$363 MILLION: Mega Millions lottery jackpot raised due to heavy sales

Hasn't happened yet, but I have seen many "wise investments" fall through. With that much money I would be set for life afer 2 years and then some. You think I care about returns with that amount? No. I could put a year's worth in my huge vault in the house and still be set for life. Retruns are a hassle, also risky, and usually taxed. I would never spend this much money in many lifetimes. Sitting back and collecting the annuity is by far the best option for me. After $5 million the rest is bonus money to collect dust with. At least when you are a responsible buyer as I am.

I totally get where you're coming from. I'd seriously consider the annuity as well, after seeing what estate/tax attorneys/advisors have to say about it.

$180 million (in my case, Ohio resident) coming at you all at once definitely would be intimidating.

Like I said I won't need any extra returns. I don't need to live a super high-end lifestyle, although I would be anyway with that much money even after the FIRST year's payment. I have no need for even more money, taxes, and risky investments. Plus I would continue to work because I am an artist who does what he loves. This money would just allow me to do it or anything else whenever I chose to, as opposed to "having" to do it to survive. It would buy me all the financial security that I needed. I don't see why anyone else would care how someone else spent their lottery jackpot, unless they had some hidden agenda or personal plan of coming after your money. If someone else won I really could care less how they spent it. But with this much money the last thing I need is more returns, and to deal with more people looking for hand outs and scamming opportunities. Unless I am trying to become a billionaire, and just have someone else inherit it all. The only investing I need to do is in myself and my own business. I will make my own my charity also as opposed to giving it to thieves and people who I can't track how they spent it.

That was God trying to save you the money you wasted but you fought him, so he said fine have it your way.

It was probably because everyone is playing it and burnt the system out. As if it actually matters whether they won $10 million or $360 million. It wouldn't if they were not stupid. But most are suckers for marketing. At least when the jackpot is "low" they save their money instead of blowing it and getting nothing back in return. I matched 3 of 6 last week and missined the MB by two. But honestly it does not surprise or disappoint me anymore.

I was actually referring to LOTTERY POOLS.

It is for "me". Last I checked not eveyone was in the same financial situation. Who said I even need the money, maybe it is just icing on the already thick cake? I could easily live off of the first year's payment for the rest of my life, and I am in my later 30's. For me keeping my money is the smartest investment out there. Might not get any returns but also no chance of losses. People forget just how much money this. I would never even spend the first year's worth most likely, and that is with no other income. I grew up with a modest income and a lot of responsibility, and learned very young how to manage money. So I am ready. I will keep everyone posted on here how it goes though. I am not afraid of anyone finding out either, and leaving the forums only makes you look like a sell-out. No one will find me anyway, and if they do I will have more guns than all the armed forces combined and the best security there is. So no worries here.

Yes it would, and would be tempting. You should never put all your eggs in one basket or you could lose them all. Plus I don't want the hassle of spreading it all out everywhere and having to make my life watching people, and books trying to keep track of it all. I have spent many years studying finance and lottery preparation books and other material, so I know what is best in my situation. Even a CD would be more than enough for me, and if you take an annuity and something did happen at least you have 29 more checks coming. I don't think the government will stop them and if they tried well I would have plenty of money still and enough for some lawsuits and bad press. But my nestegg would already be stashed anyway. I am not saying I would never invest in sound investments but more so that I would never have to anyway with this amount of money.

Also what people forget is we are not talking about a regular annuity here of a few hundred thousand a year, which I could still live very comfortably off of I might add; but several million a year which is more than most smaller cash jackpot games.

I got news for you, the future is uncertain anyway and regardless of what type of investing you do. But I kow for a fact that after the first year alone I will be set financially, and after the 2nd payment I will have no dounts at all about it. But everything is still uncertain. But I am certain that I will be enjoying every second of it all while it does last.

Annuity for me in Ohio would be just over 9.6 million a year after taxes. Just crazy, sick money...

I'd be very tempted to do this, but if enough 'experts' said otherwise, I'd take their advice under consideration.

just don't trust people who use OPM to make a living. "all" of these investment counselors are shysters and are not to be trusted with your cash. hire these two if you want to but jill and her lay about hubby only want their percentage for basically doing nothing but playing with your dough. also, who wants a multi-millionaire to win the lottery or some wall street tycoon. stay away and let someone who needs it win.

I wonder what the "odds are" that this thread will go on and on until someone wins, and then will die down immediately, with no jackpot winners at all in this thread—who all walk away with their tails between their legs and are not seen again until the next $300 million jackpot? Based on the last 8 years of reading here I would say about 99.999999999999999999999%. Not bursting anyone's bubbles but that is simply reality as the past usually tends to repeat itself. Let's hope it doesn't as it is getting pretty boring. For once I would love to see a "verified" winner as I am still not convinced that the lottery is 100% legit, at least as far as the huge jackpots. I can vouch for some of the smaller games I have won, and hit the big 4 three times straight and boxed picking my own numbers and buying only one ticket. But PB and MM does not give back jack.

If I were younger I'd consider the annuity,too.But at my age I doubt if I have that many years left.So,I'll be taking the cash option if I should be lucky enough to win.I'll invest some of it so that my heirs will have a nice income as well.Who knows,maybe the lottery will file for bankruptcy protection in the future and leave all those people who chose the annuity option hanging out to dry.Stranger things have happened.

Hence my statement "personal agenda and wanting your money". It is funny though how everyone comes out of the woodwork looking for help when you become rich, but were nowhere to be seen when you were down and out. So I feel no obligation to help anyone unless I decide to on my own. No one is going to tell me how to spend my money, period. That is why I did my homework, not to make others also rich. I did not exist to them before I won so I won't exist after either. Even if the returns are good which I know they would be if "all goes well". But with this amount I don't need returns. I need a huge ass fireproof vault.