Would you give up a year of your life for............
Would you give up a year of your life for............
Author
Discussion

Streetrod

Original Poster:

6,484 posts

237 months

Friday 6th May 2016
quotequote all
I was having a idle conversation at work and the subject came up about what your life was worth to you. So I put a figure on it to check peoples reactions. This is the question I asked:

"Would you have your life shortened by a "YEAR" for £30million?"

In other words, what every date in the future you were due to die would be brought forward by one year. I was very surprised by the answers I got back. I would be interested to hear your thoughts

Vaud

59,826 posts

186 months

Friday 6th May 2016
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I guess it depends on the age.

If it was a starting point of 110 years old, then I'd take quite a lot of money to die at 100 knowing I would use it to give my children and their children an outstanding start in life (education, travel, etc)

If it's 65 then I would maybe sacrifice a year or two, but no more.

Defcon5

6,476 posts

222 months

Friday 6th May 2016
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Absolutely.

I may regret it if I died at 50 instead of 51, but assuming an otherwise normal lifespan the difference I could make to loved ones lives with the cash would be more than worth it.

I'm working myself to an early grave as it stands anyway!

HustleRussell

26,639 posts

191 months

Friday 6th May 2016
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I don't think I would. In the end, knowing I could've had another year if I hadn't been so impulsive, shallow an impatient would kill me. Who knows how important that one year could turn out to be. It could be the difference between being there in a loved one's time of need and not. Could be the difference between meeting your grandchild / great grandchild or not.

Joratk

432 posts

141 months

Friday 6th May 2016
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No. Life is more important to me than money. And I'm happy and confident enough as things are to not have to worry about having 30million handed to me. To only be on this world once but squander time for the sake of a man made construct, that in the grand scheme of things is unimportant, would be very sad indeed.

Gorilla Boy

7,820 posts

204 months

Friday 6th May 2016
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Having spent long periods stuck on ships (3 month trips) id happily give up a year of my life for 30 million (im 25). If only to enrich my own life and to make my friends and family financially comfortable thumbup

HustleRussell

26,639 posts

191 months

Friday 6th May 2016
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I think suddenly gaining that sort of money would cause me a lot of stress.

Some Gump

13,018 posts

217 months

Friday 6th May 2016
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30mill? In an instant. That sort of cash would put me on the ELMS grid within 2 years, and in future provide for my family for ages. No-one likes being only anyway.

SeeFive

8,353 posts

264 months

Friday 6th May 2016
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Without a doubt.

£30 million cash up front, and I will take a knock for a year. I have a bunch of years to do anything I want (within reason) and to lose one year compared to how it would most likely be without such a lottery win for all those years doesn't even factor in.

Where do I sign Beelzebub?

poing

8,743 posts

231 months

Friday 6th May 2016
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I don't know when I'm going to die but I do know what I would do with £30 million so it's an easy yes for me.

Moonhawk

10,730 posts

250 months

Friday 6th May 2016
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Depends if you got to know what the end date is.

If I was a good few years away - I probably would. How much time is wasted sitting in traffic jams whilst commuting to work etc.

If I had another 30-40 years of life left - i'd give up 1 year of that for £30million because I would gain far more quality time back.

Of course if I only have 12-18 months to live - then i'd rather have the time.

Higgs boson

1,105 posts

184 months

Friday 6th May 2016
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I'd imagine that the younger one is, the more likely one would be to sell off a year!
Having said that, I think that I, at 59, would not be averse to a conversation about it. Lots of people have a very poor quality of life as they get to the end, and the thought that one's family would be free** from money worries would be a great incentive.

Free** - I'm aware that money isn't everything, and that it can cause more problems than it solves.

SeeFive

8,353 posts

264 months

Friday 6th May 2016
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So, we are giving up the last year of our then decrepit life.

Unless you die early with some unexpected calamitous anomaly, then you will be giving up the least active time of your life to fund the rest of it. Alternatively you could bring that calamitous event forward one year... but that is the gamble, and let's face it, most of us have only earned a few million gross in our entire lives, so a £30 mill windfall is massively life changing on day 1. Bring it on.

Edited by SeeFive on Friday 6th May 22:10

Streetrod

Original Poster:

6,484 posts

237 months

Friday 6th May 2016
quotequote all
The scary part is none of us know when we are going to die, you could be currently in the best of health but run over by a bus in 365 days time, whats the £30 million worth to you then?

SeeFive

8,353 posts

264 months

Friday 6th May 2016
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Streetrod said:
The scary part is none of us know when we are going to die, you could be currently in the best of health but run over by a bus in 365 days time, whats the £30 million worth to you then?
At my age and current state of health, it is about a 30:1 chance. I am not gonna earn 30 mill next year. I'll take it and drop dead tomorrow if it doesn't work out.

Rosscow

9,714 posts

194 months

Friday 6th May 2016
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Of course!

Even if I were to die in a year instead of two, at least it's a year where I don't have to work and can do some amazing things with family and friends.

GroundEffect

13,864 posts

187 months

Friday 6th May 2016
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The last year of my life will probably be one of my worst given the way human lives are going - a growing number of people are dying in palliative care...would I give up one of those years to enjoy the others without burden of working for a living? Of course!

PanzerCommander

5,026 posts

249 months

Friday 6th May 2016
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I wouldn't, for the simple fact that I do not know if my number is up tomorrow or in 60+ years (currently 32), some things aren't worth dying for.

TheChampers

4,097 posts

169 months

Friday 6th May 2016
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GroundEffect said:
The last year of my life will probably be one of my worst given the way human lives are going - a growing number of people are dying in palliative care...would I give up one of those years to enjoy the others without burden of working for a living? Of course!
My parents are 86 and 81 respectively; having seen the effects of the ageing process, so closely, I declared to my wife a few evenings ago that 75 would be fine by me, a heavy smoker who likes a drink.

-Michael-

4,079 posts

206 months

Friday 6th May 2016
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Yes, 30mil is a lot of money.