Congratulations! You've Won the Lottery!

[LovableGluttons]

What would you do if you won the lottery?


I have a close friend who just won $5,000 a month for life.

That's $60,000 a year before taxes!


It has me thinking, also motivates me to go buy lottery tickets!


Do you do Quick Picks or select your own numbers?

Do you just play the lottery 6 number game or are there other games you play too?

What would you do with a big bucketful of money?

 

[momof1princess]

my state has no lottery, so i have no chance of winning, but if i did win a lottery, i would:

1. pay off our house
2. set aside enough money to get DD through a master's degree debt-free
3. pay off my mom's house
4. buy myself a new car
5. take my grandmother on a long vacation, anywhere she wanted to go
6. build a new house for my in-laws (theirs is well over 100 years old, and now has termites)
7. start some sort of business

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I regularly do "short-term, high-risk" investments. I play the lottery regularly. I spend about $300 per year, which consists of Power Ball, Florida Lotto, and Florida Mega Money. I will purchase tickets for 20 draws (10 weeks) at a time as there are two draws per week for each. I play the same numbers each time.

A few years ago I did hit the Florida Lotto for about $1,300, which covered over four years of plays. I will on occasion get some hits; last year I had one payoff of more than $250. Overall I am somewhere around break-even.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

1. I would no longer peel or steam off uncancelled postage stamps.

2. When dining out, I would no longer agonize over the relative value of one appetizer over another on a dollars per ounce basis.

3. I would no longer deduct the tax from my restaurant bill before I calculate the tip.

4. I would no longer begrudge the checkroom woman her tip.

5. I would no longer park my car five blocks away from a restaurant or hotel to avoid valet parking.

6. I would no longer walk across the street to avoid a street musician with his open guitar case obstructing the sidewalk.

7. I would no longer belong to any organization that required my presence at 8 o’clock or (shudder) earlier in the morning ... any morning.

8. I would no longer compare supermarket prices of tuna fish. Or cereal.

9. I would no longer purchase supermarket flowers.

10. I would no longer wait for my favorite brand of soda to go on sale or settle for a generic brand.

11. I would no longer buy the economy size of anything that tends to get soggy, go flat, or smell yucky toward the end of its life.

12. With respect to opened milk containers, I would no longer resolve doubt in favor of freshness.

13. I would no longer scrape the sides of peanut butter jars.

14. I would no longer precariously drain ketchup from one bottle to another.

15. I would no longer scrape melons to the rind.

16. I would no longer drink tap water.

17. I would no longer eat leftovers. Come to think of it, I would no longer place leftovers in my refrigerator. In fact I would no longer have use for plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

18. I would no longer put up with dull knives, dull scissors, or dull people at cocktail parties.

19. I would no longer borrow my neighbor’s snow blower. In fact, I would no longer personally remove snow from my driveway or anyone else’s. Or even the walkway.

20. I would no longer buy seats in the bleachers.

21. I would no longer be tempted to buy a monstrously large popcorn and drink at the movies merely because it’s the best value.

22. I would never again see the inside of a store whose last four letters are “MART”.

23. I would no longer buy my clothing out of season.

24. I would no longer wear jeans with holes in them (unless fashion designers made it clear that they looked coolest that way).

25. I would no longer check my watch before I began a long-distance call and every minute thereafter.

26. I would no longer fill up with the lowest grade of gasoline. And I would never again pump gas myself.

27. I would no longer keep toll receipts.

28. I would no longer keep a list of books to watch for – a year after publication – when they are scheduled to come out in paperback.

29. I would no longer reuse mouse traps.

30. Finally, I would no longer open any envelope on which Ed McMahon’s face appeared.

 

[laurie31]

my state has no lottery, so i have no chance of winning, but if i did win a lottery, i would:

1. pay off our house
2. set aside enough money to get DD through a master's degree debt-free
3. pay off my mom's house
4. buy myself a new car
5. take my grandmother on a long vacation, anywhere she wanted to go
6. build a new house for my in-laws (theirs is well over 100 years old, and now has termites)
7. start some sort of business

We also have no lottery, but my dream list is a lot like yours.

My "fantasy win" is around 10 million (the publisher's clearinghouse one - as that's the only one I have a chance of winning )

So, half would go to the government off the top and 10% to my church, that leaves me 4 million.

1 million - savings/investments

1.5 million - to give each of our (mine and DH's) siblings and nieces/nephews 100,000 - for college, pay off house, whatever they like

1 million - donate to medical charity - Children's Miracle Network, CF research, cancer research, alzeheimer's research, etc.

500,000 - for me to spend - lol. New cars, pay off house, kids' college paid for, nice vacation every year (nice = not flying coach - lol), professional landscaping, kitchen remodel, etc.

1. I would no longer peel or steam off uncancelled postage stamps.

2. When dining out, I would no longer agonize over the relative value of one appetizer over another on a dollars per ounce basis.

3. I would no longer deduct the tax from my restaurant bill before I calculate the tip.

4. I would no longer begrudge the checkroom woman her tip.

5. I would no longer park my car five blocks away from a restaurant or hotel to avoid valet parking.

6. I would no longer walk across the street to avoid a street musician with his open guitar case obstructing the sidewalk.

7. I would no longer belong to any organization that required my presence at 8 o’clock or (shudder) earlier in the morning ... any morning.

8. I would no longer compare supermarket prices of tuna fish. Or cereal.

9. I would no longer purchase supermarket flowers.

10. I would no longer wait for my favorite brand of soda to go on sale or settle for a generic brand.

11. I would no longer buy the economy size of anything that tends to get soggy, go flat, or smell yucky toward the end of its life.

12. With respect to opened milk containers, I would no longer resolve doubt in favor of freshness.

13. I would no longer scrape the sides of peanut butter jars.

14. I would no longer precariously drain ketchup from one bottle to another.

15. I would no longer scrape melons to the rind.

16. I would no longer drink tap water.

17. I would no longer eat leftovers. Come to think of it, I would no longer place leftovers in my refrigerator. In fact I would no longer have use for plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

18. I would no longer put up with dull knives, dull scissors, or dull people at cocktail parties.

19. I would no longer borrow my neighbor’s snow blower. In fact, I would no longer personally remove snow from my driveway or anyone else’s. Or even the walkway.

20. I would no longer buy seats in the bleachers.

21. I would no longer be tempted to buy a monstrously large popcorn and drink at the movies merely because it’s the best value.

22. I would never again see the inside of a store whose last four letters are “MART”.

23. I would no longer buy my clothing out of season.

24. I would no longer wear jeans with holes in them (unless fashion designers made it clear that they looked coolest that way).

25. I would no longer check my watch before I began a long-distance call and every minute thereafter.

26. I would no longer fill up with the lowest grade of gasoline. And I would never again pump gas myself.

27. I would no longer keep toll receipts.

28. I would no longer keep a list of books to watch for – a year after publication – when they are scheduled to come out in paperback.

29. I would no longer reuse mouse traps.

30. Finally, I would no longer open any envelope on which Ed McMahon’s face appeared.

LOL at your list! But I couldn't give up #17 - I would not want to make something from scratch every time I'm hungry. I always have to have a fridge full of food. I usually make a double batch when I cook and freeze the rest, or save it for later in the week.

 

[fall08CP]

I wouldn't do much different. I will be spending the next few years on a volunteer program, and I would do it even if I won the lottery. I would pay off my student loans and get a reliable car, then live my life exactly how I do now. Honestly.

 

[bdcp]

Well, it depends on what I won. $5,000/month would replace my salary so at that amount, I'd keep working. Now if I won millions, I'd probably invest it and live off the interest. Church would get 10%.

I rarely play, usually mega millions and powerball about 2-3 times per year. Any more often than that, it's a real waste of money. This way, it's an occasional hobby.

My DH's aunt has been playing in NY for close to 40 years and she's always said she's going to win the big one and never has. I think the most she's won is about $500, a lot less than she's spent.

 

[dallastxcpa]

We also have no lottery, but my dream list is a lot like yours.


1.5 million - to give each of our (mine and DH's) siblings and nieces/nephews 100,000 - for college, pay off house, whatever they like

Don't forget that you will have to pay gift tax of approximately 40% on any gift you give in any one year over $13,000.

 

[momof1princess]

We also have no lottery, but my dream list is a lot like yours.

My "fantasy win" is around 10 million (the publisher's clearinghouse one - as that's the only one I have a chance of winning )

So, half would go to the government off the top and 10% to my church, that leaves me 4 million.

1 million - savings/investments

1.5 million - to give each of our (mine and DH's) siblings and nieces/nephews 100,000 - for college, pay off house, whatever they like

1 million - donate to medical charity - Children's Miracle Network, CF research, cancer research, alzeheimer's research, etc.

500,000 - for me to spend - lol. New cars, pay off house, kids' college paid for, nice vacation every year (nice = not flying coach - lol), professional landscaping, kitchen remodel, etc.




LOL at your list! But I couldn't give up #17 - I would not want to make something from scratch every time I'm hungry. I always have to have a fridge full of food. I usually make a double batch when I cook and freeze the rest, or save it for later in the week.

and i see a couple of things on your list that i forgot! great minds

8. i would donate off the top to my church
9. i would make a sizeable donation to alzheimer's research (a beloved great-aunt died from it), the juvenile diabetes foundation (my 19yo cousin was diagnosed at age 12) and st. jude children's research hospital.

ETA: 10. i would have the plastic surgery my body desperately needs to look "normal" again. i lost about 180 pounds after gastric bypass surgery, and i look like a deflated balloon. i'd have to win the lottery to be able to afford it.

 

[Mikes:)Mom]

I play mainly Powerball, megamillons, and megbucks. I just get the quick picks.

I would pay off my condo then donate it to the people who helps women leave abusive relationships. It would be a good safe house. I have NO idea how to make that happen, but I'm sure I could figure it out.

I would quit my job in a heart beat! I want to be a red cross volunteer.

I would rent a small house with a yard until my son finishes high school, then move to Florida.

Pay for my son's college.

Buy my son & I new cars!!

Join DVC

Oh and if I win I would take the payment plan. I'm not sure if that's an option for all of them. But I like knowing if I mess up really bad and spend all my money I'll get another check each year.

 

[shortbun]

Well, it depends on what I won. $5,000/month would replace my salary so at that amount, I'd keep working. Now if I won millions, I'd probably invest it and live off the interest. Church would get 10%.

I rarely play, usually mega millions and powerball about 2-3 times per year. Any more often than that, it's a real waste of money. This way, it's an occasional hobby.

My DH's aunt has been playing in NY for close to 40 years and she's always said she's going to win the big one and never has. I think the most she's won is about $500, a lot less than she's spent.

Yeah, one of us would have to work at that level. That would really feel bad.
When/if I win the lottery, I want to be able to retire. I guess I'd take what I got, eh?

 

[laurie31]

Don't forget that you will have to pay gift tax of approximately 40% on any gift you give in any one year over $13,000.

There are no such restrictions in my fantasy!

I guess if this really happened, I would get a financial advisor.

Maybe I could get around the kids' limits by putting the money in a 529 account, but not sure about how to pay off my brothers' and sisters' houses without the money being taxed again. Maybe I could buy their houses, then sell them back for a dollar or something.

I'm sure I'll never actually need to figure this out; I'd be happy if I could afford to give them all $13,000.

and i see a couple of things on your list that i forgot! great minds

8. i would donate off the top to my church
9. i would make a sizeable donation to alzheimer's research (a beloved great-aunt died from it), the juvenile diabetes foundation (my 19yo cousin was diagnosed at age 12) and st. jude children's research hospital.

My grandfather and DH's grandmother died from alzheimer's. Such a terrible disease to take the person away while their body remains.

I would also add donations to organizations that rescue children from slavery/prostitution (human trafficking). Horrifying enough to think it happened in this country 150 years ago, but sickening beyond words to know it goes on in our world even now.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I would do the quick picks because logically, it doesn't matter. The odds are the same either way so why waste time? I enjoy scratchers, but I never win on them like friends and family do.


I would buy a house on Balboa Island. I love it there. I would keep my car, oddly enough. I love it. I would quit my job in a heartbeat. I would buy a boat.

 

[disfan07]

I've thought about this before:

1. Put enough aside to finish undergrad, graduate and pay off current loans (would probably be about $100,000 total)

2. Pay off my brothers undergrad loans (about $40,000)

3. Set aside enough for my parents to retire, allowing my dad to retire when he wants to (he's 60...he still loves his job but would love to go part time at 65)...probably about $1.5 million

4. A very nice large donation to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Including their neurosurgical institute (had brain surgery there), Pediatrics research (my allergist does peds. research there and has won an NIH grant for 5 years straight), and their Heart Institue- probably about $1.5 million

5. A family trip to Disney for the ENTIRE family. That is between 50-60 of us.- probably about $70,000

6. The rest would go into savings to buy a house after graduation. And I am very conscious of medical expenses so I want to make sure I have a chunk for that as well.


Not very exciting....much more practical than anything else.

 

[PaulaSB12]

Pay for my nieces and nephew to go to university so they don't have to take loans to do it.

 

[DMass]

Hey *******! I quit!!

Buy my mother a nice little house in a 55+ community.

Buy the condo I live in now.

Make a sizable donation to St. Jude Children's Hospital.

Buy a Hammond B-3 organ and a Leslie 122 rotating speaker.

Spend a month or two in Fla. and do WDW, Universal, etc.

I'm sure there will be family members crawling out of the woodwork to come and congratulate me for winning with their hands out looking for some cash.
I'll give them each a dollar and tell them to go play the lottery.

I really would like to win just enough so I don't have to work anymore and be comfortable for the rest of my life.

 

[aprilgail2]

Well if it was just 60,000 a year I would keep on working my full time job as per usual but maybe quit my part time one! If it was a big win I would quit both in a heartbeat! Get my entire house gutted and redone and buy a winter home down south so I would never have to see snow again! Keep working for the place I volunteer at...and get a new car or two!

 

[J3nn78]

I would LOVE $5000 a month for life. If I won that, I would continue working my full-time job until our house is paid off and we have a large savings for my boys college fund. THen I would probably go part time.

If I ever won a big jackpot
10% to church
pay off our mortgage
pay off our parents mortgages
take a big family trip to Disney-about 40 people
quit my job and be a stay at home mom to my kids
have 1-2 more kids
buy more DVC points

I would not really change my current lifestyle. I have no interest in huge lavish houses or cars. I would just LOVE to not have to worry about making ends meet.

 

[Mermaid02]

I would buy a house in Florida so we could spend winters there.

Pay off my van and our house.

Pay off the loans my daughter has taken out for college.

Call an investment guy and a lawyer.

 

[LovableGluttons]

I don't think I'd quit my job.

I would want to do something that has a positive impact on a large group of people, like helping a community in a third world country be self supporting. That might require more money than a lottery win could provide, but it would be a start.

Thanks for responding. It's nice to dream!