What would you do with $325 million? That question has been floating around quite a bit over the past few days. Lotto fever seems to be in full swing with the super-sized Mega Millions jackpot.

Now, I’m not exactly a big lottery nut. However, I do jump on the bandwagon when the jackpot gets big. This week’s drawing has had me dreaming up my lotto list over the past few day – all the things I would do with all of that money.  It goes something like this:

1) I’d hire a really good lawyer and financial advisor. I’d do this even before I cashed in the ticket. I would make sure I had everything ready to go so I could start spending as soon as I got that money in my hand.
2) I would then take some vacation days. (I don’t think I would quite work if I hit it big – at least not at first. I really do enjoy my job, so I would keep reporting. Of course, I just might take a lot of extra time off without pay.) I would then fly to the Riviera Maya in Mexico for a couple weeks. I would headquarter there while I plotted what to do with my financial windfall.
3) I would play off my house, car, and student loans. I would also pay off my parents’ and sisters’ homes. I would also create college trust funds for my son, and nieces and nephews.
4) I would make LOTS of charitable donations. The Red Cross would top my list (especially the Henry County Chapter – I’m on the board.) I would also create some scholarships at schools I have attended and buy some equipment for the Ohio Northern University broadcasting and theater departments. The United Way would get a chunk of money, as would the Toledo Zoo, Toledo Art Museum, and the Cherry Street Mission. I would also consult friends and family and donate money to their favorite charities in their names.
5) I only have a couple a ‘splurge items’ I would spend my dough on right away. I would buy myself and expensive, designer handbag. I don’t even know which designer. I just know I would spend a ridiculous amount of money on a purse. I would also buy my husband the Audi SUV he’s been eying.

That is really the only spending I would do if I one the lottery. Of course, I’m sure other things will come up. But hey, I’ll have $325 million. I can worry about the small stuff while I sit back and sip a frilly, coconut drink under a palm tree.