With my 40th Birthday coming up this week it really is a time for reflection and thinking about the things I would like. Obviously some are more obtainable than others and some nothing a lottery win from Lottoland couldn’t sort out! This got me to thinking about what I would do if I did win; and on reflection I am quite grateful for what I already have.
Lottery win Vs My Reality
The Car
If we won the lottery I guess I would make sure that we all had new cars. I had a new BMW for my birthday and it makes such a difference having a more reliable mode of transport. The reality is I am really happy with my car so do not think I would trade it in for something more expensive, I would just pay it off. My husband’s car however desperately needs replacing; it shuddered yesterday and I do worry about his safety in it. I guess a lottery win would warrant buying our eldest a car too – and at least we’d be more easily able to afford the insurance (he’s 21 with 2 years no claims so at least it’s a lot less than when he was 17!)
The House
A house. Whilst I love our house and what we have done to improve it; it still needs loads of work doing. It was completely neglected but the only way we could afford to get onto the property ladder. It doesn’t have anywhere to put the children’s bikes and we have to go through the house to get to the garden. So somewhere new, how we would like it would be great. My husband actually is really considering us buying a new build to get to close as this as possible. I don’t want a mansion as it would need so much cleaning, and I really do not like the idea of extra people in my home. Again I would provide a home for our eldest and offer to buy my younger brother a house. I just hope this lottery win is more than a tenner!
The Holiday
This would definitely have to be an around the World Cruise. I think travel is so important and to be able to see as much of it as possible would be amazing. I would need to have private tutors to help teach us everything we need to know, including the language and best places to eat.
Charity
As well as the obvious house and car I would like to think that I would donate to charity – somewhere like the Forestry commission who have provided so many fun and fantastic hours outside and happy! And for those who support others like the National Autistic Society and Cancer Research UK.
How The Children would spend Lottery Winnings
I realise that my choices to spend the money are so cliché and so I thought it would be interesting to ask my youngest two boys to write about how they would spend their money.
Our youngest son wrote about how he won 4 million pounds and bought a mansion with a beautiful garden and a statue of himself – I think some of the splendid places we have visited like Witley Castle may have influenced this. He also opted for a supercar. Interestingly he still wanted to work – he wanted to be a food tester at McDonalds, making sure it was up to standard! He bought a Nintendo Switch (which is what he just had for his birthday), a trampoline (we have always had a giant one in our garden since before the youngest two were born), a TV, a chicken (called Ben), a 3D TV, a campfire, a safe to keep his money in (wise move) but then another cupboard with lots of money in! Finally he had dedicated cupboards of chocolate, fruit and vegetables.
The 10-year-old decided to think about him winning the lottery at 21 (I had explained that you need to be over 18 years old due to gambling laws). He went straight in with a Mansion! He then opted for a TV and laptop. It was remarkable to see that he had considered expenses such as insurance and adopting a child (for which he also bought a pet, a Playstation & Nintendo Switch, a monstrous play area, swimming pool, a big hill with a ball to roll down in it, a trampoline and football pitch – the latter two also available to hire!) as well as how the mansion would be environmentally friendly. He had thought about his health by buying a treadmill (obviously isn’t aware that some homes have whole gyms in them!) and lots of fruit and vegetables (cooked by his own chef, who would be well taken care of). Interestingly he had chosen to have a son (we can’t say anything as both my husband and I had children by 21) and that he would not go to school but instead have a private tutor.
This exercise was really insightful into seeing how the children think about money, and I think really brought out the maturity and thoughtfulness of the older child, and the innocence of the younger one.
What would you spend the money on if you won the lottery? Do you think your ideas would be greatly different from your children’s?
In collaboration with Lottoland