Ahhh, the question you've asked yourself at least once. Right? Let's be honest, you ask yourself this at least once a DAY. I do anyway:)
A million dollars could go a long way, depending on what you do with it. You could get a new wardrobe for each season (with fabu shoes and matching handbag, of course). Maybe you'd buy a house for a family member or good friend in need. Oh, I know, you'd donate it all for the good of mankind:)
What would I do with the money? So glad you asked!
First, I'd go pick a little bit at a time off the tree in my backyard (yes, this is an
actual pic from my yard complete with money tree and dog house). I like to think I'd pay all my bills first (though I really don't have many now that I'm thinking about it), but I know me and I'd go shopping. I'm not gonna lie:)I'd certainly send my parents on a cruise because they've always wanted to go on one, but never have. I'd also buy my dad a Cadillac because he's always wanted one, but swears the only one he'll ever ride in is the hearse that takes his body to the cemetary...yes, the man is a bit morbid:)
After I made my parents happy, I'd take an all girl trip to somewhere amazing like Italy, Ireland, Scotland. Maybe all three!
Oh, I'd certainly set my girls a nice cushion aside for college and a bit more so they can have a little to fall back on in case of unexpected emergencies.
I'd have to invest wisely (if such a thing is possible anymore).
Ugh! I just remembered I'd have to pay taxes on these to begin with, so my million isn't really a million, now is it? (Donna, what would I take home?)
Do you like how I act like this is a real possibility? Hey, I like to plan ahead and you never know!
Perhaps that's why I write for Silhouette Desire. My agent asked me years ago if I'd ever consider writing for them. She claimed my voice would fit with Desire perfectly. I guess so, huh? I love to daydream about lavish spending and now I get to write about yummy heroes who do just that! A match made in writer's heaven!
Here's the blurb from my October release, FROM BOARDROOM TO WEDDING BED?:
He'd been faced with the toughest decision of his life—a future full of wealth and power, or the love of Tamera Stevens. And self-made billionaire Cole Marcum had never regretted his choice. Until now, when circumstances forced him to work as partners with the woman he'd left behind.
The brilliant CEO was determined to keep their relationship strictly business. Even so, working so closely with the only woman he'd ever cherished had Cole rethinking his priorities. This time, was he prepared to choose love over money?
So, what would you do with a million dollars (minus the amount Donna tells us is taken away for taxes)? I didn't even get to all of my list, but I think I'd need more than a million;)
I'd love to hear some of your ideas! I'll chose one random winner to receive an autographed copy of my October Silhouette Desire, FROM BOARDROOM TO WEDDING BED?. Who wants to share their dream spending spree?
49 comments:
Oooh!!! Just enough to remodel and build a gorgeous in-home library with window seat and reading nook :)
Wow Fichen - you were fast on the draw. The Golden Rooster is headed your way.
Love the idea of an in-home library (with lots of books to fill it) and a window seat with a big comfy pillow.
Did you see that house in Minneapolis (I believe) where the owner of one house bought the house next door. He remodeled to connect the two, then turned the second house into a library. I'm looking at my next door neighbors in a whole new way (grin).
Hi Jules! Welcome back to the Lair! Thank you Donna for inviting Jules to join us today.
AHHHH! What a lovely daydream! Even after taxes, I'm sure I'd have enough money to buy a little seaside cottage somewhere...
Oh, and a '56 T-bird convertible just like the one Suzanne Somers drove in American Graffiti. I always said that's the car I'd buy if I won the Lotto. ;-)
Congrats on winning the chook, Fedora! Put him to work doing chores today.
AC
Ooh, I hadn't considered THAT possibility, Donna! Hmm... ;)
And thanks, AC! You bet! There's a big ol' stack of laundry waiting for him, and some kids to entertain ;)
Congrats on the GR, Fedora.
Hi Jules,
If I can find a brownstone for under a million dollars I will definitely buy it. I don't mind the taxes, especially if it goes to public education and libraries. Maybe I could invest the money and hope to double or triple the profits.
Whoo Hoo well done Fedora have fun dreaming about millions with him today
Hi Jules and Donna
What a great question and the book sounds fabulous whoo hoo. For me I would pay off my home give my kids some money because that would not be enough to buy all 4 of my kids a house each but I could give them some money for a deposit, I would then plan a holiday around the world with hubby and of course I could visit all my friends in the USA that would be awesome and do some renovating at home make my library bigger but the best thing would be that I could retire and actually have more time for reading that would be fantastic. I do love these kind of dreams LOL
Have Fun
Helen
Hmmm....I do like the sound of that sea side cottage, AC. Unfortunately, most of the ones I've seen cost at least one million dollars - geez. A million just doesn't go as far as it used to...
LOL - Helen - if a million dollars were to just drop in my lap, I promise I would come to Australia to visit all the banditas and BBs there. If that million comes quick - I could dash over in time to hear Anna's keynote address. That would be cool. (Do you guys heckle speakers over there - grin).
honestly if i had a milliondolalrs id geta palce and move my fiancee and our kids to it pay off somebills and statr my new life with him and our family then after tahtbuy ppl i love presents
Hey Fichen, well done on nabbing the chook. Have fun.
As to the million dollars, I would pay off the mortgage. I haven't thought past that yet. I'm too busy doing the happy dance of no longer having a mortgage. :-)
Donna
We would love to have you all here next March that would just be awesome fingers crossed for a million dropping in your laps LOL. As for heckling key note speakers I don't think so I can tell you that I am soo looking forward to the next conference it is going to be lots of fun
Have Fun
Helen
Pay off the bills. Give some to my parents for whatever they want to spend it on (cruises, new cars, trips with the grandchild, etc.). If I have any left over, then perhaps a cool car. Maybe an Audi TT hardtop or a Porsche Cayman in Amethyst Metallic (i.e., purple) or a Maserati GranTourismo S (too bad it doesn't come in green). And have enough to pay the insurance on the car as well as some racing driving lessons so I can handle the car much better, not that I'm ever going to be the next Michael Schumacher (used to be top driver for Ferrari) or even Valentino Balboni (former chief test driver for Lamborghini), but I can dream. :)
ironss[at]gmail.com
Welcome back Jules - good to have you here in the Lair.
Ooh a cool mill ... hello shoe dept at Barneys! Stuff that, hello again Mr Jimmy Choo - I need some of your couture shoes (he made me some for my wedding - they were considerably cheaper than getting the ones from the store and having them dyed - plus they were made from the same material as my wedding dress and made to fit my feet ... but I digress *g*). Oh and some Chanel shoes, maybe even one of those cute suits.
The sensible side of me would like to replace carpets with oak floors and redo our kitchen. The not-so sensible side of me would like to use the money to travel in style! Look out Aussies!
I'd donate some to charity too. A little can go a long way. Doesn't go quite such a long way with the family, but I wouldn't leave them out *g*.
Oh, and maybe I'd buy a pair of Devils season tickets and have a standing arrangement with a private jet to fly me back and forth to NJ *g*.
Hi Jules and Donna!
I would pay off some bills, spread a little amongst family and friends who need a little help, and make a donation to our local Humane Society.
Anything left would be used for a few thrills and frills for me, me, me!!
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Making sure our parents were nicely settled with no health care bills. After that...
Not counting our daughter's education, and all those other practical things (la la la, fingers in ears, I'm not listening...), I'd love to build a little storybook cottage on my parent's farm. Not big, just utterly charming. Three window seats, at least. A pitched roof with dormer windows. Bookshelves lining every wall. One open kitchen hearth room--who needs a living room if you have a fireplace, a comfy sofa and a place for hot tea? Buffalo plaid checked curtains and huge braided rag rugs everywhere. Swings on the porch. Perfect!
Jane - A little brownstone would be nice as well. I think I'd like to have places to stay all over the place - like the celebrities - to visit whenever.
SINn - not sure I'd more though. Ohio has it's moments - like now when it's beautiful in autumn. The sun is striking all the golden leaves. It can be breathtaking.
Sheree - I feel you have the need to speed (grin). Be careful out there.
Daz - Must look beyond the mortgage. If you haven't a dream to spend foolishly, that money is likely to accumulate to no good purpose whatsoever (grin).
Anna - I hope your plan will include trips to Charleston at least twice a year. Find that million quick, please.
Laurie D - You are sweet to think of others and the Humane Society is certainly worthy. So what would thrill the secret you?
Gillian - The cottage sounds lovely and warm and inviting. Perfect for reading and writing!
Morning Ladies,
I would move out of this apt that is for sure. I would like to have a room for an office instead of in my dinning room.
Pay bills, help out family members, give my brother a trip to see his family.
Maybe get a new car.
I would donate to the Freestore food bank.
Fedora, a built in library would be awesome! I've always wanted a window seat. I actually put one in this book for that reason:) I'm living through my heroine! Congrats on the Golden Rooster!
Loucinda, a seaside cottage is a must for an author! What better inspiration?
SiNn, what a great dream:)
Jane, you just need a wise investor:) You could definitely double that!
Helen, you're such a giving mother;) I think we'd all make sure our kids and loved ones were cared for.
Daz, LOL! I'd be doing the happy dance, too! You can think and get back to us;)
Sheree, parents' dreams should come before our own, yes? You're a good daughter!
Anna, we'll go together for the shoes! It'll be a shoe fest and we won't stop 'til we fall over in our stilettos:)
Laurie, so glad you stopped by! Great to see you here:)
Gillian, cottages are getting popular. On a farm sounds great, too. Quiet, peaceful settings are good for the soul:)
Judy, thanks for coming to see me:) You deserve the money to fall into your lap! Hope you get it:)
Pay off the house, enlarge the house have a place for me and my books, buy a vehicle that I can trust to get me where I want to go. Go visit my daughter and give her enough to be comfortable for a while. Buy a home for one of my cousins, she is like me it doesn't take much. Refurbish my BF house, just picture a huge, huge man cave.
I would say that million is gone now.
Of course I'd pay off the bills. But then I would sell this crtappy house I live in (and make a little more money hehe) and build my dream home. Way too much to go into here but it's all in my head. New car, maybe get a hot personal trainer so I can get some nice clothes and of course give some to family in need and charities. I'll do just about anything for kids so I might get a wing of Arkansas Children's hospital named after me or something :) Of course my own child would need money to go to college so I'd set that aside too. I"m sure that would more than take care of that million...can I get a little more please ? :)
Hi, Jules, welcome to the Lair, and thanks to Donna for bringing you.
FBTWB sounds fabulous. I like stories with "what if" scenarioes. Most of us don't get the chance to do it right the second time around.
I'd love to do renovations on my house. But, you know, a million dollars just isn't that much anymore. How about a million pounds?
Dianna, LOL! You're like me:) I think I've spent more than my "million". :)
KittyKelly, my mother has a hot trainer and she has gone down 4 sizes! So proud of her:) Hope you get your million!
Jo, a million doesn't far does it? How sad is that! Hmmm...maybe just invest wisely:) We'll talk with Donna and see what she advises!
OOPS! Where are my manners?!
THANK YOU DONNA FOR THE INVITE! Actually, I invited myself because this is where the cool kids play, yes?
I've been cooking all morning and worrying about responding to comments and I totally forgot to give a shout out to my girl, Donna!
Love all the chatter here and thanks everyone for sharing your dreams with me!
Shouting out to everyone from the Ohio state stadium. The Buckeyes are playing like a million bucks. Go Bucks!
Shouting out to everyone from the Ohio state stadium. The Buckeyes are playing like a million bucks. Go Bucks!
If I won a million dollars I would buy a house and a new car. Don't have a lot of bills right now other than the month to month stuff everyone has...and I would still have those...lol.
Would give some money to a few friends so they could do whatever and make their lives easier.
Then I would quit my job and travel a lot for a year or two and see all the places I have dreamed of going but never seem to have the money to go to. First on the list would be London, England. Would also go to a few other places in Europe. Might as well see it all while I am there. Would go to Austrailia and Africa for the scenery. Also a trip to Alaska and Washington state would complete my visit to every state so that would be on the agenda.
Would definatly visit Hawaii again as well.
I'd pay off all of my debt. Then buy some land and build a house, furnish it, buy a car, and just chill for a bit.
lenikaye@yahoo.com
First, I think I would wait until the currency rates would be better. A million dollars doesn't really equal million euros at the moment. I would travel, buy myself a small house with lot and of book cases.
Hi Jules! Fun question, and like you, one I dream about often. First off, I'd quit the day job. Not that I hate it, bit it would give me more time to write and play. Secondly, I'd buy my daughter a new car. The one she's driving is too old. Third, I'd knock out a wall and enlarge my bathroom. Since we're playing pretend, I'm going for it. My church would probably get a nice bonus envelope and the rest I'd have my hubby invest. Of the two of us, he's the one with a head for numbers.
Oh, a million wouldn't even come close to covering it.
I've got the first ten million already planned. And no, I'm not lying.
If it were only a million, I'd pay off everything, get the cars fixed or get better ones, then add onto the house (already have the plans) then I'd buy the property around me and plant a forest. Across the road would be a mini arboretum.
I'd build a nice firing range for my husband, with a shop so he could build/play with firearms to his heart's content, and teach firearms and shooting classes.. I'd landscape my yard and property. Yes, I'd put a fountain in the pond. And oh yes...I'd build a garage--one I could actually get the cars into, and a small wine cellar (also used to store canned food--can't get that far from my southern country raisin')
With the TEN million--that would mean I could buy and rehab this amazing property in the little town near me. It's an old hospital from the 1800s. It would make the most fabulous bed & breakfast/conference center. There is no facility anywhere in this region which can handle retreats and small management team conferences in real style--like from 10-80 people.
I haven't even been inside, but just from walking around it, my estimate is that it would take $750,000 just to clean it up, and I figure it would take 2.5 million to restore it once it was cleaned up. Another half million to furnish it and set it up for housekeeping.....can you tell I've thought about this? Hey, if you're going to dream, might as well be in full color, right?
Jules, thank you for joining us. What an interesting question--and the premise of your book sounds great. I love the Desire line.
BTW: Your author photo is gorgeous. Will you tell who took that? Love the sparklies on your shoulder. Very elegant!
I would pay off our house and do some renovations and landscaping, and buy a couple of homes for family members. There would be a nice vacation and the rest would be saved. But just being able to do that would be such an tremendous relief.
Barbara, bookshelves are a must for us all:) And a trip to Hawaii would be on my hubby's list.
Lani, chillin' is something we all should do!
Leni, so sorry I spelled your name wrong! I have a friend who spells it with an a. Forgive me?
Minna, true. Maybe we should raise our daydream to ten million!
Janie, head for numbers? Definitely my hubby, too. I see shoes, I spend:)
Kirsten, you have wonderful dreams! Sending the money vine your way!
Cassondra, my bff from high school has a studio and does all my promo and family pics! Her website is: www.rmdphotosbydanielle.com. Thanks for the compliment! That was my fave shirt, but I've lost about 22 lbs and it's too big now:(
Trish, I agree! To make my family happy would be a nice relief:)
Welcome to the lair, Jules!
Jules and I sort of met at the Orlando airport on our way home after RWA's conference. Although, I think I was too brain dead to introduce myself (I blame it on Tawny. I stayed up too late with her because I didn't want to say good-bye)
Anyway, Jules and her husband were so sweet and I was hot mess *g* But they let me ahead of them in line (thank goodness, too, as I got to my gate just as the plane was boarding) and Jules even gave me a copy of one of her books, For Business...Or Marriage! It's a fabulous story - you should all check it out.
And I'm really looking forward to reading From Boardroom To Bedroom? :-)
As to what I'd do with all that money...well...I wish it was something fabulous but with a kid in college and two more headed there soon, a big chunk of that cash would be going to institutions of higher education *g*
Beth, that's so nice of you to remember me:) I was too busy coveting your RITA! Congrats, again, by the way.
College would eat up a nice chunk of your million, but maybe after your children are even more intelligent and working, you could spend the rest on a much needed vacation:)
And thanks for the kudos on my book! I totally forgot I gave you one, but I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I'm popping out of the Cave to say YO! to my fellow Desire author, Jules! It's great to see you here in the Lair! I hope Sven and the boys have been treating you well today. :-)
I've got your October Desire on my little stack of Desires that I read every month (it's true!) so I can't wait to read yours. Don't you just love writing about Millionaires and Billionaires and CEOs and Moguls? It's so much fun to dream of new ways to spend all their money. ;-)
Cheers!
Kate, I have to admit, I was worried about writing for Desire, but so far I've yet to run out of ways to spend all the billions:)
And, yes, Sven and the others have been VERY good to me!
Fedora ! He's BAAACK! Try to get him to at least earn his keep. That might be worth a million!
Hello, Jules. Your book sounds HAWT!!
A cool million?? What I couldn't do! First of all (after I pay my taxes, of course!) I would SO quit my job!
A big donation to our local animal shelter to help it on its way to becoming a no-kill shelter with an on-site spay/neuter clinic and health clinic with fees based on a family's income.
Next, I would make sure all of Mom's bills are paid. Then put up enough for my niece and two nephews to finish their educations in good fields of study.
Build a lovely cozy little English cottage on my five acres. The largest room? The LIBRARY, of course, with one wall as a huge bay window with a window seat across the entire thing looking out at my woods. Big fireplace with large leather armchairs in front of it.
Attached to one side of the house a huge indoor kennel attached to huge runs and play yards for my dogs. The cats will, no doubt, hang out in the library. They love my bookshelves.
Next, a trip to England with my Mom so we can visit the village where we lived. I will leave her there to visit with her friends while I do a grand research tour of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
And then I will come home and live as simply as possible so that I can spend all of my time writing historical romance novels !!
Louisa, you really went through your million really fast! But you sound like you'll live happily ever after;)
Hi Jules - chiming in a little late, but love the question. I wish I really needed to worry about it. LOL.
Hugs, Becky
My "plan" would be to set aside a
scholarship fund for the grandkids,
then divide the remainder. I would
divide the amount by five for the
five households in the family.
Pat Cochran
After paying off our bills and my two daughter's school loans, I would love to take everyone on a cruise. Then with what's left, building a library (I would need to add on to my home to do that lol) and the rest for all my feral friends. I probably would need more than a million lol.
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