what would you do if you suddenly came into a bunch of cash

[datasuspect]

and had no real responsibilities or bills (or wife/husband/kids)?

should i feel guilty for wanting to live/fall off the map for a while in mexico?

a part of me wants to be responsible and reintegrate with the culture (get a job/address/etc.) but the other 95% of me wants to blow my wad and be a completely immoral hedonist . . .

[havocmom]

1. depends on the size of "a bunch"

Would get myself securely off the grid first. Would also like to be able to buy an apartment building in a college town and give really good rent deals to deserving kids working hard to put themselves through school. In a best case scenario, I could bank the rent $$ above actual costs to maintain the place and present each graduating student a surprise 'rent rebate' to help them get started out of school.

::sigh:: such are my dreams.

[LiberalEsto]

2. Save half, and blow half

That way you'll have something to fall back on.

[gauguin57]

3. Two words:

Nice, France.

[zbdent]

4. Orient Bay

St. Maarten . . .

[giant_robot]

5. Ever since I learned about freighter cruises

I've wanted to do one, so I'd buy a bunch of good reading material, a backpack, hiking/travelling supplies, then jump on a tramp freighter bound to wherever-the-fuck-besides-here.

check this out: www.freightercruises.com


edit: fix link

[datasuspect]

8. i've been looking into that

you get to dine with the officers and bring your own liquor on board the vessel.

actually, it sounds very interesting.

[giant_robot]

11. There's another link I got out of Nat. Geographic Adventure magazine.

I'm kinda busy now, but I'll see if I can find it later.

[giant_robot]

19. Another link:

www.freighterworld.com

[ET Awful]

9. I'll second that, but add several bags full of photography gear

and a home base to return to occasionally (along with my computer equipment,I like my computers) :).

[short bus president]

6. First I'd wipe the bills off,

then spend 'em.

:evilgrin:

[Huckebein the Raven]

7. Costa Rica

and a nice little drop top with a manual (a miata or something similar)

[BiggJawn]

10. Get a French custom touring bike...

And if it was a really BIG "bunch", saddle up and disappear until The Insanity ends...

[MissMillie]

12. Depending on how much "a bunch" is

I'd pay off all of my bills and put a downpayment on my own home.

[Squeech]

13. Wind farm

Buy a bankrupt family farm in Vermont or upstate NY, and erect a boatload of wind turbines. (Now playing: Captain Beefheart's "Moonlight on Vermont.")

Mrs. Squeech wants to build a bed-and-breakfast in Teresopolis, Brazil, which is kinda like Rio's version of the Berkshires, and I could go for that too, especially if things get really stupid here.

[Left Is Write]

14. It depends on how much that bunch is.

And I do have the responsibility of spouse and kids, so that would color my choices a bit.

Generally, for an unencumbered person, I would say stash some away and do something fun with the rest of it. If travel is the way you want to blow the cash, go for it!

[GreenPartyVoter]

15. Build a solar home, buy hybrid c ars. Basically prepare for the time

when fossil fuels will cost your first-born.

[jswordy]

16. I would save it, since...

...I am happy in my current life and environs. Your mileage may vary.

[LiberallyInclined]

17. depends on the amount...

if i had the cash available, i'd buy a nice "compound" somewhere, take along some friends and family, and start an artist's co-op.

[cmf]

18. I'd build a house in the country.

Have a garden, some chickens, and some goats. I'd incorporate solar power, water reuse and other sustainable principles into it. It would be great.