You Know You Don't Want A Million Dollars When....

[heydude]

This is funny to me.

I was able to work with a coworker that I had not seen in a long time.

He was telling me that he had a bad dream but that he could not share it because then it would come true. If you tell someone your dreams, it will come true.

So, I started saying...

"In that case, I had a dream last night that I....."

and I stopped and thought about what I wanted so badly in life.

And I started thinking the usual suspects "a million dollars" and I was like "no, i don't want that"

"gold?"

No.

And, then I finished my sentence...

"In that case, I had a dream last night that I got to work more with you!"

i couldn't bring myself to say a million dollars cause I don't even want that.

that is success to me. not needing a million at all.

[razz]

What a clever way to deal with the issue raised. I have often thought that a million dollars would not give me any more of what I already have and I have enough as it is.

[Mrs-M]

The old saying, "money isn't everything", rings true Re: this one, doesn't it.

[catherine]

Well, if I'm to be completely honest, there was a time when I know I'd respond exactly the same way you did.

But as a self-employed 60 year old with no money because of reasons I've posted about before, I waver between faith and worry all the time. I think the 1M would definitely remove the second part of the equation for me at this point. However, I religiously practice confidence that I will achieve my financial goals, even though my "religion" sometimes sleeps while I lie awake at 2am doing calculations in my mind.

[ApatheticNoMore]

I have often thought that a million dollars would not give me any more of what I already have and I have enough as it is.

I wouldn't have to work jobs I hate. I'd take the million.

[cattledog]

I agree with the premise (i.e. money isn't everything), but I think I'd make it an even 2 million. :)

[bae]

You could help a lot of other people with $1 million to spare...

[creaker]

A coworker once told me all he wanted was the opportunity to prove that money can't buy happiness.

I know that money in itself is not enough - but I would not mind a chance of putting it to the test myself.

[bae]

Vaguely-related: here's a great prop I got the other day to illustrate some points about economics and currencies for a class of my daughter's:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8N0ShIjtsjw/UEfIT6SieGI/AAAAAAAAGNM/V5kSJS_WEFc/s800/Awesomized.jpg


Note the progression in just a single year:


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sRjREpXrEJ0/UEfIP-qHIoI/AAAAAAAAGNU/4VosjuxXOIo/s640/Awesomized.jpg

You have to ask yourself, where along the progression of printing up this stuff did they first get an idea that they might have a really really bad problem? The last couple bills in the series are uncirculated, as the government couldn't afford to pay the bill printers to accept delivery...

Anyways, my net worth is up > $110 trillion today :-)

[Blackdog Lin]

Excellent visual, and I think our children are going to have to bear the brunt of all the money-printing stupidity.....

okay, now that I think of it, I'm only 55. Assuming I've got 30 years or so to go, I'M going to have to bear a lot of the pain of all the money-printing stupidity. I think often that it's too bad that I'll be older and more decrepit and with less mental acuity in the coming years, just when it will all be needed the most.....

[flowerseverywhere]

The things I could do if I came into some money that would give them a much needed boost as they continue to work and better themselves.

If I came into a million dollars I could pay off the houses of my brother, sister and sister in laws (last two are struggling with unemployment/underemployment, the first with medical issues). I would pay off student loans of several deserving young relatives. Of course this might take time as you have to deal with gift taxes etc so to make the most of the money it would take some figuring.
I would put enough in the bank to pay for four years of college in a state university for my grandchildren.

I would have several hundred thousand to spread around to some people who would really use it to their advantage, like my friend who never saw a cent in child support and has raised her child by frugal living and working hard, wouldn't it be nice to treat them to a vacation (they have never flown in an airplane and only stayed in a hotel a few times), some gift cards for some food and nice clothes, and a nice deposit in a college fund?

I also know of several charities that really help people - like habitat for Humanity, meals on wheels, the local food bank, the city soup kitchen and the Ronald Mcdonald house that I would donate to.


I have to say all of my dreams are really nuts, make no sense and most often exaggerate the circumstances that the books I read describe. In my dreams I see colors, I smell smells and DH says I often shout out or talk and do things that mimic all kinds of activity like running. I would love to dream about something so concrete.

[Jilly]

I have always managed on whatever I earned and maintained healthy savings. I do not think that I was born frugal or anything like that, but my needs, or wants for that matter, have not exceeded my resources. I have volunteered all of my adult life, which I mention only by way of illustrating that I have a strong and realistic commitment to stuff outside myself.

I can see both large and small issues and think that I have good standards and perspective. That said, I spent months, this year, homeless and maybe money alone might not be able to buy happiness, but it can buy a whole ton of freedom from worry and much worse things, so I now would choose an insanely large amount of money in a heartbeat.

I could also do more volunteer and charity work, yes, but I would mostly honor and appreciate some serious peace for a change.