Powerball

[TacoBelle]

This is just a grown-up version of Willy Wonka's Golden Ticket.

 

[justjoinedtopost]

The other day, i was thinking about some of the ugly stories that come with winning the mega million jackpots. I remember reading something like 70% to 90% of the mega million winners eventually go broke due to over splurging, pressure of supporting friends & family, people swindling away some of the winnings, gambling it away, etc. And of course, there are the horror stories of committing murder in order to inherit all that money. The end story is that the winner is somehow left in a worse situation, financially or otherwise, than before she/he won the lotto.

Edit: here's an article on some of the sad stories via NYDaily News
http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/tragic-stories-lottery-winners-article-1.2492941

This is small consolation. I had plans for that money.

 

[yummybrownfox]

The other day, i was thinking about some of the ugly stories that come with winning the mega million jackpots. I remember reading something like 70% to 90% of the mega million winners eventually go broke due to over splurging, pressure of supporting friends & family, people swindling away some of the winnings, gambling it away, etc. And of course, there are the horror stories of committing murder in order to inherit all that money. The end story is that the winner is somehow left in a worse situation, financially or otherwise, than before she/he won the lotto.

Yup, I was talking about this sort of thing just the other day. They announce winners' full names, as well as their city and state, and they're all over the news. Not only would they become a potential target for robbery, but now they have to deal with their so-called friends/family trying to get a piece of the pie. Hell, I remember the time I made the mistake of blurting out to a family member "I just got my tax refund!," and the first thing out her mouth was "Good. Now you can give me money for gas." (Um...you offered me a ride when you saw that I was heading out to catch the $1 bus. Don't get me in your car, and suddenly say that I "owe" you simply because you learned that I just got my refund. If I knew you'd pull that crap, I would've just taken the $1 bus in the first place...).

 

[WickedTouch]

In the UK we have a "no publicity" option with the Lottery, so you can pick up your winnings and remain anonymous if you wish.

I like that option.

 

[pg240]

Some states allow winners to remain anonymous or you can establish a trust to claim the prize. Best advice winners get now is to assemble a team of financial experts before even claiming the prize.