Let’s say I woke up tomorrow NZ$5 million richer. Lotto numbers hit. Life-changing sum. First thing I’d do?
Absolutely nothing. Not yet, anyway.
I have no aspirations to be a social media guru with a Lamborghini.
Because here’s the truth: How you treat $10 is how you’ll treat $10 million.
And the universe is always watching how you move.
Step 1: Park the Cash. Get Clear.
Before even thinking about investing, I’d park a solid portion—say 10–20%—in a high-interest savings account or term deposit.
Not for growing wealth, but for breathing room and agility.
This money becomes my option fund—ready to deploy into bold ideas, market crashes, business opportunities, or my next obsession.
Step 2: Build Passive Income First (So I Never Have to Work Again)
Freedom first, not lifestyle. That’s the rule.
I’d take a serious chunk—maybe half the winnings—and diversify into passive income sources.
Here’s what that looks like:
🟢 Dividend Stocks (via Sharesies)
Sharesies is an investing platform that makes it easy for everyday Kiwis to buy into stocks and ETFs with as little as $5.
I’d load up on high-yield dividend funds and blue-chip stocks that pay consistent returns. The goal:
Live off dividends. Let the capital grow.
Key picks might include:
- Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM)
- NZX 50 index fund (for local exposure)
- Utilities and REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts)
If you don’t live in Australia or New Zealand, google “microinvesting platforms” in your country to find something similar.
🟠 Bitcoin Mining (via GoMining)
Next, I’d add some crypto exposure with GoMining—a platform that lets you earn passive Bitcoin by renting hashpower via NFTs.
You’re not buying Bitcoin directly, you’re earning it daily from the mining rewards.
It’s a long-term, tech-forward play with compounding potential if reinvested smartly.
Step 3: Invest in Property—but with Strategy
I’d still buy property, sure—but not a mansion.
My pick? Cashflow-first short-term rentals on Airbnb and Booking.com.
That means properties in tourist-friendly areas with high occupancy potential. Think:
- Small homes or multi-room setups
- High-demand locations
- Self-contained, easy-to-automate check-in/out
I’d treat it as a business, not a vanity project. Something with systems and outsourced management, so I’m not tied to a location or job.
Step 4: No Main Source of Income
Here’s a mindset shift:
I wouldn’t have a main source of income.
Why? Because I’d be building a portfolio of income:
- Dividends from Sharesies
- Daily Bitcoin from GoMining
- Nightly bookings on Airbnb
- Royalties from digital products
- Commissions from affiliate marketing
No boss. No burnouts. Just multiple small rivers flowing into one big ocean.
The Moral of the Story? Start Acting Like You Already Have It
The crazy part?
You don’t need a million dollars to do most of this.
If I had $10 right now, I’d still:
- Buy $5 of a dividend stock on Sharesies
- Load $5 into GoMining and earn a trickle of Bitcoin
- Use free time to build content and offers online
Because the habits you build now are what the universe will reward with more.
Money is just an amplifier. It magnifies how smart or reckless you already are.
TL;DR:
If I won the lottery, I wouldn’t spend.
I’d build.
Freedom first, always.
And the best part?
You don’t need a lotto win to start.
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