What would you do with your first million?
I had a fun discussion a long time ago with some of my roommates about what we would do with our first million. It was our version of Dorothy Sayers' outlet in writing Lord Peter (from How I Came to Invent the Character of Lord Peter Wimsey):
Lord Peter's large income ... I deliberately gave him ... After all it cost me nothing and at the time I was particularly hard up and it gave me pleasure to spend his fortune for him. When I was dissatisfied with my single unfurnished room I took a luxurious flat for him in Piccadilly. When my cheap rug got a hole in it, I ordered him an Aubusson carpet. When I had no money to pay my bus fare I presented him with a Daimler double-six, upholstered in a style of sober magnificence, and when I felt dull I let him drive it. I can heartily recommend this inexpensive way of furnishing to all who are discontented with their incomes. It relieves the mind and does no harm to anybody.
At a time when I was living on Ramen, deferred payments on my student loans, and a monthly stipend from my parents so I could afford rent, it was nice to mentally spend money I didn't have. After reading an article in Wired, I learned that it is apparently possible to buy a lifetime ticket on an airline (or rather, a frequent flier account that is permanently stocked). You simply make sure there is a seat available on a given flight, and book it using your frequent flier account.
Sure, it costs $100k, but hypothetically, you're buying it after your first million, so you're only laying down 10% of what you have in the bank. I had $10 in the bank at the time, and I figured I would be willing to part with $1. It's not only the perfect convenience, but it's also the perfect safety net. One could literally live out of the airport. Hungry? Book yourself on any flight with meal service. Tired? Take an overseas flight somewhere. Need a shower? You have access to the reserved lounges at the airports.
Right now, though, I wish I had one such golden ticket because I think I would spend a lot of time flying in and out of MKE...
Lord Peter's large income ... I deliberately gave him ... After all it cost me nothing and at the time I was particularly hard up and it gave me pleasure to spend his fortune for him. When I was dissatisfied with my single unfurnished room I took a luxurious flat for him in Piccadilly. When my cheap rug got a hole in it, I ordered him an Aubusson carpet. When I had no money to pay my bus fare I presented him with a Daimler double-six, upholstered in a style of sober magnificence, and when I felt dull I let him drive it. I can heartily recommend this inexpensive way of furnishing to all who are discontented with their incomes. It relieves the mind and does no harm to anybody.
At a time when I was living on Ramen, deferred payments on my student loans, and a monthly stipend from my parents so I could afford rent, it was nice to mentally spend money I didn't have. After reading an article in Wired, I learned that it is apparently possible to buy a lifetime ticket on an airline (or rather, a frequent flier account that is permanently stocked). You simply make sure there is a seat available on a given flight, and book it using your frequent flier account.
Sure, it costs $100k, but hypothetically, you're buying it after your first million, so you're only laying down 10% of what you have in the bank. I had $10 in the bank at the time, and I figured I would be willing to part with $1. It's not only the perfect convenience, but it's also the perfect safety net. One could literally live out of the airport. Hungry? Book yourself on any flight with meal service. Tired? Take an overseas flight somewhere. Need a shower? You have access to the reserved lounges at the airports.
Right now, though, I wish I had one such golden ticket because I think I would spend a lot of time flying in and out of MKE...