The first idea that comes to mind for me is a castle tour or Europe -- Scotland, France, Austria . . .

I would take my husband on the honeymoon we never had, take the kids to Disney World and buy a vacation home or 2....probably one in Hawaii. Note to self.....start playing the lotto. :)

Anything would get old having that much money. I would be more philanthropic in the areas of education, By providing top quality education we could eliminate poverty, war and ignorance. Just think what a better place the world would really be.

I'd go to all of those places I want to visit, like England, Slovenia and Egypt. And I'd buy myself a beautiful, old house.

First, I'd hire Julie Andrews to watch my kids — she did such a good job in Mary Poppins and Sound of Music. Then I'd use my money to become a superhero, like Bruce Wayne did. Although I'm kind of tired and I'm not sure the money would give me more energy. Maybe I'd just buy one of those Sleepmatic Adjustable beds and watch Batman while Mary Poppins brought me pizza.

As you say have all this money family etc taken care of, that being said, I would figure out ways to help people. Abused women and children, would be first. Housing for all those people that are living on the street and in their cars. Take this scenario, your 50 years old, lost your job, have 2 kids, nice house, use money in the bank to pay for mtg. etc. run out of money no family to help you. Where do these people go.
these are the people I would help, I would just like a 2 bedroom condo near my kids, and I would be very content.

I would buy many houses; one on the beach in Bali, a house along the lake in Chicago, a house near Butler Lake and then spend the year living around these places! It would also be fun if I could host exchange students and share the beautiful areas with them.

Buy up as much farmland and open space as I could. Offer low cost rentals of the farmland to people who wanted to try their hand at farming. Keep the forests and swamps as is. Also set up a charity to provide housing and basic medical care for homeless people with pets who right now have to choose between living on the streets or losing their pets.

I would build a community swimming pool in Crystal Lake....eeeek. Dare I say that?

I love that everyone has an answer to this, and it's very specific and usually different from every other answer. Keep it coming...

i would buy a huge building 300 units for the homeless people and for those who loss their homes in foreclosure...until they can get back on their feet.....i would buy 25 acres and build me a log cabin with a huge fishing pond--hot tub--steam room---sauna---a work out room and a bar..and a few fast cars.. i would also make sure that my family--brothers--sisters--Dad--mom are taking care financially...friends ? i don't have many, but i would help the ones that need financial help..One more thing, I would buy one of those huge motor home and travel all over the U.S..--Canada and enjoy the good life.

I would buy Maplewood and turn it into the McHenry County Permaculture and Arts Center. The mission would be to to make Cary and surrounding communities more resilient, and to foster creativity. I would work with MCC to provide degrees in sustainability, and have college credit available to D-155 high school students who complete coursework. Classes/courses would include "How to Develop a Strong Local Economy," "Transition 101," "Beekeeping," "Raising Backyard Poultry," "Biofuels, Solar, and Wind," "Green Home Building and Repair," "Diverse Edible Farming," "Turn Your Front Yard into an Edible Garden" and many others. (Yes, some of these classes are available at MCC this year. Can't wait.)

Some (not all) of the baseball fields would be turned in to community gardens. Near the back would be the apiary. Part of the building would be remodeled to have a greenhouse with aquaponics. Of course a solar, wind, geothermal retrofit would also be in order.

Since it would be an arts center as well, I would have art, woodworking, metals shop, foreign language, and any other classes that were cut from D-26 available for all students for free.

Ah...dare to dream...

Exactly what I do now.

Donny, good to hear from you! I am surprised that one or two Libertyville people aren't responding!

If money was no object / Life wouldn't be the same / It's wanting things we'll never have / That keeps us in the game.