Since pretty much giving up on developing lottery systems, I still have a horse in the race. One power ball ticket per draw. I opt in for the multiplier and the double play, so each sets me back $4. At $12 per week, this has the annual cost of $624, assuming zero hits. Because it is spread out over 52 weeks, that is about 20 minutes a week from my wage going to the game... i can live with that. 

What do I get for that expense? The license to daydream 3 times a week. Let's face it, most work sucks, that is why they have to pay you to show up. Even if my chances of a win are infinitely small, they are non zero... on the most recent (Wednesday night) double play, I had a 3+1 hit for $500... that means 2026 will have a net cost of $124. I had a few smaller hits that even eat into that figure. I know that should lightning strike, there would be no crazy spending, because the goal is always to never have to work for anyone else ever again, to get my remaining time. 

To me, the expense is fully justified and not from necessary funds. That license to daydream goes a long way to ward off boredom and depression at a job that pays well but sucks otherwise.