I know a few billionaires. Billionaires. This is really quite extraordinary; it’s hard to even grasp the concept of having that much money. How can they possibly spend it? But in the midst of being extraordinary is the simple fact that these people are in most ways very ordinary. They’re not different than me. They walk the same, talk the same. Their clothes may be a bit fancier, but that’s really because I elect to wear the t-shirts and shorts I think are more comfortable. And billionaires (and their cousins, the multi-millionaires) get old and get sick and die just like the rest of us. They have money to buy all the comforts of life, but there are simply limits to what they can buy, and they can’t buy what matters most.

But what if they could?

Income and wealth inequality has been a topic of conversation in America on and off for many years, and people across the political spectrum are discussing and arguing about its impact and importance. But in our world there are limits to the impact of inequality because some things simply aren’t for sale, some things we might find really valuable. Explorers in previous centuries sought the fountain of youth. What if it were for sale today–it didn’t need to be found, it could simply be bought?

What would the price list look like? Maybe something like this:

• $1 million:        Buy 1 year of living at your current age
• $10 million:      Reduce your current age by one year
• $100 million:   Buy immunity from death by disease or accident
• Buy any of the above for another person for twice the list price.

So as a 45-year old I could stay 45 for the next five years for $5 million.

I could make myself 40 for $50 million.

What would I do?

I think 27 was a good age–I was healthy, my body didn’t ache, and I could play any sport I wanted. So I’d want to be 27 and stay there for a while—maybe 10 years to start and then I could continue if I like how it’s going. I’d want to buy immunity from disease or accidental death since it would be a waste to be young but die without a good reason. And I’d want the same for my wife (though she might want to be 25).

So here’s the tab:

Reduce my age from 45 to 27:  $180 million

Buy immunity from accidental death and disease:  $100 million

Buy 10 years at the current age (27):  $10 million

Total for me:  $290 million

Total for my wife (same figure, doubled):  $580 million

Grand total for a decade of youth for myself and my wife with protection from accidental death:  $870 million.

Now that would be a good way to spend a billion dollars. Fancy cars, yachts, and extra houses are nice, but they don’t delay the inevitable. This would.

I worry about wealth inequality in our society and its impact. This would take inequality to a whole new level, make it possible for the wealthy to achieve things that the rest of us could only dream of.

What if?