Some people dream of what they will do if they ever come across a huge lump sum of cash, from something like winning the lottery or an inheritance from a long lost family member. My parents for one, who actually do play the lottery, have a plan to move South and live on a lake front property after they pay for my sister and I’s degrees. I, on the other hand, would spend it traveling, first throughout the United States and then the rest of the world. Maybe you don’t play the lottery, but after seeing these ways to spend your winnings you might change your mind.
1. Press your luck even further.
The best way to lose all your money as fast as possible? Head to the casinos and hit the tables. Maybe you have the patience for the big payout on the quarter machines. Either way, Atlantic City and Las Vegas might be the place you make it or break it with your millions.
2. Buy or build your dream home.
Finally move to Texas and get Chip and Joanna Gaines to flip the house of your dreams, buy that flat in London or build that sprawling sustainable compound you’ve always wanted. Just beware those insanely high property taxes!
3. Shopping spree.
Whatever your heart desires can possibly be yours, but if you desire Harambe to be brought back to life or a solo trip to the moon it could be a little out of the price range or near impossible (anything is possible if you just believe). Flip the filter from “low-to-high” back to “featured” or even better, “high-to-low,” and fill those carts and bags with reckless abandon. Disclaimer: buyer’s remorse does still happen to the rich.
4. Travel the world.
Do as the rich do and take weekend trips halfway around the world. Ibiza has always sounded cool, but then there’s Dubai, and Paris, and Berlin, and you get the picture. There’s even a whole new world three states over you could check out, don’t discount traveling around your own country!
5. Get that studio time you've always wanted.
Who needs to rise from the bottom when you can pay to get to the top? Follow that rap or band dream and buy some studio time instead of waiting around to get discovered doing local gigs and posting videos on Youtube. Maybe you’ll even be good enough to sell a few albums, but maybe you’ll have a flop like when Kim Kardashian put out a single.
6. Live life in the fast lane.
Party like the celebrities, buy a round for the whole bar. Act like my one friend who shall not be named and demand Ciroc shots at every bar, just tip better. Shoot, rent the whole bar out and have a closed party with all bottle service. Just be careful and keep hydrated, with water.
7. Build a water park.
One of the best ways to use lottery money that I came across was a couple who helped fund a water park in their parents’ honor. I’d gladly take the honor of a water park for sharing ways to spend millions. This one is a little sweeter though as it was for their community as well. Then they said “goodbye” to New York and moved to Florida. Not a bad way to spend that money.
8. Invest.
Do what your parents have been telling you to do all of your life and spend wisely. Get a financial advisor and throw some of that money into the stock market or buy into a largely successful franchise. Play it safe or take a few risks, as long as you don’t put it all into one investment you’ll do fine. Early retirement, here you come!
9. Donate to your favorite cause.
Maybe you had a family member or friend pass too soon from something horrible, start a fund in their name. Donate to something that exists already that you really believe in, like the World Wildlife Fund or the Wounded Warrior Project. Start a scholarship at your high school for kids who are attending the same college as you. Why be greedy when you can help the needy?
10. Pay your debts and by debts, I mean tuition.
Self explanatory. We’re all going to have student loan debt or credit card debt at some point in our lives. Pay it off.
