What Would I Do if I have a Million Dollars?
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This one million dollar question was the culprit. I found myself being unable to write anything for the past two days, thereby, missing my goal of writing one hub per day for thirty (30) days. Not to worry though, of course, there is time to catch up. But I found myself deep in thought.
Although I already have some ideas on what to do if I have lots of money on my hands, I never really wrote it down. I knew if I was going to write something it better be what I truly want. For I recognize and acknowledge that by declaring it unto the universe, it will be so.
What will I do with a million dollars? My mind and emotions were whirling. Will I spend it? Give it away? Invest? How do I view money at this point in my life? Do I really want this much money in my life?
And there was even a point when my mind suddenly went blank and refused to answer the question. I felt pretty weird and somehow restless.
In school, I went about my work still evading the question. At home, I tried starting a hub with a new topic but it was a futile endeavor. Somehow I knew I needed to answer this and I had to reflect as to why I was hesitating. And I never had that much money in my entire life. In a flash, I recalled my vow as a young girl witnessing miserable and broken relationships as they fought over money matters. “I’m going to grow up and live a simple life. I will never let money get in the way of relationships.”But my experiences the past few years have drastically changed my views about money. That money can actually be a tool to help people. That it can help rebuild lives!
4 C's of Giving - Money Options
Here is my own classification of money giving:
1. Cause- use the money for a cause like supporting cancer research or earth hour.
2. Charity--donate to charities like helping kids get an education or giivng aid to typhoon, flood and or earthquake victims.
3. Creating Opportunities-- using the money to build institutions to have job opportunities and work options.
4. Comfortable Lifestyle-- provisions for the family and the self so one can live a decent and comfortable lifestyle.Also includes being able to fulfill one's personal goals and dreams like traveling and such.
After much contemplation, here is what I will do if I have one million dollars:
Ten percent (10%) of the one million dollars would be my emergency fund to help people who need it, anytime, no questions asked. I remember dad sharing with me the stories of a close family friend, who is a doctor in our hometown. He used to keep in his wallet a fifty pesos bill with the intention of giving it away. He did give it away. To poor folks who needed the additional cash to buy medicines or food or even fare in going home. I’d like to be able to do that too.
Twenty percent (20%) of the one million dollars would be my personal savings. I have learned that part of loving myself is taking care of myself. I still intend to live a simple yet comfortable lifestyle; but I’d like to have my own house with a garden, fulfill my bucket list and provide for my needs without my family worrying over my future.Seventy percent (70%) of the one million dollars would be to create opportunities for a cause. I’d like to invest the money so that money would continue to flow and grow. I’d like to teach people how to fish rather than just give them fishes. I’d like to build establishments so people can have job or work..One of my personal mission in life is to make our preschool, Dynamic Minds Learning House, flourish. Our vision is to have our own lot and building so we no longer need to rent. Also, we want it to be financially stable so we could take care of our staff and teachers, making sure that they receive good salary along with benefits so they could continually provide for their families. Most of them long to have their own houses and I’d like to be able to help them fulfill their dreams. We also would like to build a library and a reading center to help children build reading literacy.
Daisy and I would like to build two institutions: A healing center and a theater. The healing center is where we continue to do healing work as well as give workshops and seminars to help people live a loving and abundant life. This is a place where people can go and relax, meditate and de-stress. On the other hand, Daisy’s other passion lies in directing and training people in the musical theater arts. I’d like to support her in this endeavor since I myself saw the value of how theater arts can indeed develop character and can also be a form of therapy.
The last one is to build a Child’s Kingdom. I’d like to have one in our city. Well, it can be a tourist attraction, perfect for children to go on field trips as well as shopping, relaxing and having fun with the entire family. It is my little version of DisneyLand with a twist. This will provide job opportunities and likewise is an investment so I could make money flow and grow.
Some say a million dollars seems so little now...
As I end this hub, I found myself shaking my head and smiling. I’m such a serious soul! There is a tiny part of me that is whispering, “Hey, don’t you just want to bring the crisp dollars, pack it in a red luggage, ride on a blue airplane and fly into the sunkist sky to wherever life will lead you?” For a moment, I’m tempted. But then, no! These are my dreams and to see them come true will be a joy on its own.
So now I await with love and abundance!
By: Michelle Simtoco
If I had a Million Dollars...
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- Heart Of A Hubber
The question was " If you could give away a million dollars at this very moment, how would you disburse the funds? Keep in mind you do not need it and cannot keep it for yourself." - Why We Fight Multiple Sclerosis
I've registered for the MS Bike Tour, Cape Cod Getaway because two of my friends have MS, and because I want to do something for other people who have been diagnosed - and because I want to do everything to prevent more people from learning what it m - UNICEF - UNICEF Home
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A million dollars would definitely help me pay off my student loans, help my family, and maybe help me buy a house. Unfortunately, a million dollars is not as much as it used to be, so I would definitely try to spend it wisely.
Very thoughtful and inspiring hub. I would try to use it wisely, too. Wherever I thought it do the most good and bring change. We think of our families first because we don't like to see them struggle, and the children because we'd like for them to have opportunities we never had. hmmm Definitely something to think about.
I'd spend it on tickets around the world with my kids, visiting all my hub fans personally, weird... maybe... that's who I am.
how sweet, men are dorks...you sound very personable and friendly!!
My mom and I used to play this game, "Spend a million" I'll have to write a hub about it....wonderful memories for me...
So, I'd pay my tithing...then, I, would build an energy efficient house for all my kids and my husband, each having a good car, put some money safely somewhere if there is such a place, establish a community service that would give people food, shelter, job resources, dignity...and write, so I'd need a really good, fast computer, and then a shelter for animals that would find homes for them, then some kind of support for foster parents that took care of abused children, and then, do something about the places in Africa that are needing help...o dear, I don't think a million is going to be enough.
Michelle: I can relate to you, I would take care of myself, loved ones, and create something beautiful to help others. I have a friend who is not a millionare but is comfortable, as she is smart with money, and she has a bank account which she uses only to help others and to donate to charity.
I would buy some cigarettes. A lot of them. I'm killing the economy, the heat is coming.
Hi Michelle: a million dollars huh! I remember when I was younger a million dollars sounded like a lot of money like in you would be set for life but now that I've raised 2 children I do not think like that anymore. Do you know that it cost a million to raise 4 children (from birth to age 18) today in the United States and that does not include a college education.
Because of my own personal situation right now if I had a million dollars I would want to help every mother in the entire world who choose to stay at home to raise their children and who get a big fat zero paycheck. That to me is not right at all! And I would like to do that anonomously so I think I need a gazillion dollars to fill my dream.
You have a beautiful dream sis and I adore your vision. This was a perfect hub for you so you could get clarity and declare those dreams to the universe. Fantastic job, and thumbs up!
Ripplemaker,
Your school is such a good cause I cannot help but wonder if some organizations here in the US might not help to sponsor your school's funding. Just a thought as I know you have some American contacts, and there are many people here, even with the economic down turn, that do have money to spare.
Ripplemaker: LOL!!! Decided to stop by to read your responses and here you are teasing me about the book, again. hehe. Nighty, night, going to sleep. :)
Hi Ripplemaker,
I hope I was not too forward by suggesting that, but you are one of the few individuals I would know who is worthy of such donations to your school. I really commend all the hard work you do, and I know it must be hard because I subbed for a pre-school the last couple of days off from my other job, and it is not easy work. You have to be very active and engaged with that age of kids, which are very sweet by the way. I really hope some one would consider donating to your cause if they read this, and that would be cool!
Someone like you RP definetely deserves a million dollars to us you are a million dollars x0x
Nice hub. If I had a million dollars, I would invest it in order to set up an eternal stream of wealth. Following that, I would retire and set up my own self-empowerment organization training people to empower themselves in the chief areas that I write about on my hub: Health, Wealth, and Self-Defense. And to borrow a page from your notebook, I, too, would set up an emergency fund to aid family, friends, and strangers in need. After all that is done, I would retire and live life on my own terms--reading books, listening to music, traveling, hanging out with family, enjoying poetry, admiring the natural wonders and artistry of Nature, and improving myself physically, intellectually, and spiritually. This is what I would do if I had a million dollars!
I'm not too sure how far a million dollars would go these days. Here in the south-east of England it would probably buy a detatched house with a fairly decent garden with enough left over for a new car, a holiday or two, and treats for friends and family. And that would just about be it. I like your list better Michelle. It's good to know that there are still places in the world where a million dollars has a real value, and where people like you are dreaming of how spend it wisely.
A million dollars wouldn't be enough to fund a free animal hospital in Cebu, Tichr Michelle, so I would use it to actualize our dream house instead. The floor plan is ready, we have a piece of land in mind, we're ready to go! :D Oh wait, the million dollars is still on the way. *envisioning a million dollar check in the mail tomorrow* Haha! :D
Great hub! I've often pondered the same question. I think the four "C"s you've outlined here make a great framework for abundance... and I think it would keep a person from frittering away the money on meaningless purchases.
Setting up a foundation would be my dream and we would offer matching grants to worthy organizations. They would have to raise a portion of the money themselves and then we would match it anywhere from equal matching grants to two or even three times the amount they raise. That way it incentivizes the organizations to be active in what they believe in and force them to continually reach out to others. The money would in the end go much further that way.
Of course, a million dollars is not all that much here in the U.S. I would need much more to make this dream a reality.
Your school could be the first applicant!
What a great answer! Not sure if either of us would really want a million dollars. The spending power of such a sum may have decreased, but it would still feel like a big responsibility.
I love the idea of the 4 c's! You are such a sweet person to contribute for a good cause. If you still can't decide what to write about, you know where to stop by. ;) I believed you wanted to write about kindergarten?
Sorry, Tich, I'm going to be socializing feral kittens with the Urban Cat League in New York City by then. HAHAHA! I'm exercising my "visualizing muscles". :D
Very nice ripplemaker. Glad to see that "to love yourself you have to take care of yourself". Not too much, not too little, just comfortable.
If I had a million dollars
As the old airline instruction says, basically, first save yourself. Sounds selfish but., placing the oxygen mask over your own mouth first is essential to help others. If you are not breathing you cannot help others get air.
I would put myself into a position with first with investments so that never again would I wake up wondering where my next dollar is coming from. Charged with that oxygen, I would free myself for philanthropy and would set out to find the essence of living, knowing I gave something back, passed something on and left the world a better place for being here. If I had a million dollars!
wow, If I had a million dollars I would probably die of sudden wealth syndrome and leave it to my two daughters so they could see who could spend it first! Great hub!
dori
A mill, converted... a a cool 10mil of our dollars, enough to take us around the world for a year, and then all the dedtors have to wait till I can afford to pay them.
Nice hub again ripplemaker.
a million $
Michelle (ripplemaker) I just went to one of my Christmas hubs to fix a broken link and saw a comment from you which made me laugh and think of this hub; you ended your comment with "Yes, that makes you a millionaire!!!"
Yippee, I'm a millionaire, now I can give those hard working moms a big fat paycheck!
That would be so cool. I have done similar on a much smaller scale like stuffing money in pockets when mom's aren't looking, hahaha. I love doing that. It's fun watching them try figure out where did the money come from. It drives them crazy and takes their worries away for a while.. And keeps me entertained too! I also did this once with a stay-at-home Dad! lol
If I learned that I have $1M I'll faint. And when I come to, I'll probably faint again! LOL
Kidding aside, I think I'll stick with your advices. Knowing you, those actions would be the right things to do! :D
Great stuff here! I have always said that if I hit it big, (after I paid off the house, bought us each a new car, and funded the retirement nesteggs, of course!), I would give a large chunk to reseach at Barrow Neurological Institute, because they saved my life. If I really had an abundance, I would endow a research chair at Barrow AND one at TGen--you know, just go WILD!
Keep writing HUBS and you will earn that Million Bucks....
Very interesting hub. I probably will retire and sit by the beach surfing hubpages... :)
Nice Ripple. The key principle of having the asset, is not to loose or give it away. Never spend the principal: Use the interest that is generated by it to fund your dreams. I'm sure you know this; hence the billion dollar comment. The actual value of the asset makes no difference whether you have one dollar or a million, it is always relevant to your dream. Have you considered the true value of your golden heart? I am part of the new interest gained from your use of it. Spend me wisely and I will always work to ensure that my readership compliments the heart and helps you reach your dreams. Nice Ripple.
I will share and give to all people who need my help until ZERO. after this ..I will dreaming again to get one million dollar. very easy isn't
I would set up investments. Then buy a house and a car. Then take my whole family to Walt Disney World. Then find a charity that i would be interested in.
I'd help the honest friends who have been hurt by the economy, family, solid charitbale organizations and use a 10 to 15% portion of it to build a facility (building) to rehabilitate troubled people including kids. Basically some of the good things I hear professional athletes doing for the community.
Hi ripplemaker. I left you a tip in Susan's forum thread on another way for you to get quicker to your millions!, haha. I left a link of this hub there so maybe others can assist you too!
OO yes please
Hello Ripplemaker, taking the time to finally comment on your hubs! By the looks of it this hub is drawing in all the right energy for that one million dollars to come into your life effortlessly. Sit back and relax into abundance. You deserve the fulfillment of all your dreams. Thank you for including my dreams in your list. I am honored and grateful for such a generous gesture. Love you much:)
Million dollar hub. I must think about this. Good job!
Hi Michelle, For the past month it seems whenever getting into my car this song "If I had a million dollars" has been on the radio and I immediately think of you. This afternoon was another such day. From me to you...Enjoy Sis :)
I'm surely glad you are well prepared sis and made out your list. You are soon to become a millionaire - 2 hours and 56 seconds til the $28 million dollar drawing. yippppeeeeeee, yipppppeeeeeee, dancing around in circles, yipeeeeeee :D
The only thing my family doesn't have is a foundation but generously do all the rest.
This is a fun subject! I would first put aside enough to ensure my grandchildren could get good educations. I would then make some needed updates and repairs to our home. After that, I would like to keep my options open as far as helping others. It's not enough money to make a huge difference in all the causes I would want to sponsor (children, elderly, homeless, cancer research, MS, to name a few); the needs are so great; I would want to take my time and be hands-on in making the decisions. Sending positive thoughts your way in your endeavors.
I have never been rich, but I have usually had money, I do my best to do what I want to do, when I want to do it. I eat what I want to eat, go where I want to go. Travel when I want to Travel. This has often gotten me into financial troubles. So if I had a million dollars, I would do the same things I always have done, it would just be a lot easier for me to do that!
This is such a wonderful portion that i wish i could be a millionaire.If i am rich with such a dollar money or even a peso.i will thank the heavenly for giving this such money.and help my family and to the community...wew...this is nice article..nice one ripple..
If I had won a million I would attend law school. Wonderful article well written, thanks.
I admire your goals. Like you, I would want to support charities and would offer money with the goals of the charity matching the money before they would receive it. That way the money is doubled or even tripled. Can be very effective.
Also just being able to hand people money when and if they need it would be so nice. I heard that one of my grandfathers actually used to have things like groceries delivered to people he knew needed the help...anonymously.
A question like "what would I do if I have a million dollars?" makes one think. Your answers were admirable ones. Rating this beautiful. Hope all your dreams come true.
Beautiful article! You have been on HubPages for 3 years so I know you are approaching the million dollar mark.
To start with,I would pay my bills.The rate that everyyhing is,not to mention the gas prices,BOY!!! that million dollars seems like chump Change!!! Nevertheless,I would'nt say the million dollars all belong to me. It would belong to my husband,and my kids as well,so we would have to deside together how to spend the rest.
Thanks!!!
my exwife has me to go thru custudy battle it has cost me a fortune exusting my bank account my exwife has baker acted my little girl trying to get money from the state it is all about the money she has no love for my little girl she was delaid as a child she left her in a play pin in front of a tv that was the baby sister D.C.F.
DID NOTHING FOR 9YRS my attorney does not understan why
I dont have sole custody I am having trouble paying bills
my no 772-324-1045 thank you Marco!
Ewww, good choices, but I would have to go with #3. Thought provoking!
i'd study in one of the best universities all over the word 'then i'd buy bugatti'house,...
From the choices given, i'd go for all of them, all 4 C's - cause, charity, create opportunities, and live a comfortable lifestyle. The first three are of course good things to do, especially if you've got excessive money and haven't got anything to do with it but spend. I had to live a comfortable lifestyle because it allows me to help others. How can I help others if I cannot help even myself?
I'd like to multiply the money, make a business and create opportunities, and use the excessive money for cause and charity, while the remaining would be for further expansion of the company making it able to help more. Repeat and rinse! There you go.
Wrong use of money isn't useful at all.
appines who has 4 stage breast cancer, has no hospitilization ,needs advanced treatment and very little money to live on. I would take care of it and pay her bills. I would also give money to our large church that needs a lot of reneuvation. Make sure that my 2 sons who have cancer that the families are OK. God has been good to me even thoughI was left with 5 little children when both my husbands died at 31 with no insurance. The power of God is always around us.
Well I have been told all my life that money can not buy happiness. I would love to test that theory! Give me a million dollars and I will spend a year testing if money can truly make you happy. Then I will write a book about my answer!
I am not going to lie and say I will give all away to someone else or some charity. Most charities are the biggest con artists anyway and the money never makes it to the intended recipient.
I feel that when we actually GO OUT and actually physically help people we do so much more. "When you give of yourself, you truly give." People need to feel loved, special and part of their community and this world. Handing someone a couple dollars just perpetuates where they are. I am not saying do not give, we should all feel compelled to help our fellow man, we are all the same and it could be us on that corner just as easily. But we need to give more than just a "hand out" we need to give LOVE.
I do give people money when I see them on the street, usually what I have a few bucks or a $5 or $10 dollar bill. But what I also do is stop and talk to them. I ask their name and how they got to be where they are. I want EVERYONE to feel important and loved. When we start to do this, to truly treat others as we would like to be treated, then we give true riches!
So with a million dollars, I wouldn't buy "stuff" I am not material, I would go out and travel the US spreading JOY. Yes I think money can buy happiness, not just for me but for whom I get to go see and share that happiness with!!
:)
modern day hippie!



















































Frieda Babbley Level 2 Commenter 3 years ago
I loved hearing what you would do. I think your school is so important. I'm so proud of you for all the work you've done there and your love. The kids are so lucky to have you in their lives.
I find it hard to choose. I suppose because for one I don't think about it too often, and two, a million dollars isn't too very much these days to accomplish the many things I'd want to do. So I voted all and figure I would divide equally and hope that that was the best thing to do.
Thank you for sharing, michelle