Ask HN: I made $1M - what now? • Hacker News Board

Ask HN: I made $1M - what now?

#1

Post by throwawayxyz » Thu, Mar 24, 2011, 5:50 PM UTC

I'm single, in my mid-20s. For the last few years, I've worked on a variety of my own projects and managed to strike it lucky on my latest one.

I've lived very comfortably on $30K a year and I'm not interested in making any more money- I intend to invest and live off what I've made. But I haven't got a clue what to do with my life!

HN is by far the smartest and most helpful community I've ever found, and I'd love to know thoughts, ideas or suggestions any of you have - what now? What would you do?

Re: Ask HN: I made $1M - what now?

#2

Post by Khao » Thu, Mar 24, 2011, 5:56 PM UTC

In your position, I'd either keep working or go back to college/university.

I'd keep working only on something I'm really passionate about, and do it for fun. I wouldn't do 40-hrs a week or something stressful. I'd work on something I love even if I can't make a lot of money out of it.

As for studying, I don't know what I would study but I always love learning more stuff.

Re: Ask HN: I made $1M - what now?

#3

Post by dave1619 » Thu, Mar 24, 2011, 5:59 PM UTC

Follow what's interesting to you and hopefully that will lead you to a passion.

Re: Ask HN: I made $1M - what now?

#4

Post by throwawayxyz » Thu, Mar 24, 2011, 6:03 PM UTC

dave1619 wrote: post #3

Follow what's interesting to you and hopefully that will lead you to a passion.

How could I begin to find what I'm interested in?

Re: Ask HN: I made $1M - what now?

#5

Post by ewams » Thu, Mar 24, 2011, 6:08 PM UTC

throwawayxyz wrote: post #4

dave1619 wrote: post #3

Follow what's interesting to you and hopefully that will lead you to a passion.

How could I begin to find what I'm interested in?

You seriously don't know what you like to do?

Re: Ask HN: I made $1M - what now?

#6

Post by pilom » Thu, Mar 24, 2011, 6:09 PM UTC

I am so happy I was a whitewater rafting guide in college before I ever became a tech guy. The interests that I learned there have stayed with me ever since regardless of how financially successful I become. Get a job doing something random that sounds fun.

Re: Ask HN: I made $1M - what now?

#7

Post by redredraider » Thu, Mar 24, 2011, 6:11 PM UTC

Take a vacation. Be frugal with your money and you should never have to work again if you can live on 30k a year.

Re: Ask HN: I made $1M - what now?

#8

Post by throwawayxyz » Thu, Mar 24, 2011, 6:13 PM UTC

ewams wrote: post #5

throwawayxyz wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How could I begin to find what I'm interested in?

You seriously don't know what you like to do?

It seems crazy, but I've never properly considered it! I wanted think about every possibility, rather than just straightaway going for something I think I like.

Re: Ask HN: I made $1M - what now?

#9

Post by revorad » Thu, Mar 24, 2011, 6:14 PM UTC

throwawayxyz wrote: post #4

dave1619 wrote: post #3

Follow what's interesting to you and hopefully that will lead you to a passion.

How could I begin to find what I'm interested in?

Try lots of different things.

Re: Ask HN: I made $1M - what now?

#10

Post by redredraider » Thu, Mar 24, 2011, 6:16 PM UTC

redredraider wrote: post #7

Take a vacation. Be frugal with your money and you should never have to work again if you can live on 30k a year.

Learn to play an instrument. I've always found that to be a rewarding waste of time.