When the Texas Lottery Jackpot reaches epic plateaus as it has the past week or so, I catch a bit o' the fever as well. A week ago from Wednesday, it was $80 million. Nobody won it, so it climbed to $100 million this past Saturday. Nobody won that, so I figured it was about time to waste a little money as the pot built to $120 million.
And that's what I did: waste a little money. Exactly 5 bucks. Our local news media have been running stories about how unlikely it is to win, that you have a better chance of getting struck by lightning than winning what is now an estimated $145 million for next Saturday. That's not exactly true: I'm typically not dumb enough to stand outside during a thunderstorm; I am dumb enough to spend the equivalent of a fast-food value meal on a chance at that kind of cash.
They drew the numbers at 10:12 p.m. local time, and the numbers were stupid numbers (mostly because they weren't mine). Who on Earth would pick the bonus ball as one of their other five numbers? Nobody did, I guess. So I'll probably shell out another 5 bucks to play again Saturday. Why not?
Yeah, it's gambling. And, yes, sadly there are people who spend hundreds of their hard-earned paychecks, pinning their financial dreams on a cloud. But it's kind of fun to watch the little pingpong balls blow into the tube. And it's fun to dream about what we'd do with so much money. And the last thing I need is another fast-food value meal. And you're less likely to win if you don't play. Kind of like life, isn't it?
What would you do with $145 million (we'll just pretend there are no taxes on your prize)?
I would donate about 45 million to get a proper drug treatment facility running in this city. I'd also give money to open up a large women's shelter. I'd give a good chunk to Children's Hospital and to Canucks Place for Kids (hospice care)http://www.canuckplace.org/. The rest would be divied up between family members and friends.
:)
oh you know... The typical, house, cars, pay off debts, take care of my parents, dangle it in front of my siblings, college fund for my kids, trust funds for them.... and Diamonds from Tiffany's!
I also got caught up in the fever last wednesday when we pooled $40 at the office. I missed getting a ticket yesterday but I will be getting one for Saturday. Can't hurt.
I would pay off all my debt and my immediate relatives debt. then i would take care of some friends debt and a few bloggers who deserve some help. I would help individuals more than I would a charity. Then I would splurge on a Harley for me, a tricked out Escalade for the wife. Music equipment. And I would come to work with an attitude, hee hee.
I never particpate in the lottery, but I am very much for voluntary taxation (lottery, casinos) because it lessens my tax burden.
I would donate at least half of it for cancer research. Beings it's the nemisis of my familly.
Then I'd probably follow the Cubs around.
Hey T --> Same sitch here...
The IL lottery was was 100 mil last Fri and we took up a $5/person *donation* for pooled tickets/chances.
No dice...
Then Tues, was up to 121 million -- did another $5 *donation*... We had $125 in tickets and didn't win a freakin' dime.
Stinks! I'm the one going through our office like Tony (Antoinette) Soprano saying, "Hey, are you a man or a mouse? What, you don't have five bucks? What, do you want to be the only loser still in the office working, when the rest of us are holding that mammoth cardbord replica of a check?"
(Yeah, I'm pretty persuasive -- have gotten money from even the most closed-fisted, budget minded folk)
If that doesn't work, I regress to junior high, "All of the cool kids are in the pool"... I kid you NOT! I've used that line, and yes, recently!
To answer your original question, I have no earthly idea what I'd do with $145 million bucks, but I'd guess I'd have a million MORE friends!
Good LUCK! Don't forget your pals if you win, mi amigo!!!
I'd buy an apartment, then give some $$ to the CDC to make sure that Biohazard Level 4 doesn't suffer any leakages from budget cuts. Then I'd quit my job and do pro bono work full time.
About $45mil to selected charities. That would leave me about $60mil after Uncle Sam takes his.
Then: - House So. Cal, - House on Catalina Island, - Sweet boat to get to and from, - Pilot lessons, - 4 place Mooney to fly to Catalina or the desert, invest the rest and using my interest checks I would travel to every island in the Caribbean and the South Pacific. Oh, and I lived happily ever after.
We did the office lottery thing. I spent $1. I figured if we did win, it would be a great return.
If I won that much, I'd pay off my debts, buy my parents what they wanted, take a nice trip and then invest the rest.
I would travel the world and reward people for doing good things.