The 'what if' question came up the other night with some friends, non-homesteaders, mixed company. When I said that I didn't want to win millions of dollars you wouldn't believe the looks and comments I got. I said that I only need $200,000 and they could have the rest. After taxes, I would: build my husband's body shop, build my house - same size and type as we're planning now, pay off our land, buy a tractor, build a barn and get a horse and some goats. Done. That's it. I don't need/want anything else. I wouldn't have the slightest idea how to spend millions, nor would I want to try. Sounds like a huge pain in the behind to me. Just wondered what other homesteaders thought about 'winning the big one' and what you would do with the money. Oh, by the way, we seldom even buy lottery tickets. Can't remember to check the numbers! :)

-- Stacey (stacey@lakesideinternet.com), January 16, 2002

Answers

Reminds me of a joke, where they asked a farmer what he would do if he won a million dollars, and he said he figured he would just keep farming until the money ran out!

If I had a lot of money I would keep a little, for what security it would provide and I would give a lot of it away for what I would consider worthy causes.

-- Melissa (me@home.net), January 16, 2002.

Stacey wrote:"Oh, by the way, we seldom even buy lottery tickets."

Since statistically you're only at a slight disadvantage for winning to those folks who do buy them, I'd say the question is hardly worth considering...

;-)

-- Julia (charmer24@juno.com), January 16, 2002.

I would first take 10% and give it to God (Of course if I hit millions, I would give alot more than 10%) I figure that if for some reason I hit the lottery it's God's doing, cause all I have is bad luck. I would then buy my homestead (don't have one yet) and live happily ever after.I'm like you I don't need millions, I would settle for 100k at this moment and still be happy.

Rita

-- Rita (rlynchjarss@aol.com), January 16, 2002.

I'd buy all the land around me for a 1 mile radius, and kick everybody off it.

-- Shannon at Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary (gratacres@aol.com), January 16, 2002.

just wondering hoe you would get it to god,,, toss it up,, and let him grab for it ??

-- Stan (sopal@net-port.com), January 16, 2002.

Our neighbors, a farming family with three small children, were about one missed payment away from foreclosure when the won 22 million in the state lottery. That was three years ago, and they're lifestyle has barely changed. The only apparent difference is now they have newer pick-up trucks and four wheelers as opposed to old and broken. She still shops at yard sales, grows her own food, and makes most of their clothing. They live in the same house, on the same farm, and still tend to the farm themselves. I love driving by and seeing the whole family weeding the garden. The only thing I never understood about the whole situation is this; if I were that behind on my mortgage, would I be spending my money on lottery tickets???

-- Margaret (mboyc73@yahoo.com), January 16, 2002.

Stan, Sorry let me be more specific, I would give it to God through my church.

Rita

-- Rita (rlynchjarss@aol.com), January 16, 2002.

Sometimes when you are that close to the edge, spending on lottery tickets gives you hope that otherwise you don't have. What difference would that $1 make? Seems like they spent wisely IMO.

I would spend money on land, as well as build myself a house. I would also make sure I helped out someone who otherwise couldn't get it. Or I'd invest a portion of the money in a CD and take the profit it would make, and spend that on the needy.

-- Sandie in Maine (peqbear@maine.rr.com), January 16, 2002.

I would pay all the debts off, and start living that dream of homesteading. The problem here is i never buy lotto tickets. Maybe I should start. But then again --- I never win anything so why bother!! It is a great story!! I am very happy for the people who did win. God Blessed them!!

-- Nancy (gndonley@hotmail.com), January 16, 2002.

Shannon, I love that answer! :>

-- Jennifer L. (Northern NYS) (jlance@nospammail.com), January 16, 2002.

The first thing I would do is say there is a mistake here. I have never bought a ticket so it can't be mine. The person that is going to take the profit off of a CD better check on what they are paying, They almost keep up with inflation. Try a GNMA no load mutual fund or something like that.

-- Mel Kelly (melkelly@webtv.net), January 16, 2002.

Melissa just wanted to let you know im a worthy cause.cause im nearly always BROKE. Bob se,ks.

-- Bobco (bobco@kans.com), January 16, 2002.

Had a good friend in Florida who was a roofer. He got laid of an could barely afford to eat yet he ask me and some other people up for dinner. I felt bad for him so we took him out to dinner instead. I was asked over and over again how such a good looking person could be seen in public with such a nasty looking thing. Even my brother asked me this. I was shocked at my brother since we were both brought up the same way which was to treat everyone with the same respect they showed you and Mike (soon to become know as Millionair Mike)had always been very nice to me.I liked Mike, his looks did not matter to me and no it did not bother me to be seen out in public with him. Mike had very few people who would talk to him or even be seen within a few feet of him because everyone thought he was just to homely to be around. Well, anyway Mike was out of work with no money. Mike had a dream that he was going to win 20 million dollars. Having no money mike ask one of the very few friends he had if he could borrow 20 dollars (I was not the friend) Mike went to the store, bought quick pick lotto tickets and the next day he was rich. It was amazing how many new friends Mike had.I hated seeing all these people now treating him like royalty. One night I went to a bar (in the days when I drank) and Mike called me over and bought me a drink. He said, "George, there have only been a few pewople who ever liked me for who I am and you are one of them. You always hung out with me and made me laugh and I have always had a good time with you." Mike raised his hand and pointed his finger as he moved his hand around the romm. "You see all those people? They never liked me and never will but they love my money and I'm having alot of fun watching them kiss my a-- and I'm going to keep letting them kiss it until the day I die." Mike bought a shot of peppermint snops for us both. He said, "George I know that you like me if I have money or not and I want to show you how much I appriciate it. All you ever have to do is tell me what you want and it's yours. If you want a new truck i'll buy it if you want a boat i'll buy it if you want my Lotus i'll buy you one if you qant me to buy you the farm you're always talking about I will buy it." I said, "Mike I like you, You have always been a good friend but you know what I would always feel like I owe you so I'm going to pass." Mike's feelings were hurt but he did get over it. For years I watched the people who hated Mike for his looks kissing his a-- and I was having as much fun as Mike was with it. Mike did take me and another good friend of his for a day out in his custom made million dollar bluebird bus. That was fun. Everyone was trying to get a look in to see who the famous people inside were and it was just plain ole us. Mike bought a penthouse and hard it beautifully decorated (he just didn't seem to belong in a penthouse though and we always talked about it). Mike traveled the world and asked me to go but I never went it used to amaze people that I would not let Mike do anything for me but I did not want Mike to ever feel like I was like any of the other people that were now hanging out with him. Mike bought the bar that we all hung out at and would sit there from the time it opened until it closed and drink. It got to the point that I couldn't hang out with Mike anymore because he was never sober and kept trying to buy me things. As time went on Mike and I would talk to each other less and less. It was starting to get to pathetic for me. Mike died a couple of years ago. He got to enjoy his millions for three years and that was it. I thought Mike died from being an alcoholic but found out he died from aids. I guess I had a point to this at the biggining yet lost it along the way. I guess yes I would love to win the lottery but i would try to live just as I always have only a little bigger.

-- george (rcoopwalpole@aol.com), January 16, 2002.

Here in our little (< 10,000) town in Maine, some folks actually did hit the big one. 41 million, or something like 20 million for the cash option, which they chose. They have given 100K to the fire department for needed equipment, and have set up a trust for those in need in the general area. They also helped out the kids, and did some wild things for themselves. Paid off the mortgage, bought a new (very nice) truck) and maybe a new dishwasher. I have met these folks, but don't "know" them. Everyone who does know them describes them as down to earth caring people. Finally, a windfall to someone who deserves it. But I must add this: A lottery is a tax on people who are bad at math. Bad investment. But I will admit that we spend 20 dollars or so on the lotteries each year just for "fun". But it has to be money that you can throw away. What amazes me is the people who buy lottery tickets every week because "I MIGHT be picked", and these same folks also refuse to wear seatbelts because "It'll never happen to me"! Go figure! GL!

-- Brad (homefixer@SacoRiver.net), January 16, 2002.

Well, I'd probably do what my brother did when he won the IL lottery about a dozen years ago....gave most of it to charity. I don't need a home or a vehicle or an airplane. I've got all those already. What I do need is a vacation. Haven't had one in close to 25-yrs. Course, I'd have to buy a lottery ticket and gambling ain't my style, so I guess I won't be winning anytime soon.

-- matt johnson (wyo_cowboy_us@yahoo.com), January 16, 2002.

A lottery is a tax on the stupid. But we all get stupid sometimes....* grin*

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), January 16, 2002.

I rarely buy tickets but...Maybe my husband would quit work, finish the house, build shop & shed. A new 3/4T pickup would be nice as ours is a '65. I'd keep working, like what I do.

-- DW (djwallace@sotc.net), January 16, 2002.

Unless I can win without buying a ticket it ain't gonna happen, but who knows Mary did get pregnant and remain a virgin. I geuss that's called the immaculate winning theory. Anyway I'd pay off my bills and put the rest in the bank and live off the interest.

-- Joel Combs (jwcinpk@yahoo.com), January 16, 2002.

I don't buy many tickets either, $5 per year? I just don't think about lotteries much. I'd buy more land, houses for my kids, education plans for them as well. I'd scale back my farm and stop farming for money. I'd do all those little side projects I squeeze in now. Might take all the fun outa them though.

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), January 16, 2002.

Lotteries are no more than a voluntary tax.

-- indiana jack (injack1@aol.com), January 16, 2002.

If I won the lottery I would split it with my relatives and neighbors.I figure I have some of the best relatives and neighbors anyone could ask for.

-- Joe in SD (jwjkaus@triotel.net), January 16, 2002.

go solar, cause thats the only way itll ever happen here (sigh). And, I would really think about trying to set up a real live self suffient community and invite all you to come and stay.

-- Kevin in NC (Vantravlrs@aol.com), January 16, 2002.

The response from the animal rights nut above didn't surprise me a bit. "Kick all the people off the land around her", nice person huh? Wow that blows me away. It's typical for those types though, people don't matter to them. First of all it would never happen to me because I think gambling is pretty foolish. The very few who benefit at all do it at the expense of those foolish enough to pay. If I did end up with a huge amount of cash ( millions ), I'd spend it to help others as much as I could. A lot of people would really work hard to build their dream if someone believed in them and helped them out and I'd do that for as many as I could. I'd live my life the best I could and try not to change too much, but you'd better believe I'd have a bigger homestead and more livestock etc. I wouldn't be driving my old Chev pickup anymore either!

-- Marvelous (schnauzee@mstar2.net), January 17, 2002.

For a buck, I can get an entire week's (or half-week's) worth of imagining...seems like a pretty good deal! If I win, well, that's okay, too. But I love daydreaming about the big payoff...keeps the priorities in order!

Not too much would change. Just more "free" time to get mixed up in some other project (or twenty...!!!)

-- sheepish (WA) (the_original_sheepish@Hotmail.com), January 17, 2002.

I'm with Kevin. We'd buy a big chuck of land where we could have a self-sufficient living community and I'd have my 'Healing center'! Would keep it simple and only need a few 100K also (mainly for the land purchase). We'd help out family and friends, invest some for living expenses through the years, and give the rest to charity of choice. Might get something a little friviless like a Hummer though too! Although, with where we want to live (very remotely), that Hummer might be a necessity. ;)

-- Michelle in NM (naychurs_way@hotmail.com), January 17, 2002.

I would buy my little piece of dream land with a nice cabin for myself. Then take the rest and buy the biggest chuck of workable, cheap land. Have a lottery drawing for 100 land grab homestead racers. Then make them do the land grab riding on those old fashion red tricycles barefooted with the stake flag in their teeth as they rush to grab their parcel. The residuals from the movie rights would pay my property taxes for life :>)

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), January 18, 2002.