I won a lot of money but don't want anyone knowing because everyone will be asking me for cash. How do I spend my money without everyone knowing I'm practically rich now?
You definitely need to give me your address and phone number so we can discuss this in person. Oh wait, now I’m just one of those long-lost family members coming out of the woodwork. But, we did have a child together so you’re probably legally required to cut me in on this. I’ll have my lawyer call yours. No biggie.
Well, here’s the thing: you can’t really have it both ways if you’re planning on making extravagant purchases. So, you buy a new mansion. Eventually people are going to start wondering why you moved, where and how you could afford it. Ditto when you buy that new yacht that you’ve never talked about or expressed an interest in – ever.
The easiest thing would be to make small purchases or the odd big purchase gradually. At the same time, can you really keep this exciting secret from EVERYBODY for very long? Really?
Short of disappearing without a trace from everyone in your life now, I’m not sure it’s possible to have a large sum of money that you’re going to start spending in big quantities.
There is a blanket rule you can have for everyone: no money – no way, no how. It sounds like you wouldn’t have a problem saying no since you’re largely against sharing it, anyway.
Are you concerned about people asking you for huge amounts or just everybody hitting you up for something and it getting annoying? You could always set a limit and certain criteria that if met, you’d fulfil the request. No more than $500 and it must be for something health or pet related. Someone needs to buy their medication, sure, you’ll shell out a hundred bucks. If it does check off the predetermined boxes and/or is over the dollar amount, then it’s a no. And you can explain that to whoever is begging and say that’s the rule for everyone across the board – take it or leave it. Well, sounds like they’d be leaving it because there’d be nothing to take.
I've never had a ton of money before but our bosses do. So, I asked the national radio host, bestselling author and owner of two houses and two office buildings how he handles people asking for money.
"I don't give people money," he said. "I do the same thing for physical items. Everyone knows we get a ton of free products from companies as radio show giveaways and it never fails that a relative asks for an iPhone or a laptop as though they don't see anything strange about asking for a thousand-dollar item from someone they barely talk to (me)."
I took it one step further and asked what would happen if he won a multimillion-dollar lottery. Would he have the same stance? He thought about it for a good 20 seconds before answering.
"I'd think about how the person has supported me in my life," he said. "Have they ever bought one of my books? Can they name one of my books? Have they listened to me on the radio? Have they reached out on my birthday? If they haven't, then it's a definite no. Honestly, I'd stick with just the first point: have they ever bought one of my books? If they know me well enough to hit me up for money, I expect in 15 years they'll have bought a book to support me. If they haven't committed $15 in all this time, screw 'em."