpose, but the plan would be to spend only $20,000 per neighborhood and rely on volunteers and business donations of needed goods to give a neighborhood a makeover, so people, especially children, would feel good about their environment. It's a very small step, but I believe it is important to help change this for the better, if only one neighborhood at a time.

Well, first I would pay the taxes... now that's it's half gone (LOL), I'll give some to my church and probably some to Habitat for Humanity. I would invest part of what's left in mutual funds, part in real estate, and part in equipment for my business -- bigger screen printing press and dryer, pad printer, laser engraver, print/cut system, and a better embroidery machine. Oh, I'd probably buy a house for myself too, and a new (used) Jeep.

Additionally, I guess if I had some money leftover for me to consider this, I'd donate to researching schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, but I think my own contribution to what I know is the best thing I can do.

I would give 10% to my church automatically. Then go to seminary to become a deacon and give back to the community. I would make sure that the millions continued to grow and then my husband and I would travel and see the world.
Money can buy more than things and you can't take it with you so you have to make the most of what you have.
I'm sure this sounds contrite but it is my values.

I'd pay off all my debts, and then, if I had enough money left, I'd have a castle built for my husband and I. :) (castlemagic.com)

I would invest, pay off debts, return to college to finish out my degree, set aside funds to make sure my three children have enough to graduate from college. I would start a (much needed) literacy program in our county and establish programs geared towards helping our children with advanced education. I would also like to aid others in fulfilling their dreams and goals. What good is a good secret to success if the wealth is not shared?

I would pay off my daughter's mortgage in England first. Give me husband's family some money so they wouldn't feel left out.

Then I would put $300,000 in an annuity that would give me 6% - 7% for the rest of my husband's life and continue for the remainder of my life. My husband is 73 and had 3 heart surgeries, insulin dependent diabetic, kidneys going downhill, feet problems, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, arthritis, and the list goes on. I had thought I was going to lose him on more than 6 occasions.

His Royal Air Force pension dies with him so I would be living on a quarter of what we have now.

I am a caregiver and work with people with Alzheimers so I would give generously to this charity. My husband is a Shriner so they would get money to.

I'd convert it to Sterling, sit back and think about what I wanted to do .... then probably stop working - I'm reaching burn-out with students, anyway... I'd buy a small but and ben in the Highlands, on the shores of a good fishing loch (I don't fish, but my husband does).

If someone gave me a million dollars.....

- first off the top is the 10% to give to my church. I am working my way out of financial debt right now and working hard so that I can give my 10% as the bible tells us to do.

- Pay off our debt including the house (our total debt to pay off with house, cars, bills - approx $185,000)

- Buy a little bit bigger house that has air conditioner and a good roof and a yard. I would like a 5 bedroom house so that each of the 4 kids has their own room rather than sharing rooms.

- pay back my in-laws for all that they have helped us with financially over the last couple years.

- buy my in-laws a house in Alabama so that they can live near us.

- pay for and pre-pay for college educations for each of my 4 kids.

- save the rest in the bank so that I will have enough to give to my kids, community, family, etc.

- my husband and I have been struggling financially for the last 18 years and never seem to get ahead. We have mismatched furniture and nothing nice or pretty. It would just be nice to be able to afford to get grocerys when we need them, get a haircut when it needs it, buy a pair of shoes when the hole gets too big, etc.

It would just be nice to be able to not have to save up for weeks and weeks just to buy a pair of shoes or pants etc.

what would i do with a million dollars. That is fairly easy. The first thing i would do is finish my education(that goes for my husband also.) that is a major goal for me. i just do not have the funding to do so at this point. It is important because i have two great kids that i want to aspire to be like their parents when they grow up, and i want to set a great example to follow. next, i would take the time to just stay at home and be a mom. i wish i could soak up every last minute of my childrens lives right now, but life does not always allow. i want to have the time to teach them about life, nature, books, people, cultures, everything from how to grow a flower to what forms a black hole in space. if their minds can imagine it, i would like to be there to help expand it. after that, i would like to open my own little company. i love to draw and i love making t shirts. that's just who i am. i love to design. i'd like to co-op it with the local area schools. the students get some experience in business and how to grow your dreams and i get to inspire a new generation of artist. then, there are humanities and animalities (i guess i made that one up) here and abroad. i know there are so many people especially children in need here and abroad and i would like to do my part to help. i am also an animal friendly fanatic. reptiles and dogs win my heart, but i have love for all. i would like to set up a foundation where a portion of the sales from my company go to help people and animals in need. those are my millionaire aspirations. thanks.

i will first hire a qualified CPA so that i can get advice on how to use the money. i would invest certain amount on stocks and bonds. then invest some in precious metals like gold or invest in commodities like oil.

i will give to charity like Room to Read and World Vision, they are my favourite charity.then i would go on a world tour and meet my old friends in Australia, UK, India,Nepal, New York, New Hampshire, Cyprus. and yes i will give some money to my brother, he need it for his law school and if after all this i have any money left..i will buy new pair of jeans..i just have two pairs right now..

sweet dreams..

I would buy a house and car for my family and a house for my mother (she has 2 cars).
A tombstone for my father's grave. Start a well searched out home business and invest the rest.
I am from a hard working family, so not sure about giving to charity. But for sure would give a bit to the church. They have always been there when we needed a hand.

Well...thats easy!
I would invest the rest of my Life to Humanity.
I would Travel all over the world, giving free-seminars on the great subject"Humanity".
Just Imagine...You are from the Planet" AknJ1#0..x" and visiting the planet Earth...
What would you think?
You would laugh first...then you would cry.
You would think: These funny creatures calling themselves Humans,
all having 2-hands, 2-legs to walk, 2 eyes to see, one nose to smell, one mouth
to eat, and one thing...they call "Brain" to think!
But...their brain is empty. How can they think?
How they can not understand that nobody...nobody can survive without"People"?
Nobody can survive without the Services of all Humans towards Humans?

The money they make, the food they eat, the Houses they sleep at night,
the Cars they drive, everything they have, Is not just because the "I", EGO,
SELF....but are the total results of Human Services., called Products.

So what is missing?
UNDERSTANDING THAT WE HUMANS HAVE TO EXPEND OUR VISION TOWARDS
THE WELL-BEEN OF HUMANITY. IF WE CAN ACCOMPLISH THIS...
WILL WARRANTY "OUR", "MINE", and YOUR well been in the new-era
called Global-Economy. I beleive we can do it.

I think you get the Idea.

I would buy the cattle ranch I have been dreaming of all my life.

I would invest in real estate and rent it out so it can make passive income, upgrade my shop so I'd have an offline presence as well as an online one and go to a few seminars to learn how to add to that amount. The rest? I'd more than likely buy savings bonds and put the rest in a money market account so I can live off the interest it gets.

i would invest $100,000 into my current business getty to full grouth potential within 3 to 5 years. investing the remaining money into realestate, having a 10 year plan my current business with the potential of being a million dollar ayear business than being only 46 i would be able to sell the business, with some of the millions i make i'd be able to start a foundation in my community for the young kidsof tomorrow.

Pay off the house, van and cerdit cards ($50,000 total), max out my IRA annually, and use the rest to further fund my investment portfolio. Occasional donations to charities I support (PETA, The ARC, etc.) primarily from interest earned on the investments. And there it would remain until after all the kids are grown and on their own, at which time I'd probably change the investment portfolio to set up trust funds for the grandkids college. Then it can accrue there while I'm off to the Peace Corp for as long as they'll have me.

I would adopt about 12 kids from foster care. I'd adopt older, harder-to-place children and be able to provide the counseling they need to recover from the damage the system does. (This is not a slap against foster parents...there are so many wonderful ones, but in my state in particular, foster kids have it tough.)

With a million dollars, I would pay of my debts, then invest in two areas, one in businesses that employee other people, to spread the benefits. The second would be to set up some way to help in area of education, probably in underserved contries or areas. As for my work, I would decrease to part time, but keep doing the same thing.

What would I do!? Easy - join the Loral's BIG TABLE! then really P L A Y with it. Make more. Join the Real Estate crew. Look at the Wealth Diva program - think it needs looking at. Sit on the beach with my new laptop and 'work' from there - what else!! Oh, okay - bring Loral up to Canada (all expenses paid of course!). See you there.