SV reX said:
It's not about what would I buy with basically unlimited money. It's about how would I love. And the answer is, I'm not sure.
So much of my identity is wrapped up in being cheap or the need to make money that I am honestly not sure how I would live if there was literally no reason to ever think about money again.
I love my work, and enjoy owning a business. But part of that is because I need an income. I think running a business without and financial incentive at all would get boring quickly.
I love my little house on the lake. But part of that is because it was inexpensive. It's kinda crappy in some ways. But the opposite extreme is also unappealing. If I bought a vast place with caretakers and no concerns about costs with no luxury withheld, I'd get bored of that too.
I like crap can cars. But part of that is because I can't afford better ones. And if I could avoid the best, it would be boring to live that way day to day.
For me, part of life is the challenge of facing the struggle from time to time. And part of that often relates to money in some way or another.
Sure. I'd buy stuff. Lots of stuff. And I'd give away an awful lot. But eventually I'm really not certain how I'd want to live if money were literally no object whatsoever.
The things may change, but the feelings and drive don't. Your business becomes a legacy - what are you going to leave behind for your family or community? Can you provide jobs, housing, education, whatever, for those who need them?
You've met Jimmy Carter. And while he's not nearly in the same class of wealth as you will be after you win this jackpot, the end result isn't that much different - he's had a pension that has guaranteed him a lifetime income for a very "comfortable" lifestyle. Yet the man and his wife live in the same house they built themselves in 1960. And he's still building houses (or was until very recently).
Similar story with Jay Leno - well, not similar, but still - the guy still wrenches on old cars, because he likes it. The scope of things gets bigger, but the things don't really change. The goal changes from a number of dollars you have saved to things you want to do.