To Win Big

Bloganuary writing prompt
What would you do if you won the lottery?

Millions of people buy tickets for the lottery with hopes and dreams of the possibility of winning. Statistically, very few people win compared to the number of tickets purchased. Basically, 1 person in 300 million will win a lottery.

But what if? What would I do after winning a lottery? Simple, first get an attorney, a tax person, and a financial advisor other than myself. I would need the attorney to keep others from trying to get the money. A tax person to make sure the government does not get more money than due. A financial advisor so I could have the money invested to work at making more money by ligament means. Winning a large amount of money is not the answer to the problems, it only creates new problems.

First, I would not tell anyone I won. Not my children or family or coworkers. The state I live in does not require the name of the lottery winner to be made public. No one would know until I had received the money and secured it. Only after the money was secure would I tell my children I feel sure would not spread the news of my winning a lottery. My coworkers would never learn I had won a lottery. I would continue to work as I did previously. Not quitting my job after learning I had won. It takes time to verify and process the winning ticket. The house payment and other bills still need to be paid, so continuing to work is a necessity.

Once the money was mine, taxes paid, I would pay off the mortgage of my home. I would causally look for another place to purchase, with more land and perhaps a second home to use for guest or my husband’s aging parents. Causally look for a home, what does that mean? Well, it means I would not be telling the real estate agent I had just won the lottery. I would look myself at properties for sale until I found one I wanted to purchase. Then I would use a third person, probably the attorney, to contact a real estate agent to help obtain and close the deal.

Once I had purchased a new place to live, I would sell my current home. Quit my job stating that I was moving for family reasons. Then I would not work an outside job any longer. There would still be plenty of work for me to do as I would continue to raise sheep, gradually increasing my flock to 100 breeding ewes. I would spend time riding my horses, writing, doing my art and reading books. There would be a few trips to visit family and especially the grandchildren.

Spending the money – I would only spend half the interest earned from the lottery winnings after securing a new home. There is a budget for the new home. I would only spend a tenth of the winnings on a new home, in combination with the money I would get from selling my current home.

I would drive an economical vehicle but not too showy or pricey. Not my thing. Practical transportation with some comforts like heated seats. I would continue to dress the same, same jewelry as I am still who I am.

I would pay off my children’s college loans and fees. Ease the burden on their households. I would also, if within my budget pay off the mortgages of their homes. Freeing my children from a monthly expense of paying for a home, would allow them more money to spend on the children’s needs. I would not buy them all new vehicles or even a new house. They can get the rest of the money once I am gone, as I do have a few decades lived.

I do not have any places I really want to visit or events to view. I enjoy my simple country life.

amtolle