Hypothetical: you get rich. What next?

[Rain Man]

Here's the back story for the forthcoming poll.


You, a rabbi, a horse, the pope, a blonde, a termite, a 12-inch pianist, a frog, and a monk go into a bar. You're enjoying your drinks/fodder/wood/flies and watching a replay of the 1972 World Series when a commercial break occurs.

It's Powerball time!

They draw the numbers - 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and Powerball 32 - and the monk starts screaming. Those are the numbers he always plays, because 1 is the number of popes, 2 is the number of cardinals, 4 is the number of bishops, 8 is the number of books in the bible, 16 is the number of apostles, 32 is because O.J. Simpson is his favorite football player.

Truthfully, he became a monk because he didn't have aptitude for most other professions.

So he's all happy, but then remembers a problem. He has taken a vow of poverty. He can't keep the money. He has to give it away immediately or risk the wrath of God.

The rabbi suggests giving it to that Nazi-hunting guy's organization, the horse suggests a scholarship in Barbaro's name, the pope suggests adding it to the untold billions in his secret vault at the Vatican, the blonde is under the table performing oral sex on the monk and can't talk other than waving her left ring finger around, the termite suggests planting a forest of redwoods, the 12-inch pianist wants it for enlargement surgery, and the frog suggests starting up the world's largest maggot incubator. You humbly suggest that he give the money to you.

The monk ponders these suggestions, then collapses and dies of a major heart attack. In the ensuing scuffle, you clock the pope in the face, crush the termite, and elbow your way out of the bar with the winning ticket, setting the bar afire as you leave to eliminate any witnesses.

You turn in the winning ticket and get one of those giant checks, which you immediately cash and convert to safe investments paying an annual return of 5.4 percent per annum. For the rest of your natural days, you will receive annual payments after taxes of $1.2 million.

What do you do next with your life? Assume that you can only pursue one of these options as your main pursuit and focus in life, and that it will fill the bulk of the 40+ hours that you now spend working.

Option 1. Keep the job, no major lifestyle changes, building a fortune to give to your heirs or something.

Option 2. Start a business venture that you think is promising and interesting.

Option 3. Get actively involved in political issues as a funder or activist.

Option 4. Get involved in one or more charities, spending time and money to address a social issue.

Option 5. Pursue a hobby career to make money/have success, like music or writing.

Option 6. Pursue a non-moneymaking hobby avidly, like games or Bigfoot research or bodybuilding.

Option 7. Just putter around and don't do anything overly productive - watch TV, play games, travel, etc.

Option 8. I'd probably be destructive and lose it on hookers, whiskey, drugs, etc.

Option 9. Other (Please 'splain yourself, Lucy.)

[LaChapelle]

Bitch and complain about the taxes until I die

[bevischief]

Where is the divorce option...

[Frazod]

Originally Posted by bevischief

Where is the hitman option...

FYP

[SnakeXJones]

Video Games and Hookers

[luv]

Put more time into writing. Travel would be another biggy, but I could only pick one.

[BigMeatballDave]

I chose 6. I love classic cars. So I would scour the country looking for old cars to restore.

[Frazod]

Originally Posted by BCD

I chose 6. I love classic cars. So I would scour the country looking for old cars to restore.

I love old cars, too. I'd buy several of them and hire people to take care of them. Starting with a '70 Chevelle SS.

I'd probably want a big house up in the mountains somewhere - either western Colorado around Ouray or northwestern Wyoming around Jackson. Maybe even something near Tahoe. I want mountains and cool temperatures. That would be my main place. I'd also want condos in Kansas City and St. Louis so I'd have a nice base when I attend football/baseball games, which I'd do often. I'd also probably want a place somewhere in the Balearic Islands off the coast of Spain, maybe in Port Mahon.

I would travel, and watch games, and hunt, drive my Chevelle. And whatever the hell else I wanted to do. I'd damn sure never work again.

[sd4chiefs]

I would sit on my ass all day and post stupid things on Chiefs Planet.

[Pants]

Originally Posted by sd4chiefs

I would sit on my ass all day and post stupid things on Chiefs Planet.

Shit man, you don't need a million dollars for that. Look at my cousin - he broke, don't do shit.

[acesn8s]

Keep my job (don't have one, so, duh), go to a warmer climate, play golf, get the best seats in Arrowhead.

[cdcox]

I'd pursue a variety of hobby careers. Write cool computer programs, still work on my research, flip houses, whatever I was in the mood for at the moment.

[Rain Man]

I'm asking because I see wealthy people who are active in politics and charities, or they're starting new business ventures, and honestly I'd be lounging on a cruise ship somewhere if I was in their shoes. I would see no reason and feel no obligation to be productive.

Now, I might get heavily involved in a hobby. I could see that happening. But I think I'd most likely just flit around and have aimless fun.

[Pablo]

Boats, high class hookers and cocaine.

[Mr. Laz]

1st - make sure and set my family up for life
2nd - work ... **** that
3rd - try and find something that makes the world a better place, that is positive and i enjoy
4th - have fun doing whatever i want to do