Current Events > You find out you win the Mega Millions tonight. What do immediately do?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Mega Millions is about 300 million cash value right now. So after taxes around $150 million. That's incredibly life changing. How would you honestly react?

I'd try to remain anonymous. I don't think I'd be able to tell anyone over the phone. I'd have to see them in person. So since I'm alone tonight, and I win, I don't think I'd tell anyone. I'd probably start planning immediately and thinking about what I'm going to do with my job. I'd want to quit, but I wouldn't leave them high and dry. Maybe if I gave them some money that would off set my sudden departure.
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By law you can't remain anonymous. You have to claim it publicly.

First thing I do? Pay off my debts. Then I'd give my mom a shit ton of money so her and my dad can retire very comfortably. They've given me more than I could ever ask for, I want to pay it forward. Next, I'd help out my friends in any way that I can with any issues they have. I wouldn't set them up for life, but any debts they have, I'd like to clear those for them. Then, I'd buy a decent sized house, maybe 2,500 SQFT, have an outdoor shed that's a dedicated game room where friends can hang, stay the night if they wish, and I'd put the rest of the money into investments/savings.
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I wouldn't tell a soul.

Everyone you've ever met in your life would have their hand out.

I would buy my mother a home. Then probably trade my car in for a pick up. Then I would resolve to finish school.

Well the first thing that would happen is discover I had 100 friends that have been thinking about me everyday since high school.
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Lol @ anyone voting for the first option.
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happibivouac posted...

By law you can't remain anonymous. You have to claim it publicly.

I don't believe that's true.

"Only seven statesDelaware, Kansas, Maryland, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, and likely soon Georgiaallow winners to shield their identities. A handful of other states, like California and Wisconsin, entirely forbid winners to remain anonymous, and then there are the states with gray areas, says Jason Kurland, an attorney in East Meadow, New York, who has represented jackpot winners in the past. Depending on where you live, you can form a trust and hide behind that. Your lawyer can be the face of the trust."
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Quit my job
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First thing I would do is retire.
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Just so you know, The WINNERs= become Mafia targets and are extorted for life.

some end up dying of depression for not being able to handle the Star Wackers watching your

every move.

Go ahead search around where the last winner ends up, they are not ever seen ever again.
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Contact a lawyer, look into forming a trust and have them be the face for it so I don't have my identity revealed

happibivouac posted...

By law you can't remain anonymous. You have to claim it publicly.

First thing I do? Pay off my debts. Then I'd give my mom a shit ton of money so her and my dad can retire very comfortably. They've given me more than I could ever ask for, I want to pay it forward. Next, I'd help out my friends in any way that I can with any issues they have. I wouldn't set them up for life, but any debts they have, I'd like to clear those for them. Then, I'd buy a decent sized house, maybe 2,500 SQFT, have an outdoor shed that's a dedicated game room where friends can hang, stay the night if they wish, and I'd put the rest of the money into investments/savings.

Is that all you'd really do? Depending on how much you consider a "shit ton" given to your parents, you're looking at spending a few million max. You have so much more left over. And that can also supply you with thousands and thousands of disposable income each month without dipping into the principle.

I mean, I'm not talking about going out and buying mansions or 10 super cars or a yacht. But wouldn't you do a bit more? Maybe some expensive luxury travel? At least one 100k car?
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id tell my mom right away and hook her and my two brothers up with some money; wouldnt tell anyone else tho
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Do they just release the winners name? How about their address, city? Is the face picture optional? Because a lot of people share the same names. There's like a couple dozen in my city alone that share the exact same name as me.
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Keep it secret until I got a good lawyer and all the initial hype died down from there being a winner/winners. I know who in my life has always been there for me. I'd help them out.
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GAMERCAMRY posted...

Do they just release the winners name? How about their address, city? Is the face picture optional? Because a lot of people share the same names. There's like a couple dozen in my city alone that share the exact same name as me.

For very large wins that are publicized such as these, they typically hold a short press conference and air it on local TV. Sometimes winners have been known to appear on national TV.

Basically, if you win a large amount, people will be trying to contact you. They'll know what you look like and who you are.
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Joeydollaz posted...

Just so you know, The WINNERs= become Mafia targets and are extorted for life.

some end up dying of depression for not being able to handle the Star Wackers watching your

every move.

Go ahead search around where the last winner ends up, they are not ever seen ever again.

I don't believe this given your username.
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Houston posted...

happibivouac posted...

By law you can't remain anonymous. You have to claim it publicly.

First thing I do? Pay off my debts. Then I'd give my mom a shit ton of money so her and my dad can retire very comfortably. They've given me more than I could ever ask for, I want to pay it forward. Next, I'd help out my friends in any way that I can with any issues they have. I wouldn't set them up for life, but any debts they have, I'd like to clear those for them. Then, I'd buy a decent sized house, maybe 2,500 SQFT, have an outdoor shed that's a dedicated game room where friends can hang, stay the night if they wish, and I'd put the rest of the money into investments/savings.

Is that all you'd really do? Depending on how much you consider a "shit ton" given to your parents, you're looking at spending a few million max. You have so much more left over. And that can also supply you with thousands and thousands of disposable income each month without dipping into the principle.

I mean, I'm not talking about going out and buying mansions or 10 super cars or a yacht. But wouldn't you do a bit more? Maybe some expensive luxury travel? At least one 100k car?

That's just it, it's hard to remain modest unless you were already really modest with your money to begin with. I'd get a scooter or moped or whatever just to make getting around easier when I'm grabbing groceries or whatever, but besides that and a lawyer I'd not make any large purchases. Invest and put some in savings/ checking for surgery and possible emergency expenses like a family emergency. Pay off my student loans. But besides investments, the rest from the last sentence are what I'm saving for or paying off already.

Tell parents and contact a lawyer/financial advisor. Pay off debts and then invest most. Maybe take friends/family on a trip together.
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Houston posted...

GAMERCAMRY posted...

Do they just release the winners name? How about their address, city? Is the face picture optional? Because a lot of people share the same names. There's like a couple dozen in my city alone that share the exact same name as me.

For very large wins that are publicized such as these, they typically hold a short press conference and air it on local TV. Sometimes winners have been known to appear on national TV.

Basically, if you win a large amount, people will be trying to contact you. They'll know what you look like and who you are.

Basically, expect people to find your Facebook and address soon after and they'll start asking for money. Others might even try to sue you over some alleged issue that happened ages ago. That fender bender that insurance handled? In some states they have like 3-5 years after where they can still sue even with insurance problems being resolved. "Oh, I was out of a car for a week and a half and lost my job a month after the accident due to stress and being late during that time, gimme that money."

5 bucks says post 2 is "invest"

happibivouac posted...

By law you can't remain anonymous. You have to claim it publicly.

First thing I do? Pay off my debts. Then I'd give my mom a shit ton of money so her and my dad can retire very comfortably. They've given me more than I could ever ask for, I want to pay it forward. Next, I'd help out my friends in any way that I can with any issues they have. I wouldn't set them up for life, but any debts they have, I'd like to clear those for them. Then, I'd buy a decent sized house, maybe 2,500 SQFT, have an outdoor shed that's a dedicated game room where friends can hang, stay the night if they wish, and I'd put the rest of the money into investments/savings.

I was right
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asagi_mode_gone posted...

Houston posted...

happibivouac posted...

By law you can't remain anonymous. You have to claim it publicly.

First thing I do? Pay off my debts. Then I'd give my mom a shit ton of money so her and my dad can retire very comfortably. They've given me more than I could ever ask for, I want to pay it forward. Next, I'd help out my friends in any way that I can with any issues they have. I wouldn't set them up for life, but any debts they have, I'd like to clear those for them. Then, I'd buy a decent sized house, maybe 2,500 SQFT, have an outdoor shed that's a dedicated game room where friends can hang, stay the night if they wish, and I'd put the rest of the money into investments/savings.

Is that all you'd really do? Depending on how much you consider a "shit ton" given to your parents, you're looking at spending a few million max. You have so much more left over. And that can also supply you with thousands and thousands of disposable income each month without dipping into the principle.

I mean, I'm not talking about going out and buying mansions or 10 super cars or a yacht. But wouldn't you do a bit more? Maybe some expensive luxury travel? At least one 100k car?

That's just it, it's hard to remain modest unless you were already really modest with your money to begin with. I'd get a scooter or moped or whatever just to make getting around easier when I'm grabbing groceries or whatever, but besides that and a lawyer I'd not make any large purchases. Invest and put some in savings/ checking for surgery and possible emergency expenses like a family emergency. Pay off my student loans. But besides investments, the rest from the last sentence are what I'm saving for or paying off already.

What's the point of having all that money if you're not going to use hardly any of it? It's going to generate so much income without losing principal. Are you just going to save it all and pass it on when you die, never really spending much of it?

I get not going all out and spending $50 million dollars within a year or two. But I would definitely be eating much nicer, staying at nicer hotels/resorts, etc. etc.
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Wouldn't tell anyone instantly. Would tell my mom and my dad before the weekends out. Not sure about friends. They'd probly know when I bought a house and a 49 Merc though.
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Go home and tell the wife it finally happened. Then my mom. Then my dad. Then start figuring out how to spend it.
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CanuckCowboy posted...

Wouldn't tell anyone instantly. Would tell my mom and my dad before the weekends out. Not sure about friends. They'd probly know when I bought a house and a 49 Merc though.

Like this one?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1949-Mercury-Other-/332835935609
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try and be anonymous
if not able legally, figure out a way to 'leak' to the press that I lost all the money doing stupid shit so nobody will bug me
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Surgery on my foot/ankle so it finally fucking heals
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well, i would find find a good lawyer in this area that i would pay very well to protect my identity for the rest of his or her life.

basically they would need to open some kind of legal entity to claim the winnings for me, a shell company of some kind that is basically me- but doesn't identify me as such.
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Kombucha posted...

well, i would find find a good lawyer in this area that i would pay very well to protect my identity for the rest of his or her life.

basically they would need to open some kind of legal entity to claim the winnings for me, a shell company of some kind that is basically me- but doesn't identify me as such.

Pretty sure that's not gonna fly in any lottery anywhere.
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CanuckCowboy posted...

Kombucha posted...

well, i would find find a good lawyer in this area that i would pay very well to protect my identity for the rest of his or her life.

basically they would need to open some kind of legal entity to claim the winnings for me, a shell company of some kind that is basically me- but doesn't identify me as such.

Pretty sure that's not gonna fly in any lottery anywhere.

there have been some books/informative guides written about how to claim winnings anonymously. i'm sure that the details are more nuanced than this but you get the point. it's definitely how a number of winners have claimed their winnings.
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Honestly? I'd try to finance a game or (even better) convince a company to revive a dead property with me acting as the financial backer...
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Solid Sonic posted...

Honestly? I'd try to finance a game or (even better) convince a company to revive a dead property with me acting as the financial backer...

That's a good idea. I'd probably be trying to do similar things or become a political donor. I'd also give to charity and do random acts of kindness to those in obvious need.
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Houston posted...

asagi_mode_gone posted...

Houston posted...

happibivouac posted...

By law you can't remain anonymous. You have to claim it publicly.

First thing I do? Pay off my debts. Then I'd give my mom a shit ton of money so her and my dad can retire very comfortably. They've given me more than I could ever ask for, I want to pay it forward. Next, I'd help out my friends in any way that I can with any issues they have. I wouldn't set them up for life, but any debts they have, I'd like to clear those for them. Then, I'd buy a decent sized house, maybe 2,500 SQFT, have an outdoor shed that's a dedicated game room where friends can hang, stay the night if they wish, and I'd put the rest of the money into investments/savings.

Is that all you'd really do? Depending on how much you consider a "shit ton" given to your parents, you're looking at spending a few million max. You have so much more left over. And that can also supply you with thousands and thousands of disposable income each month without dipping into the principle.

I mean, I'm not talking about going out and buying mansions or 10 super cars or a yacht. But wouldn't you do a bit more? Maybe some expensive luxury travel? At least one 100k car?

That's just it, it's hard to remain modest unless you were already really modest with your money to begin with. I'd get a scooter or moped or whatever just to make getting around easier when I'm grabbing groceries or whatever, but besides that and a lawyer I'd not make any large purchases. Invest and put some in savings/ checking for surgery and possible emergency expenses like a family emergency. Pay off my student loans. But besides investments, the rest from the last sentence are what I'm saving for or paying off already.

What's the point of having all that money if you're not going to use hardly any of it? It's going to generate so much income without losing principal. Are you just going to save it all and pass it on when you die, never really spending much of it?

I get not going all out and spending $50 million dollars within a year or two. But I would definitely be eating much nicer, staying at nicer hotels/resorts, etc. etc.

I'll use the money to benefit the lives of those who will exist after I'm gone. Charity work would be through the lawyer to establish a trust, etc.

Shit, I'd have a house in Cali, Florida, Colorado, and Virginia. Possibly South Carolina as well. I'd get 5 or 6 Impalas, starting with the 60s and getting one from every decade. Probably an suv and a car, then an suv and whatever else for the wife. Furniture, more shoes than I could wear in a life and plenty of clothes. And then probably a couple mil to my mom, a mil or so to my dad, several thousand to some other relatives. And that's all about $6 or $7 million there. Then I open up a business, probably a restaurant, and then just chill.
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asagi_mode_gone posted...

Houston posted...

asagi_mode_gone posted...

Houston posted...

happibivouac posted...

By law you can't remain anonymous. You have to claim it publicly.

First thing I do? Pay off my debts. Then I'd give my mom a shit ton of money so her and my dad can retire very comfortably. They've given me more than I could ever ask for, I want to pay it forward. Next, I'd help out my friends in any way that I can with any issues they have. I wouldn't set them up for life, but any debts they have, I'd like to clear those for them. Then, I'd buy a decent sized house, maybe 2,500 SQFT, have an outdoor shed that's a dedicated game room where friends can hang, stay the night if they wish, and I'd put the rest of the money into investments/savings.

Is that all you'd really do? Depending on how much you consider a "shit ton" given to your parents, you're looking at spending a few million max. You have so much more left over. And that can also supply you with thousands and thousands of disposable income each month without dipping into the principle.

I mean, I'm not talking about going out and buying mansions or 10 super cars or a yacht. But wouldn't you do a bit more? Maybe some expensive luxury travel? At least one 100k car?

That's just it, it's hard to remain modest unless you were already really modest with your money to begin with. I'd get a scooter or moped or whatever just to make getting around easier when I'm grabbing groceries or whatever, but besides that and a lawyer I'd not make any large purchases. Invest and put some in savings/ checking for surgery and possible emergency expenses like a family emergency. Pay off my student loans. But besides investments, the rest from the last sentence are what I'm saving for or paying off already.

What's the point of having all that money if you're not going to use hardly any of it? It's going to generate so much income without losing principal. Are you just going to save it all and pass it on when you die, never really spending much of it?

I get not going all out and spending $50 million dollars within a year or two. But I would definitely be eating much nicer, staying at nicer hotels/resorts, etc. etc.

I'll use the money to benefit the lives of those who will exist after I'm gone. Charity work would be through the lawyer to establish a trust, etc.

300 million and you don't even splurge on a nice lake house? You'd changed yer mind p quick I bet.

I'd be fairly low key with it aside from travelling and my house though.
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Your lottery taxes are ridiculously high.
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Stagmar posted...

Your lottery taxes are ridiculously high.

Pay someone to send the tax money over in pennies
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Besides the obvious pay off debt, set myself and my mom and closest friends up:
I dated a millionaire once (family money he grew up with that they invested in businesses) and one thing I keep thinking about even now is how he would get like, full body health workups and screenings often. They found a few things wrong with him that way that he never like had to tell them symptoms cuz he didn't even know he had anything wrong- they just found it for him. One thing was something to do with his septum, maybe it was deviated, I forget- I just remember him telling me he never realized he wasn't breathing well until after the surgery and he could breathe like a normal person and it changed his quality of life forever. So if I won the lottery, I'd do that I guess, just get medical care that I know I need and try to prevent other problems in the future. I would also hire a maid and a nutritionist/chef.
I would learn a needed skill that I liked doing and volunteer my time doing it. I've always said that if I had enough money that I didn't have to worry about working, I'd spend my time helping the world. I would also probably try to always be in some kind of school or doing classes. I love to learn for the sake of learning, not necessarily under the pressure of getting a degree or job out of it.
To answer who I'd tell, I am garbage at keeping secrets, so probably most people. I would probably get robbed a lot honestly.
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CanuckCowboy posted...

asagi_mode_gone posted...

Houston posted...

asagi_mode_gone posted...

Houston posted...

happibivouac posted...

By law you can't remain anonymous. You have to claim it publicly.

First thing I do? Pay off my debts. Then I'd give my mom a shit ton of money so her and my dad can retire very comfortably. They've given me more than I could ever ask for, I want to pay it forward. Next, I'd help out my friends in any way that I can with any issues they have. I wouldn't set them up for life, but any debts they have, I'd like to clear those for them. Then, I'd buy a decent sized house, maybe 2,500 SQFT, have an outdoor shed that's a dedicated game room where friends can hang, stay the night if they wish, and I'd put the rest of the money into investments/savings.

Is that all you'd really do? Depending on how much you consider a "shit ton" given to your parents, you're looking at spending a few million max. You have so much more left over. And that can also supply you with thousands and thousands of disposable income each month without dipping into the principle.

I mean, I'm not talking about going out and buying mansions or 10 super cars or a yacht. But wouldn't you do a bit more? Maybe some expensive luxury travel? At least one 100k car?

That's just it, it's hard to remain modest unless you were already really modest with your money to begin with. I'd get a scooter or moped or whatever just to make getting around easier when I'm grabbing groceries or whatever, but besides that and a lawyer I'd not make any large purchases. Invest and put some in savings/ checking for surgery and possible emergency expenses like a family emergency. Pay off my student loans. But besides investments, the rest from the last sentence are what I'm saving for or paying off already.

What's the point of having all that money if you're not going to use hardly any of it? It's going to generate so much income without losing principal. Are you just going to save it all and pass it on when you die, never really spending much of it?

I get not going all out and spending $50 million dollars within a year or two. But I would definitely be eating much nicer, staying at nicer hotels/resorts, etc. etc.

I'll use the money to benefit the lives of those who will exist after I'm gone. Charity work would be through the lawyer to establish a trust, etc.

300 million and you don't even splurge on a nice lake house? You'd changed yer mind p quick I bet.

I'd be fairly low key with it aside from travelling and my house though.

I hate nature and the distance wouldn't help since I'd still want a job of some sort to occupy my time. Maybe I'd buy a house but nothing extravagant or obnoxiously rich looking.

happibivouac posted...

By law you can't remain anonymous. You have to claim it publicly.

Nope, this woman in NH was able to challenge that and won.
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@RiderofHogs posted...

happibivouac posted...

By law you can't remain anonymous. You have to claim it publicly.

Nope, this woman in NH was able to challenge that and won.

Did she have to challenge it in court...publicly? That'd be funny.
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Keep it quiet, have an attorney claim it for me in public to remain under the radar.

Would likely not quit my job until 3 or 6 months afterward just so it does not draw attention to me.
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I'm paying all my debts and allowing my grandmother to retire. I could also get a membership at a boxing gym nearby too. I wouldn't quit my job though since I could remain anonymous publicly.
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SquirrelyDan posted...

@RiderofHogs posted...

happibivouac posted...

By law you can't remain anonymous. You have to claim it publicly.

Nope, this woman in NH was able to challenge that and won.

Did she have to challenge it in court...publicly? That'd be funny.

No, she had lawyers do it as far as I know.
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Get the payments instead of the lump sum.

Talk to a financial advisor.

First thing would be to pay off all my familys debt and replace my car.
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Quit my job and go to school full time and get a home in a decent neighborhood.
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i might play now that no one won.
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