The local newspaper has a article about the NewYear's Eve Powerball drawing winner. It's nice to hear that the couple winning it deserve it. But would you have opted for the $60M pay-off or the $110M annuity?
I'd want the annuity. Mostly because i have no self control...lol. Seriously, though, DH and i have talked/dreamed about this, and we'd prefer it as an annuity if we were under 50 or if was anything under 20 million, but a total pay out if we were older or under 20 million, since an annuity payment like that cannot be transferred to heirs. Ok, this will never happen to us, but it's nice to have a plan...just in case...LOL
ahhh... if we ever win it big (hahaha, like it's EVER going to happen) we are getting the lump sum and setting up a family trust first thing off. That way if we were to die the next day or something, the money still goes to the family. And then we are going to pay off everyone's mortgages for them... and then go on a really long vacation to figure out what we want to do with the rest of our lives.
It's fun to dream, isn't it?
vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from "Pam" :
]ahhh... if we ever win it big (hahaha, like it's EVER going to happen)
yeah, i know that feeling. my kids keep telling me - "you have to PLAY before you can win, Mom!"
]we ]are getting the lump sum and setting up a family trust first thing off. That ]way if we were to die the next day or something, the money still goes to the ]family. And then we are going to pay off everyone's mortgages for them... ]and then go on a really long vacation to figure out what we want to do with ]the rest of our lives.
that sounds about like what i'd do, too. at my age, the long payoff probably wouldn't [pay off].
----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)
That's exactly what we planned too. Cept I want to donate our present house to the Domestic Violence shelter here and buy a house with a bit of land.
We would definitely get the lump sum, so we'd never have to worry about our kids being taken care of if something were to happen to us. We'd set up a trust, and we would buy a house with some land, a few goats and alpacas, maybe some chicken (can't beat fresh eggs!). Isn't it funny how almost everyone says they'd buy a house (for themselves, or family)?
Other than the house/trust, I would get MARRIED, LOL. "DH" and I have been living together for 5 years now, but we've not gotten married yet. We want to have our wedding *just right* (my first, his second), and we have decided not to settle for anything less :o) We would probably fly a small group of friends and family to New Zealand, and get married there.
First off, we'd find someone to pay to manage the money because neither DH or I are any good with money. Lump sum would probably be best (ask first) Pay off ALL bills (DH has a metric buttload) (I'm not much better. Just smaller ones) And of course BUILD the perfect house for out situation (have a spot and everything) Lots of room/rooms, solar and energy efficient as possible, etc. And set up accounts for each of the kids (x amount per month or whatever) and spending accounts for me and DH. And have the manager pay all ongoing bills. Sound fair?
Later,
Helen C
I'm a lump-sum girl! With judicious investment and careful legal management, that money would not only keep me, but also my entire family, financially secure, even to the second and third generation, if not beyond.
-Kalera
JL Amers> The local newspaper has a article about the NewYear's Eve Powerball drawing
You are a girl after my own heart. I would do the same thing!
I didn't mention the fun part... what I'd *do* with all that money! First, of course I'd only see what, 35 million? LOL, "only"! So, first off, I'd pay off all my and DH's debts, and buy my mom and sisters each a house. Nothing fancy; something in a realistic price range, whatever is the median for their areas. I'd pay off this house, and my old house, and make all those little repairs that I just can't quite afford and don't have time for myself, as well as the big "eventually" ones.
Can you imagine living without a housing expense? Especially anyone who bought a house recently, or is renting.
I'd add a full second story to this house, and completely renovate the garage into a two-story studio and teaching space with six student torches, and a small retail space for a gallery/lampwork supply store. I'd remodel the attic into a plush office space for DH's business, and the basement into a den/play area. Then I'd build a small toolshed/workshhop in the back yard.
I'd buy a minivan, and fix up the Volvo station wagon for DH.
I'd hire a housekeeper!
I'd travel, first regionally and then farther afield, to take classes from my lampworker-heroes.
Last but far from least, I'd take the kids around the world, but dammit, I wouldn't buy them anything, because I'm always telling them "THE FUN OF GOING PLACES IS IN BEING THERE, NOT BUYING STUFF"! :)
-Kalera
On Sun, 18 Jan 2004 3:15:44 -0500, Kalera Stratton wrote (in message ):
But sometimes it is buying stuff that's fun.DD got a tee shirt with Mickey Mouse on it from Disneyland Paris. She wears it to school all the time -- Mickey tee shirts are not cool, but one that says Disneyland Paris is something else altogether.
In the town nearest one of my Tantes, there is a store that sells only gummi candies. DD and I always make a stop there to buy what the strangest gummi item we can find and the other one has to eat it. DD made me try red wine gummis last time, and I made her eat a hot dog one. Right outside that store, there's a stand that sells "fish on a stick," quite possibly the most disgusting thing I've ever seen anyone eat. They're whole herring with a dowel stuck through them and roasted. People buy these gross things and walk down the street, munching on them like a lollipop. We haven't bought any of those, but we do dare each other every single time.
Then there's the time we were in Britain, and we saw signs all over for a "boot sale." We had no clue what that meant, so we had to follow the signs. Turns out it was a like a flea market, just from the trunks of peoples' cars. We bought a tiny painting of boats punting on the Cam, which had been a high point of our trip.
Then there's the Czech tee shirt that says "I grew this belly on Budvar Beer." It's in lovely script and surrounded by swirls, and you'd never know that's what the shirt says. I think it was on that trip that I got my favorite tip tray - it promotes using the American Express card in cyrillic letters. (Had to do some serious negotiating with the waiter to get that one) One time, coming home from Canada, I bought a toy stuffed beaver in a can. I had DD convinced it was some kind of strange Canadian sandwich spread. It was only when she opened the can, bread at the ready, did she realize I was pulling her leg.
Is buying stuff the point of our adventures? No. But we do buy little things everywhere we go, as a memento of the great times we have. I like to get funky tee shirts from everywhere, and DD buys the most whacked out candy she can find. Mostly, the item is simply a tangible piece of the memory; and the memories are the best parts of every trip.
Kathy N-V
Ob DD travel story: DD and I have different last names, which sometimes confuses passport officials and the like. One time, a German passport agent became quite agitated with me because I was in the "Non-EU line with that American child."
Then he saw my passport, and realized that I was in the right line. (He had thought I was a German citizen, and the "American child" confused him.) I got to answer the twenty questions about how I got to have an American passport, when I am so obviously a German citizen. (Being born in American was very helpful in getting that US passport, duh)
One time, coming back from Canada, it was the US border agent. DD was about eight and was snoozing in the back seat of the car. The agent woke her up to ask her who I was, and if we were carrying guns. DD shook her head sleepily and answered, "That's my Mama, and you're nuts if you think she'd ever have a gun."
and with proper management, lump sum payments can be more profitable in the long run!!!
Mary
Shhhh! Don't tell them that! You wouldn't be able to come home with any beads if you tell them that! Cheri (Bubbee to Emily and Nathan)
Oh, the lump sum for certain! $60M can make a lot more money than the annuity can bring with even the most ordinary blue chip investments. And I would never let anyone else manage my money, you're asking for embezzlement and fraud. (Look what happened to Selena!)
A house for everyone - maybe on a compound? and a credit card for the 4 kids - a big beach house for all of us to go congregate during the summers.
And after 6 months of plastic surgery, I'd throw the biggest damn party you've ever seen! A million dollar party with Sting to entertain for the adults and Pink for the kids.
Ahhh. T'would be glorious indeed. OH yes, and lovely donations to the synagogue and children's hospital and lots of other places I've always wanted to help.
I'm ready, Lord. Just lay it on me! Let me prove I am worthy!
Cheri (Bubbee to Emily and Nathan)
Can I go to the one with Pink? She's awesome. Gotta get this party started!! lol
On Sun, 18 Jan 2004 12:03:38 -0500, Dr. Sooz wrote (in message ):
Bob gave me a trip to the Cairn Terrier nationals one year for my birthday. Before I left, I had to make a solemn promise that I wouldn't come home with any more Cairn Terriers than I had before I left. (He was a smart man to make that promise. I had any number of options to come home with some _amazing_ puppies)
I had a blast. I borrowed people's "extra" dogs (Sophie had to stay home), and went to all the dog training and showing workshops. I learned what ideal Cairn bone structure feels like, and how to groom a Cairn so that they look like they have that bone structure. :-0
At the awards dinner, an older couple adopted me, and I felt right at home. The wife talked non-stop, and the husband was almost totally deaf. He must have been able to hear at least a little something, because when I said I don't eat desserts, he moved to grab mine without a pause in his wife's conversation.
I think I once wrote about the funniest thing that happened that weekend. Some fellow started talking to me about how Kathy N-V was supposed to attend the event that weekend, and how he and Kathy are "close, personal friends." I heard all kinds of amazing details about his and Kathy's relationship and struggled to keep a straight face. Then I flipped my hair back so it was no longer covering my name tag. The guy went white and made an instant exit. I'm still snickering.
The poor employees of the Hilton. Normally, they don't allow dogs, but selling out their whole hotel for four days was something they couldn't resist and they bent the rules. The housekeeping staff opened all the doors very, very slowly and kept saying "nice doggie," because they didn't want to be eaten by herds of hungry little terriers. Because my "nice doggie" was back at home, the staff treated me very well, indeed.
Thanks for reminding me, Sooz. I'd love to do the Cairn weekend again. maybe I could get Bob to forget to extract a "no additional dogs" promise.
cute that I don't know how anyone could resist them, and then of course, they turn into Cairn Terriers, which just rock. I can just see it now - a black brindle one to go with the sofa in the den, and another red one like Sophie used to be, and a wheaten one like Sophie is now...
Bob would lose his flipping mind. heh, heh, heh.
Kathy N-V
Ob. Bead Reference:
Yeah, but... I've been broke their entire lives, so we never buy stuff when we go anywhere ('cause usually I can barely afford to go someplace, let alone buy anything!) so if we suddenly had money, I couldn't just do a 180! :)
On Mon, 19 Jan 2004 12:37:06 -0500, Kalera Stratton wrote (in message ):
Those trips were darned near free. (Actually, I made money going on them) My employers used to send me to Europe all the time, because many of the major pharmaceutical companies are in Austria, Switzerland and Germany. Because I speak German, and have both a medical and computer background, I wasn't given the opportunity to refuse business travel. Because DD was small, I had my employment contract written with a clause that said that if I was out of town, they had to either pay for DD to come with me, or reimburse me for child care. (The plane tickets were always much cheaper)
The trip to Paris was a wierd one. I had two work related trips scheduled, with a week back in the US in the middle. I convinced my employer that it was stupid to pay for that extra round trip, I would just stay in Europe for the week. I had my laptop, and did my conference calls every night, but my days were my own. I rented a car and DD and I took off for Paris. We spent a day in Reims to see the cathedral, and four days in Paris. We had a blast. Our hotel, in Montparnasse, was 80 francs/night, including breakfast. That was about $12/night in US money, and the place was actually quite decent.
The other big thing is that even though we don't have a ton of money, we go on lots of adventures. We've always known that my health is precarious at best, and thought that giving DD experiences rather than material goods would be a Good Thing. One can lose physical possessions, but experiences are yours forever. DD won't ever remember that she didn't get her clothes from Abercrombie or that most of our furniture is free stuff we cadged from relatives, but she'll never forget seeing "A Midsummer Night's Dream" on Midsummer night at Cambridge College in Britain. (The British trip was free. We had a couple of days' layover in Britain, and stayed with friends)
The house might be borderline crappy, and heaven knows we don't buy the biggest and fanciest of anything; but we do spend oodles of time together, and have lovely memories and stories that could fill many books.
Besides, a lot of the things we do cost nothing. We got to a local nature reserve and feed the ducks (well, it does cost $0.10/handful of cracked corn). The beach is free, and we get passes to the aquarium and all the museums free from the library. Every year, Bob, DD and whatever kids we can rustle up all participate in the local flag day parade, cookout and fireworks celebration, which is put on for free by our town. Same for First Night (New Years' Eve) - nearly all the attractions are free.
When DD was small, we'd go to every single parade that took place in our town. (Main Street is within walking distance) I had a couple of those little flags, and DD would wave her flag and salute the veterans. Now, she dresses as a clown (a friend's mother is a clown as a business) and marches in the parades herself, or even better, rides in the little car.
Ice Skating is free on the ponds, and we have dozens of pairs of antique ice skates in the attic (from DH's mom). I bring cocoa from home, and supervise from the comfort of my car. (My ice skating days are long behind me) In the summer, we go to a nearby ice skating rink - not to go in, but to grab some of the snow piled in back from the Zamboni. We grab a cooler full of snow, go home, and then have snowball fights.
On Tuesdays in the summertime, our library had professional storytellers come in to entertain the kids. We'd grab a carful of kids, go listen to the story and take out some books, and if everyone was good, we would get an ice cream on the way home. The kids are too old for the storytellers now, but we have "Arts in the Park," and we go to the outdoor ampitheatre to listen to whatever musical act is playing that week. (Lots of Jazz, and some "ethnic" music) Again, there are snacks and drinks in the car, so I don't buy overpriced yucky food from the concessions.
You live in Portland, which has loads of cool stuff along the lines of what we have here in Boston. I can get a list from my adopted brother, who is as nuts about giving kids time instead of stuff as I am. I do know about going to the Rhododendron Garden (after a trip to the feed store for cracked corn), to wander the beautiful grounds and feed the very demanding ducks. The Catholic shrine and grotto is beautiful as well, and there's not one thing that a child would want at the gift shop.
There's also that really cool public pool complex in the ratty part of town (sorry, but it really was ratty), thats as nice as any water park and cost a dollar. I love going to Saturday Market, mostly to look at the crafts, but also to enjoy the outdoor performers. There's the Bonus of riding the Maxx, which kids seem to love. Pioneer Square usually has great outdoor performers, too. And you can't beat Powell's books for an afternoon of browsing through the stacks, looking for treasure. (Your kids might be a little young for that one) And how about the Rose Parade? That's neat, too.
For a more far flung day trip, I love Multnomah Falls. The kids can wear themselves out running up the switchbacks, and I can have a frosty cold Diet Coke. Down at the creek at the bottom of the falls is a great place to let the kids practice skipping rocks. There's a really neat fish hatchery along that same road, and feeding the fishies is a load of fun. There's a picnic area on the grounds, so lunch and running around afterward is covered.
Out on the main drag on the way to Costco (sorry, don't know the street name), there's an awesome farm stand with a big red barn. They sell fruits and veggies to die for - and I let each kid pick out one piece of fruit for the ride home. For myself, I buy "donut peaches," which are ambrosia from the Gods. Actually, going to Costco while you're out there isn't bad, either. I let the kids squash all the returnable cans, and we buy junk food with the deposit money.
Got to go - the cold snap has finally broken, and I'm going to leave the house and go for a ride for the first time in weeks. (Doctors' appointments don't count as outings)
Kathy N-V
When I travel, I don't buy souvenier, Tshirts, or stuff like that. However, I do shop, preferrably in "the bazzaar", or other places where individuals are selling. I especially like to do this where I can't speak the language. I like to see what people value. Especially in non-western Europe. Places with a different culture than ours. In Western Europe I love historical tours, preferably if there's someone who can speak English.
The transitions in Germany fascinated me. Historical castles, bombed churches, recovered sites, and the new Euro tech and the blending of East and West Germany. German women professionals (since post WWII when there were so few men, Germany has had great workplace equality!).
And I love museum. My favorites are the folk museums, anthropological, ethnohistorical. Choose whatever name you like. There was a wonderful museum/park in Ukraine that included a castle with restored art, antiques, small wooden models, an on-going work. Also there was a small village church all made of wood with no nails and an amazing ornate roof. A wooden clacker instead of a metal bell. And also restores houses of various periods, like the 13th century home of a reasonably well off shoe maker. You could tell he was better off, because he had TWO rooms to his house. One for cooking, eating, sleeping for the whole family, and one for his work, complete with the tools of his trade. There were also some older houses -- wood and thatch with just a smoke hole, pre-chimney.
As a child, I travelled a lot with my family. Mostly by car. Including 6 months in Europe when I was 5 years old. I strongly advocate taking (small) children traveling, especially in other countries. They learn that there are lots of cultures, instead of just American and "Other". I think it sets up a healthy curiousity and respect.
And children DO remember. The bombed out hotel in Berlin that was the best there was. The windy road in the Pyranese mountains where we crossed from Spain to France where I left behind my Teddy bear and the Swiss watch which I'd put around his neck for safekeeping. I remember how small the Blarney Stone was, and how deep the Norwegian fjords were.
Another word about buying things. I do buy examples of local work. I do buy art, in a variety of sizes and (moderate) price ranges. I do buy local food specalties. And I do sometimes give money to beggars -- but only on the last day I'll be in a location.
Tina
InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.