Ed O'Neill's bank account just got a lot bigger, thanks to a co-worker who told him some "idiot" hasn't claimed an $800,000 Powerball lottery prize.
O'Neill, 58, who works for the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, bought the ticket for a Jan. 6 Powerball drawing. He told Iowa Lottery staffers he didn't think to check the results until a couple days afterward when a chamber receptionist pointed out an article in the local newspaper.
"She said, 'Read this article about the idiot that hasn't claimed his ticket.' So I read it and noticed where the ticket was bought," O'Neill said. "I thought, 'Gee, I better look at my ticket.' That's when I said, 'I think I won.'"
Then he called his wife, Diane, 58, who thought he was pulling a prank.
O'Neill said his wife told him to "quit horsing around. I'm watching Oprah."
O'Neill countered: "No, really, Diane. I won."
Hysteria soon ensued as Diane realized he wasn't joking.
On Monday, the couple cashed in the ticket at the lottery headquarters in Des Moines, but not before meeting with an accountant and planning how to handle the winnings.
"There's a lot of responsibility that comes with that kind of money," O'Neill said.
O'Neill won by matching five white balls in the Powerball game. He also had purchased the Power Play option, multiplying a $200,000 prize by four.
Paying mortgages, saving — and fun
After taxes, the couple will get about $560,000 — much of which will go to pay off their mortgage, pay off their children's mortgages and save for retirement.
There will be a little left for fun, too. O'Neill said he and his wife are planning a trip to Ireland.
They also plan to donate money to Prince of Peace Catholic Parish in Clinton to help pay for construction of another church.
Congrats! I am glad to hear that AL BUNDY aka "Ed O' Neil" finally won something!! HAHAHA just kidding. I'll bet this guy and his wife will have a good laugh that his wife was too busy watching oprah to check the lottery numbers.
After taxes, the couple will get about $560,000 — much of which will go to pay off their mortgage, pay off their children's mortgages and save for retirement.
So many members here write that, if they won millions, helping their family members would not be a priority. This couple didn't win very much, but helping their children live better lives was one of the first things they thought about when they won. What a joy to read!
When I won a jackpot (much smaller one!) a few years ago it was the same way except there wasn't a report of an unclaimed ticket, just a "Lucky Location" banner on the store where I often played back then. I had jury duty the day after the drawing so I was preoccupied preparing for that. I found the ticket TWO WEEKS later (right before my Birthday!) because I had gotten bored enough to check a bunch of recent tickets against the database on my Pocket PC. Sometimes what happens is that the person is more focused on their busy schedule they don't put checking their tickets as a high priority being the odds are so remote and they may have things going on so they put it aside to check later (hopefully "later" is not too long!).. however had the ticket been a unclaimed Jackpot winner there would be enough news about their location they'd be more anxious to check the ticket. 2 days is not a lot of time.. 2 weeks is worse!
Ed first and foremost should give at least a THOUSAND dollars to his coworker. Why?
Because if not for her, he would end up like all the other people with unclaimed tickets who just buy on impulse but NEVER check their freakin' numbers!
Congratulations!
I also desire of traveling to Ireland. A few more years, I'll be there.
Congrats! I am glad to hear that AL BUNDY aka "Ed O' Neil" finally won something!! HAHAHA just kidding. I'll bet this guy and his wife will have a good laugh that his wife was too busy watching oprah to check the lottery numbers.
Now he finally can afford to buy that DVD pack with all episodes of "Psycho Dad" that he always wanted.
My sentiments for them and all winners!
LOL millions wanted.
Psycho Dad
Who's that riding into the sun.
Who's the man with the itchy gun.
Who's the man who kills for fun !
Psycho Dad. Psycho Dad. Psycho Dad !
He's quick with a gun, but he loves his son.
Killed his wife 'cause she weighed a ton... Psycho Dad !
That's too funny. Once again...it CAN happen to you, but be sure to check your tickets!
After taxes, the couple will get about $560,000 — much of which will go to pay off their mortgage, pay off their children's mortgages and save for retirement.
So many members here write that, if they won millions, helping their family members would not be a priority. This couple didn't win very much, but helping their children live better lives was one of the first things they thought about when they won. What a joy to read!
When I won a jackpot (much smaller one!) a few years ago it was the same way except there wasn't a report of an unclaimed ticket, just a "Lucky Location" banner on the store where I often played back then. I had jury duty the day after the drawing so I was preoccupied preparing for that. I found the ticket TWO WEEKS later (right before my Birthday!) because I had gotten bored enough to check a bunch of recent tickets against the database on my Pocket PC. Sometimes what happens is that the person is more focused on their busy schedule they don't put checking their tickets as a high priority being the odds are so remote and they may have things going on so they put it aside to check later (hopefully "later" is not too long!).. however had the ticket been a unclaimed Jackpot winner there would be enough news about their location they'd be more anxious to check the ticket. 2 days is not a lot of time.. 2 weeks is worse!
Ed first and foremost should give at least a THOUSAND dollars to his coworker. Why?
Because if not for her, he would end up like all the other people with unclaimed tickets who just buy on impulse but NEVER check their freakin' numbers!
Whaddya say Ed?
:-)
"Idiots" are who usually win the lottery 99% of the time. Why even buy a ticket if you are not even going to check it?
Geeh... for a minute after reading the topic line, I thought Bush had won the lottery..