Job Discussion Forums

fluffyhamster · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 9:08 pm Post subject: If you won the lottery...

...would you immediately quit your teaching job, and even give up teaching entirely?

I heard today of a lottery syndicate of 12 UK bus drivers who each won slightly over a �3 million share of a �38 million Euromillions jackpot. To a man they all decided to not go in to work the next day, and are probably all now resigning. (The cartoon accompanying the story was funny: "Typical! You wait ages for a bus and then 3 Aston Martins drive past at the same time". What is it with lotto winners that many of them suddenly want to splash out on a fancy car?).
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2116631/EuroMillions-winner-Day-12-drivers-win-38m-turns-work.html

Teaching is a lot more interesting than bus driving, but is it interesting enough that you'd want to continue doing it for long if you had a big nice bundle of cash sitting in the bank?

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I don't have to now (have other project work that pays the bills), but I would miss it. Yeah, I'd continue teaching, though I might get pickier about who/what/how. Very Happy

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

I would continue working. I like it. Even 3 million pounds can go by in a hurry, plus I have some specific practical uses (immediate and future) that will use up the bulk of it.

It's the future uses that people need to think of, IMO. Being richer won't change me as a person.

BobStrauss · Joined: 01 Feb 2012 Posts: 16

With three million pounds?

I'd put 2,750,000 into a stock/bond allocation and withdraw 2% on it (55,000) per annum until retirement.

With the remaining 250,000 pounds I would pay off my student loans and pursue a doctoral degree in applied linguistics. I'd focus on publications and becoming established in academia.

Life would be gooooooooooooooood.

sparks · Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 632

DebMer · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 12:43 am Post subject:

They say most people who win big in the lottery are flat broke within very little time, because they've never learned to manage money.

I wouldn't want to stop working permanently, but would finish homeschooling my kids and then teach part time and spend the rest of my time learning to grow fruits and veggies.

sharter · Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 878 Location: All over the place

I would quit the second I got the cheque and I'd then buy a bar in a hot country and a Mac Donald's franchise,

Opiate · Joined: 10 Aug 2011 Posts: 630 Location: Qingdao

I'd find a country with clean air and decent surfing. When I finished hacking China out of my lungs I'd buy a small house for my family. Maybe open a book shop or coffee house or bar or something. Would not really look to make money out of it, breaking even would be fine.

artemisia · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 875 Location: the world

My favourite subject! I'm certain I'm going to win the next big one. too.. No, I like teaching English language but I'd ditch it (not immediately) for my first love, which would probably involve teaching anyway. I'd have plenty of projects to keep me going - no need for a regular 9 to 5 job.

cmp45 · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 1475 Location: KSA

ah I think everyone at one time or other has daydreamed about winning big!
I am approaching retirement anyways, so would definitely pack in the teaching and get the hell out of 'Dodge' to indulge in my second passion... as a full time artist- making ART all day long in my studio and hire someone to sell my art work in a funky shop just across from the seaside tourist cafe. Of course I would also invest in a few local businesses to provide a few jobs and serve the community that I am living in...where ever that may be...somewhere pleasantly laid back with fresh air and beautiful scenery. Wink

Teacher in Rome · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Posts: 1286

Apart from buying the Aston Martin bit, I think that most people's dreams are actually more within their grasp than they think. (And maybe even an Aston Martin isn't too much of a stretch perhaps.)

There's nothing to stop an artist from making art (and finding someone to sell it on commission - no sales no fees) - like there's nothing to stop you from studying slavic languages or whatever in your spare time.

I'm not getting at anyone here, just pointing out that if you have a dream, or a vision, a plan can very often get you there.

Mike_2007 · Joined: 24 Apr 2007 Posts: 349 Location: Bucharest, Romania

I won the lottery. I'm still teaching.

contented · Joined: 17 Oct 2011 Posts: 136 Location: اسطنبول

Mike_2007 · Joined: 24 Apr 2007 Posts: 349 Location: Bucharest, Romania

A tenner

cmp45 · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 1475 Location: KSA

Teacher in Rome what you say is correct....no need to win the lottery to make dreams come true...I am actually living my dream life now (sort of...ideally... I should be teaching in a place like Bali!) earning a living doing what I enjoy and also have free time to pursue my other passion-art.
However instant wealth would free a person from the tedious worries of the mundane day to day problems of wondering where the money will come from to pay the bills and have enough to retire on. It allows one to achieve more...'loftier' or perhaps more 'frivolous self indulgent' pursuits with out the financial worries....at least that is the ideal...rarely does it turn out that way in reality...more money usually equals more problems Laughing

I would not enjoy having to make art to pay the bills; just too much pressure! blech! Teaching in KSA has solved that portion of the dream- plan for now...hardly my ideal location, but it is what it is... Laughing