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Eastern Time (GMT-5:00) | Home -> Forums -> Lottery News -> Million-dollar winner remains frugal after windfall Million-dollar winner remains frugal after windfall Tennessee Lottery: Million-dollar winner remains frugal after windfallRating:You often hear about money-crazed lottery winners going out and blowing their big wad of money on wild, over-the-top stuff. But not Tiffany Weightman, the lucky, level-headed Murfreesboro lady who won a cool million with a scratch-off lottery ticket at a Mapco Express just about a month ago. "When you dream about winning a million dollars, you say I'm going to have a mansion and I'm going to get a BMW and all that, but when you win, it's reality,'' she said. "You realize that all of that is just not that important,'' said Tiffany, 34, who socked away almost all of the lottery money in her bank account and has no plans to change her job, her house or her longstanding frugal habits. Tiffany's one splurge was a new 2009 precision gray Maxima to replace her 2001 Nissan X-Terra that had more than 300,000 miles on it. (She had the old car fixed up and gave it to her oldest niece, who didn't have a car.) But that was about it — no big trip, no mammoth TV, not even a new wardrobe. "I just did not want to go blow it. I didn't want to see that money go out of my bank account.'' Tiffany, who works in human resources and accounts receivable for a cold storage company in Murfreesboro, said she wanted to have a solid plan for her winnings, so she put the money in the bank and sat down with a piece of paper and wrote out the things she planned to do with her windfall — give some to the MS Society, since she suffers from multiple sclerosis, buy a CD (a money CD, not a music CD) for her 6-year-old niece, donate to help the homeless, which was her 13-year-old daughter's idea, and give money to help abused animals, which was what her animal-loving 10-year-old son requested. "I have been really proud of my children. The first thing they wanted to do was give some away. They are smart little guys.'' As you would expect, there have been a few pressures to stray from the usual frugal path, but nothing Tiffany couldn't handle. "My daughter and I were out shopping (after the big win) and I said let's go to Plato's Closet,'' Tiffany said, referring to the very affordable chain of used clothing stores that cater to the teen and college crowd. Well, her daughter was hoping for a little higher-end shopping at Hollister instead. "I told her no — that they (Plato's Closet) had Hollister, too,'' Tiffany said, sticking to her guns. "And my son did say something like, 'come on Mom, we have the money' " about something he thought they should buy. "But I was like, 'No.' '' "They know I've always struggled and used coupons and said, 'if it's not on sale, I won't buy it.' And now, just because you have money doesn't mean you just go spend it. I'm so frugal; I just don't think I will change." Thanks to joshuacloak for the tip. Tennessean We'd love to see your comments here! Register for a FREE membership — it takes just a few moments — and you'll be able to post comments here and on any of our forums. If you're already a member, you can Log In to post a comment. 20 comments. Last comment 3 years ago by . United States Member #61779 May 17, 2008 187 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 31, 2009, 9:42 pm - IP Logged | |
Good for her. She seems very reasonable and most likely wont end up flat broke in 10-15 years. Although I would probably splurge on something before I gave to an abused animals charity, but whatever.  | | |
Atlanta, GA United States Member #13765 April 7, 2005 142 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 31, 2009, 10:40 pm - IP Logged | |
She is being very smart. However I know I would quit my job, but I would go to school so I could change careers. But she is wise to be smart with her winnings. | | |
Margaritaville United States Member #58035 January 9, 2008 414 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 31, 2009, 11:16 pm - IP Logged | |
She is being very smart. However I know I would quit my job, but I would go to school so I could change careers. But she is wise to be smart with her winnings. But you have to remember, she has two kids to put through college yet. After the feds get done taking their "fair share", a cool million does not sound as cool as it did before. It seems like she is happy with her career and her life. She does not have to quit her job to go back to school, if she wants to. Many full time working adults take night or online classes to get a degree or and advanced degree. I'm working on a masters myself right now, online, after work. Full time college for kids these days is not cheap, upwards of $15k per year at a state university. Smart lady. She's on my most admired list.... ;) ~ Inhale Positivity. Exhale Negativity. ~ Clear eyes, full hearts, Texas forever! 
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United States Member #54859 August 17, 2007 313 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 1, 2009, 12:11 am - IP Logged | |
Very smart mother. Her kids will grow up knowing how to correctly use money. | | |
Idaho United States Member #56982 November 21, 2007 3940 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 1, 2009, 12:17 am - IP Logged | |
Good for her! She sounds like she is handling her money well. I like reading upbeat and positive news stories like this.  "No one remembers the person who almost climbed the mountain, only the person who eventually gets to the top."
ThatScaryChick | | |
United States Member #73156 March 23, 2009 63 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 1, 2009, 2:48 am - IP Logged | |
But you have to remember, she has two kids to put through college yet. After the feds get done taking their "fair share", a cool million does not sound as cool as it did before. It seems like she is happy with her career and her life. She does not have to quit her job to go back to school, if she wants to. Many full time working adults take night or online classes to get a degree or and advanced degree. I'm working on a masters myself right now, online, after work. Full time college for kids these days is not cheap, upwards of $15k per year at a state university. Smart lady. She's on my most admired list.... ;) I think working with money receipts for a living, or alot of the time, has her seasoned on how fast money can slip away. And its good she's thinking on saving for later, especially since she has children. And its so true what you said, after taxes, a cool million, its not so cool anymore.... HAHAHAHA i love that expression lols. Its good she might donate a small amount to charities, but what the heck is she doing giving her niece a car with 300k lols that's insane, let the girl have a proper car lol. Trust me, a car with that much mileage.... NOT GOOD. lol anyway, uhmm... never agree with BEING TOOO FRUGAL, I was raised in a background of you only live once, so don't be petty. BUT , to each their own. Let everyone run their own show.  - ILOVETHELOTTERY
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MI United States Member #55299 August 31, 2007 866 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 1, 2009, 5:13 am - IP Logged | |
For a second I thought I was reading a copy and paste of another story from a month or two ago... Especially the opening and first couple paragraphs. You can't predict random. | | |
United States
Member #67546
November 14, 2008
72 Posts
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| | Posted: April 1, 2009, 10:52 am - IP Logged | |
A very smart lady! I'm glad she is thinking about the long term instead of instant gratification! | | |
Gurnee, Illinois United States Member #50189 February 12, 2007 520 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 1, 2009, 11:56 am - IP Logged | |
Nice story...and I would be led to think she won't go the way of Whitaker and Edwards and Company...but it has only been a month and she only won $1 million before taxes. Remember Whitaker was a businessman before and after he won...so anything could happen although like I said, she seems like she keep whatever Uncle Sam doesn't take away from her winnings. Plus, in most parts of the US, anything in the hunrdred thousand dollar range won't buy one a mansion, and BMWs are comparably priced to Nissans when you take the maintenance costs into consideration (most people only think about the purchase price when it comes to automobiles; I know that some BMW dealerships, if not all, include the standard maintenance over the first 3 years in the purchase price whereas you have to pay when you take the Nissan in for the regularly scheduled maintenance.). Anyway, here's hoping I win the Powerball tonight! Get MONEY!!! Winning a JACKPOT lottery is all the HOPE and CHANGE I desire!!! NOW give me MONEY! | | |
United States Member #54859 August 17, 2007 313 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 1, 2009, 1:30 pm - IP Logged | |
For a second I thought I was reading a copy and paste of another story from a month or two ago... Especially the opening and first couple paragraphs. ahhah I thought this too. I was about to hit the "back" button until I read further and it was different. | | |
United States
Member #72614
March 9, 2009
31 Posts
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| | Posted: April 2, 2009, 11:18 am - IP Logged | |
A million dollar ain't <snip>. You only get $600,000 after taxes. You can't even buy a ferrari and a condo. If you do, you won't get <snip> left. Megamillion is the big <snip>. You win that <snip>, you rich for life and I know I will win that <snip> soon. This post has been automatically changed by the Lottery Post computer system to remove inappropriate content and/or spam. | | |
Nova Scotia Canada Member #10116 December 27, 2004 560 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 2, 2009, 12:41 pm - IP Logged | |
I know that if I won a large sum of money, I would move out of the house I have been in for over 26 years, I definitely want different scenery, also I would take a vacation and enjoy myself, I can be a frugal person too,.... but I'd want to enjoy my life more as well.. 
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Pennsylvania United States Member #17377 June 10, 2005 2774 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 2, 2009, 2:53 pm - IP Logged | |
Perhaps I constitute her money saving tactics as budget friendly , yet broadering on miserly. Not a fan of hoarding money for a rainy day when you live in a sunny state of existance. I envy ( in a positive way) her ability to be so disciplined with her savings and wanting to show her family the value of a dollar. Reckon all it take is one family members health to decline and there goes the nest egg..... ________________________________ Wanna Make God laugh? ..Tell him your plans. | | |
Atlanta, GA United States Member #1288 March 13, 2003 3316 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 2, 2009, 6:54 pm - IP Logged | |
Her frugal mindset is admirable, teaching her kids well in an uncertain economy. Clark Howard, Atlanta's consumer guru loves Plato's Closet and other used clothing stores, great deals can be found there. She may be keeping her job due to insurance through her employer ... no knowledge of fact, only speculation. Old car is better than no car for the niece, let niece get a job and use that one as a trade in. Congratulations and much luck to her!!!  Good luck to everyone!
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