$540 MILLION: Mega Millions buying frenzy sparks another jackpot increase

I bought 8 tickets at a convenience store.

Later I went by the grocery store where I bought my last tickets, and asked if I had any winners. I'd won 2 dollars, which I spent on 2 more tickets.

I never paid attention to the lottery growing up and the only big prize I knew about was

Publishers Clearing House and I knew they gave the $10 million prize in yearly payments.

First time I heard of people ending up broke after winning the lottery was when they took the lump sum.

Not saying the lump sum is a bad idea and I don't know when they started or have winners always had the

option of lump sum? When did the lump start?

OK so the MM payments are the same each year? That is better. PB likes to not give you the big money until 25-30 years, and hopes you are not around then. With this much money I really don't care what the taxes are as after the taxes I will still have more money than I ever will spend.

I'm thinking of that guy on the TLC show where he won in high school and lost it all in bad business ventures. But... I also think of how terrible some older people have thrown away their money (or could throw it away), so a young winner may not be too bad.

I actually know a few younger people who would spend it wisely and some older people who would simply get high on whatever drug there is.

Anyways, I still have my dreaming on, though I actually went out today and picked up my PB ticket for Saturday... clerk was telling me I should play tomorrow. When I walked in there was a long line, apparently the people at the counter were buying a good amount of tickets for tomorrow.

"... I went by the grocery store where I bought my last tickets, and asked if I had any winners. I'd won 2 dollars..."

Big mistake, murdoog.

NEVER hand a clerk tickets and ask them to check if you have any winners.

Check them yourself online and know what you have coming. Clerks are the biggest lottery prize crooks there are.

I hope you really won just that 2 dollars and not something a lot more that the clerk kept for themself.

   Never ever hand a ticket to a store clerk...Your just asking for trouble ...

If it's who I think you're talking about, he didn't lose it to bad business ventures, it was the stock market when it went to pot. His winnings were in the six figures IIRC.

Not sure when the lump sum was implemented but I would guess it's been available for probably the past 20 years of so. Jackpot winners with no guidance or game plan as well as self control will always find a way to go broke. It doesn't matter if they get the cash option or annuity.

With the annuity, they simply borrow against it or cash it in for a lump sum payout with those sharks you see on TV. Many of them like the gentlemen who moved to Florida and collected medieval replicas while fueling a drug habit and out of control spending are destined to lose it all. Him and his girlfriend ended up living in a storage locker.

    I'm 100% ready to win this Mega Millions $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

    I have up to One year to turn in ticket .

I'm just in love with luxury cars. I'd probably get 3 initially, and buy a new one every year(selling the previous of course).

For 2010-2012 the max gift tax rate is $5mil and 35%. In 2009 it was $3.5mil and either 45-55%. Before 2001 prior to the Bush tax cut it was 675K .You are allowed to gift $13k per year or 26k as a married couple.

For 2013, it may revert back to 1Mil and at least 45% on anything over.

Yes a young person could handle it the right way... i was just thinking of the fun life they could live, and be so young.... it is a blessing how in America anyone can become rich...

I just returned home from the store buying my lottery tickets for MM, while there I won 3 scratch  off tickets in a row!!!!  the clerk said LUCKY!!!! and with the winnings I bought my 15 more QP.... I have never won like that in my life... I really think I will be the lucky guy to win Friday's Drawing. as i was leaving home,  in walking to my car I was thinking these are the last steps I'm taking that will change my life forever..... throughout my life I have dreamed so much, and I think my life now is in order to receive this Jackpot... Every desire I have ever had in life I have recieved.... Winning the lottery is another desire that I have, and will receive.... 

*Note this posting... I am the winner of this drawing.. If not you can all call me crazy, when I do win you can all call me  CRAZY RICH!!!