What if we won Megabucks...

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to win Megabucks? Actually dreamed and planned of what you would do with all of that money? It's a game we play, on occasion, at our house. It usually follows a rough day at work or at school. Typically, it starts out very noble and rational but quickly devolves in to infectious silliness. Either way, it's better than a board game and most of us can't resist joining in eventually.
For example, the other night we had just such a conversation. It, of course, started out with things like making sure everyone in the family is taken care of financially. Next up were the luxury items - a house in Hawaii, a private plane, an outdoor jacuzzi that seats 20 people, a Canine Rescue Preserve and the old standby of investing in land. My personal favorite from one of my kids that night went like this:
"We should buy the Lays company" she said, completely serious. The rest of us eyed each other warily. "What did you say?" we asked.
"We should buy the Lays company". Again, we glance at each other as I proceeded with caution...
"Do you mean you want to buy the Lays potato chip company?"
"Yeah" she said and I waited for a beat or two because I am reaching the age where, sometimes, things just don't make sense when they first hit the gray matter.......nope, nothing.
Okay, I'll try "Why?" for 500 Alex...
"I'm serious. Have you ever noticed how they always sell out of those things every day? We could make a MINT!"
Now, this was one of those parental moments where I could take the high road or the low road. The high road, of course, is to help cultivate the idea of investing money, rather than just spending it. The low road, on the other hand, was to blow it apart like one of those green pigs on the Angry Birds game.
Angry Birds Piggies Why T-Shirt Size : Large
I'd like you to consider, for a moment, which path I took...
And here we go:
'Oh my God! We could totally use the chips to feed the dogs at the rescue preserve!! Dogs like chips, right? And if we invest in land, we should plant potatoes on it so we don't have to buy any potatoes! THIS IS GONNA BE GREAT! Not only will our family have lots of money, they'll also have plenty of chips and never be subject to a Lays potato chip drought again!!'
Does that make me a bad parent? I don't think so. I think it makes my kids 'well rounded'. Unfortunately, my kids tend to disagree and, by this time, not only had I received the 'death glare' but everyone else had left the room and I was left talking to do the dogs who wanted to hear more about getting potato chips added to their diet.
Well, we haven't yet won Megabucks but when we do, there are going to be a LOT of happy dogs in our corner of the world.