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rojerono
Happiest.
Member since 8/06 13803 total posts
Name:
Jeannie
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Winning the Lottery - A Serious Sort of Question
I know the chances of any of us actually winning the mega millions or what not are slim. And I know we have gone over what we'd personally do with the cash... but I want to know this: Would you REALLY want to win the lottery? Do you think you are responsible enough to handle that kind of money? Do you think you are strong enough to say no to people when they ask for a handout? Do you think you can tell the difference between the people who love you for who you are - and the people who know you have a fat wallet?
The more I think about it - the more I think I would actually NOT want to win. I feel like I would constantly be in a state of "Am I doing enough for my friends, my family, humanity as a whole?" I was thinking about what I'd do and in my random daydream I felt like 50 MILLION wouldn't be enough! I was getting anxiety over a DAYDREAM! I was thinking - "Well I'd give 500K to all of the ones nearest and dearest.. and an extra something to this one and that one - and money to my co-workers and money to this charity and that one. My best friend told me that if I ever win any kind of big money - she's taking control of it to make sure I don't put myself in a hole by never saying no. I heard somewhere (probably a sitcom or something) that something like90% of lottery winners wish they hadn't won. And I saw a woman on Oprah telling a story about how she had to MOVE to get away from people who kept asking her for money and getting angry when she refused to support the lifestyle that they wanted to become accustomed to!
So what about you? Is winning the lottery a fantasy you would REALLY want to come true?
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Posted 12/4/08 8:48 AM  |
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MsMBV
:P
Member since 5/05 28602 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Winning the Lottery - A Serious Sort of Question
Honestly, I think this is a great question, and I think I like the fantasy win that plays in my head. In reality, I'd much rather prefer (if I won anything ever) to get a smaller more managable amount that would help me but not change me. Does that make sense?
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| Posted 12/4/08 8:50 AM |
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dm24angel
Happiness
Member since 5/05 34581 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: Winning the Lottery - A Serious Sort of Question
No, I think I would be able to do great things with that kind of money, for myself, my family, friends and other people. I feel strongly about lottery winners doing something to extend their winnings to others as I feel its a "gift" and I think I would do just that.
Sure I would probably encounter problems like you mentioned, but I think the good would outdo the bad of the responsibility( if thats what I would call it) .
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| Posted 12/4/08 8:55 AM |
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KPtoys
I'm getting old
Member since 5/05 8688 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: Winning the Lottery - A Serious Sort of Question
Would I want the fantasy to come true. You bet... but your right on the same token no, not really. I would love to give my family millions each. Help my friends/extended family out with a few hundred thou, have trust funds for my children, never worry about another bill that may come again. Have enough to give to charity. Live comfortably with my family and just enjoy life. That is the dream I have. I try not to think about the negative side of being thrust into having a bunch of unearned money!
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| Posted 12/4/08 8:56 AM |
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CathyB
Member since 5/05 19403 total posts
Name:
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Re: Winning the Lottery - A Serious Sort of Question
Yup I would. But I think it helps that DH is in money management and if we won he'd be able to quit his job and manage our money from home, so he'd be around for our kids a lot more.
I'd love to be able to pay off mortgages and college loans for those family members who have really supported me through some tough times.
Plus it would enable me to start the non-profit I've wanted for a while, but we just don't have the financial means or connections to get it off the ground.
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| Posted 12/4/08 8:57 AM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: Winning the Lottery - A Serious Sort of Question
I would like to have that problem. Seriously, I am prepared to deal with it. Yes, I'm strong enough to say no only because I am extremely generous. I'm generous to the point where the people that should get something, will and the ones that shouldn't won't and I won't lose sleep over it. There is a lot of good that can come out of it.
Serious financial planning would happen. Also, until all my ducks are in a row, no one would know. I know that would have to be done quickly but I have those resources at my disposal.
Of course, if it ever would happen what I perceive now could go out the window.
Bring it.
Message edited 12/4/2008 8:58:06 AM.
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| Posted 12/4/08 8:57 AM |
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baghag
:P
Member since 5/05 10278 total posts
Name:
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Re: Winning the Lottery - A Serious Sort of Question
It's a lovely fantasy, but I agree with you.
A very large amount of money would turn me into a paranoid hermit with a stagnant social circle. I would never make ANY new friends for fear they'd be using me for $.
People already have an inflated sense of entitlement when it comes to money, and if you are lucky enough to win the money as opposed to earn it through work, that sense of entitlement gets even more out of control.
I like MrsMBV's idea of winning a lesser amount of money- something more manageable.
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| Posted 12/4/08 8:59 AM |
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headoverheels
s'il vous plaît
Member since 6/07 42079 total posts
Name:
LB
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Re: Winning the Lottery - A Serious Sort of Question
Posted by MsMBV
Honestly, I think this is a great question, and I think I like the fantasy win that plays in my head. In reality, I'd much rather prefer (if I won anything ever) to get a smaller more managable amount that would help me but not change me. Does that make sense?
i like the way you think. DH and i always talk about how we would love to win just enough to pay off our debts and our parent's mortgages, buy a house and 2 new cars, go on a really nice vacation, and maybe buy some nice things for our families.
i am always considering if i would like to win enough money so that i never had to work again and i am so torn - it would be nice at first i think, but i am only 28 - wouldn't i get bored after a while? i *think* i would want to be a SAHM but since i have never done that i have no idea if it would work for me.
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| Posted 12/4/08 8:59 AM |
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baghag
:P
Member since 5/05 10278 total posts
Name:
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Re: Winning the Lottery - A Serious Sort of Question
Posted by Blu-ize
I would like to have that problem. Seriously, I am prepared to deal with it. Yes, I'm strong enough to say no only because I am extremely generous. I'm generous to the point where the people that should get something, will and the ones that shouldn't won't and I won't lose sleep over it. There is a lot of good that can come out of it.
Serious financial planning would happen. Also, until all my ducks are in a row, no one would know. I know that would have to be done quickly but I have those resources at my disposal.
Of course, if it ever would happen what I perceive now could go out the window.
Bring it.
I thought I'd be able to keep it quiet also, until I realized that lottery winners names are made public. 
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| Posted 12/4/08 9:01 AM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: Winning the Lottery - A Serious Sort of Question
Posted by baghag
I like MrsMBV's idea of winning a lesser amount of money- something more manageable.
If you DO win 50 million, I would be more than willing to help you out and take 30 or 40 million of that.... out of love and compassion for you, of course, to make your life easier....   
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| Posted 12/4/08 9:06 AM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: Winning the Lottery - A Serious Sort of Question
Posted by baghag
Posted by Blu-ize
I would like to have that problem. Seriously, I am prepared to deal with it. Yes, I'm strong enough to say no only because I am extremely generous. I'm generous to the point where the people that should get something, will and the ones that shouldn't won't and I won't lose sleep over it. There is a lot of good that can come out of it.
Serious financial planning would happen. Also, until all my ducks are in a row, no one would know. I know that would have to be done quickly but I have those resources at my disposal.
Of course, if it ever would happen what I perceive now could go out the window.
Bring it.
I thought I'd be able to keep it quiet also, until I realized that lottery winners names are made public.
there's a short window of time where you could have time to figure a lot out. You will have financial people coming out of the woodwork willing to "work" with you. I have those professionals already at my disposal.
The rest will fall where it falls. Winning lottery can do more good than bad for me personally. I don't remember past lottery winners names and never seek them out so for the most part after the noise dies down, nobody outside of your circle would remember.
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| Posted 12/4/08 9:18 AM |
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BigB
C & J are 10!
Member since 6/05 5914 total posts
Name:
Stacey
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Re: Winning the Lottery - A Serious Sort of Question
The Good news is that I have a VERY small family and a few good friends. I would set up Trusts for my 2 nephews and my friends 3 daughters.
I would buy my mother and inlaws an apartment and pay the maintence as well.
And for myself, I would so buy a BIG apartment in NYC and live a pretty simple life!
I could handle it!
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| Posted 12/4/08 9:18 AM |
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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
Name:
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Re: Winning the Lottery - A Serious Sort of Question
Posted by Blu-ize
I would like to have that problem. Seriously, I am prepared to deal with it. Yes, I'm strong enough to say no only because I am extremely generous. I'm generous to the point where the people that should get something, will and the ones that shouldn't won't and I won't lose sleep over it. There is a lot of good that can come out of it.
Serious financial planning would happen. Also, until all my ducks are in a row, no one would know. I know that would have to be done quickly but I have those resources at my disposal.
Of course, if it ever would happen what I perceive now could go out the window.
Bring it.
I feel the same way. I would definitely be able to say no if I felt I was being taken advantage of. I'm not swayed by claims of poverty by many people.
I think you have a year to claim it. If it was a huge jackpot, I would be on my phone to my roommate from college (VP at an investment bank) immediately. The rational me would speak to an accountant before claiming the money.
Message edited 12/4/2008 10:11:11 AM.
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| Posted 12/4/08 10:10 AM |
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GioiaMia
Let's Go Rangers!
Member since 1/07 14818 total posts
Name:
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Re: Winning the Lottery - A Serious Sort of Question
I think that I would still WANT it LOL but I see what you mean. I really dont have many friends and I would WANT to help my family but I know that I would get crazy with SAVING the money and DH would want to SPLURGE and i see a big problem forming there.
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| Posted 12/4/08 10:18 AM |
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hazeleyes33
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 13060 total posts
Name:
Ginger
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Re: Winning the Lottery - A Serious Sort of Question
I think I could handle it. My mom has always told me she wants nothing if I ever win as she doesn't need anything. I couldn't do that and would do something for her. My dh's family would be the ones looking for money and I would give them SOME but not alot because they would not appreciate it, blow it and come back looking for more.
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| Posted 12/4/08 10:57 AM |
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