I was asked this recently, in a fun, daydreaming exercise:
If you got $1,000,000 cash, tax-free.. what would you do with it?
I sat there stumped.
Racked my brains.
Nibbled on my pen.
Couldn’t figure out what I’d do with $1,000,000.
Finally I said:
I’d just save it.
Other people replied:
- Quit their jobs / Work part-time / Start a business
- Buy a home / New Car / Stuff
- Pay off their Debt / Mortgages / Credit Cards
You get the idea.
Then it got me thinking: Why couldn’t I think of anything to buy or do with the money?
I realized that it was because:
I am already living the life I want to live.
I get time off to do what I want.
I have no debt and I don’t owe anyone a penny.
I eat the food I want to eat.
I cook at home because I have the time and enjoy doing it.
I work when I can, but I don’t need to work very much due to low expenses.
When I want or need something I buy it.
I’m a minimalist, so I already pretty much own everything I REALLY want and need.
I travel as much as I want, and I wouldn’t start staying at 5-star hotels.
Everything with that million dollars I could think of doing, like taking a tour of Asia or Europe, was already in my plans “To Do”.
So this Saturday project? Evaluate your life.
What would you do with a million dollars?
It forces your subconscious to reveal what it is you want to do.
After you find out what you want to do, then you could start planning out how to achieve what you want to do.
That Kind of Girl
on Nov 21st, 2009
@ 9:19 am:
I’m with you, dude. I mean, I’d buy a set of mixing bowls, a slab of Hotel Chocolat white chocolate, and definitely fall in the “pro” camp on the tickets to Barcelona I’ve been angsting over, but no big life changes. That’s a pretty good feeling, to think we’re already happy!
That Kind of Girl´s last blog ..The Kind of Girl Who … sings her heart out
everydayminimalist
on Nov 21st, 2009
@ 2:03 pm:
That’s exactly my point for life.. I mean we’re good where we are.
Happy, don’t need much… Couldn’t think of a thing!
eemusings
on Nov 22nd, 2009
@ 2:11 am:
I can’t wait to be at the stage where I can say the same as you!
I’d max out my savings on all fronts (EF, retirement, car, travel etc), round off mine and BF’s wardrobes, buy some kitchenware and go on a holiday.
eemusings´s last blog ..How to get the most out of mystery shopping
Non Consumer Girl
on Nov 22nd, 2009
@ 8:04 am:
I’m the same when someone asks me what I want for my birthday!
I never knew what to say, because I had the things that were already important to me.
So, $1m would be great, but if I don’t have it, I’ll have a great life anyway.
Non Consumer Girl´s last blog ..Its Hot Hot Hot
everydayminimalist
on Nov 22nd, 2009
@ 9:07 am:
I think you’ll get there
Haha “round out mine and BF’s wardrobes”!!
everydayminimalist
on Nov 22nd, 2009
@ 9:07 am:
@Non-Consumer Girl: And you’re already living the life you want to life.
That was my “thing”. I live the way I already want to live.
HouseArline25
on Mar 11th, 2010
@ 9:20 am:
If you’re in uncomfortable position and have got no money to get out from that, you would have to receive the mortgage loans. Because it should help you unquestionably. I get secured loan every year and feel good because of that.
Bianca
on Aug 4th, 2010
@ 5:38 am:
I really want a million dollars, it is my dream
Concojones
on Aug 16th, 2010
@ 7:03 pm:
I've had the same realization: a million dollars wouldn't make any difference. Once you realize that, you no longer understand people who play the lottery.
There are a few things that I want and can't afford yet (some land, financial independence, my own company) but I can just save my way into them (I'm not in a hurry), and receiving them as a gift would take away the appeal (it's all about the struggle, not the goal itself).
evrydaymnmalist
on Aug 19th, 2010
@ 6:13 am:
Exactly! The struggle not the goal… is the challenge and the appeal of it all.