Here’s what Paul Allen (Microsoft co-founder) did with his billions. What would you do?
Paul Allen is the unsung other founder of Microsoft and yeah, he has billions of dollars. He’s done lots of awesome things with those dollars, including buying a few sports teams, partying with rock stars and founding an institute devoted to brain cancer.
I started thinking about what I’d do, other than super awesome charitable stuff, which of course would be first. And other than taking care of the family, which would be tied for first.
Here are the FUN things I’d want to do:
– I’d go on a Europe cruise. Always wanted to do that.
– I’d go see the pyramids. I can’t even begin to imagine what seeing them in real life must be like.
– Buy the Falcons. Wait, another billionaire already did that. Dang. In that case, I’d bring a major tennis tour stop to Atlanta. If anyone with a marketing brain had been involved with the previous ones, we’d have the fifth slam here. This town loves tennis, no reason we wouldn’t have an amazing pro tournament.
– And I’d buy ALTA (Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association), because I think I could do it better.
– I’d go to all four grand slam semis and finals weekends. Front row.
What would YOU do?
I would buy an island, populate it with engineers and creatives at my expense and create “silicon island”.
Nice! I wish I had thought of that!
Here’s what I would do if I had billions:
– I’d try to buy Augusta National. If that wouldn’t work, I’d design/build/run my own golf course.
– I’d go to all four major golf tournaments (including the Ryder Cup)
– I would buy/build a mansion in Australia (for @amygriz)
Outside of philanthropy, I would spend most of that play money on experiential type things over material. Don’t get me wrong, I’d have a nicer than average house (with a room dedicated to ping pong and a man cave…probably the same room) but would travel a ton.
– Go to England and see where the 4 minute mile was broken and have a drink at the pub where CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien use to hang out.
-Go on a European tour and see things like the Coliseum, the Louvre, Parthenon…the usual
-Hike up the Matterhorn and go to Japan to do Mt Fuji.
-Go to a casino in Monaco, wearing a tux and drinking a martini and gamble with absurd amounts of money. Would make sure whatever chamber music they had in there played the Bond theme when I walked in the door. After I won all my money back, I’d drive away in a Bentley.
-Have courtside seats at every Final Four.
-Buy the Yankees, change their colors to rainbow, then auction off on ebay with a reserve of $2.50.
How did I know that u would a) do some badass golf stuff + b) you’d use this as an opp to get in good standing with @amygriz?
Because he’s a good husband like that. ;)
Ha, this is definitely worth a read. Brilliant stuff DH, especially the Yankees part ;)
Buy a giant house – big enough to need a staff (cook, butler, maids, groundskeeprs, security, etc.)
Private jet(s) – with crew
Buy a tropical island
Buy a chateau in France – with a vineyard
Rent the palace at Versailles and throw a lavish party
Hire a yacht and cruise the Mediterranean for a few months
Eat more caviar
Go on a private, over-the-top, safari in Africa
Wait, I thought you already HAD billions… did I miss something?
I would buy at least one condo that costs at least 300k in LA, New York, Madrid, Paris, a few in Moscow and maybe one somewhere else. I would also buy a few businesses so they will give me a very very high steady monthly income, and I won’t have to spend the rest of the money I have. And of course, nice cars, iphone, nice expensive clothes, and other nice expensive things come in role. Also, I would save money for education, because you know how expensive education is. And of course, nice furniture, etc etc. :)
I would put up most of the condos for rent, and just live in one of them :) steady floww of income :)