Friday, March 28, 2008

A Million Dollar Friday Five


Singing Owl From Revgalblogpals writes:

Lingering effects of a cold have me watching more television than usual. There appears to be a resurgence of the old daytime staple--the quiz show. Except they are on during prime time, and a great many of them offer the chance of winning one million dollars.I think it started with Regis Philbin and "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" but now we have a half dozen or so.My husband and I started musing (after watching "Deal or No Deal") about what we could do with a million dollars. I thought I'd just bring that discussion into the Friday Five this week. It's simple. What are five things you would want to do with a million dollar deposit in your bank account?

First of all, my creativity is failing me! I am used to thinking about what I would do with an extra $200 or even $2000, but $1,000,000? How far would it go? Would it be tax-free? So, my answers might reflect some middle-class mundaneness, but here goes...

1. Pay off debts.
Actually, except for the house we are doing pretty well. My car will be paid for in a few days (yay!). But it would be great to be debt-free. So, I think we would have a fair amount left even after paying off debts.

2. Travel.
Our must-see places include London, Europe, Sweden and Japan (and that's just on first reflection). I lived in Japan for three years a long time ago, but Husband would like to see it. Tokyo, Kyoto (the old capital). Sadly, I think most of my missionary friends are retired by now, and I'm not sure where any of my Japanese friends might be. Still it would be fun. I have wanted also to see Sweden since I was a teenager, even before. My grandparents emigrated from Sweden. My grandma Judy talked about taking me there on a trip, but we never went. Only my oldest cousin Judy (her namesake) got to go to Sweden with grandma when she was a little girl, and she traveled by ship. Actually, we do plan to go to at least some of these places, but I think the difference would be 1) I wouldn't worry about the money we were spending, 2) perhaps we would stay longer, 3) we wouldn't have to choose which places to go.

3. Remodel house.
When we bought this house, I saw that we had a pretty big yard, room in the back to expand if we wanted to. If we had the million, I'd want to put a great big room on the back. I suppose we could just move, but I'm not really interested in having a mansion. Just a little-bigger house.

4. Books and children.
I would like to adopt a child from another country: go to Central America, or China, or Africa, and come home with a son or daughter. Husband does not share this dream, so it doesn't matter how much money we would have. But it's my dream today, isn't it? I would also self-publish a book of reflections, etc. With illustrations by my sister.

5. I would also use my million to support my favorite charity, which is Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services. As well, I feel strongly about Literacy and Education, both here in the United States and world-wide.
Other ideas: Start a church/bookstore ministry; take a writing sabbatical; build a cabin on the North Shore.

15 comments:

Sally said...

If you ever get to London, you have an open invitation to visit me... I love your mix of practical dreams

Lori said...

Oh, I left off the writing. Only because I'd do that after supplementing our income with investment dividends.

Great list. Adopting a child is very brave of you.

Hot Cup Lutheran said...

you have some marvelously "other-centered" dreams...

LutheranChik said...

I love the idea of endowing a church library. Our parish wants to rebirth its ratty/outdated Sunday School library, but I'm not sure where we're at in that planning process.

Crimson Rambler said...

Hi Diane, great play -- and about being too old to be a writer? I think the same question applies, whatever our age might be: "Do you like sentences?"
It's Annie Dillard's question, not mine...

Auntie Knickers said...

Great list, and congratulations on the impending car payoff -- that's got to feel good!

Rev SS said...

Dang ... I love the church bookstore ministry.. can I add that to my list ... with coffeebar?

Dorcas (aka SingingOwl) said...

Great list! A writing sabbatical--oh yeah!

And as for the festival of hommies--I'm hoping, but not sure. It's a money issue. Both mine and the church's.

I need that $1,000,000!

Lindy said...

The cabin...
Excellent. I think a million dollars could buy a lot of silence.

Barbara B. said...

I think your book will be a reality -- with or without the money!

Rev SS said...

you're funny .. Barbara B and I were talking about her "wordy" postcard to me -:)

Elaine (aka...Purple) said...

Travel and remodeling...both are things I would like to do also. I love looking at house plans and before/after photos.

dust bunny said...

Great list!!! Love the travelin' part.

RevAnne said...

After reading yours, I want to go revise my list! Great play!

Terri said...

The Lutheran church has a great refugee resettlement ministry...I'm glad you support it...

I do hope you get to travel, worry free, someday. And a Great room is a wonderful idea for family gatherings and parties...

Now. about the writing, that is something you can do, even now...