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If you won the lottery

(93 Posts)
Grammaretto Fri 21-Dec-18 14:22:43

Or some other big prize. What would you do?
A builder who's won millions has said he'll retire.
People always say they want to retire but that doesn't necessarily buy happiness.
I used to daydream that I'd tell no-one but spend it all on something really big like reopening the railway lines or saving buildings or services.
However I soon realised it would take much more than I would ever win.
Anyway I never buy lottery tickets.

ninathenana Fri 21-Dec-18 14:31:10

Assuming it's millions. DH and I have often fantasised about this. The first thing we would do is book a world cruise and spend the time thinking what to do with it all.
A new house and car and give some to friends, family and charities, for sure.

paddyann Fri 21-Dec-18 14:31:19

I'd probably give it all away ,my favourite charities and my children would be first in line for enough to make a difference .Many years ago I won a TV competition and got a few thousand pounds and tons of techy stuff,Tv''s computers ,x boxes etc etc . I gave it all away apart from one laptop as mine was on its last legs .My OH always says if we win the lottery he'll take charge so it wont all go withing hours .

Teetime Fri 21-Dec-18 14:33:56

A good proportion to charity, sort my family out so they dont have to worry about money any more and find us not necessarily a bigger house but one with a bigger garden and a view.

KatyK Fri 21-Dec-18 14:35:45

We've often discussed this even though we rarely buy a ticket. We would look after family first. We'd move house - nothing grand just something a bit more modern. Then lots of lovely holidays, a new car. I would certainly give a fair bit to certain charities.

Grammaretto Fri 21-Dec-18 14:37:33

I've never won anything though I've had a few premium bonds since nineteen sixty something.

kittylester Fri 21-Dec-18 14:43:52

A house on the shore at Thorpeness and a daily window cleaner!

Grandma70s Fri 21-Dec-18 15:04:49

If I won £76 million as in today’s reports I’d give most of it to various charities. It’s far too large an amount to cope with myself. I can’t begin to imagine so much money. Then I’d pay the grandchildren’s school fees and make sure all my family were financially safe and sorted out.

I don’t think I want a new house, and I certainly don’t want a car.

grannyactivist Fri 21-Dec-18 15:15:48

I have never bought a raffle ticket and my £10 worth of Premium Bonds (bought circa 1970) are unlikely to win me big money, but indulging in the fantasy I would:
*Ensure that my only 'renting' child had a house of his own.
*Give each of my adult children something towards paying off their mortgages (though not the full amount).
*Put some money (not oodles) in accounts for the grandchildren.

Then I would administer the rest to support small charitable enterprises and micro-loans. If I had millions then I would invest in bricks and mortar and build lots of small homes to rent at (truly) affordable prices. By small I literally mean bed, bath, kitchen and sitting room.

And for me.......I'd pay for a cleaner. grin

harrigran Fri 21-Dec-18 15:18:15

I would give it to my family and friends and anyone I thought really needed a helping hand. I would not give it to a big charity.

StillGame Fri 21-Dec-18 15:43:15

I won two prizes of £25 each on the Premium Bonds this month...that will pay for Christmas dinner.

I'd love to win the million premium bond prize.

I'd have fun investing it.

Grandma70s Fri 21-Dec-18 15:48:15

My major charitable interest would be endowing scholarships for children and young people who are talented but can’t afford specialist training in the arts, particularly music and ballet.

Anniebach Fri 21-Dec-18 15:53:37

Buy a bungalow for myself with a garage for Fred.

Pay off my grandsons morgage, buy houses for my two granddaughters.

Pay for the repairs in the parish church.

Pay for someone who understands agoraphobia and hire a car and driver to take me to New Quay, Cardiganshire, so I could see it again.

Donate to charity

But I don’t do the lottery

EllanVannin Fri 21-Dec-18 15:55:11

I'd do the same as you harrigran.

Saying that, the man and his partner both look as though they have their feet on the ground and are the right age to have won. Obviously their sights will be set on moving first and foremost-----for obvious reasons, family then cars and holidays as they're young and fit enough to enjoy whatever they do without being flippant with their cash.

It's a lot but it will see them comfortable for the rest of their lives without worrying about medical bills should it come to that later on.

In the wrong hands it can be catastrophic as has been proven.

I would move and at my age would pay for a live-in maid-cum chauffeur.

Charleygirl5 Fri 21-Dec-18 16:15:32

When the time comes I would not have to move into a nursing/care home. I could afford to have a bevvy of staff coming to attend to my every need. I could then afford a chauffeur.

I would donate to small local charities and give a nephew enough money to buy a house. He is the only one who has visited me- the rest would be without.

BBbevan Fri 21-Dec-18 16:15:43

Big houses and money for DD and DS. Money in trust for DGDs. World cruise for DH and me. Littler bits of money for nephews and niece. And some to a good cause. Not sure which one YET

GillT57 Fri 21-Dec-18 16:26:30

Hmm. Go on holiday while a team of decorators, gardeners, and decorators sorted out my house. Buy my DD a small house and pay off her car loan, buy DS a flat or house, pay for him to go back and do his Masters without fretting about student finance. Then I would make small donations to micro charities and to people who just need a leg up. Also like the idea of building small properties for a fair rent. I would also spend a little on myself; laser eye surgery, a bit of dental work ( implants) and I would have a cleaner and have our bed changed every day as I love the feeling of crisp clean sheets.....

Blinko Fri 21-Dec-18 16:38:10

Pay off sons' mortgages, invest in trusts for GCs so they would never want for anything.

Then investigate a charity such as Lend With Care, to invest in micro businesses where people learn to help themselves.

I would also want to work with local charities for homeless people to provide shelter, so no one need be on the streets at night.

New house and/or car? Maybe. But what I'd really like is a personal hairdresser. My hair never goes how they do it, so I would pay someone to come in every day....

Wishful thinking, we don't do the Lottery or anything like that.

jacq10 Fri 21-Dec-18 16:51:34

I remember years ago Amanda Redman was in a TV series "At home with the Braithwaites" and she had won a massive amount and set up a charitable foundation and started to pay out large sums of money to various deserving causes and people. The thing was she hadn't told her family as she knew it would change their lives and not for the good. And she was certainly right about that - it caused real ructions. It would be a brilliant idea in real life if it all worked out. It was also a good series to watch. Giving it away anonymously would be what I would want to do after I had helped family and there are plenty of needy recipients around.

sodapop Fri 21-Dec-18 17:31:41

I would definitely tick the 'no publicity' box.
Help all the extended and close family
Set up a 'Dane & Donkey' rescue centre with my daughter.
Buy my husband a plane
Donate to small charities and the Salvation Army
Enjoy my life quietly, no big houses or cars.

MissAdventure Fri 21-Dec-18 17:41:01

I would like to buy the knackered old building in our town centre, and turn it into something to help the community.
Notice boards, lunch clubs, liftshares, skill swaps.
I'd fund a few minibuses to pick people up for shopping trips and doctors appointments, amongst other things.

Grammaretto Fri 21-Dec-18 19:33:02

MissAdventure we are part of a group trying to do just that in our town centre. Without any funds but an idea and determination.
The money to buy the building and to transform it has come from selling community shares to individuals. That enthusiasm has attracted grant money.
It's only partly open but there are plans to extend in the new year and possibly include some of your ideas. It's becoming popular as a food store and market place. It's run by volunteers but may soon be able to employ staff. Because everyone has a stake in it there is less sense of philanthropy and more cooperation.

MissAdventure Fri 21-Dec-18 19:37:58

Oh how wonderful, grammaretto!
I have so many ideas in my head for some sort of community where everyone is looked after, and is able to contribute their time, or skill, or whatever they have..
It could do so much good, in so many ways.
Very best wishes for you in your venture! smile

Culag Fri 21-Dec-18 20:52:06

I would build myself an eco house with a conservatory and garden with a poly tunnel for growing veg. I’d employ a handyman and housekeeper. Save some to keep me in my old age and donate the rest to charity.

fairisle Fri 21-Dec-18 22:30:21

If i won the lottery i would leave the rented flat that i live in and buy a house near the sea,absolute bliss,to be able to enjoy spending it on whatever i likedsunshine