The ticket I purchased for last night’s drawing did not match any numbers. I took it out of the trashcan next to my next to take the picture above.
I don’t spend very much money on lottery tickets. When the Florida Lotto jackpot gets above $10 million dollars, I buy a ticket each drawing if I remember. A few weeks ago, I matched 4 numbers and won the $150 prize. I used the money to buy groceries. It’s the first time I ever won more than $10.
It’s unlikely that I’ll ever win even $150 again, but I’ll answer the question as best I can. Since I do play now and then, I’ve thought about it.
If I matched five numbers, I would pay off my student loan. My loan balance was $3844 when after I made my $325 payment last month. Whatever was left after paying off the loan would be deposited into my savings account. We will probably have to purchase a car this year and we used some of our savings last year to help one of our sons in his quest to become a commercial pilot.
If we matched all six numbers, I would check the results again then have my wife check them. If the ticket really was a winner, we’d hide it somewhere in the house. We don’t have a cookie jar, so it’d have to be hidden somewhere else or we’d have to buy a cookie jar.
After that:
- I’d let my employer know I’d be leaving my job in a couple of weeks. I’d offer my shifts to other employees if they weren’t working during that time. Otherwise, I’d work the shifts.
- We’d contact an attorney and a financial advisor to help us determine the best path forward. Some of the winnings would be put in trust funds for our children and my wife’s grandchildren. The rest would be invested. We’d decide where to donate funds later. That would require research.
- When the appropriate accounts were in place, we’d make an appointment with the lottery commission, we’d make arrangements for Fremont to be walked and fed while we were away for the day, then we’d drive to the state capital to receive our winnings. It’s a four-hour drive. I’ve never been there.
- My wife would arrange to sell her business. It would probably take at least a year to complete this process. She could not just tell people to find someone else immediately. She has obligations that she must meet.
- We might purchase a slightly larger house. Neither of us want to move so we’d have to think about it. It’s unlikely we’d move far from where we live now. My wife knows all our neighbors. She likes it here.
- We’d follow our current plan to visit every state in the continental US and every province in Canada. We’d also visit Ireland and it’s likely we’d visit a few other countries.
- We’d help our family members in need.
I’d probably buy a new computer, purchase an electric car, and add solar panels to our roof. I’d also buy a desk and get a new rug for my office. I can’t think of anything else right now.
My wife would probably purchase a small loom. She told me she wanted one a month or two ago. I have no idea where she’d put it. She’d get new flooring for the kitchen and bathrooms. She’s been looking at designs for two years.
We’d be as careful as possible not to change too much. We’re comfortable with our life as it is. A little bit of money would help us realize our travel plans and get a few things we’ve talked about. Changing how we live too much might ruin the balance we’ve found so far.
A Different Way 
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