The Old Folks Home

[Latestarter]

http://time.com/4176128/powerball-jackpot-lottery-winners/

Walked away from the 'puter to make my tea and breakfast, having completed morning chores (more sausage gravy and biscuits... enough left for one more light breakfast meal). While doing so, I used the time to ponder the above a bit. Not that I really expect to win it... my luck tends to run in the opposite direction. That being said, I would imagine that it's relatively easy to find folks who squandered their winning, did stupid stuff, got themselves into trouble, etc. They make for a much better and more saleable story. I wonder how much these "losers that were winners" were paid to do the interview? I tried to search total number of lottery jackpot winners, (not even including other large amount winners that weren't jackpots) but couldn't find an answer...

You can find and read all kinds of horror stories about folks getting sick from eating home raised eggs, or drinking raw milk. But there are tens of thousands who have no issues at all for every one that gets sick. They just don't make for a good, sensational, saleable story... Who wants to read about a person who is living happily, keeping a low profile, doing things right, staying OUT of the limelight, and in all likelihood would flat refuse an interview as they WANT to remain OUT of the limelight?

Unless the winner has extensive financial experience and knowledge, if they're smart, they don't go claim their winnings the next day... They sit back and get a team together to help them do things the RIGHT way. It's my understanding that most lottery commissions have available and offer basic financial counseling to jackpot winners when they claim their prize, just to help avoid disaster stories down the line. Those horror/failure stories don't help sell tickets either.

There are hundreds if not thousands of winners who you will never hear anything more about because they have successfully become invisible and no longer exist to anyone looking for them. I'd LOVE the opportunity to join their ranks. After the initial reveal as required by law in most states (public game, so winners can't by law be anonymous in most lottery states), I would disappear.

I expect when this pot is won, it will be by multiple tickets as the number of people playing grows exponentially as the pot increases. When the PB was at 1.5 billion, I stated my belief there would be 3 winning tickets and there were. If there is a winner this evening, I believe there will be at least 2 tickets that match... if only one, it will be the largest single winner in history to date.

 

[ronott1]

Why do I have a vision of Ron putting Greenfire Farms out of business with his newfound chicken empire?

I love it!

 

[bobbi-j]

What I think I would do (at least that's my dream, and that's all it ever will be since I don't buy lottery tickets): I would pay off my kids' student loans. I would make sure the little Bible camp I grew up attending and am still involved with would have enough money to stay open forever. I would buy a little plot of land in Alaska where we have spent time over the past few years and build a little log cabin there (somewhere in Al's vicinity, but not quite. Maybe an hour or so away). I would have a team to help me give it away. I would love to be able to bless others if I were so blessed.

 

[ronott1]

Walked away from the 'puter to make my tea and breakfast, having completed morning chores (more sausage gravy and biscuits... enough left for one more light breakfast meal). While doing so, I used the time to ponder the above a bit. Not that I really expect to win it... my luck tends to run in the opposite direction. That being said, I would imagine that it's relatively easy to find folks who squandered their winning, did stupid stuff, got themselves into trouble, etc. They make for a much better and more saleable story. I wonder how much these "losers that were winners" were paid to do the interview? I tried to search total number of lottery jackpot winners, (not even including other large amount winners that weren't jackpots) but couldn't find an answer...

You can find and read all kinds of horror stories about folks getting sick from eating home raised eggs, or drinking raw milk. But there are tens of thousands who have no issues at all for every one that gets sick. They just don't make for a good, sensational, saleable story... Who wants to read about a person who is living happily, keeping a low profile, doing things right, staying OUT of the limelight, and in all likelihood would flat refuse an interview as they WANT to remain OUT of the limelight?

Unless the winner has extensive financial experience and knowledge, if they're smart, they don't go claim their winnings the next day... They sit back and get a team together to help them do things the RIGHT way. It's my understanding that most lottery commissions have available and offer basic financial counseling to jackpot winners when they claim their prize, just to help avoid disaster stories down the line. Those horror/failure stories don't help sell tickets either.

There are hundreds if not thousands of winners who you will never hear anything more about because they have successfully become invisible and no longer exist to anyone looking for them. I'd LOVE the opportunity to join their ranks. After the initial reveal as required by law in most states (public game, so winners can't by law be anonymous in most lottery states), I would disappear.

I expect when this pot is won, it will be by multiple tickets as the number of people playing grows exponentially as the pot increases. When the PB was at 1.5 billion, I stated my belief there would be 3 winning tickets and there were. If there is a winner this evening, I believe there will be at least 2 tickets that match... if only one, it will be the largest single winner in history to date.

The smartest one I read about was a couple that took a year to claim the prize. They took the time to hire a financial management team and even sued to be allowed to get the prize anonymously.

 

[bruceha2000]

And a new car.....although driving my 2005 Tucson would be pretty incognito.

Yeah the sudden appearance of a chauffeured limo in your driveway might draw attention.

After the initial reveal as required by law in most states (public game, so winners can't by law be anonymous in most lottery states), I would disappear.

Geez LS, we would miss you!

I agree with your thoughts about winners that don't go nuts. Most are likely "famous" for a short time after the reveal then go hide, it is the few who get the press, whether of their own making or not.

 

[pennyJo1960]

http://time.com/4176128/powerball-jackpot-lottery-winners/

Great read got up at 7 problem did not sleep till after 4.. even took 10 tried to snooze not didn't work may crash early do not know yet want to candle eggs cannot crash too early

 

[Alaskan]

I would just like enough $$$ to bring the house up to snuff and pay my bills for another 71 years - no cruises, no fancy cars (don't drive), no furs, no gambling, no booze

What about a personal driver?

 

[Alaskan]

Knowing the potential pitfalls and learning from other's mistakes, I believe would help immensely, coupled with lots of professional financial advice and help. I'm MORE than willing to give it a whirl.

On a sadder note, there's MORE rain headed this way. Should get here in about an hour or two. Seeing blue sky and the sun for a bit this morning was most enjoyable. Gave me a very clear view of the coyote crossing my back pasture, inside, at the fence line. Tried to point it out to my LGD, who followed me running down toward the back, turning & watching me to see what I was going to do next

No! Bad LGD!

 

[1muttsfan]

Sorry but I need the whole billion. I've got lots of relations.

Seriously, my first stop would be the bank for a safe deposit box. After taking a picture of it, that's where the ticket would go until I could arrange for some advice. I would also not sign it, but put it in a family Lottery club name, as quite honestly I would certainly divide it between myself and my sisters.

 

[1muttsfan]

Idk how to do that, tech challenged. But i will pm pics to anyone that wants to see the incisions.

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