I was one of the first posters on this and as I look back over the posts I started thinking the same thing.

It simple, do what make you happy !

Interesting and considerate.

thank you, im probably still not going to volunteer anywhere, but your comments were thought-provoking, ill probably just donate currency or other assets.

I can tell you now, I'm quitting my current job if I ever won.  And depending on the jackpot amount, I might not work again.  There's one job that would make me consider joining the workforce again and that would be teaching.  I love children plus I'd get the summer off to do my traveling. 

Another thing I said I would do, which Gocart1 hit upon, and that is become a "professional student".  I'd like to take classes in everything possible.  Learn as much as I could about any and everything.  From "cooking" to "philosphy". 

That's an interesting point. I don't hate my job, and I don't think I'm really unhappy, but I don't love going to work either. ;) I'm a programmer, and I LOVE programming (much more so than my previous profession), but I hate having a boss, getting up at 7am every morning, and working on projects that I hate. But it's hard to be a programmer on just projects that you like and without a boss ;) Maybe if I won the lottery, I could start my own little side business, and work for myself. I probably wouldn't make much money, but again, the purpose would be to keep me busy. I can see myself doing that, and a little volunteer work as well.

If one loves their job, I can see staying at work. I love working with horses. If given the chance to, I would work in that field again (training, riding, competing) because I love it. But working in fast food? No way. It's not for me. lol.

Personally, I think is selfish to go to work after winning millions.  A lot of people are out of work and need jobs.  If I was lucky enough to win a big lottery, I just could not bring myself go in to work knowing that I don't have to be there. That's selfish.  Hopefully, If i ever do win, I'll have what it take to start a business to put more people to work.  That would make me feel really good about my good fortune.  To give just a little back to people who were not so lucky. 

"Personally, I think is selfish to go to work after winning millions.  A lot of people are out of work and need jobs.  If I was lucky enough to win a big lottery, I just could not bring myself go in to work knowing that I don't have to be there. That's selfish." 

Instyle, I agree, but it depends on the type of job.  Look at all the multi-millionaires who own companies and are still very active or the politicians who are wealthy before they bother to campaign.  Wealthy actors & directors still make movies all the time and many of the people in Vegas could retire comfortably, but enjoy performing.  If you love something and have the desire to accomplish a certain goal, then money shouldn't affect your attitude.  However, if it's an office job or working in a factory where people are being laid off or struggling to make their house payments, I would also have a very difficult time being there.

Work sucks,always has & always will.If I win the lottery I could find plenty to do that doesn't have anything to with punching a time clock.If anyone needs my job,they can have it after I win a major lottery jackpot.

Those wealthy actors and directors who don't quit working may enjoy their work, but they don't really count for not quitting because of money reasons because they develop a lifestyle where they cannot live off of their one year's salary even if it is greater than most of us will see in our lifetimes!!

As for me, I'd probably quit working for someone else, but I might just do as a few have suggested and just volunteer my services (I'm not creative enough to attempt to start my own business, and winning a lottery jackpot probably would not change that).

CaliWinner, I am just reading your response and I like. Of course, I would like to stay active...but working for someone else...that's out of the question. My friend, a retired teacher, told me that she's is busier now than when she was teaching.

Finally, what people must do before they retire (whether or not they win a lottery) is have some enjoyable hobbies, now -- don't wait until the last day of retirement, to wake up the next morning, saying: "now, what do I do?" How sad...have a game plan, ahead of time.

The only "work" I would be doing is looking over and keeping a hand in managing my assets and consulting with "my people" every couple weeks to see how everything is. I'm not much of an extrovert so I wouldn't have any issues with missing being around people. I could find many things of interest to keep me busy. Though if you like your job and would miss it, by all means, stay on part time or whatever but you better make sure you pay attention to that bunch bundle of cash that is now yours and not let others handle it because they might handle you into bankruptcy if you don't keep a watchful eye on them..

I don't see how only one job would have much affect on the employment statistics. 

We read where a huge jackpot winner says they will continue to work and think "are they crazy?", it's based on the type of jobs we have.  When we consider that they have never had to report to work wth $50 million in their bank account, it's more like rolling our eyes and thinking "wait until they ask for time off and the boss says no".

I agree,

Being out of a job and in need of an income is one thing, but not working and not having the burden of needing and income is entirely different.  If/when I win,  after the year of home building and such, I will probably volunteer at an animal shelter or something that I would truly enjoy.  Something that I can't do now due to minimum income needs. (I'm talking about fulltime volunteering)  This would of course be based on the amount, i win.  I don't think I could unofficially "retire" with $1 million, but I could definately take off a year.

Have you noticed that alot of the jobs you would love to have, those that really feed your soul, don't pay much?

Prior to retiring, I worked for a major East-Coast Supermarket Chain, in their corporate office.  They did NOT hire a replacement, they moved some one over from another group, provided minimum training, and saved as much money as they could. I think you will find, that when a company is in the lay-off mode, and some one leaves, they do not replace them with new hires.  You win the lottery, and unless it is a union house, they will just double the work load of existing employees.  It is why loyality if dead - or dying - in the corporate level. People may be their most important product, but they dump them like crazy, to ensure senior management golden parachute.