I can't say for sure about all of it - but I can say that I would like to continue my education, and not have to rely on the government to pay for it. I would also provide a college fund for my children. Just because we have money doesn't mean that we shouldn't be well educated.

I too would buy a home. Nothing enormous, but certainly enough room to live in. And I might employ a cleaning lady, although I doubt it, as I thoroughly enjoy my privacy and have quirky places that I put things - and would be lost if my items weren't placed just right. I would also pay the taxes on my Gramma's home for the rest of her life. For all that she's done for me and my family, that's the least I could do. 

In that same light, my mother would never have to worry about money again. 4 years ago, we got in a spot that she had to literally drop everything in her life and move back home to help us. I owe her everything I have for that, let alone all she's done for me before then! 

Aside from that, I don't know. I would certainly invest a good portion, and I would certainly give to charity. Perhaps I would splurge on some things, but I wouldn't want to spoil myself, or my children - at least no more than necessary. 

 I bet it would be strange to be so close to a lottery winner. I can see why you didn't blog about it. And how presumptuous of your co-workers to assume that just because your sister won that you'd be quitting your job.

Anyway, thanks for the post... It gave me a nice lift, thinking about the what-if's. Too bad I don't gamble.

This is a brilliant, amazing post. Thank you for sharing the lessons you've learned. They are smart learning that can be used by anyone, lottery winner or not.

And, if I won XX million dollars in the lottery? Exactly what your new lessons are :)

PS - Congrats on the snow thrower. I was gifted with one by a kind soul when I lived in Pennsylvania. One of the greatest gifts I ever received. It's the small things.

BlogHer Contributing Editor
PopConsumer
Beyond Help

What I thought I'd do has changed. I'd still buy a house but it would be it would be the country house that's already a twinkle in our eye (and hopefully a reality in not too many years). My mother would still get her house and a reliable car. I'd still keep doing some of the work I'm doing, but probably not all of it. There would be some travel, but not nearly as much as I once dreamed of.

I'd buy lots of books...but then I do now too. Some things really wouldn't change. ;-)

Sassymonkey and Sassymonkey Reads.

Step 1 - Rent a safety deposit box.

Step 2 - Visit my accountant (Who I adore and trust).

Step 3 - Follow whatever advise the accountant gives me, including visiting whatever investment advisor she refers me to.

Step 4 - Take a month long trip to Scotland. 

If I were still at a crummy desk job, I would definitely quit my job. Not so much now, but I can say that Hanks Yarn and Fiber would be *the* best LYS on the planet. C would quit his job, and start making movies. We would build the house that we already plan to build on the property we already have.  I would set my folks up with full time nursing services for my mom, and make sure they are set for life. I'd like to do a trust fund for the neices' and nephews' college educations, but they are more C's family than mine, so that would be up to him. Charity, yada yada.

Splurging will definitely be involved, but so will wise investments and some smart money for loved ones. And snowblowers for everyone who needs one! =)

This was a well written post.

What would I do? Go to the doctor. I haven't been to the doctor since I lost health insurance, three years ago. Seems like a simple thing, but you don't know how much you miss the capability when you can't even afford to walk through the doctor's front door.

Give half the money to my best friend, who is always there for me. 

There are a couple of charities important to me, and they would get very nice gifts. I'd also provide a nice emergency nest egg for my Mom. Buy her a new car.

For me, two homes, one winter, one summer. Not big, not fancy, but comfortable and located near water. Some travel. Lots of reading. Being able to write online without having to beg for work.

But first, I'd go to the doctor.

I think what your sister has done is amazing, and just what I would want to do. The idea of getting to pay off all my own bills would just be amazing. That, in and of itself, would be worth it! I have the tendency to *help* other people now, even, and I think I would need to put limits on what I gave.

Investing wisely, putting money aside for the future, helping others with specific needs, being charitable... all would be a part of my list.

I would think that going to work would pose a challenge, due to the relationship changes. I'd probably end up trying to work or volunteer somewhere people didn't know much about my personal situation.

Melissa

www.babyheaton.blogspot.com

Most people will never win the lottery, but a few tips are good even if you come into a bit of money from work or perhaps an inheritance.

If I won a huge amount of money, I would first pay off my bills.  I love my neighborhood and couldn't imagine moving while my kids are still young so we wouldn't trade up to a bigger house.  I would then put some money into a fund for my childrens' college and for my own retirement.  I couldn't imagine my husband or me not working, so we would continue that, but my husband is self-employed so I wouldn't think there would be any weirdness.

With the rest... family and charity.  Taxes be-damned, I would give a good percentage to my siblings and parents.  I have 6 siblings and we are so close.  They are all so hardworking and we are so close that I feel they are a part of me.  I couldn't imagine having more than they did.  We are all about even when it comes to our level of income now, and I wouldn't want to be living the easy life if they couldn't live it with me.

This post is incredibly well-written. 

As for making your money work for you, you can definitely do it without winning millions. Each and every one of us should be working towards eliminating credit card debt and starting an emergency fund. 

There's no need to hate money. As you said, money can relieve you of many day to day worries and buy you a peace of mind that does improve your quality of life. 

----

A Mommy Blogger and a Blogger For Hire

Talk about still waters running deep.  Great post with some very interesting insights. 

Kudos to your sister for handling a tough situation the best way she can. And congrats on the new snow blower, I know for you it's the equivalent to a Rolls Royce!

I love managing my money because it represents what I've been able to create for myself.

What would I do if I won the lottery?  The first thing I would do is pay off my house.  Then I'd pay off my mother's and my aunt's houses.  Next I'd go to my own very excellent accountant and lock a big chunk away in the stock market and bank CDs.  Then I too would set aside a chunk to go every year to my favorite charities.  Something to help minority women pull themselves out of poverty.

With the rest, I would go to all four tennis grand slams in one year:  New York, London, Paris and Australia.  I'd have my own luxury box and share it with all my tennis buddies.  Then I'd travel for a couple of months before coming home and getting back to whatever work I felt like doing instead of work that I have to do to keep a roof over my head.

Ah, to sleep, perchance to dream!

Megan
BlogHer Contributing Editor, TV/Online Video

Megan's Minute

The first thing I would do is to set s big chunk aside in an income generating account so that it would always be a steady stream for charity. I'd set the income up to go to a scholarship fund in my old high school where some kids do not go to college because they cannot afford it --and then -- Habitat for Humanity, Amnesty International, Southern Poverty Law Center, Heifer International,Doctors Without Borders, a local animal shelter... Then I'd set up another fund that would generate monthly checks of $1000 each forever to a number of my friends to do with what they wanted. (12K is the federal non taxable gift limit) Or they could choose the principal amount that generated the interest.

Then I'd pay my mortgage, make some changes to the house including a dumbwaiter between floors, a redone kitchen, a 3rd bathroom, and I'd add heating to the three season room.

My godson's college debt would vanish, and he'd have a new and reliable hybrid car.

My best friend's house would be paid off and she'd have a lump sum to make some changes.

I'd find a way to give anonymously to a few folks I know so they would be able to accept it well.

I'd hire a gardening expert to help me plan and plant a kick-ass garden with lots of herbs and flowers.

Mostly, I like the idea of having fun with money...taking away people's worry with it, making a few lives easier with it, removing problems with it.

Thanks for giving me the space to imagine such bounty.

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool

What would I do with the money. I wouldn't know.
 
I have seen my attitude arond money change according to the way that I changed.

When I was young I was so self centered that when I had money I didn't act as if I had money and was stingy.

When I was older and had less money I was far more generous with it, I had become more genrous about everything full stop.

Now I am learning more about abundance and that there is no lack, like Victoria Castle writes about in her Trance of Scarcity, I actually don't know if more money will change my thinking about things.

I do accept that having enough money will make life easier and I would like that.
Having a garderner would definitely make my life easier.
There is a different between being indulgent and greedy though and in being clear what makes your life easier and adds value.

Who would I be generous to. To the same people I feel generous to today and they might get some money with the other gifts I already give them as my love and attention and to make their life easier.

I would hopefully not indulge in too much nonsense, but would really look where money could make things easier, where money would add value like buying a snowblower for my sister.  

Wilma Ham

www.wilmasblog.com

Wow, you are so well-adjusted and grown up! I think most people would revert to their 20 year old self and go spending crazy. I think I'd be a bit greedier if my sister won the lottery, silently greedy, but I'd still want some of it.

If I won the lottery I'd pay off all my bills and my parent's bills. Set up my daughter's college fund and invest money for her future. Then I'd buy a "green" house on enough land for some animals. I'd donate money to UNICEF, my other favorite charities, my sorority's scholarship fund, and my church. I'd probably keep some on hand and invest the rest in some sort of account that I couldn't touch for at least 10 years- in case I get too greedy!

Thanks for your post- it was very interesting and thought provoking!

http://www.katieandspencer.com/

It sounds like your sister just may hold onto her winnings. Kudos to her for not changing her thifty spending habits despite her deep pockets. A great lesson for us all. 

The Moxie Report. Giggles. Gaffes. Girl Talk. From television producer, writer and mom Tracy Evans. http://themoxiereport.blogspot.com

Watch Her Back (http://watchherback.blogspot.com)

I'm impressed by the way you describe your relationship with your sister! You are very honest in your post and seem to feel about your sister what many of us do - you agree with her sometimes; sometimes you don't.  I really enjoyed reading this!

This post was so fantastic on so many levels. Obviously, your sister has made wise choices and kudos to her! The fact that you actually learned things from it and imparted that knowledge is also great. Your point about not wanting to talk about money meaning that you don't actually like money is so true (read from Rich Dad, Poor Dad as well). I happen to obsess over money and have consequently done well with what I have and have acheived that level of peace of mind (except for losing my job in this economy). My husband doesn't like to talk about it and leaves it up to me.

I don't think about what I would do if I win the lottery because I hardly ever buy lottery tickets. But definitely no house (have reached house zen), definitely quitting my job (more time for blogging), definitely paying for my kids college education. If I ever do win the lottery or know someone who did, I'll point them to this post!

Angela at mommy bytes

One of my favorite things to daydream about (like many people) is what I'd do if I won the lottery.  I always thought I'd try my best to keep it secret, since I can't imagine what something like that would do to my relationships with my friends and family... although I'm not sure how realistic it is to keep it completely secret.

I like to think that I'd try to bestow random acts of anonymous financial kindness, seems like that would actually bring more joy than living in a solid gold house, or something ridiculous like that.

http://www.NextRichGirl.com

And you know how I'm all over here hanging on your every word. ;)

My debt would be gone, my parents' debt would be gone and so would my sister's. (I don't have a spouse or kids so there's that...)

I would own a home, a place at the beach and a car outright, and I'd travel whenever and wherever I wanted, which to me is an amazing luxury. Also I'd let myself buy books and music whenever I wanted and not worry about it, and these grey roots would NEVER show. ;) But that's just me...nothing too fancy.

Really, really interesting extended family post btw. ;)  

Laurie

LaurieWrites

Great post!

I have always been a frugal one, even when we were a two-income professional career family and never worried about money.  So, I think if I won the lottery, I would have some fun (no doubt) and travel the world (which I've done here and there already). 

 But....I think that if I won the lottery, you'd still find me clipping coupons and going to Walgreens for my free stuff each week.  You'd still find me blogging about free groceries at Kroger.  Yes, I think I'd still do that.

http://afrugalfriend.blogspot.com

Oh I've dreamed about it! I'd buy my kids a house and me one as well, pay off all of our bills so we can all start fresh. Spoil my Grandaughter, invest..the usual.

The truth is it is wonderful to dream, but one never really knows what one will do until it happens.

My kids laugh, because they tell me I would put it in the bank and just look at the bankbook. We'd still be eating hot dogs and beans. Well maybe... 

I think your sister is wonderful for not spending it all and trying to live as normal a life as is possible. I hope if I ever (ha ha) win I can be that level headed. But I don't think so, got to spoil that baby. maybe I will buy her the Ravenal Bridge....

:) 

ItsAngel

BlogHer: Starting Over

Blogger: http//startingover.blogspot.com

I've never read a post written by someone who was in such close proximity to a lottery winner. I don't blame you for not writing about it years ago. Next step: a blog post written by the lottery winner, talking about how she thinks her life has changed since winning so much money? (Think your sister might guest-post for BlogHer?) :)

Personal blog: Zandria.us
BlogHer blog: Singles/Fitness

When I was younger and working in a social service job, I dreamt of providing a vacation fund for social workers and others who serve society and rarely make enough that they can afford to go lie on a beach somewhere to decompress.  I'd try to do something like that.

For myself, I'd spring for first-class airline tickets for all future travel.

I've given this one thought from time to time - the kids like to ask what we'd do with the money if we ever won. and I gotta say, my wants are simple.

(Of course, as a homeschool mom, it's also a learning opportunity,lol !)

 I remind the kids of the Tax Demons, and wipe 60% of the figure they gave me, then I break the rest into 100k chunks for ease of 'watch the money go bye bye',lol.

For example, they've learned than 10 million or less would not be enough to change our lives significantly - aside from the 'free from worry' you point out.

In that range (10 mill or less) I'd sell my home and move to one much like it in the nearby city I'm tired of driving to daily (just can't afford to do that right now, but it would be NICE), we'd pay off our debts, and buy one more vehicle.  

I'd set up  a fund to generate $1500 a month to my (disabled and retired) mom's living expenses (this would pretty much cover her current expenses, plus).

We'd set aside for college for three kids (one currently IN college), and then we'd invest the rest.

 I'd probably give more to our local Camp Fire USA council, and I'd pay off my mom's and my FIL's medical debt, but as for paying the random debts of family and friends, no way.

Now if I won over 10 million, then I'd probably do more for charity - and set up college funds for my niece and nephew.