Would you still work?

Yes, I'd work.  How do I know?  I collected a pile of money in a lawsuit settlement a few years ago, enough that my bank branch manager asked if I was retiring.  My husband told me I could be a SAHM.  But I didn't want to.  I enjoy my work too much!  It's actually a lot of fun!

Okay, it looked like a lot on paper when I opened the check, but Eric is right.  The taxes take out a big bite, especially if you are already employed the year it comes through, and in the end, it certainly wasn't enough to retire on at age 45. But here's what I've done:  (1) paid for our adoption and upgraded the trip a little; (2) paid off all bills and now live debt-free except for 1 car and mortgage; (3) sold hubby's house and mine and built a much nicer house than we could otherwise have afforded; (4) set up 509 college fund for daughter; (5) funded a few years worth of IRA contributions; (6) pay private school tuition for daughter; (7) helped a worthy relative with a family emergency; and (8) invested the rest. Of all the money I invested, the adoption was the best investment of all.  Here's what I didn't do: (1) buy clothes or bling for me (I'm cheap); (2) exotic travel (unless you want to count the adoption trip to China); (3) hire household helpers (I'm cheap); (4) buy a fancy car (unless you consider my minivan fancy).

I think I would travel a lot for awhile, but if I ever did get bored, I'd go volunteer some place doing something that made me feel useful.

I really want to win several million for various reasons...

Unfortunately none of those reasons are to quit my job....

Not that i like working but i'm just one of those girls who would never be content sitting home.

My job actually gives me purpose and is a challenge most days.

I have many altruistic plans for the money though....

One of which would be to hire help for my grandparents. (my grandfather is in a wheelchair and granny...well she needs a rest sometimes) They really could use some help.

I also know of a family with no means of buying a home of their own in FL. In fact, they had to live in a tent after a hurricane last year. FEMA was no help because they only owned the trailer and not their land (and it's a decreptive trailer at that.0 They are nice people...just not born into wealth. I'd help them to buy a modest house or at least the materials to build a house of their own in a good school district for their daughter. They aren't  very educated and i'd like to get them a private tutor for their daughter too who needs alot of help with school.

After those items i need to payoff my debt.... I don't need a big house but i would like to purchase something all on one level with a larger yard (not acres or anything)that would be better for my older dog.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'd be taking some time off and developing some new avocations to fill my time. Cabana boys and pina coladas sound like a great avocation.

I would still work, but I would definitely let hubby retire! I enjoy my job and he HATES his with a passion! Susan

You ask this very thought provoking question at a bad time for me. I hate my job, ok, not my job but our general manager (I work in retail).  I'd be actively looking for something else, if I wasn't preparing for bariatric surgery that my insurance will most likely cover... anyhow, I would not quit working.  I would however quit my current job and return to school to become a nurse, and I would work on a volunteer basis as a nurse after completing school.  I would also buy every member of my immediate family new cars and houses (or pay off loans if they wanted to keep their current ones) and set up college funds for my nieces and nephews.  I would also, after completing school, go to China and adopt, as I have wanted to do since I was a little girl.  I would do more animal rights and adoptee rights advocacy, and travel a bit more.

I most certaintly  would stay at my job.   I absolutely hate my boss enough to stay just to annoy him.