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How do you think you would change?

  • Worse

    Votes: 144 17.0%
  • Slightly worse

    Votes: 188 22.2%
  • No change

    Votes: 199 23.5%
  • Better

    Votes: 106 12.5%
  • Slightly better

    Votes: 67 7.9%
  • I don't know, man

    Votes: 140 16.5%
  • Other??!

    Votes: 4 0.5%

  • Total voters
    848

scottbeowulf

Member
Oct 27, 2017
9,414
United States
I've been poor and I've also had a little money. Nothing like lottery money. But I think I'd be pretty much the same but a bit better cuz I could give freely to causes that I can't afford to now. The difference of having and not to me was mostly mental peace. Not worrying about unexpected expenses and the peace of mind that comes from that. Not spending on crazy things.
 

Seirith

Member
Oct 25, 2017
3,313
I'd keep enough to ensure my parents, brother and my husband and I have enough to live with no worries. I don't care about luxury brands or having 50 cars, I'd just like a nice house with what my husband and I want/need, enough money to not have to work + pay for care when we are old and an awesome enclosed play space for our cats.

The rest of the money would be used to help local animal rescues and to open a low cost veterinary clinic for people of all incomes which rescues could also use.
 
Oct 26, 2017
17,402
I've always been a fairly charitable person and not super concerned with material stuff. Might get a little snooty with restaurants, though. However I always felt if I won the lottery the first thing I'd want to do is help out friends/family pay any debts they owe.
 

-Peabody-

Member
Oct 29, 2017
1,599
Maybe you wouldn't develop an asshole-ish personality but I feel like as a baseline, the wealthier you are the more removed you are from the problems of the common person. So at the very least you'd be less empathetic towards more people.
 

hockeypuck

Member
Oct 29, 2017
740
I see real life examples of this transition all the time. Most medical students in the U.S. do not come from wealth, and then are suddenly thrust into it within 1 year of finishing residency/fellowship. The income multiplies 5-10X. But because most students have debts, I tend to believe that overall the group learns to budget and still live an upper middle-class life. There are plenty who donate back to their own hospitals, as evident on any donation board seen in hospital lobbies. Most doctors tend to finish their careers as doctors, and not transform their steady high income to become real estate barons, the true douchebags.
 
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mantidor

Member
Oct 25, 2017
1,807
I don't know... how can anyone really? I for sure would donate most of it and help family and friends, but I would never disclose I was the winner, not even my closest friends, I would claim I had a nice business opportunity and I won some money, but like, in the thousands, at most.

All of you saying Better or wouldn't change are wrong, Winning the Lottery legitimately sounds like a Nightmare

This reddit post really opens your mind alot to how becoming Instantly Rich really isn't all that

What if you won the Lottery

Like I think the best way is to become Medium levels of wealth and then go up from there. Sure its nice to Fantasize but the post about winning the lottery makes me hesitant to think it would be the perfect gift

It is odd that some states force the winner to go public, it is practically to put a target on their backs.
 

Kraken3dfx

Member
Oct 25, 2017
2,953
Denver, CO
I always think about how satisfying it would be to have enough money to help people on a broad level, so my hope is that I would stay the same.
 

Patriiick

Member
Oct 31, 2018
5,820
Grimsby, GB
I think id be the same, just happy. All I'd do is buy a modest house and a load of fairly ordinary 80s and 90s cars and motorbikes that most people wouldn't bat an eyelid at. No daft supercars for me, ta. Be nice to go on holiday more than once every 10-20 years. Would also be nice to make sure all my friends and family are comfortable.
 

Shemhazai

Member
Aug 13, 2020
6,523
Honestly I'd blow it all on producing movies and games that otherwise would never see the light of day, so I wouldn't remain rich for long. Giving me $200m is the quickest way to lose $100m on a blockbuster budget Colour of Magic movie.

edit: I will say that going from negative money to middle class money didn't really change my lifestyle at all. So if I was a millionaire I'd probably just live in a nice three bedroom house with a bit of space and just do creative shit without fear of starving.
 

demi

Member
Oct 27, 2017
14,866
Yes easily, I could also buy friends and do cool douchebag things like buy pokemon cards
 

Lumination

Member
Oct 26, 2017
12,506
If you don't have latent douchebag tendencies that immediately surface, it will encroach upon you like a frog boiling in a pot. Your standards for how things should be will shift. Your expectations will shift. How you view different situations will shift.

I don't think I've become more of an asshole, but I've definitely waved off things as non-issues almost on reaction when they would be huge issues when I was making 1/4 or less than what I make now.

Also winning the lottery and getting one lump sum probably has different effects than someone who stepped on people and earned it.
 

Rae

Member
Mar 7, 2019
1,009
Eventually.

I'd just be happier since I'd be less stressed over jobs, housing, and food for a long time even if I couldn't like live on the wealth forever. There are def things I'd do just to improve my health but they aren't possible right now.
 

balohna

Member
Nov 1, 2017
4,187
I think I'd make the lives of the people around me better, and I'd have more space and time for myself so I'd be happier. So I think I'd be better. Most of my bad traits seem to come out when I'm under stress.

I actually think most people given money, particularly as adults that grew up not rich, will not be douchebags. I think the relentless pursuit of money makes douchebags, and having always had money makes a different kind of douchebag. If your problems are suddenly solved through some drastic monetary intervention I think most people would just be like "this is great, I'm so lucky" and not like "I deserve this and I'm better than everyone."
 

SmackDaddy

Banned
Nov 25, 2017
3,163
Los Angeles
Its already happening. My company made good money last year and im pissed about the money i have to pay towards taxes.

I never had any illusions around money/power making me better. Im human.
 

JaseMath

Member
Oct 27, 2017
9,407
Denver, CO
I've always said that, after paying off debts and putting some away for a comfortable nest egg, I'd give it all away. I'd try to leave the world a better place than I found it.
 

flaxknuckles

Member
Oct 25, 2017
4,317
I'd be better since I wouldn't be stressed having to go to work everyday. And I'd actually have some money to donate.
 

SCUMMbag

Prophet of Truth - Chicken Chaser
Member
Oct 25, 2017
5,598
Worse. And anyone who said they'd be better would be even more worse.

Wealth corrupts.
 

Jeffolation

Shinra Employee
Member
Oct 30, 2017
7,125
I don't think it'd be pretty. Was already mentally compiling a list of people that I would lord my wealth over while I read this thread.
 

Lil Bee

Member
Feb 13, 2024
176
I'd take care of my own needs first, and then do as much mutual aid as I possibly could. I dream of being able to give back.
 

Cat Party

Member
Oct 25, 2017
10,447
Two things are universally true. Everyone who becomes wealthy changes as a result. And nobody changes for the better.
 

TheKid

Member
Oct 25, 2017
1,525
Bay Area
I feel like at 35 I am already living a very satisfying life. The only difference would be I would be debt free and own a home and have a savings acct. I don't think I could stop working


Edit: actually I think I would start a business of sort and help illegal immigrants by having them go through the actual process of getting a work visa through it so they can get proper driving licenses and go through the right channels. Everybody wins
 

subpar spatula

Refuses to Wash his Ass
Banned
Oct 26, 2017
22,187
Everyone saying they'd do good would totally be Gandalf if he had the One Ring.

Just join the fun side and admit the debauchery and douchebaggery.
 

Bengraven

Powered by Friendship™
Member
Oct 26, 2017
26,924
Florida
I would become apathetic as fuck.

I would do a lot for charity, but I would also withdraw heavily.

You'd never see my ass again, just get a check in the mail for your Planned Parenthood.
 

squeakywheel

Member
Oct 29, 2017
6,103
I think I'll be even more of a hermit than ever before. People would be after you for money constantly, esp. extended family. I'm lucky my immediately family is doing ok but my family in the Philippines will definitely try to guilt trip me to giving them some.
 

Bengraven

Powered by Friendship™
Member
Oct 26, 2017
26,924
Florida
I think I'll be even more of a hermit than ever before. People would be after you for money constantly, esp. extended family. I'm lucky my immediately family is doing ok but my family in the Philippines will definitely try to guilt trip me to giving them some.

Same, except replace the Phillippines with the Midwest.

I just know that I'm going to have a lot of desperate, crying phone calls about how "we're going to lose the farm!" or "I got scammed and now I can't even feed myself" to the point I'd legit wonder if it happened were I not rich.
 

Carbon

Deploying the stealth Cruise Missile
Member
Oct 27, 2017
10,925
Where's the "I'd become an enigmatic recluse" option?
 

Platy

Member
Oct 25, 2017
27,732
Brazil
This is actually a common misunderstanding. The universal truths are actually "you're more likely to get rich if you're a bastard" and "a lot of people are bastards".

yeah, it is easier to get rich with bastard jobs, like being a landlord, exploring workers or ignoring safe regulations.

If you get a huge amount of money for lottery or inheretance ways, you would only become a douchebag if you completely change your lifestyle to the point of not relating to normal human.
 
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PHOENIXZERO

Member
Oct 29, 2017
12,120
I would certainly be a "the more money I have the less fucks I give" sort so yeah I'd probably at least take a lot less shit and more freely tell people to go fuck themselves... and then probably get shot.
 

kamineko

Linked the Fire
Member
Oct 25, 2017
6,542
Accardi-by-the-Sea
It might be inevitable? I want to be realistic. I would definitely be giving more away regardless, I just can't afford charity at all as things are
 

Nepenthe

When the music hits, you feel no pain.
Administrator
Oct 25, 2017
20,761
Pretty sure suddenly coming into wealth does psychologically change a person regardless of their moral outlooks. For one, your priorities shift because you no longer need to materially struggle for survival, which in turn distances you socially and culturally from everyone else who does. Two, you have to start ethically justifying why you deserve to have that level of money in the first place, and those justifications almost always inevitably lead to prejudiced outcomes, because frankly there is no good reason for wealth disparity. To me, wealth is scary in that regard, so the fear would be in trying to find meaningful things to do with it after I've taken care of myself so that I'm less likely to fall prey to what seem like the inevitable psychological ramifications.
 
Oct 25, 2017
3,213
I see myself as becoming a Scrooge McDuck figure.
Spend a lot of time with my family, and give them jobs where I pay them thirty cents an hour.
 

Tagyhag

Member
Oct 27, 2017
12,559
Not going to lie to myself.

I'd definitely be greedier.

But I still think I'd treat everyone with respect, and I'd actually be more social since we would be traveling a lot more.

But I wouldn't be giving all my wealth away, if I'm being 100% honest.
 

Rae

Member
Mar 7, 2019
1,009
Also, I feel like everyone going I'd keep it a secret probably doesn't realize most winners will be public in some states and yeah, everyone will def know at the end of the day and they WILL ask for money ASAP.
 

RedMercury

Blue Venus
Member
Dec 24, 2017
17,686
Absolutely not. I've been homeless and I've made 200k a year combined with my wife and the only change has been the amount of help I've been able to give other people.
 
Jan 4, 2021
1,910
My kindness and patience is proportional to the amount I'm paying for a product or service. It's a high bar but if I'm paying a lot for something the vendor has better meet the expectations. Day to day I'm super nice. Long line at Starbucks and a delay? Take your time bro we're in this together. Mess up my $150 steak? Better make it right asap.
 

NeverWas

Member
Feb 28, 2019
2,609
Hard to say. I've been on both ends of the spectrum, and am generally still the same asshole I've always been.
 

Rygar 8Bit

Member
Oct 25, 2017
15,925
Site-15
I don't care about luxury I wear the same cloths for years and I don't eat expensive food I don't even have or want a car. I'd still be doing what I'm doing now without change except I wouldn't have to work anymore so I'd be happier so just by that I'd be a better person.
 

Rob's Zombie

Member
Sep 28, 2022
1,588
Manchester, UK
I think I would stay the same, I'd keep it secret but would give some to friends and family.

Would quit my job but also would either do a part time job or volunteer work to keep myself busy.
 

GulfCoastZilla

Shinra Employee
Member
Sep 13, 2022
6,641
giphy.gif



There is no possible way where money won't change me for the worse. Money won't solve your problems just cause new ones.
 

Wackamole

Member
Oct 27, 2017
16,947
No, not at this age. Very few people would even know i was rich. It was never a goal of mine. And isn't one now either. I'd like some more money than i have now though, to be honest. But not that crazy much. Seems more like a burden to me actually, to be really rich. Right now i know my friends are real friends, my girlfriend loves me for who i am. Sounds naieve but it's not. You need enough money to make sure money isn't always a problem for you. But little enough money to still make things feel special. Having said all this, i'd much rather be rich than poor, cause that brings a great deal of stress and uncertainty.
 

dalq

Member
Feb 13, 2018
1,110
of course, and anyone that thinks it wont happen to them is just naive. money corrupts.