Choose One

[Y.A.G Si Ye Nots]

I saw this posed as a question yesterday. It has stumped me more than I thought it would.

1) You get $1 million tax-free
2) You get a 50% chance, determined by a coin flip, at $100 million tax-free
3) You get free, unlimited traveling (flights and hotels) for you and a guest for the rest of your life
4) You get to spend three years of being highly social (basically best friends) with the wealthiest man on the planet

 

[thunderscope]

I saw this posed as a question yesterday. It has stumped me more than I thought it would.

1) You get $1 million tax-free
2) You get a 50% chance, determined by a coin flip, at $100 million tax-free
3) You get free, unlimited traveling (flights and hotels) for you and a guest for the rest of your life
4) You get to spend three years of being highly social (basically best friends) with the wealthiest man on the planet

That’s an intriguing question. At first glance I’d say I’d take the unlimited travel. My wife and I both love to travel. Can’t take those memories away...

 

[19MU88]

5) you are a loser with entirely too much time on your hands

 

[Y.A.G Si Ye Nots]

5) you are a loser with entirely too much time on your hands

"You've been far more successful already in your life than I'll ever be. And that eats away at me. I also hate that your life is far better than mine, and you don't have to slave away at work like I do."

Yeah, we know, dork. We know.

 

[19MU88]

You are pathetic. You have no idea about my life because I don’t come here and disclose things (or in your case fabricate) for validation from a bunch of internet strangers.

 

[Y.A.G Si Ye Nots]

You are pathetic. You have no idea about my life because I don’t come here and disclose things (or in your case fabricate) for validation from a bunch of internet strangers.

Nothing I say about my life is fabricated. There are plenty of people on here who have seen plenty of proof. I can tell plenty about your life based on your lack of intelligence on here. Stupid people usually have an extremely hard time succeeding in life. It's clear what your life is like.

Now, run along and try getting the attention of other posters to interact with you, as it's been a tough challenge for you over the last year.

 

[i am herdman]

I saw this posed as a question yesterday. It has stumped me more than I thought it would.

1) You get $1 million tax-free
2) You get a 50% chance, determined by a coin flip, at $100 million tax-free
3) You get free, unlimited traveling (flights and hotels) for you and a guest for the rest of your life
4) You get to spend three years of being highly social (basically best friends) with the wealthiest man on the planet

I quickly rule out #4. That doesn't interest me at all. I would turn that down if offered. Gone #4 easy. I would not want to hang out with them. I like my simple life.

I next rule out # 3. Doesn't really interest me as compared to the money. The older I get the more simple I get in terms of travel. That is not going to help me financially with health, keeping up a house, and leaving money and assets to pass So, #3 is gone. Travel doesn't help me with much at all. To me, that is pissing money away and you can save up and travel if you want to. Hell, when I was a kid I was happy to go to Camden Park.

Eliminating #3 and #4 are easy. Gone without a doubt and without blinking. That is leaves #1 and #2

#1 would be nice. It might not make you independently wealthy. #2 would make you and generations independently wealthy.

So, I would take #1. I would not make a deal with the devil and #2 would be a deal with the devil. I would probably lose and then kick myself. #1 would make me set to live comfortably with a lot to pass on. It is guaranteed money. I would be set to do what I like to do. I am simple. Plus, with my current assets, I would definitely be set.

#2 would make my heirs lazy. And, it is not guaranteed.

I take #1 walk away from the table and into the sunset. 3 and 4 are a waste to me.

 

[herdfan429]

Easy. Take the money and run. $1 million would go a long way for us simple folk

 

[i am herdman]

Easy. Take the money and run. $1 million would go a long way for us simple folk

If I had a million bucks right now. i would never have to work again and could do all this simple WV bumpkin would ever want to do.

 

[Y.A.G Si Ye Nots]

If I had a million bucks right now. i would never have to work again and could do all this simple WV bumpkin would ever want to do.

Yes, but you wouldn't necessarily set up your children or grandchildren for life. If you live another 40 years, it will give you about $2500/month to live on for the rest of your life with average investing.

If you have a house paid off, that's no problem. If you don't, living on $2500 per month can be difficult for the next 40 years, especially considering inflation, and even more if it's more than just you living on it.

 

[Raoul Duke MU]

#1. If I can earn 5% a year off that I can live pretty comfortably.

#2. If I lost the coin flip I'd probably kill myself. This shit is Let's Make A Deal with some high goddamn stakes. I don't want to play that game.

#3. Tempting. I could figure out a way to make living doing that. But #1 is easier.

#4: The wealthiest man in the world is Jeff Bezos. I'd like to punch him in the face. Probably not a good idea to take this one.

 

[i am herdman]

Yes, but you wouldn't necessarily set up your children or grandchildren for life. If you live another 40 years, it will give you about $2500/month to live on for the rest of your life with average investing.

If you have a house paid off, that's no problem. If you don't, living on $2500 per month can be difficult for the next 40 years, especially considering inflation, and even more if it's more than just you living on it.

No trying to set them up for life. I could leave them something for sure. Many of us grew up pretty simple. Most of us are happy getting a old shotgun or knife when someone dies.

I can live a 97 Clayton if I have to. An Oakwood would be a step up. For a million bucks I cold go by some land and leave it for them as well. I could buy a little rancher and pay it off and there is my house. Lots of options with a million cash.

 

[i am herdman]

#1. If I can earn 5% a year off that I can live pretty comfortably.

#2. If I lost the coin flip I'd probably kill myself. This shit is Let's Make A Deal with some high goddamn stakes. I don't want to play that game.

#3. Tempting. I could figure out a way to make living doing that. But #1 is easier.

#4: The wealthiest man in the world is Jeff Bezos. I'd like to punch him in the face. Probably not a good idea to take this one.

I agree. If I lost the coin flip I might I might stroke out pretty quick. I could not do that to myself.

I like you Raoul. I would probably punch the richest guy in the world just to say This Hayseed punched the richest guy in the world right in the face.

 

[i am herdman]

I take #1 and play this. Drive in and tell the boss to go suck a bag of dicks.

And as Steve Miller sang, "Go on take the money and run."

 

[Marine03]

2. I like my chances with a coin flip

 

[i am herdman]

2. I like my chances with a coin flip

Heads I win. Tails you lose.

 

[Dorrej]

I’d do #2.
3 and 4 don’t interest me and a 50% chance at life changing money is better than a guaranteed million.

 

[Bankerreturns]

This will sound pompous, but the million would not really change my life. I would keep doing what I'm doing now. Because of that, I would take the coin flip option. That's transformative money, not so much for me or even my immediate family, but just what you could accomplish on a larger scale.

With $100 million tax free you could easily create a reoccurring $10-12 million a year income stream that is basically all disposable income. So you set up a 501c3, donate all that to the charity, so no taxes on the earnings, and change a lot of lives.

If I lose the coin flip, I am in the same place I am now, which is fine by me.

 

[Y.A.G Si Ye Nots]

I'm playing devil's advocate a little bit (the regular meaning of that phrase, not the imaginary, alternative meaning of devil's triangle) here.

#1. If I can earn 5% a year off that I can live pretty comfortably.
.

Sure, but deduct 2%-3% annually for inflation. Then, deduct taxes on the earnings.

#4: The wealthiest man in the world is Jeff Bezos. I'd like to punch him in the face. Probably not a good idea to take this one.

Being his best friend for three years and constantly around him would open up plenty of very high job opportunities.

I could buy a little rancher and pay it off and there is my house. Lots of options with a million cash.

Sure, you can go out and buy a simple rancher and a few acres for $200,000. Assuming that you live an additional 40 years, that leaves you with $20,000/year to live on with no mortgage. Of course, you can make some money investing it, but after inflation and property taxes, it won't give you a ton extra. Can you and a wife be comfortable on $1600/month with no mortgage? Two modest cars and insurance would be about $750. Cell phones for both would be $100. Food each month would be $400. Utilities will run you a minimum of $200. That leaves you with $150 per month for health insurance clothes, entertainment, gas, car maintenance/home repairs, travel, unexpected costs . . . even if investing gives you an extra $500/month, you're running very, very tight. Social security will kick in eventually which will help some, but you'd be pinching pennies a bit.

 

[murox]

I saw this posed as a question yesterday. It has stumped me more than I thought it would.

1) You get $1 million tax-free
2) You get a 50% chance, determined by a coin flip, at $100 million tax-free
3) You get free, unlimited traveling (flights and hotels) for you and a guest for the rest of your life
4) You get to spend three years of being highly social (basically best friends) with the wealthiest man on the planet

4 and it's not close. Not for the companionship, but that network would make you wealthier than anything else on the list by far.

 

[Y.A.G Si Ye Nots]

With $100 million tax free you could easily create a reoccurring $10-12 million a year income stream that is basically all disposable income. So you set up a 501c3, donate all that to the charity, so no taxes on the earnings, and change a lot of lives.

*Recurring. Reoccuring means something happening again but not necessarily repeating. Recurring means something happening repeatedly. You could hire me to be your grammar coach with that money.

Oh, and if you can guarantee a 12% return annually after capital gains, you'll have $50,000 wired to you tomorrow.

 

[i am herdman]

I'm playing devil's advocate a little bit (the regular meaning of that phrase, not the imaginary, alternative meaning of devil's triangle) here.




Sure, but deduct 2%-3% annually for inflation. Then, deduct taxes on the earnings.



Being his best friend for three years and constantly around him would open up plenty of very high job opportunities.



Sure, you can go out and buy a simple rancher and a few acres for $200,000. Assuming that you live an additional 40 years, that leaves you with $20,000/year to live on with no mortgage. Of course, you can make some money investing it, but after inflation and property taxes, it won't give you a ton extra. Can you and a wife be comfortable on $1600/month with no mortgage? Two modest cars and insurance would be about $750. Cell phones for both would be $100. Food each month would be $400. Utilities will run you a minimum of $200. That leaves you with $150 per month for health insurance clothes, entertainment, gas, car maintenance/home repairs, travel, unexpected costs . . . even if investing gives you an extra $500/month, you're running very, very tight. Social security will kick in eventually which will help some, but you'd be pinching pennies a bit.

So, I work part time. I live simple. I already have some money saved and some retirement. Sell what I have, make more money and live a simple comfortable life. I don't need a lot. Frankly, within a year or two I might be done with the rat race job. Go find me a job making a little bit of money and turn it off at the end of the day. Biggest concern would be health insurance.

I read somewhere most people don't need more than 80 grand a year to live and do what they want to do. Everything else is fluff for most people.

 

[Bankerreturns]

You can't guarantee 12% on $50,000, but you can on $100 million. There are a ton of investment options that don't exist for anyone but the very rich. Preferred equity deals are out there that guarantee 12% and higher, but most come with $25 million minimums. Buffet makes more money through preferred equity deals than buying straight equities. Bill Gates has a guy that runs his portfolio, he achieves an average annual return in excess of 20% while keeping half the portfolio in cash and short term bonds.

The more you have the easier it is to make.

 

[Y.A.G Si Ye Nots]

4 and it's not close. Not for the companionship, but that network would make you wealthier than anything else on the list by far.

More than $100 million? I'm not saying it's impossible, but that takes a lot of luck and a hell of a lot of work to get that friendship to turn into what would amount to about $4 million/year for the rest of your life.

I’d do #2.
3 and 4 don’t interest me and a 50% chance at life changing money is better than a guaranteed million.

I lost $31,890 within two days in 2005 on the USC/Notre Dame "Bush Push" game and then the Colts Monday night game. I was depressed for two weeks. I'm not sure how I'd react if I missed out on a coin flip for $100 million.

 

[Bankerreturns]

You have to have the right outlook. Before the coin flip you had zero, after the coin flip you might still have zero. You lost nothing.

 

[marshallisqbu]

#2.

If I lose, I’m not really out anything. If you win you invest wisely and can live more than comfortably.

 

[Dreh_Nagi_HC_IM]

I wouldn't choose any of the options.

However, if I were forced to take one, I would take the #4, as that would pretty much guarantee a life full of wealth. At my age, #1 would be the 2nd best option. Unlike others, I would probably kill myself if I were to win the coin flip on option #2, due to having to deal with family and friends and beggers.

 

[WV-FAN]

 

[sistersville]

Number 4 doesn't belong. That sounds like punishment

 

[sistersville]

None. My life is so blessed I would be afraid to rock the boat.