For me it is very simple.

Once I paid off our debt { mortgage, credit cards, and a medical bill or two}, I would use a large chunk to set up my mom in comfort, even though she'd hate it and insist she doesn't need anything { you know how parents are }. I would buy or possibly build myself a decent 2 story house, and get out of this horrid mobile home. I would want a nice piece of property, maybe 25 or 30 acres, not huge, but big enough to own a little livestock if I so choose.

I'd put myself and my son through culinary school, and then open my little dream restaurant. I'd send my daughter to school to become a CSI, which is her dream. My hubby I'm not sure about, I guess his biggest dream is to have a few old cars to restore, which is funny because he knows nothing about such things.

I'd buy myself a nice little car, but I'd keep my minivan for general use. My daughter wants a classic VW bug, so she'd get one. My son wants a pickup truck, so I'd get him a nice little compact truck.

I'd make myself a dedicated snake room, and another for my rodent colony, and a large playroom for my cats, with a fenced run so they could go sit in the sunshine safely.

The rest ? I'd mainly invest it, so my kids and their kids could live comfortably but not lavishly. I want them to work, just not struggle to get by.

There are a few groups I'd donate to, and I'd offer some to my local shelters as well. Mainly I'd be careful about that, because I want what I give to actually help, and not just line some bureaucrats pocket.

Gale