I would spend $800 to get a transmission for one of my vehicles that has been sitting at the shop since January because I just don't have the funds to get it fixed. My other vehicle is 20 years old and will not pass inspection. My 2 daughters have been driving it to and from community college without getting a ticket for over a year now...fingers crossed that their luck continues.

I would also hire a lawyer to help me in local court. My friend and neighbor passed away recently at my home under hospice care, and left me his property, and 6 Chihuahuas. His son who has been estranged for 30 years came out of the woodwork and is challenging the will. Because I cannot afford a lawyer, my neighbors caretaker, who lived with him, has been evicted from the home with the 6 dogs while this is pending. He had nowhere to go and is now living in an office shed in my yard with the dogs.

I would also pay off the home that I live in. The property was purchased 5 years ago by my now ex-fiance. I moved here with my daughters and he was supposed to follow within a year from a neighboring state where we resided together for 5 years before this purchase. Instead he decided to take up with another man's wife, never thinking he would be caught. For the past year the mortgage has been consistently paid late and he is threatening to just stop paying altogether, knowing I cannot make the payment by myself. I have gone from believing I was the luckiest woman in the world to being on the verge of homelessness. It has been difficult to say the least.

I am now in the process of trying to open a thrift store to make some extra income to try to save the house. I have been lucky enough to find a storefront just down the road with affordable rent. But the building is basically a glorified barn with no running water, but I can work around that for a while I hope. Some extra funds to get the store going would be a Godsend.

A long time ago I found myself in another difficult situation and spent 2 months at a homeless shelter that focuses on life skills training for its residents. I would give a good chunk to them, and start similar shelters in this area with a focus on the children of the homeless families, to ease their pain and confusion during a time of such uncertainty.

5 million is more than what any one person could ever need. Perhaps you should split it with several deserving people...the money could help more people and touch more lives.

I wish you wisdom and guidance in making your choice.

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