That article was nearly as long as some of my posts!

In Norway we had a person who in many ways remind me about Jack Whittaker.



He won several million norwegian kroner(NOK) on the national lottery (7/34).

After having appeared in all the boulevard newspapers and gossip magazines there is in Norway and wasting his money on partying and drinking, he was found dead.

It was of course the alcohol that killed him.

I think he still would have been around if it wasn't for the lottery money.

I think it would be a good idea for lottery winners to assemble an "emotional team" as well as a "financial team". Maybe a psychologist, a therapist, and a preist or rabbi. Winning the lottery is a traumatic dvent.

don't forget about the british lottery winner who got into a load of trouble after his win, and the gang member who won the lottery and was killed not long after.



money does things to people.

and even celebrities.



jerry lee lewis married his 13 year-old cousin during the height of his career, shot (and killed) his bassist on acciednt, became a recluse, spent rapidly, etc. look at him now.



MC Hammer spent his money on a mansion, 7 cars, racehorses, and he employeed quite an entourage, and within a year he was broke.



just think about what money can do to a person.

best case senerio for winning big $$ is hide for a bit  than dump half into dividend stocks(ya know the ge/chevrons  of the world  this way atleast you will still get payed without losing your capitol  you can make 100k  pay you 1000 every quater without spending a dime of the 100k----real estate bonds o and of course a good ol passbook savings account  plus a few g for the casino  just for some respect n fun

My comment is along the same line as fja. If there was a class taught called: Winning the Lottery, Do's and Don'ts 101, this article would be required reading. I too agree that it could have been written better but the moral of the story is well taken.  It is just such a shame to read about what should have been a great once in a lifetime dvent for someone turn into a living hell for so many people and how many relationships (and lives) were ruined because one person totally was incapable and reckless in how he dealt with that once in a lifetime dvent. Such a waste that could have been used for good.

And the saddest part is that Jack still doesn't seem to get that he needs to take a look at his life and where it's going.  Look at his last statement in the article.  You would think that the death of your granddaughter would make you wake up and smell the coffee instead of trying to find a scapegoat to place the blame on.

This is a good cautionary tale for lottery winners.  You can bet that WHEN I win, the prize will be claimed under a company name AFTER I've seen an advisor and gotten my ducks in a row.  Just to be on the safe side, I've started my planning before the big win.

If the MONEY caused ALL of his problems, I would love to help relieve him of the cause of all of his problems...



I guarranty, that I won't have 1/2 of those problems...



What about that cleaning woman that won $297 Million in Mega-Millions...

She is not in the news at all...



MarkP

If one get's "Cow Dung" on his Boots. One would have had to be in a Barnyard or  Pasture somewhere, right?

Go figure...

Chief

My thoughts exactly, Chief........

One more to ponder- "Lie with dogs and you will get fleas".

Good ol Jack has been lying with a lot of dogs since Christmas 2002. No wonder he has fleas....

DD