«For some time now, four or five times a year, I’ve been spending a little money on treating myself to one of the most satisfying pleasures in my life. I buy a «Primitiva» lottery ticket and for a few days I find myself thinking, ‘What shall I buy? What shall I buy?’ Travelling, buying and renovating a lovely village house, helping out the people I love financially, a whole library… A couple of times, however, I’ve been on the verge of panicking when, whilst checking if I’ve got the winning numbers, I hear there’s a jackpot of over a billion (pesetas, of course). At that moment, I’ve actually felt a bit shaky (please, please, don’t let me win it all on my own) at the thought of what to do with so much money. I’ve almost gone so far as to think about how to get rid of it. A millionaire… well, yes, but a millionaire in stages.
So, the day I came across your website, I breathed a sigh of relief: if my fears do come true, here’s the solution. ‘Don’t worry, sweetheart,’ I told myself (I’m very kind to myself), ‘just leave the money in the bank for a week and get some advice – there are expert professionals here to guide you through these complexities.’.
But after reading this blog post, I’m not so sure anymore. I don’t think you’ll be much help. Here’s what it says: «how I want to live from that moment onwards» (direct quote)
First of all, I want to celebrate. What’s the point of an occasion like this if you can’t share it with the people you love? And I can’t see myself phoning my brother to say: «I’ve won the lottery, let’s go and stuff ourselves with prawns, but bring your card, as we’ll split the bill – it’s just that right now I’ve got it all tied up in a fixed-term deposit until next year, and as I’m still paying off the mortgage…»
I’d like to share this next. My third niece has signed up for driving lessons. Shall I splash out a bit and pay for them? And I’ve got a dozen nieces and nephews (their mums and dads are family too – hey, you! – and they might be hoping for a proper treat).
I want to keep my friendships going. A bit of extra cash would come in handy for that. Guys, I’ll treat you to dinner and a jazz concert! But it’s a bit of a hassle. Tagging along for free every time would spoil the good vibes. And besides, they won’t have as much free time as I do – my friends have jobs, after all. You’ve got to spend your spare cash sensibly so as not to throw things out of balance.
My car is already fifteen years old, and today it’s back at the garage again. If I didn’t live in the middle of the countryside, I might well buy a travel pass with the prize money. Do I have to wait until it’s earned enough interest to replace it? By the way, my partner’s car is from the same era, and when the road goes uphill, you have to pedal to get to the top.
Oh my, that trip to Canada you’ve been longing for… the time has come to discover what lies beyond Chinchón.
I want a job. I’ve already said that all the people I enjoy spending time with are working. And from now on, I’ll have too much free time to devote solely to myself and my partner. How about starting a business – «that thing» I’ve always wanted to do? And what’s more, your cousin has suggested you invest in a project she’s working on? Whatever you think is best, darling – of course I’d be happy to.
And finally, I want a new home. One that’s better quality and a bit bigger – yes, I’d like a couple more bedrooms. And a little garden. And a library. And two parking spaces. Or three, for that matter…
Hmm… I’m afraid that trying to reconcile the above with your advice and having the poles of my sunshade fall over are one and the same thing. Oh well. There’s no way round it. We’re destined to swell the ranks of the impoverished millionaires. And I’m not at all sure I’d want it any other way.
It strikes me that being a millionaire isn’t a status, like being from Valencia, but rather a profession, like being a plumber. To be a millionaire, you need skill and a calling; money is merely the tool. That’s why, if the money falls into the hands of, say, Dalamar, I imagine he’ll make a very flash millionaire and hardly «broke» at all; and if it falls into «our» hands, it’ll sweep into our lives like a wave; we’ll ride the cash right to the top, and then we’ll take a proper tumble. (The sand’s soft, isn’t it?)
»Thanks, lads. You gave it a go."
My dear Pilar, our comments tomorrow…