If you didn't have to work, would you?

Saten Ruiko · **Posted:** March 24th, 2011, 6:55 pm

I realize that the majority of RuneVillagers are in high school or college/university, but I figured I'd throw this out there anyway as just one of those open-ended questions I make up every year or so. Eventually, everyone's going to be out of school, and will have to get a job out in "the real world".

Let's say that through some wacky and entirely legal turn of events, you now have $5,000,000 in a bank account. You also decide not to blow it on houses or cars or vacations or something and instead invest it. At your local bank, you make a measly 1% interest, but this nets you $50,000 a year, and after taxes, you're making about $3,000 a month doing nothing (about $100 a day for the rest of your life.) That's enough for most people to live on comfortably (depending on your family size and where you live and whatnot.)

So my question would be, now that you have a nice salary with none of the work, what would you do? You could get a job anyway, but it would probably have to be something you really enjoy or you'd get sick of the pointlessness of it real fast. You could lounge around on the computer all day and play video games or go watch movies or read books, but a couple of years later, a lot of people would get a depressing feeling of having done nothing with their life, like maybe they cheated society. You could skip the job but fill your long hours with something fulfilling you'd actually enjoy (for instance, I would join our local acting troupes, whereas now I wouldn't even get home in time for meetings if tried.) You could have a Plan D I didn't think to mention.

For the sake of argument, assume the $5,000,000 is untouchable and you have to decide how you live your life with a free $50,000 coming in each year. (Tweak the number as necessary if you live in a really expensive region, I guess.)

What would you do?

Pyro3000 · **Posted:** March 24th, 2011, 7:33 pm

I wouldn't. I always say I would keep working, but I know I'd eventually stop because I'd rather sleep in or play something.

Eadwulf · **Posted:** March 24th, 2011, 7:40 pm

Well I wouldn't get a bleeding job to earn money, but I'd certainly keep busy. I rather despise being unproductive...

Henner · **Posted:** March 24th, 2011, 7:47 pm

Idk. I would finish school so I would have a degree. After that I think I would take some time off and get some things done what I've been wanting to get done while living ok off.

If I couldn't find anything better to do over the years I would probably find some job or volunteer with something that I like doing.

Rob · **Posted:** March 24th, 2011, 8:09 pm

Not a chance, but as Eadwolf said, I'd keep proactive.

- Ash

Phantomrose · **Posted:** March 24th, 2011, 8:49 pm

I most likely wouldn't work if that happened, but I would do more things that I enjoy and probably to keep me active.

Magicana Drofulcus · **Posted:** March 24th, 2011, 10:33 pm

Being Australian, let me change this a little.

I put it in a bank account with 6% interest, earning me 300,000 a year, or $821 a day. I'd probably stay at university doing subjects that interested me.

Rory · **Posted:** March 24th, 2011, 11:11 pm

Probably, but i'll keep an active life regardless.

Znath · **Posted:** March 24th, 2011, 11:31 pm

If I had 5mil in a bank I'd put it into some investments and such
and I would still work, but with less hours.
What's wrong with 5mil dollars when you can have 5mil +50k a year?

I'd probably also use the money to get all kinds of expensive training and certifications.

I know there's one business being run terribly in my hometown.
If some jerk bought out the old lady running it, they could make a ton of money.

Sarah · **Posted:** March 25th, 2011, 12:42 am

Yes, I've been going crazy not working for the last 5 weeks, working is actually pretty fun. If I had that amount of money I would probably cut my hours down so I have time to enjoy it but I wouldn't quit completely.

Snake1235 · **Posted:** March 25th, 2011, 1:00 am

I'd become a professional student, probably.

Rocky · **Posted:** March 25th, 2011, 1:27 am

I most certainly would not.

bluecoat · **Posted:** March 25th, 2011, 1:29 am

Snake1235 wrote:

I'd become a professional student, probably.

That. I'd probably just take whatever classes suited my fancy. Get degrees as they become available.

Or I'd buy up a bunch of property and open a winery and/or brewery. Maybe start a tavern or something.

Tanksandguns · **Posted:** March 25th, 2011, 3:07 am

Do what I'm doing now. Finish my degree, and try to get a professional acting job somewhere.

Tal Set 65 · **Posted:** March 25th, 2011, 4:42 am

I would... work out :shifty:

But no, I wouldn't work if I didn't have to. It would be ez to live off that amount.

In England could that be £ instead of $ pls?

edit: on second thoughts, I'd prolly work, something that is no doubt low paid but hella fun.

Dark Paladin · **Posted:** March 25th, 2011, 6:55 am

I would probably end up studying everything I can and helping people for free - charity work or any other position, depending on which is more suitable and humanitarian. I'd probably prefer anything that doesn't stress me too much. That's if I settled and had no plans on becoming a billionaire.

Simons Pure · **Posted:** March 25th, 2011, 7:45 am

I'd go buy fancy BMX's and just do that all day. Get good at it, get sponsered, ?????, profit.
Would be a dream job.

Scar · **Posted:** March 25th, 2011, 11:33 am

Well what I am going to college for right now is something I know I will enjoy doing the rest of my life so I think I would finish the degree and then get a job, although I wouldn't be under so much pressure to get a good job if I had the money sitting in the bank supplementing my income.

Kikori · **Posted:** March 25th, 2011, 1:04 pm

I didn't spend my time going to school for nothing. I'd wanna work.

Rocky · **Posted:** March 25th, 2011, 2:31 pm

I suppose I should elaborate. I would travel around the world and do that pampered white tourist deal, then I would train a lot at soccer and get good enough to play on an amateur club team that traveled around the US. That would be awesome.

If you didn't have to work, would you?

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