It seems that most of the good folks on this board tend to live frugally. Nothing that I have ever done too well, but something that I aspire to when I retire in a few year. Melissa's recent posts about money and budgeting have inspired a question in the other direction. If you were fortunate enough to gain an additional $10,000 per month after taxes to your current income, would you live differently? I do not mean your responses to be what you would buy such as a new car or washing machine. But rather, would you still raise animals and gardens? would you work less and travel more? would you dress differently? etc. Would it affect your approach to living? "How would your life change?"

-- SteveD(TX) (smdann@swbell.net), March 16, 2002

Answers

I"m to old to do any thing different, I always said if I had the money, I would build a retirement complex, for old people that would allow pets. Have a huge lake for fishing, and other fun things, also a place if rest home care would be needed, it would be right there also. All people, poor, black, white, or what ever would be welcome, and reasonable priced. That is what I would do.

-- Irene texas (tkorsborn@cs.com), March 16, 2002.

I guess I'd keep on keeping on. We'd probably get more cattle and some sheep and I'd finally put up a building for syrup, herb and pottery sales so we could get that out of the house but otherwide, why change? Garden? or course, we do that because we like the fresh food better. I watch people with big retirement incomes, retire, sit back and die. Nope, only with my boots on, please.

-- Rosalie (Dee) in IN (someone@heavenbound.com), March 16, 2002.

$10,000 a month!!!???? I would still live much the same. I am frugal for 2 reasons, the first because I have to be, and the second because I like to be! So my life would continue just as it is now, but I'm sure Cale would retire.

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), March 16, 2002.

I just answered this on CS forum. After keepin an extra $500 per month I'd give the rest away to the needy. Buyin my way into heaven? Nope! I've already got my ticket waitin on me when He calls. It's already been paid for with the Blood of the Lamb! Glory! old hoot, the redeemed. Matt.24:44

-- old hoot gibson (hoot@pcinetwork.com), March 16, 2002.

Nothing would change here. I would still be doing what I am doing now. Living in the country, raising animals, and giving to the poor! In His Grace, Sissy

-- Sissy Barth (iblong2Him@ilovejesus.net), March 16, 2002.

I would basic live the same, maybe get a car that started all the time, but I would use it to help others and maybe start a youth outreach program.God Bless

-- Micheale from SE Kansas (mbfrye@totelcsi.net), March 16, 2002.

We would live the same type of lifestyle---as growing our own veggies- --all of that as we do now---- but I'd praise God that we were able to help more people & help with more worthwhile projects that help more people--etc/etc/etc/----it would be such a blessing to be able to give more & help more!!!!

-- Sonda in Ks. (sgbruce@birch.net), March 16, 2002.

Well,I have to say,my life would change dramatically. I would adopt 3 or 4 more children(only have 2 now).We would still garden and raise our animals(cows,chickens,pigs and goats).My husband could work less and spend more quality family time with us. But,the best thing would be to be able to homeschool.I always thought it would be so neat to study,say,Italy...and be able to go there and show the kids first hand,instead of just from books.

-- Johna (marcnjohna@aol.com), March 16, 2002.

Not much. I have to say I would be sorely tempted to follow the line in a popular cowboy cartoon, "If I won a million dollars I'd just keep on ranchin' till it was all gone." But in all honesty I don't think I'd want to live much different. There's a few things I'd like to do around here like re-fence the property, but they are things we'll get around to doing ourselves eventually anyway. Think I'd do like Hoot, keep a little extra cushion for ourselves in retirement and have a grand time helping others with the rest.

Two areas of ministry that are always on my heart are helping children in need (any children, anywhere), and giving to organizations like Voice of the Martyrs who help Christian martyrs around the world. When I learn about what some of these people endure for their Lord, it makes me ashamed to think I could wish for more than I already have when most of us in this country are already blessed with so much.

-- Lenette (kigervixen@webtv.net), March 17, 2002.

I'd buy a nice motor home and come visit you all!

-- Ardie/WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), March 17, 2002.

I can't even contemplate having an extra $10,000 per month...but if I did, I'd quit my high stress corporate job so fast the phone lines would burn up from my calling in to tell the "I quit". The I would pay off my mortgage and finish my house. I wouldn't change anything else much, still garden and raise animals, ride horses, and take care of my Mom and her sister with all that free time I'd have. I don't think I have ever seen $10,000 all at once - hard to imagine.

-- Cindy (colawson@mindspring.com), March 17, 2002.