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Financial Freedom => Financial Advice From The Community / Reader Profiles => Topic started by: Sam on September 27, 2018, 07:03:48 AM

Title: Would you be willing to lose 10 years of your life for $1 billion?
Post by: Sam on September 27, 2018, 07:03:48 AM
How many years of your life would you be willing to give up to have $1 billion sitting in your bank account?

Think about how much good you can do to help others. But then again, think about how many billions are already being given and redistributed.

What is your life worth?
Title: Re: Would you be willing to lose 10 years of your life for $1 billion?
Post by: RageCage on September 27, 2018, 08:33:16 AM
That question is screaming for a Twilight Zone twist...  Would only consider it if the 10 years was after my mid to late 80's.  :P
Title: Re: Would you be willing to lose 10 years of your life for $1 billion?
Post by: Bonsai on September 27, 2018, 09:01:05 AM
As a (foolish, I was) young man, say 35 years old, I would have said yes, take the ten years.  Now, at semi-retirement, not a chance.  As a young man, I was incredulous as to how older folks seemed to be "hanging on" to every day regardless of their financial circumstances (shows I thought money was more important than it is).  Now, semi-retired, I get up every morning appreciating a new day and wanting more.  I respect and recognize the simple joys of people and friends and simple experiences like someone's birthday party or a wedding.   At semi-retirement, and at FI, life is good and I have a profound respect for "hanging on" and will do so on my own.  That being said, and trying not to be too morbid, I live in a "death with dignity" state and I feel comfortable pulling the plug when the hospice time comes.
Title: Re: Would you be willing to lose 10 years of your life for $1 billion?
Post by: Jon Sharpe on September 27, 2018, 09:25:11 AM
How many YEARS? I think the better question is how many DAYS. I would not give a year, and I'm not even sure I would give a day. Depends on the circumstances, e.g. had a said farewell to loved ones, etc...
Title: Re: Would you be willing to lose 10 years of your life for $1 billion?
Post by: Orphan on September 27, 2018, 12:29:46 PM
Nope. Not a chance
Title: Re: Would you be willing to lose 10 years of your life for $1 billion?
Post by: KAT1809 on September 28, 2018, 08:17:01 PM
Quote from: Orphan on September 27, 2018, 12:29:46 PM
Nope. Not a chance

My feeling EXACTLY!
Title: Re: Would you be willing to lose 10 years of your life for $1 billion?
Post by: Sam on September 29, 2018, 09:49:35 AM
Quote from: Orphan on September 27, 2018, 12:29:46 PM
Nope. Not a chance

Hmm! Good point!

I think I'd give up a year for $1 billion and 41 years old.
Title: Re: Would you be willing to lose 10 years of your life for $1 billion?
Post by: quantakiran on October 05, 2018, 11:31:27 AM
Yes. I would give up ten years between 23-33 because I feel I have and I still have nothing to show for it.
Title: Re: Would you be willing to lose 10 years of your life for $1 billion?
Post by: hyperobjeckt on October 08, 2018, 03:46:34 PM
Quote from: RageCage on September 27, 2018, 08:33:16 AM
That question is screaming for a Twilight Zone twist... 
Ha, this was my thought too.

If you answer "yes", you die instantly and Rod Serling's voiceover explains that you only had 10 years to live...
Title: Re: Would you be willing to lose 10 years of your life for $1 billion?
Post by: Hayden on October 08, 2018, 05:35:00 PM
Quote from: quantakiran on October 05, 2018, 11:31:27 AM
Yes. I would give up ten years between 23-33 because I feel I have and I still have nothing to show for it.

Well, that is a real bummer. Hope things are starting to look up for you my friend.

I would not give up a single moment of life for any amount of money. Maybe I would feel different if it was practical. However, at this moment in my life the most precious thing to me is time.
Title: Re: Would you be willing to lose 10 years of your life for $1 billion?
Post by: waynetang on October 29, 2018, 10:39:11 AM
Time is priceless and most mature people who have the means would rather pay more for something if it meant saving time.
Looking at it from the other side, I'm sure most billionaires would be willing to spend $1 billion if they could add an extra year to their life.
Title: Re: Would you be willing to lose 10 years of your life for $1 billion?
Post by: Rdizzle on October 29, 2018, 11:23:07 AM
No, easier to use the extra ten years to potentially try for the billion. Many billionaires were made in less then ten.
Title: Re: Would you be willing to lose 10 years of your life for $1 billion?
Post by: Recovering Engineer on October 31, 2018, 11:59:50 AM
10 is a lot but having seen the final 5 years of life for many relatives I would happily trade that for $1B in the bank.
Title: Re: Would you be willing to lose 10 years of your life for $1 billion?
Post by: Smurfy FIRE on November 02, 2018, 02:11:25 PM
It would depend on the quality of the 10 yrs.....if it was to work in soul sucking conditions in exchange for that 1$B, then NO! But if I was decently busy and a productive member of society then those 10 yrs go in two naps.

I have started to notice that a year goes by in a blink of an eye and 5 yrs feels like l woke from a nap.  So I joke about in 3-4 naps I can retire... unless l can manage to FIRE first!!

I will say though that, sadly, I have given up 10 yrs of my life already for far far less...



Title: Re: Would you be willing to lose 10 years of your life for $1 billion?
Post by: Money Ronin on November 05, 2018, 09:30:39 AM
I wouldn't take the deal even if it cost me 1 day of my life, but I might take a chance if it cost me $2.

Like so many in America, I participated in the recent PowerBall and MegaMillions craze.  I do it mostly because if I won, I would have the opportunity to help people, but I really don't look forward to the additional pressures and changes to my life.  The thought exercise also makes me more appreciative of what I have and how I can make better use of it.

Unlike most people who fantasize about how great their lives will become with the winnings, I fantasize about how awful it would be.

1. I would have to manage more money than ever before--it's challenging with what I have.  I'm not bad at it but it is work.  I couldn't let it sit in cash or some low yield bond because it would be my responsibility to make the most of the money.
2. If I don't trust people to manage my money today, how am I going to trust people with an even larger amount?
3. I would have to hide this wealth from all my friends and family.  We live beneath our means today, but this would take it to whole new level.  How could I share my good fortune with them and still hide the winnings from the public?  Impossible.  Either way, the guilt would eat away at me.
4. If my goal is to help people, how do I do so and stay anonymous?  Something tells me I need to be hands on to maximize the impact.
5. I am going to assume that someone/somehow will eventually figure out our wealth--I would have to preemptively move to a more secure neighborhood and leave our wonderful neighbors and local school.
6. Besides more lavish vacations which I would not publicize anywhere, how else can I enjoy the money without triggering attention?  I like exotic cars, always wanted to own one/some, but I have absolutely no place to drive it.  Also, I'm a big believer of of "everyone loves the car; everyone hates the person driving the car".
7. I have no desire for fancy restaurants, clothes, big homes, the latest electronics, etc.
8. Perhaps I could hire "the best" tutors and coaches for my kids' enrichment but that doesn't require billionaire money.
9. Even if I exercised a modicum of self control, what about my spouse and especially my kids?  How will they be changed by the money?  I have a very sober relationship with money-I understand its challenges and limitations.  Most people do not.
10. Most people would probably quit their jobs--I already did that.  I mostly manage my investments (so see #1).

My "best" lottery fantasies are about winning $20M (and I collect $8M after taxes)--a nice "manageable" sum to live a normal, hopefully financially worry-free, but occasionally lavish lifestyle.
Title: Re: Would you be willing to lose 10 years of your life for $1 billion?
Post by: bf312 on November 05, 2018, 10:11:07 AM
Nope. I don't need anywhere near $1Bn to meet all my needs and be happy. Money is just a tool to that end.