I'd probably buy up a couple thousand acres and not just cut up firewood, but also cut up all the lumber to build my wilderness dreamhome..... Oh, and I'd be donating a pile of money to some good charities....as well as setting all my kids up with a trust fund that wouldn't be accessible till they were around 30.
After paying taxes & tithe, I would finishing adding on to my shop, be able to build the house I hope to start this summer without a loan then set the rest aside for retirement - make that an immediate retirement. Then I would fix up a tool/work party trailer so I could go around helping others. (I already have the tools & several trailers but not a trailer I can secure the tools in at the work sites). This is something I enjoy doing very much. With all the taxes we have to pay for personal property, it's like we don't own it, we are just renting it from the government. So I would stick to the current 28 acres we have & keep the house a modest size.
I wouldn't do anything crazy, but.... I would dig a pond (which I would be fined for on a daily basis, but that would be ok) in my front yard. Then I would dock a new cigar boat in it, which would be too large for the pond, but at least my neighbors would know I hit it big. If I liked them, I would let them sit in it once in a while. Maybe some chrome teeth, a monster truck, maybe I would take up smoking (you would have to be rich at 5 bucks a pack). I would quit my job, twice. Might even start my own reality show. And on a serious note.... I dont know that I would tell a soul about it. I firmly believe that I wouldn't live much different than I do now. We all consider money a "blessing" or whatever, and it is to the extent that it provides us with our most basic needs. Some of the most wealthy people in the world, are the most poor. Look at these celebrities we read about and see in the news on a daily basis, they look miserable! Sorry for the somewhat silly post. For a short answer on what I would buy? Probably a new saw!
Like this kind of saw? Squad automatic weapon/Light machine gun http://military.discovery.com/tv-shows/combat-tech/videos/m-249-saw.htm I think this would be my saw of choice if I won the lottery and I'd use it to protect my stacks!
I didn't read anywhere near all of this thread, but did cast my vote, which was "hell yes" I can tell you after 40 years, burning wood has given me so much peace that no amount of money would change my love for staying warm from wood I cut, split, stacked, hauled, and burned! Now I might hire me some help now that I am old and it hurts a little more to get it from the woods to the stove, but I can assure you I would be in my coveralls, supervising!!! And I would ship a whole bunch to my wood burning buddies who are old like me and have trouble keeping up with the wood supply. Hell, first thing I would do is take my crew and go to Dennis' place and cut, split and stack about 20 cords
Honestly I would spend a lot more time with my wife and cut a lot more wood. Probably just donate extra to someone that needs it.
Lotteries and Casinos are a tax on people that are bad at math. You odds of getting struck by lightening are much greater than winning a lottery.
I don't think I would change a whole lot. At least that's what I think. Probably just have more land and toys. Take care of some loved ones and yea still cut wood. Once a cheapskate always a cheapskate.
