Steve West of Medford, Oregon, is a wealthy, wealthy man.
West, a self-employed businessman, confirmed to ABC News that he and three other family members are the owners of the winning Powerball ticket worth $340 million.
"I still don't really believe that it's true," West told ABC News Radio. "It just really hasn't sunk in well. I'm told by everybody else that this is a life-changing situation, and I didn't plan on wanting to change that much. I mean, the money always sounded great, but I didn't want to change my lifestyle to go along with it."
West discovered he'd won when family members checked the numbers online.
"We didn't watch the Powerball drawing," he said. "We got a call … from the other family members saying, 'I can't believe it, some of these numbers are matching.' And then she (a relative) started saying, 'All these numbers are matching.' And we thought, 'Wow.'"
"She couldn't believe they were matching, and she could hardly talk," West said. "She was just so panicked. And my wife was talking to her. And it was pandemonium — I guess was the way to say it."
First-Time Player
The family had bought $40 worth of tickets, West said.
"We went over and looked at the ticket, verified that it's a correct ticket … and just haven't slept well the last two nights," he said.
Talk about luck: It was the first time West ever played Powerball. He said he won't do anything crazy with the money, though.
"Of course, everybody dreams of winning the lottery, but I've never really made plans of what I would buy, because it never went that in-depth," he said.
"We're talking to our financial planner Tuesday and we're probably going to invest all of it — or 99 percent of it," he added. "That'll still leave us a good small amount that we can take a vacation or buy some kind of a sports car."
For now, West will keep his day job, which he is refusing to disclose.
"I'm self-employed, and I still have been out to work yesterday," he said, "and I'm still going out today."
Jack Whittaker was a self-employed businessman too. May be I'll get lucky if I start a business.
First time player ...... had a winning mindset .....
Quote: He said he won't do anything crazy with the money, though. and
We're talking to our financial planner Tuesday and we're probably going to invest all of it — or 99 percent of it,"
Yea that sounds real intelligent the stock market is doing so poorly that he just might end up owing money if it were to crash. It kills me when people make rash decisions.... a quater or possibly half of the winnings but not all. Big money makes some people brain dead I think. I hope he re thinks that idea.
Good for him. As long as he chooses cash. I wonder if he played OR Lose for Life.
Quote: He said he won't do anything crazy with the money, though. and
We're talking to our financial planner Tuesday and we're probably going to invest all of it — or 99 percent of it,"
Yea that sounds real intelligent the stock market is doing so poorly that he just might end up owing money if it were to crash. It kills me when people make rash decisions.... a quater or possibly half of the winnings but not all. Big money makes some people brain dead I think. I hope he re thinks that idea.
Investing doesn't have to mean throwing it all into the stock market.
You can invest in houses, other countries....diversification.
How ironic! The big jackpots attract a lot of first time players and, sure enough, one of them hits it. It ain't fair, dammit!!!!
Congratulations Mr. West.
Businessman . . . . . . hmmm . . . . .sounds like this guy may have been doing okay already. I guess I'm always more partial to that maid or the school teacher. But anyway best wishes to them. Heck, think I'll start a business too RJ.
Businessman . . . . . . hmmm . . . . .sounds like this guy may have been doing okay already. I guess I'm always more partial to that maid or the school teacher. But anyway best wishes to them. Heck, think I'll start a business too RJ.
exactly!!!
like i said.
he doesn't need all of that money
Always the first time players, or the random ones- I bet he went into the store and asked the clerk "exactly how does one play this " ?
should we back off from playing so much ?
If it's your time, it's your time.........
DD
I hope the Oregon businessman doesn't flop and have problems like Jake Whittaker three years ago. They're so lucky that they didn't play until now! I agree that he should choose cash option because problems may occur if he took payments.
Well let's just hope he doesn't become another Jack. This guy had problems LOL
Congrats to the West family!
My, My. A first time player
. A funny thing happened to me when I was going to play the Powerball Drawing December 2002. I knew that the winner would be drawn that drawing, but my car broke down and I knew that this drawing would yield a winner(s) but I did not have time to take off from work to drive to Louisiana (the closest Powerball state to Alabama). No need, I did not win. I just hope that the West Family will be wise and not think that the money can buy them happiness. If they have children, they need to know the value of work! The extra money is just insurance. Insurance that I would like to have. Well, I guess I will just have to travel to Georgia for the Mega Millions...that jackpot is growing. Two strikes on the Powerball. And not one of those Lotto Prediction Tools selected the Powerball winning numbers! Hmmmm....! It is just random luck-no strategy.
It wierd, it always seems like the biggest jackpots are won by people with the most money. I mean we see stories on both sides but if this guy is investing 99%, he is well to do already which to my guess is not 99% of the population in here. Congrat's Mr. West.
Sounds like an intelligent person, a very lucky intelligent person. If he doesn't fall prey to vampires and slugs, he and his family should be able to spread the wealth over many generations. Which should be the goal of every one. Make your grandchildren, your great grandchildren, and their grandchildren secure. Knowing you have set up gernerations of education and comfort is something worthwhile. Doing that would make me happier then spending a fortune on car that will wear out in a few years.
I can agree with that Chewie....
Most people mess up trying to make money when they already have 340 million ----really
One things is for sure with this lotto winner weekend, the rich got richer....
http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/10/20/judd.lottery/index.html
One things is for sure with this lotto winner weekend, the rich got richer....
http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/10/20/judd.lottery/index.html
That was already posted in the News forum.
Sounds like an intelligent person, a very lucky intelligent person. If he doesn't fall prey to vampires and slugs, he and his family should be able to spread the wealth over many generations. Which should be the goal of every one. Make your grandchildren, your great grandchildren, and their grandchildren secure. Knowing you have set up gernerations of education and comfort is something worthwhile. Doing that would make me happier then spending a fortune on car that will wear out in a few years.
You are so right, he's thinking about the future but he needs to ensure that the future your mentioning is secured cause it would be disappointing after running into all that money to loose it in a stock market that has no guarentees(if that is his intention) as it has it's up's and down's. Family is so important when you are in that type of position, you are able to ensure a standing ground as you have said, Great investments are good businessess that can run through genterations, fixed accounts that earn interest through the years, Educational funds and most of all Apartments and Condo's you can rent that guarentees a lasting turnover income as long as it is properly maintained.
I also think they should add a little fun in it cause you have one life to live and you just never know when your gone, so buy a reasonable sports car and take that vacation you deserve some perks out of you and your family's win Mr. West, CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Lets hope it brings him and his family happiness.
Businessman . . . . . . hmmm . . . . .sounds like this guy may have been doing okay already. I guess I'm always more partial to that maid or the school teacher. But anyway best wishes to them. Heck, think I'll start a business too RJ.
Hey my comment didn't print... anyhow i was quoting Lottophene's line. I wanted to add that I have been a maid, I have been a school teacher. I am now a owner of a convience store.... And I still can't win!
Well in an article I read (if it's legitimate) it said they lived in a "modest gray shingled ranch house, lavishly decorated for Halloween with a graveyard, an inflated purple spider and a ghost". I've never heard of grey shingles on homes here in KY. Maybe they're popular in OR, I don't know LOL.
Here's the article I got it from: http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/connecticut/ny-bc-ct--lotteryjackpot1021oct21,0,6085840.story?coll=ny-region-apconnecticut
How ironic! The big jackpots attract a lot of first time players and, sure enough, one of them hits it. It ain't fair, dammit!!!!
Congratulations Mr. West.
Sounds like the fix is in with these big lottories with people who are first time players and owning there own businesses. my mother maybe right. she thinks the Powerball and Mega millions are fixed. she thinks the numbers are already picked before the drawing.
How ironic! The big jackpots attract a lot of first time players and, sure enough, one of them hits it. It ain't fair, dammit!!!!
Congratulations Mr. West.
Sounds like the fix is in with these big lottories with people who are first time players and owning there own businesses. my mother maybe right. she thinks the Powerball and Mega millions are fixed. she thinks the numbers are already picked before the drawing.
Hey if they are "fixed" and "picked ahead of time" then study remote viewing and remote view what they are!!!!
How ironic! The big jackpots attract a lot of first time players and, sure enough, one of them hits it. It ain't fair, dammit!!!!
Congratulations Mr. West.
Sounds like the fix is in with these big lottories with people who are first time players and owning there own businesses. my mother maybe right. she thinks the Powerball and Mega millions are fixed. she thinks the numbers are already picked before the drawing.
Hey if they are "fixed" and "picked ahead of time" then study remote viewing and remote view what they are!!!!
lol Konane!
It doesn't bother me if a "first-time" player wins. I'll reserve my judgment until we find out if he takes the cash.
hey, he should set up a grant thing like whittaker did to give help to those of us, who are'nt so lucky.i don't need but a little bit,like a donation of some sort..spread some wealth...i know what you all are thinking, would i do it if i had won!!! let you know in a few day's....