Powerball: 365 million

[LastWhiteSoxFanStanding]

How many tickets will you be getting?

[sovereignstar]

Jackshit. I love being broke!

[LastWhiteSoxFanStanding]

I figure whats the harm in buying one. I just won't buy a snickers today to compensate.

[judicial clerk]

Its not really worth buying a ticket until the jackpot gets to about half a bil.

[Barkeep49]

It's only 177.3 million cash value. After taxes you won't even get 100 mil, so what's the point?

[Raiders Army]

I spent $20 yesterday. I wouldn't want to wait in line today. On the news they said that the lottery commission is opening up more machines to print tickets.

[Eaglesfan27]

I'll probably get 5. I know my chances are almost non-existant, but I won't miss 5 dollars. I'm going around lunchtime. Hopefully, lines won't be long (if they are, I probably will just pass.)

[Easy Mac]

I got 2 tickets, a bottle of water and a king size hershey bar. If I win, that will be the greatest chocolate ever. This is one of the rare times I've actually had cash in my wallet (maybe once every three months), so I'm not going to miss the money.

[FBPro]

I've got either 2 or 3 draws right now but may get a few more.

[duckman]

I bought 10 tickets.

[vex]

It's only 177.3 million cash value. After taxes you won't even get 100 mil, so what's the point?
Because I'm sure you wouldn't accept a paltry sum of $50 mil or so:rolleyes:

[panerd]

I wish I had enough capital to start up a racket up like the lottery. Give me all your money and you can already know after two ping pong balls come out that you haven't won shit.

[Lorena]

We bought 1.

Out of curiosity, who goes the Quick Pick route? We use the same set of numbers... dammit, we're bound to hit it!

[panerd]

Dola:

Some hoosier in front of me in line at the gas station last night was buying a 12 pack of Natural Light and ten powerball tickets. Why not use some of that money for a better beer or a good bottle of whisky?

[Cuckoo]

I usually only buy one, but I went ahead and took the $15 bucks I won last week and spent it on tickets for tonight.

[JeeberD]

Stupid Texas not participating in Powerball. I may have to throw a few bucks towards MegaMillions, though. That sucker is up to $170 million...

[Eaglesfan27]

We bought 1.

Out of curiosity, who goes the Quick Pick route? We use the same set of numbers... dammit, we're bound to hit it!
I go the Quick Pick route. I figure my odds are the same whether I or the machine pick the numbers.

[cartman]

I always go the quick pick route. The reason is that if I played the same set of numbers all of the time, the one time I didn't play them would be the time that they hit.

[Lorena]

Stupid Texas not participating in Powerball. I may have to throw a few bucks towards MegaMillions, though. That sucker is up to $170 million...

WTF, no Powerball in TX? Bummer.

[Craptacular]

I'll probably get $5 when I leave the house. I always play Quick Pick, for some of the reasons above, as well as the fact that it's a lot faster.

[Galaxy]

It's only 177.3 million cash value. After taxes you won't even get 100 mil, so what's the point?

Cash value after taxes? Not sure what you mean. As for the value, I got a feeling the pot will be won by at least two or three people, spitting it. Still would take it. Sadly, most lottery winners are broke in a decade or so.

[st.cronin]

Cash value after taxes? Not sure what you mean. As for the value, I got a feeling the pot will be won by at least two or three people, spitting it. Still would take it. Sadly, most lottery winners are broke in a decade or so.

When you consider the astronomical odds of winning along the heartbreaking stories of what happens to people who actually win, there is no way I would ever spend money on a lottery ticket.

It's basically a tax on the stupid.

[Galaxy]

When you consider the astronomical odds of winning along the heartbreaking stories of what happens to people who actually win, there is no way I would ever spend money on a lottery ticket.

It's basically a tax on the stupid.


Better then taking it out my paycheck. I do gamble, but never the lottery. At least with poker and that, you actually require some knowledge and skill to play. Why are they heart-breaking?

[Craptacular]

Cash value after taxes? Not sure what you mean. As for the value, I got a feeling the pot will be won by at least two or three people, spitting it. Still would take it. Sadly, most lottery winners are broke in a decade or so.The $365 million is the total if you take it in annual installments (20 years?) You can choose to take the lower lump sum (in this case $177 million) and get all your money at once. After Uncle Sam takes his 35%, and any local / state taxes are deducted, you're basically getting a little more than half of the money (half of $177 million)... more if you're in a state with a low or no income tax.

[Galaxy]

The $365 million is the total if you take it in annual installments (20 years?) You can choose to take the lower lump sum (in this case $177 million) and get all your money at once. After Uncle Sam takes his 35%, and any local / state taxes are deducted, you're basically getting a little more than half of the money ... more if you're in a state with a low or no income tax.


Thanks....Do the all the particiting states collect taxes on top of Uncle Sam, or is it just the winning state?

[stevew]

I think I'm gonna buy a couple, and forgo a soda and candy bar today. 90 million woud earn you about 85K a week in interest without touching the principle.

[Craptacular]

Thanks....Do the all the particiting states collect taxes on top of Uncle Sam, or is it just the winning state?It's treated as income to the winner, as if I made that money in salary. Some states don't have personal income taxes (Florida is one). If I win, I'll have to pay Wisconsin income tax on the winnings. I'm not exactly sure what happens if someone buys a ticket outside of the state they live in and wins ... I think they may have to file and/or pay taxes in both states, but they probably get some deductions so they aren't paying the full taxes in both.

[MikeVick7]

It's only 177.3 million cash value. After taxes you won't even get 100 mil, so what's the point? Yeah, no kidding. I mean you won't even notice that small bump as compared to the rest of your vast riches right? So why even bother? http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

[sterlingice]

When you consider the astronomical odds of winning along the heartbreaking stories of what happens to people who actually win, there is no way I would ever spend money on a lottery ticket.

It's basically a tax on the stupid.You just have to look at it in the right perspective. It's like buying a little bit of fun for a couple of days. If you actually think you have a chance at winning then it's a tad dangerous because you could go out and spend money that you need, but if you look at it like poker money (ie money you're spending for the purposes of enjoyment and if you win, it's gravy) then where's the harm?

As for the heartbreaking stoires about people who win, I'm sure that's not everyone- those are just the ones we hear about but there are thousands of big lotto winner per year. For instance, I'm not worried if I won as I'm a frugal bastard already when I have money and when I don't so I'd spend a little of it and then miserly squirrel the rest away ;)

SI

[sterlingice]

Yeah, no kidding. I mean you won't even notice that small bump as compared to the rest of your vast riches right? So why even bother? http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/images/smilies/rolleyes.gifThey had a great marketing campaign a couple of years ago to this effect where there was an asshole brother in law talking making fun of his sister's husband for gaining weight and having crappy stuff in his house and then talking about how everyone knows you only play the lotto when it's big money and then the brother sarcastically zinging him about how it was so awful to have won only $4M.

SI

[duckman]

Hell, I would be tickled pink if I only won $200,000.

[Shkspr]

Okay, duckman, here's your chance. I'll roll ten dice. If all ten come up boxcars on the first roll, then I'll flip a coin. Heads, you get my house; tails, you get my car. If one or more of the dice rolls anything but a six, you give me a dollar.

I choose the dice.

[st.cronin]

There was either a book or a magazine article that I read - basically, winning 1,000 dollars or so was fine. Winning more than about 50,000 dollars, and people started losing friends, their families turned on them ... it was just an ugly, ugly, description. Since I wouldn't want to win, why would I play?

I do enjoy gambling at a casino, but don't play the slots, just blackjack and some roulette. So I'm not anti-gambling.

[duckman]

Okay, duckman, here's your chance. I'll roll ten dice. If all ten come up boxcars on the first roll, then I'll flip a coin. Heads, you get my house; tails, you get my car. If one or more of the dice rolls anything but a six, you give me a dollar.

I choose the dice.
That's okay. :)

I realize that I don't have a chance in hell to win any money. I do it to have some fun. If I happened to win, great! I can live a life of luxury. If I don't win, who cares? The money is going to a good cause (education).

[Rockstar]

I bought 4. I would love to live the "heartbreaking" story of a lottery winner. My worst day laying on the beach sounds better then my best of best days at work. The biggest challenge would be mastering the ability to tell people no. Every fringe pal you ever had would slither out of the woodwork to beg for cash.

[Karlifornia]

The money is going to a good cause (education).


Actually, duckman, that's where you're wrong. The money is actually going to the Shkspr Analogy Fund, which allows Shkspr to take time off from working so that he can think of exciting new analogies to make us all feel stupid.

;)

[Logan]

I don't buy the whole "if you win the lottery, your life will be hell" argument. The problem is that a great majority of the winners you hear about are people who are lower to lower-middle class, who have never had a sizeable income and don't know how to spend money wisely. They also don't realize that a million dollars isn't a lot of money these days. Maybe you can buy a nice house and a car, but if you want to save any money, that's about it. You can't go around buying gifts for everybody.

I have a family member who won about $40K in the Cash 5 (Jersey). Almost all of that money went towards improving things in a house (bathrooms, kitchen, etc). It was a wise way to spend it. One of my best friends' fathers was one of 7 people in his office who split around $11 million from the Pick 6. He was already a fairly wealthy accountant, so that the few hundred grand he ended up with after taxes went towards buying a vacation home. Point being, there's plenty of ways to wisely spend lottery winnings.

My advice if anyone actually wins a sizeable amount in any lottery: Go to a lawyer, set up a trust, and then have your attorney claim the winnings in the name of the trust. You won't be completely anonymous to anyone who does some detective work, but it'll keep your name out of the paper.

[ShovelMonkey]

Five tickets, all quick picks.

When I win, my plan is to continue to work....just long enough for someone to piss me off. Then I'll politely tell them to go fuck themselves and call my helicopter in to pick me up.

[JeeberD]

If I were to ever win (and I'm talking 10+ million) I would buy a nice (but not outrageous) house for me and the woman, both of us nice (but not outrageous) cars, get the woman's parents out of debt, and maybe buy my brother and his wife a house. The rest is going into some sort of interest bearing account and we'll live off of the interest.

[EagleFan]

The problem is some of the people that win and who they do / how they handle it. I've already got a basic plan (not something counted on, just kind of like an 'escape toure in case of filre' kind of thing) and it all is releative to amount won (obviously with 2 million you can;t go as 'uts' as with 150 million.


My daughters college education would be taken care of as well as a trus funf (not one that makes them spoiled snobby brats though). I would find a way to get several family members and friends taken care of to some extent. I would set up a scholarship fund for the school that I went to (it's a private school and cost quite a bit now-- relatively, so I would like to see some who may benefit from it get a chance they might not had otherwise (I hope I don't lose my republican status with that idea)).

If it's an obscene amount, I would start my own software company that would easily be able to knock the current company out of the water (or would cause enough stir to get a sizable buyout).

I would also find a way to set up something to help those who are down on their luck to be able to get back on their feet. This would be very selective as I'm not talking about people who are just going to be a waste of time because they have major drug problems but maybe people who have been victims of layoffs and are having trouble getting re-established). Again, I hope that doesn;t take away my republican membership.

Oh and what goes without saying is getting a nice house (not something extreme, but something nice). The only extreme part is that it will have to be a very tech house with a great network and have a nice game room where I can host poker nights and just go to relax. Also getting a nice car for my wife and I. Not crazy, something like an Acura TL or along that line (not talking 6 figure cars). Though there probably would be a third card, a truck of some sort for use when needed to haul something.


It's funny how time changes things. My younger ideas were a little more extreme and included ideas like buying a minor league hockey team (though if we're talking absurd money, that idea might pop up).

[Crapshoot]

Its easier and more efficient to burn your dollar bills than to buy lottery tickets - the net effect is about the same, saving you the time to go down to the store.

[Crapshoot]

It's basically a tax on the stupid.

Harsh, but accurate.

[Karlifornia]

If I won the lottery, I'd donate a ton of money to a political party. They would then change the rules to make my life easier

[Rockstar]

http://www.wimp.com/risk/

[Rockstar]

Harsh, but accurate.


With a screen name like Crapshoot, I thought youd buy at least one.

[duckman]

Its easier and more efficient to burn your dollar bills than to buy lottery tickets - the net effect is about the same, saving you the time to go down to the store.
Great, you wouldn't waste your money on it. But, most people realize that they're not going to win any significant money playing. It's entertainment to them. It's as much fun fantasizing about winning it as it is actually winning it.

[Airhog]

I think its all relative. If you take 5 dollars, that is disposable income, and instead of renting a movie, you play the lottery. Now if you take your 200 dollars earmarked for your rent, then its a problem

[Raiders Army]

I'd take the annuity option as opposed to the cash value. I wouldn't be able to trust myself and it's a good excuse not to give to your great-cousin's best friend.

It was about a 40 minute drive to PA to get tickets...maybe I should've done the next drawing option on my quick picks as well. Oh well.

[Rockstar]

Cruel prank. Even for your pals. Possibly the best prank ever.
http://www.youtube.com/watch.php?v=pFMXfGvDRts

[Shkspr]

Actually, duckman, that's where you're wrong. The money is actually going to the Shkspr Analogy Fund, which allows Shkspr to take time off from working so that he can think of exciting new analogies to make us all feel stupid.

;)

C'mon RFUS, that doesn't take WORK... ;)

[stevew]

I'd take the annuity option as opposed to the cash value. I wouldn't be able to trust myself and it's a good excuse not to give to your great-cousin's best friend.

It was about a 40 minute drive to PA to get tickets...maybe I should've done the next drawing option on my quick picks as well. Oh well.

Annuity option would be idiotic. With that amount of money, you could easily hire someone to save you from yourself, and make sure you make way more than 360 million off of your cash within 30 years.

[Lorena]

Cruel prank. Even for your pals. Possibly the best prank ever.
http://www.youtube.com/watch.php?v=pFMXfGvDRts

Oh man, that is so FUCKED!!

[Lorena]

dola,

that wouldn't work on me, I check the numbers online

[sterlingice]

Cruel prank. Even for your pals. Possibly the best prank ever.
http://www.youtube.com/watch.php?v=pFMXfGvDRtsOh, c'mon, that's been done in half the long running sitcoms known to man.

SI

[Galaxy]

Annuity option would be idiotic. With that amount of money, you could easily hire someone to save you from yourself, and make sure you make way more than 360 million off of your cash within 30 years.

$360 million before taxes and fees to brokers? Are you basing it on the S&P 500 rate of return, plus compound interest? Problem is, people don't think that way here. If they did, we wouldn't have the retirement savings situation we have.

[duckman]

Annuity option would be idiotic. With that amount of money, you could easily hire someone to save you from yourself, and make sure you make way more than 360 million off of your cash within 30 years.
Agreed.

Another thing to look at is that if you pass away before the 30 years are up, the payments stop and your family is stuck with whatever is paid out.

[Raiders Army]

Annuity option would be idiotic. With that amount of money, you could easily hire someone to save you from yourself, and make sure you make way more than 360 million off of your cash within 30 years.
Ummmm...yeah.

Call me an idiot then. I don't know how it would happen, but I have heard those stories of the lottery winners going broke a few years later. I imagine a lot of their money went to someone they hired to save them from themselves, friends, stupid shit like $2000 dinners, etc. The other thing is that I doubt you could spend $365 million over 30 years, but I strongly believe you could spend $100 million in 10 years. Why? Think about this:

You know every time you get a raise, you seem to spend it all and a few months later it seems as if you didn't get a raise at all. Even though it would be more difficult, I imagine you could do it with this money as well. Music stars are a good example. Anyone remember M.C. Hammer?

[Rockstar]

Ummmm...yeah.

Call me an idiot then. I don't know how it would happen, but I have heard those stories of the lottery winners going broke a few years later. I imagine a lot of their money went to someone they hired to save them from themselves, friends, stupid shit like $2000 dinners, etc. The other thing is that I doubt you could spend $365 million over 30 years, but I strongly believe you could spend $100 million in 10 years. Why? Think about this:

You know every time you get a raise, you seem to spend it all and a few months later it seems as if you didn't get a raise at all. Even though it would be more difficult, I imagine you could do it with this money as well. Music stars are a good example. Anyone remember M.C. Hammer?

If you decided to take the annuity, then more power to you. I would go the cash route myself.
I know what you mean about the raise.
Anybody can go broke. People can spend any amount of money. I cant remember exactly where I read this but it was that about 1/3 of all lottery winners are broke within THREE years. I believe I would set up a trust fund and only allow myself so much per month. Or I might just take all of the cash in a plane full of breifcases and dump two or three briefcases full of cash over every major city in America. :D

[Airhog]

I seriously doubt that I could spend 10 million in 10 years, more or less 100 million in 10 years.

That being said, If I won the lottery, i doubt that much would change in my life. Sure I would splurge a bit. But I have full confidence in my ability to manage money.

[sooner333]

I could spend $10 million in a year, but I also think I could be disciplined as well, setting up a low-risk stock, bond, and other interest and divided paying accounts. I would set up a "disposable" amount and then have the rest of the money being used for interest, and compounding until I run out of the other money. I would also hire a financial advisor and def. get a attorney to claim on behalf of my trust so I could live with less hassle.

[Ben E Lou]

I think its all relative. If you take 5 dollars, that is disposable income, and instead of renting a movie, you play the lottery. Now if you take your 200 dollars earmarked for your rent, then its a problemBingo.

The first time that the Georgia Lottery went above $10M, a few friends of mine put 10 bucks each up. 5 bucks of everyone's money went for tickets, the other 5 went for drinks and pizza for the evening. We watched a Hawks game ('Nique was still playing, so it was watchable), played cards, and watched as they drew the balls. It was a lot of fun, and we got back a grand total of 6 bucks from our tickets. We all agreed that it was a much more entertaining evening than having gone out to the movies, for example, and it cost us less.

But yes, I agree that it is a natural tax on the stupid. There are plenty of people who spend *needed* money, rather than *extra* money, on the lottery.

[Galaxy]

I seriously doubt that I could spend 10 million in 10 years, more or less 100 million in 10 years.

That being said, If I won the lottery, i doubt that much would change in my life. Sure I would splurge a bit. But I have full confidence in my ability to manage money.

$10 million in 10 years? It's much easier then you think. Everyone says they would not spend it on, blah, blah, blah....But once you win it, it's a reality. They will go for the big houses (which in most areas, they would cost at least a million-then add on the yearly property taxes and upkeep), the "luxury" shopping of cars and all those goods, ect.

[Galaxy]

Don't forget about this guy:

http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=39953&highlight=Brad+Duke

While increasing your net worth greatly, it takes more then money. It takes business smarts, hard work, patience, a bit of risk.

[Airhog]

$10 million in 10 years? It's much easier then you think. Everyone says they would not spend it on, blah, blah, blah....But once you win it, it's a reality. They will go for the big houses (which in most areas, they would cost at least a million-then add on the yearly property taxes and upkeep), the "luxury" shopping of cars and all those goods, ect.


Ive pretty much planned out what I would spend the money on. And yes, I probably would spend a few million on that stuff. But after that, I just don't see where the money goes

[sterlingice]

$10 million in 10 years? It's much easier then you think. Everyone says they would not spend it on, blah, blah, blah....But once you win it, it's a reality. They will go for the big houses (which in most areas, they would cost at least a million-then add on the yearly property taxes and upkeep), the "luxury" shopping of cars and all those goods, ect.Outside of a house, how can you possibly spend $10M, tho, on "small things". Even if you got a Lamborghini for every day of the week, there's "only" 2 million bucks. Even if you got an insane $500 a day meal habit or something, that'd eventually chew through your cash but even that's less than $200K per year. Even if you spend $2M on cars and a house, you'd then have to spend $2800 a day, every day, for the 10 years to spend $10M.

I would think that unless you went out and spent it on something big (like the baseball team idea) or lost it to a crooked investment person, it'd be hard to actually lose that.

SI

[Wolfpack]

It sounds a little crazy, but with this kind of money, I'd be looking to donate a lot of it to things I consider worthy enough. Of course, I'd still keep enough to live comfortably on based on interest and the like, but frankly, I don't want to have that much money to worry about. I don't need million-dollar mansions or expensive cars or anything like that (well, maybe a Ferrari, but that's been a boyhood dream). I just want to be able to live comfortably and be able to perhaps turn hobbies and interests into something I could do with my life instead of just being hobbies and interests.

[CraigSca]

I'd go on eBay and get me that Virgin Mary grilled cheese sandwich I've had my eye on.

[Galaxy]

Outside of a house, how can you possibly spend $10M, tho, on "small things". Even if you got a Lamborghini for every day of the week, there's "only" 2 million bucks. Even if you got an insane $500 a day meal habit or something, that'd eventually chew through your cash but even that's less than $200K per year. Even if you spend $2M on cars and a house, you'd then have to spend $2800 a day, every day, for the 10 years to spend $10M.

I would think that unless you went out and spent it on something big (like the baseball team idea) or lost it to a crooked investment person, it'd be hard to actually lose that.

SI

Sorry, I actually mis-read his statement. I though he meant $10 million over a lifetime. While it's still more then enough to live on if your smart, people have a tendency to buy, buy, buy, and yearly living expenses (property and income taxes, insurance, upkeep).

[Cuckoo]

Well, in case anyone was curious... I lost. :)

[duckman]

Well, in case anyone was curious... I lost. :)
No winners for me. It was fun dreaming though. :D

[Airhog]

I won 4 bucks, had one number and the powerball

[JonInMiddleGA]

Outside of a house, how can you possibly spend $10M, tho, on "small things".

First, you're underestimating the number of "big things" that'll eat into $10m.

Take my "if I ever hit the bigtimesillymonopolymoneysized lottery" list just for example:

1)Homes in Atlanta area + Florida + Vegas + North Carolina mountains.
There's a quick $4 mil or so right there.

2) Annual staff expenditures include: Financial advisor/planner/consultant, personal security, transportation staff, legal services retainer, plus the odd maintenance staff requirements of the homes. Easily a half million annually I'd think, give or take the associated costs beyond salary.

3) Boxes/Suites at various & sundry arenas in the area(s) with my homes. Well into six figures on those alone.

So there's roughly $5 million in the first year, with between $500k & $1m in recurring/annual expenses. And I haven't even broken a sweat trying to spend it yet.

Spending $10m isn't even a challenge to me frankly. $100m maybe, but not $10m.

[Senator]

I would take the money, go to Vegas, and put it all on black on the roulette table.

[Raiders Army]

Somebody won, but it wasn't I.

[Rockstar]

Lincoln Nebraska.

Probably some college student. Hopefully a hot female one.

[Rockstar]

Dola. I won $6. A grand total profit of $2.

[Craptacular]

I matched a grand total of zero numbers on $5 worth.

[JeeberD]

Has the winner come forward yet? It would suck to have won but have forgotten to check the ticket...

[Galaxy]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10892645/

[Qwikshot]

Good for them...tho I wish I had won.

[Bee]

when you split it 8 ways it kind of takes the air out of it for me.

[JeeberD]

when you split it 8 ways it kind of takes the air out of it for me.

Yeah, they only get 22 mil each. How boring...

[Bee]

Yeah, they only get 22 mil each. How boring...

and that's before taxes.

[Galaxy]

and that's before taxes.

I though taxes were already taken out. Cash payment of $177-some million.

[stevew]

I though taxes were already taken out. Cash payment of $177-some million.

No, the 177 is the amount that is invested by the lottery in an annuity to pay a total of 360 million over 30 years. They are looking at about 11-13 million each, free and clear. Which at a 5%-10% annual rate of return for the bulk of their money should be enough for any of them to have a comfortable mid 6 figures lifestyle forever.

[JeeberD]

and that's before taxes.

No kidding, why even bother? If I were them I would just donate the cash to charity...

[Bee]

No, the 177 is the amount that is invested by the lottery in an annuity to pay a total of 360 million over 30 years. They are looking at about 11-13 million each, free and clear. Which at a 5%-10% annual rate of return for the bulk of their money should be enough for any of them to have a comfortable mid 6 figures lifestyle forever.

Yep, they'll be able to live a comfortable lifestyle if they don't blow their money like some have in the past, but that's not the same kind of lifestyle someone could have if they'd been the sole winner.

[Bee]

No kidding, why even bother? If I were them I would just donate the cash to charity...

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind winning it...but my wife and I have a household income in the mid 6 figures now. While 10-15 million would be very nice to have, I don't think it would dramatically change our lifestyle. We could probably quit work but then you spend a lot more money because of all the free time and our overall lifestyle probably wouldn't change that much. On the other hand, a $100 million could dramatically change our lifestyle. But yes... either way it's a lot of money and would be nice, but from my view point there's a difference in how I think it would affect me.

[JeeberD]

Speak for yourself, Richie Rich. ;)

A mid 6 figure income would turn my world upside down...

[sterlingice]

Speak for yourself, Richie Rich. ;)

A mid 6 figure income would turn my world upside down...I'm with Jeebs :)

SI

[NoMyths]

I'm with Jeebs :)

SII'm with both of them.

I'm currently "enjoying" a very low five-figure yearly income. :(

[Huckleberry]

I'm with both of them.

I'm currently "enjoying" a very low five-figure yearly income. :(
Has everyone forgotten the 8 winners were working in a meatpacking plant in Lincoln, Nebraska?

What are the odds any of them were making a comfortable mid-six figure annual salary?

[sterlingice]

Has everyone forgotten the 8 winners were working in a meatpacking plant in Lincoln, Nebraska?

What are the odds any of them were making a comfortable mid-six figure annual salary?Hey, a bunch of us aren't complaining ;)

SI

[Mustang]

I think the only meat packers making 6 figure salaries are possibly some porn stars or really high end prostitutes...

[Bee]

It's great for them and it would be great for a lot of people...my comment was for me finding out that it was split 8 ways let the air out of the whole thing. When I was thinking someone out there was going to get $100+ million, I was a lot more envious than when I found out there's 8 people getting $12 million (or whatever). I'd still love to have it, but it's not quite the same thing from my perspective.

Edit: It's kind of the equivalent of someone who makes $40K a year imagining they won the lottery and could make $500K a year on interest, then finding out it's split 8 ways, so it's actually more like $60K per year. That would still be great, but it's not the same thing that you first imagined.

[sooner333]

I'm a student, and am currently making in the low four-figure income, but I kind of agree with Bee. The lottery to me is something that is so remote of happening, that you might as well either buy in yourself or one other person if it is large enough. Yeah, I could use an extra 12.5 million right now and certainly wouldn't complain, but I might as well take my changes for 120 million, because the chances of it occuring are so incredibly low that I might as well dream the big dream. I can also see how it would be cooler to think of someone as really, really rich from nothing than just eight people who have become run-of-the mill rich.

[JeeberD]

Yeah, I could use an extra 12.5 million right now and certainly wouldn't complain, but I might as well take my changes for 120 million, because the chances of it occuring are so incredibly low that I might as well dream the big dream.

You wouldn't complain until your buddy who offered to go in with you for some tickets wins and you're left out in the cold...

[sooner333]

You wouldn't complain until your buddy who offered to go in with you for some tickets wins and you're left out in the cold...

...good point. I mean, I guess I've gone in with people before for smaller sums of money, usually just one other though...like a high hand of the hour bonus at the poker room I went in with a buddy of mine for like $800, I hit it and gave him $400 (more like $350 or something because they took my social for IRS reporting), but then again, the chances were like 1/30 being lowered to 1/15 by including him.

I guess I'm saying it would probably be more worth it to me to go at it alone...but I guess I would be a little peeved at myself for not going in with the buddies who won, but I don't see that happening.