Good for you! I never had a gambling habit, and I don't drink much booze, but I agree with your philosophy. Last year I had a problem with someone at work and ended up unemployed. The whole scenario was so ugly that I went into a slump and got the blues. I then went to school and tried to start my own insurance business, but I'm very timid and not aggressive enough to knock on doors, and clients don't just come out of the woodwork at night to make investments! Every day I'm thankful for what I have, but I'm not used to budgeting and watching every dime I spend. I never used to walk so quickly past the Ben & Jerry section! "Don't get smart, get wise" is a good attitude. You can apply it to anything. For example, there's also only one winner when you leave a job - the person who still has a paycheck every week.

I wish you a lot of luck and hope someday you are that "one" winner. Like you, I've been buying tickets for a long time (I'm 55) and haven't won much at all. Sometimes I think that, if I just spend another $10, I'll have a better shot at winning (which is technically true) but I stop myself from blowing the gas money. There were times last year when I actually believed the lottery would "save" me. After 30 years I figured it was my time! Isn't that completely insane? I've come back to reality.

i agree with you justxploring. just one winner and live within your means.

Starchild, I think perhaps you meant to answer "thekop" since it is his blog. yes? I don't want to take credit for the topic. I'm just a participant, but thanks anyway. :)