Summary

The author reflects on the concept of wealth, concluding that despite not having millions, they lead a fulfilling life akin to that of a rich person, with freedom, time, and creativity, and discusses how they would utilize a sudden influx of wealth to enhance their lifestyle and contribute to society.

Abstract

The author, inspired by a story tag from Chris Hedges, ponders the idea of wealth and concludes that they are already living a rich life without millions. They enjoy the freedom to do what they want, travel, and spend time with family. The author lives in Southern Spain, where a modest income allows for a high quality of life, and where healthcare and education are affordable. With a hypothetical million dollars, the author believes they could live comfortably without working. If they were "filthy rich," they would invest in a nursing home with their husband, live off-grid with a sustainable home and eco-garden, start an animal sanctuary, build an eco-school, and support regenerative business models. They would also take care of family members and start a trust fund for their daughter.

Opinions

The author values freedom and personal time over traditional markers of wealth.
They believe that in Southern Spain, a million dollars could provide a lifetime of financial security.
The author places high importance on sustainable living and education, planning to invest in eco-friendly projects.
Family is a priority, with plans to have their husband stop working abroad and move permanently to Spain, as well as to bring their father to live with them due to his worsening arthritis.
The author sees wealth as an opportunity to give back, mentioning the creation of a trust fund for their daughter and paying off their brother's debts.
They appreciate the universal healthcare system in the EU and the affordability of private health insurance in Spain.
The author's concept of wealth includes the ability to engage in creative projects and to help and inspire others by tagging favorite writers to join in the daydreaming and writing.

If I Was Rich One Day

Thank you to Chris Hedges, I got tagged in her story If I Came Into Some Money sparked by Timothy Key and Kevin Buddaeus. The idea of being rich made me think. After thorough thinking, I had a hard time coming up with answers because the truth is I am already living a rich woman’s life without the millions.

I do all day what I want, I don’t report to anyone, my last day of work was in March 2018. Since then I have traveled to 11 countries. I go on vacation whatever I please. For example, this week I took my daughter with her friend to Costa Tropical for mini-vacation to enjoy the beach and sun after 9 weeks of lockdown.

My life is similar to Lucien Lecarme story:

I Don’t Own A House, Didn’t Build A Career… I Am 52 and Blissfully Happy

how to be a millionaire without having much money

medium.com

I feel really fortunate to have the freedom and time to spend time with my daughter and be creative every day in a beautiful country.

However, let’s assume I have got One Million dollars as suggested by Kevin. Also, Tim includes this number in his story as well. Tim writes that this amount wouldn’t be enough to stop working entirely. But it depends where you live.

If I Were Rich

Sure, we are all rich in a lot of ways, but what if we had a bunch of money too?

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For example, here in Southern Spain, it would be more than plenty to never work again. I live now on $25k a year (and I can get by on less without sacrificing your quality of life); therefore, if you calculate $25k per year with 1 million that makes 40 years of doing nothing.

Besides, I can live off the interest if I invest.

In Spain, I don’t have to save for my daughter’s university because the school fees are minimal, around 3600 Euros for a 4-years education.

I don’t need to save money for healthcare expenditures because the EU has a universal healthcare system and one of the best in the world. Also, I have Spanish private health insurance as well which is 150 Euros a month for all of us and covers 100% everything.

The food is fresh, local, and cheap. I don’t need much money for this either.

In conclusion, it really depends on the country you live in and how far the $$$ can go and with 1 million I would be well off in Spain.

Photo by Kia DeCou of Alhambra Palace in Granada

Let’s assume, I am filthy rich ( which means more than 1 Million).

What the hell will I spend the money on?

Firstly, I would tell my husband to stop working in the US and stay permanently with us in Spain. Currently, he works 6 months per year in the US as a travel nurse and 6 months he spent his time with us here in Spain.

I would open a retirement nursing home on the Costa del Sol with my husband. Only because I know, he needs to do something and he will go nuts without working.

I would live off-grid but close to the town where I would build a sustainable house with an eco-garden and start an animal sanctuary for me and my daughter.

I would invest money in building an eco-school in Southern Spain where children would be learning about sustainable living.

I would start a business that includes Desiree Driesenaar Regenerative Business Model:

Regenerative Business Models: 8 Steps for Existing Companies

Not all companies have the guts to start from scratch, here is what you CAN do to speed up your transition process

medium.com

I would continue with my creative projects.

I would move my father to live with me in Spain because his arthritis is getting worse.

And the same as Chris, I would start a trust fund for my daughter and pay of my brother’s debts who is notoriously paying off loans.

I am tagging a few of my favorite writers to join the day-dreaming writing fun: Erwin C, Chowa Sekai, Desiree Driesenaar, Lucy Milanova, Trista Ainsworth, Terry Mansfield, Aurora Eliam, CMP, Michele Thill, Karen Madej 💛, conny manero, and Kathryn A. LeRoy, Ph.D.