Bloganuary writing prompt: What would you do if you won the lottery?

I’m one of those folks that automatically go for the nuances, the catches, and the myriad of ways something can go differently. Thanks, anxiety! My answer would depend on how big the winnings are. But let’s pretend it’s enough money to cover everything I want to do.

First, the Responsible Things. In addition to paying down my debts, I’m buying a house, buying a solid car, and retiring early. Preferably it’ll be some land where I can plop a modest-size one-story semi-smart house, and a shed somewhere on the property. Lots of patio. Then I’m getting my teeth fixed– all the dental stuff I couldn’t afford to do, I’m doing it. Probably all at once to get it over with, and just recover at the new crib.

If I’m living alone, that’ll be that. But I’ll have plenty of space for a partner’s garden, another’s getaway, and another’s crafting area. And regardless, there’s going to be a huge dining room table for board game nights.

Now, we’re going to be indulgent: elaborate tattoos, a gaming rig that actually plays modern games, a new laptop (still, with Linux!), wardrobe refresh/additions, jewelry that doesn’t turn green, mysteriously lose 30 pounds, obtain a small library complete with comfy chairs, a media room, and a few gadgets that caught my eye.

…Okay, one more indulgence: I’ll have all the streaming services and give out the logins to anyone that wants one.

I’d give Empire the proper ending it deserves. I’d bring back Freaks and Geeks. I’ll pay off Nicki Minaj to stop embarrassing herself.

All that is stuff off the top of my head. But let me tell you what I wish and daydream about the most.

I want my mom to have a house in the location she loves. I want my youngest sib to be secure with the best tech and have the car my dad always said I could buy: some red fancy thing. I want us to have a house close to the beach.

I want to donate to local queer charities so I won’t have to see them shut down only after seven years of existing. I want programs and buildings that actually give a shit about the homeless. I’ll resurrect Comic Girl Coffee. I’ll heavily patronize the businesses of people of color.

I want to help out, if not outright rescue, my loved ones anywhere in the country that are having a hard time. I want to declare: I got you. Just exist and create art. I’ll meet the goal of every mutual aid post that comes across my feed.

I want a row or a tiny neighborhood of all my friends and partners and metas and cool people (a commune, that’s a commune).

I want to know the feeling of knowing that your bills are always paid.

I want to see the doctor without worrying if it’ll cost me.

My savings account would actually have some money in it.

I want the setbacks to be mere hiccups.

Taking trips around the world or a McMansion are the farthest from my mind. Because let’s be real, I’m a broke millennial– the dream for me is the basics.