Sunday, February 12, 2012

If the Improbable Happened

A conversation today veered into what would you do if you were suddenly rich. Everyone's watching Downton Abbey, it seems. Lots of my friends, like me, are the grandchildren of the once wealthy. I think coming from a family fallen to troubles molds one's character as much as those who get and are raised rich in one generation. In different ways, of course.

But back to what we'd do if suddenly we had no monetary limits.
My list:
Travel everywhere I've ever been curious about.
Buy the old brownstone in Brooklyn.
Have a staff. Make them unionize.
Buy up space and have everyone interred in Greenwood.
Buy a farm here and run it as a training ground for new farmers.
And I'll train cooks there. Not friggin chefs, real cooks.
Set up my family and friends.
Charities.

It's remarkable what everyone had on their lists. Businesses. Everyone wanted to have their dream business, and work. Not one wanted to invest and lay back. And just as interesting was what nobody named. Education. I guess we're at the age beyond considering school? All would help their families and friends. All had charities to mind.

And if you had limitless funds, what would you do? I'd like to hear.

5 comments:

Geo. said...

I'd first pay off all my kids' student loans. Then I'd get one of those big screen tvs, new tires for my 71 VW Bus and heavy equipment to get my siblings out of my pockets. The rest I'd donate to your projects. I'm too simple a mechanism to deal with wealth.

Austan said...

Geo.- Too simple a mechanism! Hahahahahah!!! Beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Set up whatever family members are left and some friends. Contribute to some organizations that are dear to my heart .. and then .. just not worry anymore. Go live in the country where I can see water and trees. I'm already retired, what more can I ask?

Austan said...

Lawless- that sounds like a plan. I'm glad someone has the sense to stay retired!

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

I would hope that coming into a fortune would never happen to me. Even if it does not change the person, it changes those around them. I am not saying that I would not welcome some extra money into my life, but I certainly would not want a windfall.

I think money can make you comfortable, but not necessarily any happier.