Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

Thinking, writing, business ideas … You’re only a stranger once.

February 7, 2007

$100 Million in Ideas . . .

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 6:59 pm

$100 Million Got Us Thinking

We came right out of the box talking about what we would do with a $100 million. Trisha first gave a nod to taxes and figured the $50 Million left would be enough to design and build a house, adopt a few kids, and start a non-profit.

Marti said she’d buy lots of land with starry skies.

Joe didn’t think he could dream quiet that high.
When he did he finally said he would buy a machine to count the money so he didn’t have to count it himself.
Then he would hire two lawyers to watch each other and a third to watch the accountant.
Then he would hire someone to fire the two lawyers and accountant and hire replacements

Andrew would get out of debt to law school, build a dream house, and give a chunk to charities and church.

Char would pay the taxes, give family gifts, knock down her house and build a new one, donate to her favorite causes, set up a non-profit for children, and continue to work.

Robert would build a planned community in a beautiful forrested areas for missionaries when they’re home on leave.

Renée had conflicting thoughts about hiring an investment consultant.

Rick had obviously thought about it before.
1. Get a lawyer.
2. Get another lawyer.
3. Get a good accountant.
4. Set up a couple of corporations to work through.
5. Give Habitat for Humanity an anonymous donation.
6. Never tell anyone.
7. Keep working.
8. Pay any debts.
And go from there - but not in that order.
Oh, and never go to strip clubs with half a million in the back seat of my car.

Vincent would pay Sylvester Stallone not to make any more Rocky sequels; start a trust for respite care and education of kids with disabilities; make sure his familiy owned their homes and safe cars; and invest.

bj would put away a bit (not much, enough for a nice country cottage) and use the rest for a foundation that offers yearly prizes for the best manufacturable and marketable alternative energy gizmo, gadget or other tool.

Becky said community development would be her thing with a vineyard and winery as part of the plan for the “destination” store.

MamaDuck wants to set it up in investments so that she was living on the income from the invested money. She figured there would be enough of the interest to allow for charitable pursuits and such too. She’d leave the main balance (minus taxes) intact for her children…..

Two Knives would fulfill her fantasy of owning a trinket shop on the beach. She’d sell soft drinks and get to know the locals. Open late and close early. Since it’s so much money, she might even buy U.S.-made trinkets.

Francie would work and share. She’d give some to charity, some to family and friends first. She’d set up a non-profit for them. Then maybe she would fund some scholarships.

Meikah Delid thinks like Rick.
If I had $100M, I’d do the following:
1. pay off debts
2. give sums to those who badly need it, esp. ill people
3. trust fund for the kids
4. buy a rest house by the beach or lake
5. travel around the world
6. save the rest and live as if I don’t have lots of cash (is this possible?)

Ben would still work, but as an angel investor helping successful entrepreneurs get funding.

Tim Johnson is going for world peace, curing disease, feeding and sheltering homeless people, and a Harley.

Nnenka would start a school that offers a holistic education for children and parents.

GP would invest and buy land in her dear Montana to build an equestrian center, and expand that B&B with more room for us to visit.

Minic would pay off anyone who is feeling like an owner, keep a little and give the rest to us all.

David Leggett would donate the $100 Million to Compassion International, a foundation that needs support to care for children, and he might buy some photography equipment..

Here are the links we shared

Thanks to everyone for the cool links and for being part of the conversation. Bring more links next week and we’ll post them again.

Oh and me? If I had $100 Milion?

I’m on a cruise ship city where there are condos and stores and every morning I wask to a different city. I get off the ship to visit lands I’ve never seen and converse with the people who live there. Sometimes we dock in a port for a week or two. I can sleep in my own bed and still enjoy the native culture.

Sometimes we stay only for day trips.

I work via wi-fi as the ship travels.

You’re welcome to join me.

See you next Tuesday? We sure hope so.

–ME “Liz” Strauss and Sandy Renshaw
Related article
What is Tuesday Open Comment Night?


Filed under Comments, Community, Links, Marketing, Outside the Box, Successful Blog |



C'mon. Let's talk!

15 Comments to “$100 Million in Ideas . . .”

  1. February 7th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
    Jeff Brown said

    I’d buy Boise. :)

  2. February 7th, 2007 at 7:13 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hey Jeff,
    I thought you were already doing that. :)

  3. February 7th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
    Nneka said

    Oh did I forget to mention my connical house ;-)

    Thanks for the link love :-)

  4. February 7th, 2007 at 7:54 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Nneka, I think I missed the connical house. That sounds like fun!

  5. February 8th, 2007 at 1:36 am
    Sandra Renshaw said

    Hi Liz,

    Looks like you had a fun time. Sorry I missed it. I’ll have to go browse the comments a bit more.

    I would pay bills, establish a home base somewhere, and travel.

    Sandy

  6. February 8th, 2007 at 1:38 am
    Sandra Renshaw said

    Oops, I was still writing and pushed send too soon. It wouldn’t feel right to me unless I shared the wealth. I’m not sure how, but something that benefited a lot of people. I love the new peer banks, etc. Not just giving people fish, but teaching them to fish.

  7. February 8th, 2007 at 2:28 am
    Renée said

    Hi Liz,

    I like to clarify my statement on Investment Consultant or Financial Consultant.

    I’m not at all against them, as a former Forex trader (prior to my teaching career–stress caused the change of occupation), I’m very wary about anyone handling my funds. Whenever someone says he can triple my returns base on my current investment, I will routinely test them on their knowledge and experiences (usually I go way back to 80’s market and many were in their elementary schools).

    If they “passed” the test, I will ask them to show me their finance portfolio–again, most can’t. Smart ones will realize that they had better leave it as it is and not try to convince me otherwise.

    Basically, they are selling me theories which I think I’m capable of doing it with one eye closed. I reckon four years of studying and 3 years of trading is fairly good enough for me to call my own shots. If I can’t, I can always ask my former boss!

    Anyhow, I enjoy messing with their heads. It’s a tough occupation, I must say. ;)

  8. February 8th, 2007 at 5:16 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Sandy,
    I must be feeling silly this morning. I just had this urge to write that Sandy is going to open a schoolf of Fish. :)

    Sounds like a great plan — a new home, time to travel, and a way share by teaching folks how to do something to take care of themselves. It’s got all of the bases covered and room to be creative too. :)

  9. February 8th, 2007 at 5:24 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Renée!
    The comment I saw implied there was one before it, but I looked and looked and couldn’t find it. So I’m sorry if I missed it. But I hope you know I didn’t take your comment to mean that you were down all consultants financial or otherwise. Still I can understand why you might want to clarify.

    I read your clarification and my response is, “Well no wonder!” I sit here and think “Wow! a trader! There’s a job I could never handle.” Boy do I understand the stress in that one. I’m sure you run to quite few from that arena who try to dance their way around you — a small lady who seems harmless enough — HA! I’d love to watch you show those poor “smarties” a thing or two.

    I also bet you have great respect for the young person who has his or her act fully together and knows what he or she is talking about. :)

  10. February 8th, 2007 at 6:02 am
    Renée said

    Very good morning to you, Liz!

    Stock or Forex trading is actually quite fun if it’s done on your own pace (managing your own positions). Beginning maybe a bit nervous, as with all novices in any occupation. But thereafter it’s very exciting when you understand the trade. It’s like adrenaline rush for me.

    Actually, I’m quite a harmless little lady. Most of the time, I just let them do their sale pitch when I’ve the time and mood. I only mess with those arrogant pricks!

    Good things come in small packages…T likes to tease me on that! ;)

  11. February 8th, 2007 at 8:07 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hey Renée !
    I would think you’d have to been into adrenaline to be a trader. In my mind it has a lot in common with working in the ER. :)

    Yeah, arrogance is hard for me to deal with too. I bump into every now and then when young ones email me for help on their blogs. Some seem to think I’m sitting here with nothing to do, but help them for free at their bidding. :)

    T has a point there about small packages. :)

  12. February 8th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
    Renée said

    Some seem to think I’m sitting here with nothing to do, but help them for free at their bidding.

    Liz, you wanna know why? Blame it on your efficiency! The number of posts you write across a few blogs, the speed you respond to your commentors, the witty replies no matter what the topics are, your openness and hospitality, your ability to empathize newbies…just to name a few. You can’t blame them for wanting to seek help from a Wonder Woman! ;)

    FYI, at times I’m tempted to seek your help but held back because I respect your time.

  13. February 8th, 2007 at 7:50 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Renée!
    You’re my friend, and you read my blog. That’s one thing. The people I referred to in that sentence were young folks, who admit from the start that they don’t read my blog, or who show by their question that they haven’t bothered to look for the simple answer before they asked me to give it to them. :)

    I’m happy to help you with the kinds of questions you ask. Your questions are fun!

  14. February 10th, 2007 at 3:02 am
    Sandra Renshaw said

    HI Liz,

    I’m just getting back here - too funny. I like the idea of a School of Fish…

  15. February 10th, 2007 at 5:06 am
    ME Strauss said

    Sandy,
    I swear, that’s why we get along. You understand my weird sense of humor. :)

Name (required)

Email (required)

Website

C'mon Let's Talk!