Well, the way I see it we need new moral systems based on reason and understanding rather than authority and presedence as they are now. In a broader view, we need a systematic comprehensive description of how we can get from here to a future ecology where humans can survive over biological time periods. If I had a year… or less, I could finish that. The trick is convincing the progressives is easy. You have to appeal to those that are conservative by showing that you can preserve what is important while introducing the needed changes.

I am 56 years old and have been substitute teaching-with 80K I would finish my swchool so I can teach art at all levels even college- I would get my Doctorate in art education. If you teach someone you change the world not only for you but for the future. I worked for years making weapons of war, cars and many things- but I feel the need to give back to the world and make it a better place to live. Art may not seem important to schools-but what it can do for some kids is the difference. I teach special kids alot and the idea that some of these kids can express their feelings, or accompolish things that the “brainy” can’t is so touching and helpful. I will get there as far as finishing my school-just with that money I could do it so much sooner-and help so many more kids!

I would pack up my backpack, hop on a plane to a Himalayan destination, and let the year unfold as it would… who knows where it would lead me, both outwardly and inwardly!

Over the past five years since my husband’s untimely death.(Due to an auto accident) Life for my son and myself has been difficult in many ways. We’ve gone through joblessness, lack of food, etc. At the moment we are without transportation, my son is unemployed (not by choice), and we are behind on our rent. Things aren’t good. But the two of us work together, as we always have. We never give up.
If I were to be blessed with the 80k? First, bills would be caught up. We would find a decent vehicle.Then my son would be able to go to college as he’s hoped to. After that, I would look in to making my life better. Maybe going back to school myself.
There would be others I’d like to help too. That have helped us over the years.
It would be such a blessing! I honestly couldn’t imagine it.

I am a medical student,who needs a scholarship and its been hard getting on on my own,if i get that kind of money,i will first have to pay my school fees,i mean all,then i will save and try to invest with the money,might get into buisness,selling medical stuffs and all..

Hypothetically, education. Realistically, I don’t know. Plans are always subject to change.

I am a mother of three daughters ages 22, 20, and 13. I am a wife of 24 years. I have been on my job for 23 years at Shands Hospital. My position at the hospital is a Credentials and Provider Enrollment Specialist(a busy job). If I had a years off with 80 thousand dollars I would go back to school, spend more time with my family, travel and visit as well as help the members of my family who are sick and need assistant physically. I would spend more time with my parents who are now at the ages of 72 and 79 years old just make sure they have no worries or concerns. If time allows me I would definitely like to travel and visit the beach to just rest and enjoy life. I would also like to take the time to re-doccorate my home by painting, re-arranging furniture and replacing the floor tile. For that year I would just enjoy my time.

I would finish paying off my house – that would take 10k of it. I would have my bathroom fixed up – that would take 5k of it. I would adopt a dog – which wouldn’t take but a ‘drop in the bucket’ of it, but would put enough of it aside to cover vet and care expenses for him/her for it’s anticipated life expectancy. I would make a generous donation to my Humane Society of choice. I would visit my brother in Texas whom I haven’t seen in years. And I would have enough to finish paying for my son’s college education. It would be nice at my age (almost 54) to not have to work 60+ hours a week in order to make the money to keep him in college. And I would thank God every day for this blessing that made my life and the lives of those I care about a little nicer.

First I would send my son to a heart specialist. He has suffered 8 heart attacks @ age 31 and we can not afford to get him the help that he needs. The next thing I would do is give my daughter the wedding that she deserves and dreams of. My husband died about 9 yrs ago(at age 45) and since then I have been treading water. I have had to file bankruptcy but able to maintain my head above water but barely. This is what I would attempt with 80K

I would set aside some for school first. Then I would spend the year and party like a Rock Star, travel to wherever I wanted and live it up. If I survived the year then I would return and finish my education

I would enjoy my time more. Travel, read, finish writing my book, finish remodeling my house and redoing my landscaping. I would also spend more time with my children and my husband. I would also finish my degree.

If I had $80,000 I would say thank you Jesus first. I would first take my tithe money off the top which would allow my church to finish two houses in the neighborhood.
Then buy a small condo for my husband and I to spend the rest of our days in. I would give each one of my children a little cushion to help them just live more than survive.
Have some fun and go to Hawaii for a week or two.
Lastly but foremost I would put headstone on my Aunt’s grave. I just lost her on April 1st.

There’s alot I could do with $80K. I would love to put a down payment on a house and start working on it as a surprise to my newlywed husband who deployed to Iraq just weeks after we got married. Care packages would go to out all the soldiers in his unit to let them know they’re thought of, and haven’t been forgotten. My student loans would be paid off (as this is a big burden on our new family) and my very unreliable junk car would be upgraded to another (gently used) vehicle. A great deal of the money would be put into savings accounts to gain interest, and my parents would definitely get a nice “gift” check to help pay their bills, and start saving for my little brother to go to college. $80K would definitely change alot of people’s lives in my family, extended family, and “military family”, all of whom have been an incredible blessing to us.

Heaven sent, that would be the word I would use. $80,000.00 is an awful lot of money for a retired person on a fixed income.
The first thing I would do is buy a house for each of my two son’s and their families, wherever they wanted to live. Then I would buy each of them a new vehicle, then buy myself myself a new car.I would pay for a search for my three grandchildren that I have not seen in 15 years. Then I would travel around the globe, starting in Ireland and going wherever the wind decided to take me from there. If I found a place that suited me, I would buy myself a nice little place and settle there.
One must always have a dream and that is mine.

Well, $80,000 would be great but that’s not 2/3 MY salary, so I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to travel the world, etc. I would pretty much have to live the same as I am now because about 1/2 my take-home salary is rent, etc. Remember, we’d still have our same bills to pay.
Maybe I could go spend some time in china where I lived for a couple years, because it’s cheap to live there on a US salary, and deepen my Chinese language skills. I could possibly do some traveling there.
The main thing is, for those of who don’t earn high salaries, we’d have TIME, so it’s basically asking how we’d spend our days if our basic bills were paid already.

I would spend more time with my girls and remodel my kitchen. I would work on things that have been pushed aside and I would focus on what I consider important.
I think it would be great.

I’d pay off my student loans, hospital and get a job. 80k is just a drop in the bucket.

As a 23 year old struggling to stay in full time permanent employment due to the current climate I have no car and live with parents. I would use the money to pay off any debts I have and to put a huge deposit together for a nice affordable home. It is so hard for youngsters these days to get a mortgage and that is without having a £20-$25k deposit when it is hard to get a secure job.

I would definitely try to get out of debt so that my children won’t suffer the consequences of my past expense choices. I would prepare better for my retirement (I’m 60 and with the economy the way it is the little I had put away (invested) is diminishing with the stock market, etc. current and recent past performance). I would enjoy my grandchildren even more and take them on a trip to see my mother in Florida who turns 85 this month. I can think of so much I would do with that money!

I would first give thanks to God, pay my tithes, publish my books, Buy a home and a car,Help indigent people, make some dreams come true. Pray for God’s leading on what is left.

$80,000 is a decent amount of money after taxes. I would pay off my husbands debt from his previous marriage so we could afford to move out of his parents home and get into one of our own. I would definitely finish my BA that I have had to postpone to help pay bills. I then would give some money to my mom to help renovate her home and some money to my sister whom is working on her degree but just lost her job due to them closing down. Last but not least I would donate money to the Autistic Society of America for autism awareness.

Well, I am pregnant with my first child, so I would use the money to pay for pre- and post-natal care (which insurance does not cover), outfit the nursery, and take a long maternity leave to spend time with my husband and our new child. Unfortunately I have a considerable amount of debt (much of which is student loans) and this amount would be just perfect to cover my monthly payments and allow for normal monthly expenses such as groceries. It would be wonderful!

Would not quit my job but pay my bills and go back to school. $80,000 can go very fast especially this days. Put the rest in the bank for my daughter

People, People, People – take the money – pay off debt (hopefully you don’t have but we all know that’s a joke for most people) – save the rest and then get another job. This is why the country is in such a mess. Nobody and I mean nobody wants to save for a rainy day or retirement. They expect to spend, spend, spend and then ask the government, friends or family to get them out of their self made mess.

I would pay my debts and work for the Lord and spend more time with my grandchildren.

i would pay off debt, all of it,$10,000.Then bank the rest.But must admit, i would take $1000, go buy something nice i always wanted and take a weekend trip. And for as the time off, i would definitely get a part time job, and go back to school, so when i do return to the work force full time, i will have a better resume….

I would either go back to school for an advanced degree, or do aid,missionary,environmental volunteer work. Maybe I could combine the two. The money would go for living expenses, pay bills, tuition and savings. Interesting to think about, wish it would happen to me!

My debt increased when my parents died. So I would definitely put some toward that. I would look into helping my sister get more money into her retirement plan. She cared for our ill parents until their deaths 3 and 4 years ago. She had to get employed shortly after and late in her life. I would find the best facility available in our area for my mentally and physically challenged brother who currently lives with me and my 2 sisters. This has been quite difficult. Talk about a major life change for him especially, and us all in loosing both parents within one year of eachother. I would also definitely go back to school and make a career change.

If i have 80,000 dollars, i will deposit in the bank and look for another job.I will pay my debts,send money to my family back home
which i always do especially to my daughter,help my sisters back home
in their small business that’s suffering due to economy there,send
money to repair our house too!Houses in Asia were easily ruin due to
the long season of rain.When it comes to helping my family back home,
if i have in my hands,i will give away,but it depends on the necessity
of their needs,if it is emergency,i give right away,but my family
never ask me if it is not urgent needs,like hospital bills or to buy
medicines.

Honestly, I would pay up on my credit cards, put part of this in an annuity and the rest I would use to spend what time my son has left and enjoy our time together doing small weekend trips and maybe make it to Italy if he was up to it.

I would pay bills and stay home and take care of my new Grand-baby. He would not have to go to Day-Care for one year. I would be so excited to (teach) him every day. I would also do some extra Bible Studing as I do not have much time for that these days and I love it so much.

I would pay off all my debt.My home needs a lot of repairs,I would have that done. Give some of the money to my children and grandchildren. Give some of the money to my church and no I would not quit my job.I would more time with my family.

I would pay off my debt, QUIT my current job, spend time with my family, and volunteer as a Guardian Ad Litem.

I would pay bills and stay home and take care of my new Grand-baby for a year. I would love teaching him every day, instead of takeing him to a day-care. I would also do some extra Bible studying. I do not have a lot of time for this these day, and I love it so much!

I’ve been a musician for forty years but I wasn’t able to do it full time, I always wanted to…
I would play music full time and compose music to heal and teach a happier life style.

I think first people have to remember that these people are making $240,000.00 a year right now. $80,000.00 is a significant cut in pay – but for the time off, I’d do it. But for many, $80,000 will not nearly sustain their lifestyle or even living expenses for a year. SO it’s not as if you’re just gonna get this windfall of money, most of them probably make bonuses of $80,000 a year over & above their salaries. If you have investments or savings that will sustain you for the year, there’s not gonna be a pile of money for you to use to pay debts, etc. Some will be using the money as living expenses, on tuition or any number of necessities. It is probably a tough decision for some and while that year off will be amazing, many will still have to look carefully at their expenses for the coming year.

If I had all this money I would pay all my bills and fix up my house, then I would travel to see my family whom I haven’t seen in ages because I didn’t have the money to go see them. Upon my return I would do volunteer work at the hospital.

I don’t believe in such a huge amount of money,i get used living from
paycheck to paycheck,just my own paycheck alone i almost short of making ends meet.,although i have a father,he is disable but he is
receiving small amount of disability benefit from the government 2
months ago,thanks to Obama’s 1 year EDD comp.to unemployed people and disable like my father.I would rather not put that 80k in my small
brains,everyday living is all i have,80k can only happen in my dreams,but even in dreaming,i cannot afford now,my prince charming in my dream is always mad at me,next time,i will show my police clearance to him so he will stop his suspicion of me,maybe,that will
help,if it does,i will continue dreaming of him,but now,i have stopped
i will just enjoy the company of my 2 loyal friends,Emily and Elizabeth as long as i live in the neighborhood.

A great collective idea of perserving while restoring others dreams unfulfilled! Go America! I would paint murals all over the city to inspire hope and joy in the future. Seed, cultivatuion, harvest would be the theme. Artist, Carole. http://www.CreateForYou.net

As with some of your comments myself as well as numerous others are caught up in living from one pay check to the next. Spending a good deal of ones time joggling bills instead of seeing some of the best things that are free.
I would pursue my art interest, open a studio and volunteer my time
to elderly care & children’s centers to hold art and appreciation classes. It is never too late to open ones eyes and see the real beauty of what surrounds us everyday, but we fail to notice due to our consumption of time with fear, worry and doubt.

Wow – what an opportunity. After giving the Lord His portion, I would like to invest a portion of it, pay off some debt, the rest invest in the Health Ministry we have. We teach people to get healthy and stay healthy – all naturally. We would do more Health Expos/Fairs. We would take the health message to more places/people.

I would budget so my bills would be paid as required. I would pay off the three low balance credit cards I have and pay off some bills for my parents who have been living angels in my life and the lives of my children. If it were possible, I would just give all of it to them because they so deserve it! I have a love for children and animals so I would finish writing my book and volunteer with children, animals, or both. My heart is with people, so I would definitely invest my time in those areas.

I agree with you Anna,on serving the Lord in a greater degree like working in a Hospital to serve the sick people.I have been a health
care professional back in my country.I have serve well even when i was still a student,i have done a perfect job by taking the step of my
profession in bloodtyping the patient in an emergency hospital while
everyone was on panic over a man bathing with his own blood.I have saved his life by my simple action of blood typing and correcting the released blood bags for transfusion to a correct blood type of this patient in the middle of the panic of my laboratory team.I believe that God will grant the desire of my heaRT to serve him in a higher level.I may not see it coming for now,but this desire still lives in my heart and i am praying for God’s light to find my heart worthy of service in a professional level.I pray for help from people of God to guide me through with my deep desire to serve God more.

I am amazed at the responses! What would I do with $80k? First I would give back a portion and thank God for the blessing. Second, I will pay off all my debt,then I would take my family on a much needed vacation for a week. And what ever is left I would save!

OOOpppsss…i am lost again with my response?But,80k is still not lost on my responses i believe,because if you will give the Lord his
portion,He will give you back more than just 80k,it may not as in real
80k,but divine blessings that no amount of money can equal the provision of His promises you keep.Now,that make sense!

I would travel, find an agent and get the book I’ve already written published. Plus, I would begin a new book. I would also invest in some website designs for both my husband and myself so we could both make money doing what we are passionate about.

I would first give God his portion. In giving him first you can’t beat his giving. All the bills would be paid off. Then the travel, the leisure and all the things I couldn’t do before would begin. Spending quality time with my husband, more time at my church, and caring for the grandchildren would be on the top of my list as well.
I am waiting for this type of blessing!!!!!!!!

I really am not sure where I would Begin! But I would do work where I am needed with the Cancer patients, or the poor in this country -people who need ride’s to Tx: or even help to get things done at there homes – Help the poor who are hungry and need help with there families to get by- I think I would be very busy as times are hard right here at home right now! I then as I always wanted to would take a trip to Ireland and over to Italy! Boy hard to Imagine But a GREAT DREAM! More Profitable EMPLOYERS should give to there employee’s like that so that good people can do and give more to society! You can not take it with YOU! So much Greed in these time’s we need to PRAY!

Don’t know where to begin, as live on on 8500.00 a year. I would pay off all of my bills, as well as catch up on my monthly bills. I would then help out my kids if i still have anything left. Then I would be able to maybe buy a gift for each of my 8 grandchildren. I know money can’t buy happiness, only God can truly provide our happiness, but money can help me to survive. It is only a dream, but a nice dream none the less. God bless all.

I WILL TITHE MY PORTION TO THE LORDS HOUSE,PAY OFF DEBTS,WORK TO PURCHASE A HOME FOR MY FAMILY AND SHARE THE REST OF THE GOODS WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.TO MUCH IS GIVING,MUCH IS EXPECTED.I’D LIKE THAT!

1st Tithe to God His Portion , Continue to do God’s work, give to Gods Kingdom for the Spreading of the Gospel, payoff my bills, so the rest of my time and life could be spent Doing GODS (His) Will for His Purposes.

I am a firm believer in the power of positive thinking.. Positive energy. If every thing in your life is felt on a positive bases, then what you truely BELIEVE,Will happen. I’ll put a wager on the fact that every one working for this particular Firm is strong willed. I’ll bet every one thats benifi
ting from this Firms proposal has had a very stong belief that some thing good was going to happen to them in the very near future…. Sure enough. I believe we were made in our Higher Powers Image. This being so,Then We were made The very best. We deserve the best. If every one Would take the time to just Smile a real Smile, Help some one out.. This Sure would be one heck of a Happy,Positive World. Times are Tough,Society is tough. People are mad. when we are mad all the time, then more rotten things happen. When we are genuinely happy(think about it)It seems as thought every thing is fantastic.
Congrats to all the People at the Firm on your well deserved time off and comfortable income. Don’t forget to thank your Higher Power for the gift of believing.

I actually did just that– self-declared and took a year’s (unpaid) leave off from my work at the university in 2007-08 — even if I didn’t have enough saved for a year’s time off (just for the next month or two)!
Crazy, I know, but I have learned that when the spirit is tired and really running low… nothing else matters. So, it was a leap of faith for me. I just told, “God, you know how terribly terribly tired and weary I am… soul-tired… and I’m declaring this for me and trusting that You’ll take care of the rest!”
He did, oh he did. I just spent more time with my children and family, and it was a good thing because towards the end of my leave, both my parents died two weeks apart of each other, and I was able to be there with and for them during their last days, and I feel so blessed. I was also able to travel to the US twice, and then Belgium, at not my own expense! (The US travels were financed by my uncle, so I could be with my mom; the Belgium travel was a conference grant.)
And looking back now, I marvel at how I was not only able to survive but actually live the best life I’ve ever had, doing things I most loved to do and spending beautiful times with people I loved, with very litte money to start with!
Now I have an idea what Moses must have felt like! Heehee. And I’m not afraid of anything anymore.
I have learned that the deep desires in our heart and the longings of our soul are God’s own messages to us about where He wants to take us, if we just let Him and let go. And I am learning more and more each day to just follow those messages, and rest in God’s Love and Wisdom.

I actually did just that– self-declared and took a year’s (unpaid) leave off from my work at the university in 2007-08 — even if I didn’t have enough saved for a year’s time off (just for the next month or two)!
Crazy, I know, but I have learned that when the spirit is tired and really running low… nothing else matters. So, it was a leap of faith for me. I just told, “God, you know how terribly terribly tired and weary I am… soul-tired… and I’m declaring this for me and trusting that You’ll take care of the rest!”
He did, oh he did. I just spent more time with my children and family, and it was a good thing because towards the end of my leave, both my parents died two weeks apart of each other, and I was able to be there with and for them during their last days, and I feel so blessed. I was also able to travel to the US twice, and then Belgium, at not my own expense! (The US travels were financed by my uncle, so I could be with my mom; the Belgium travel was a conference grant.)
And looking back now, I marvel at how I was not only able to survive but actually live the best life I’ve ever had, doing things I most loved to do and spending beautiful times with people I loved, with very litte money to start with!
Now I have an idea what Moses must have felt like! Heehee. And I’m not afraid of anything anymore.
I have learned that the deep desires in our heart and the longings of our soul are God’s own messages to us about where He wants to take us, if we just let Him and let go. And I am learning more and more each day to just follow those messages, and rest in God’s Love and Wisdom.

I will pay my tithe to God and also help the church in church project. I will use the remaining once to further my Education.

I encouraged my fiance’ to take a year off after his mother passed on and the ending of his job, both difficult events in his life took place within three months apart. Not sure if this is the best for everyone…but it gives him a chance to rest and take it easy in life. I wanted the only long vacation to be one of his enjoyable memories and that also gives him a chance to really evaluate what he wants to do with the rest of his life before his retirement phase in life starts. He has nine years of working before retirement. This gives him time to really breathe…renewed energy.

I would open a treatment centre for recovering alcoholics
core treatment and beliefe,s total abstinance.
3pwq9

I am currently in a similar position. I have been made redundant with a pay off that will comfortably cover me for 12 months and will still leave me with some savings. I was praying for this as I had wanted to take time out for a while but didn’t have the finances to afford to do it.
As far as what I will do with this time….I have a few plans, and the world is my oyster.
This opportunity however does not come as a surprise to me. I have learnt in life that if there is something that you really want then it is not enough to just believe that you will get it, you need to feel as if you already have it. By this I don’t mean in your life externally – don’t start buying expensive items assuming that the money will come. Instead, how would you feel if you had the money/ time now? That sense of freedom, that peace, that happiness – feel that now. Once your mind and emotions feel that security, life will adjust your external circumstances to fit. I have done this many times in my life and this, coupled with the sincere gratitude that I feel for being blessed with so much, has given me a life of such abundance and beauty.
Many of you have said that you cannot imagine having this opportunity. For as long as you feel this way, it will always elude you.
With Love

Well, i will go to a vacation to the whole world.