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A couple years ago I came into about $200M (seriously), and let slip more than I should. Really it just turns every conversation into a roundabout request for

A couple years ago I came into about $200M (seriously), and let slip more than I should. Really it just turns every conversation into a roundabout request for money. People are definitely nice to you and ask you onto all kinds of boards, funds, etc.. but it’s a hassle. You start to worry a little bit at least about personal security, especially if you have kids. You also worry about ruining them forever. (Also, watch out for temptation that could ruin your happy family life... suddenly you’re extra “attractive” it seems.) On the bright side, you can try and get really big projects done, Elon musk-style. Just knowing you have the money helps a lot in getting meetings, raising more money, etc. I’d just put it all in an s+p 500 index fund. Though of course I haven’t followed my own advice. I wouldn’t worry too much about dripping it in either, maybe put half in over a month and the rest over six months. Long term you’re pretty likely to wish you’d invested sooner rather than later. Set up some estate planning stuff and buy a model 3!

Johnny555 7y ago
I’d just put it all in an s+p 500 index fund That's a lot of money to invest in the health of one country's stock market -- a successful terrorist attack (think a dirty bomb in NYC or even multiple cities) could wipe out a significant portion of that overnight - it will likely recover eventually (as it did after 9/11), but that's a time when you'll want access to your money I'd diversify across countries, and maybe precious metals.
- anaisbetts 7y ago
  Yep, foreign real estate is a good way to do this, and also gives you a passive'ish revenue stream
- refurb 7y ago
  Many of the companies on the S&P500 are global businesses whose value is based only partially on the US market. Also, if something big happens in the US (9/11), stock markets tend to take a hit globally. That said, I’d still diversify into a few international indexes.
- thekyle 7y ago
  Personally I prefer total market funds to the S&P 500. VT is a good Vanguard fund that provides market cap weighted exposure to global markets.
- ninefigs 7y ago
  Actually it looks like I have it about 10% in real estate, 20% public equities, 10% private equities, 20% cash, and still 40%... crypto!
Vadoff 7y ago
How did you make that amount? Was it also as an early employee at a startup, or as a founder?
- person_of_color 7y ago
  Bitcoin?
  - ninefigs 7y ago
    Yep
    - xrd 7y ago
      Please invest in my ethereum startup: FinneyFor.com. Patent pending.
      - muzani 7y ago
        to quote parent: "Really it just turns every conversation into a roundabout request for money."
        iraldir 7y ago
        I mean, you gotta give it to him, that was not roundabout
    - knopkop_ 7y ago
      Are you willing to share the story? I would hazard a guess that you played around with mining on your old laptop in 2010, accidentally left it running for a while, mined 10k bitcoin, and sold around the top at 19k each.
    - person_of_color 7y ago
      Have you declared to IRS.
- whamlastxmas 7y ago
jay_kyburz 7y ago
I'd love to hear more about your big projects! I'd love take on Facebook, or plant a billion trees, or fix news!
- ninefigs 7y ago
  Mostly some public transit-type stuff and fixing American democracy! And (embarrassingly) maybe a movie?
  - trykondev 7y ago
    I love that you admitted to the movie part! I think there is a lot of personal satisfaction to be gained from using financial freedom to create art, even if it's not quite as easy to articulate to other people compared to the benefits of the other projects you mention. Certainly, it's my primary motivator. No need to be embarrassed!
muzani 7y ago
That's really interesting to know. I suppose if I ever came into that much money, it would be a good idea to keep real quiet about it. Thanks for sharing.
fluroblue 7y ago
Wow what a dream! You make it sound like you (or almost) spent it all, is that true?
ThrowHitJackpot 7y ago
Hey congrats and that's great! Appreciate your perspective and your perspective on how everyone wants to take your money. It's not the same thing, but there's an old essay from the 1920s or so - I can't find it - perhaps someone else can. It talks as advice to a young man about how everyone wants to separate you from your money. S&P500 fund is not a bad idea, maybe a 3-fund portfolio for me. Agree on invest early. I moved everything to cash 3 years ago, sadly.

Johnny555 7y ago

I’d just put it all in an s+p 500 index fund That's a lot of money to invest in the health of one country's stock market -- a successful terrorist attack (think a dirty bomb in NYC or even multiple cities) could wipe out a significant portion of that overnight - it will likely recover eventually (as it did after 9/11), but that's a time when you'll want access to your money I'd diversify across countries, and maybe precious metals.

anaisbetts 7y ago
Yep, foreign real estate is a good way to do this, and also gives you a passive'ish revenue stream
refurb 7y ago
Many of the companies on the S&P500 are global businesses whose value is based only partially on the US market. Also, if something big happens in the US (9/11), stock markets tend to take a hit globally. That said, I’d still diversify into a few international indexes.
thekyle 7y ago
Personally I prefer total market funds to the S&P 500. VT is a good Vanguard fund that provides market cap weighted exposure to global markets.
ninefigs 7y ago
Actually it looks like I have it about 10% in real estate, 20% public equities, 10% private equities, 20% cash, and still 40%... crypto!

Vadoff 7y ago

How did you make that amount? Was it also as an early employee at a startup, or as a founder?

person_of_color 7y ago
Bitcoin?
- ninefigs 7y ago
  Yep
  - xrd 7y ago
    Please invest in my ethereum startup: FinneyFor.com. Patent pending.
    - muzani 7y ago
      to quote parent: "Really it just turns every conversation into a roundabout request for money."
      - iraldir 7y ago
        I mean, you gotta give it to him, that was not roundabout
  - knopkop_ 7y ago
    Are you willing to share the story? I would hazard a guess that you played around with mining on your old laptop in 2010, accidentally left it running for a while, mined 10k bitcoin, and sold around the top at 19k each.
  - person_of_color 7y ago
    Have you declared to IRS.
whamlastxmas 7y ago

jay_kyburz 7y ago

I'd love to hear more about your big projects! I'd love take on Facebook, or plant a billion trees, or fix news!

ninefigs 7y ago
Mostly some public transit-type stuff and fixing American democracy! And (embarrassingly) maybe a movie?
- trykondev 7y ago
  I love that you admitted to the movie part! I think there is a lot of personal satisfaction to be gained from using financial freedom to create art, even if it's not quite as easy to articulate to other people compared to the benefits of the other projects you mention. Certainly, it's my primary motivator. No need to be embarrassed!

muzani 7y ago

That's really interesting to know. I suppose if I ever came into that much money, it would be a good idea to keep real quiet about it. Thanks for sharing.

fluroblue 7y ago

Wow what a dream! You make it sound like you (or almost) spent it all, is that true?

ThrowHitJackpot 7y ago

Hey congrats and that's great! Appreciate your perspective and your perspective on how everyone wants to take your money. It's not the same thing, but there's an old essay from the 1920s or so - I can't find it - perhaps someone else can. It talks as advice to a young man about how everyone wants to separate you from your money. S&P500 fund is not a bad idea, maybe a 3-fund portfolio for me. Agree on invest early. I moved everything to cash 3 years ago, sadly.