$1.6 million lottery payout means 'mortgage-burning party' for N.C. man

Apr 26, 2016, 12:23 pm (30 comments)

North Carolina Lottery

RALEIGH, N.C. — A Liberty, North Carolina, man says he plans to pay off the mortgage on his home after his "Millionaire Bucks" win.

Michael Zimmerman, of Liberty, works as an assistant manager at the Ready Mart on North Main Street in Randleman.

According to a news release from the North Carolina Education Lottery, he bought the winning $20 ticket at the store on his day off. He got one ticket and didn't win anything, but said something told him to buy a second one. That one turned out to be the winner.

"I almost fell down," Zimmerman said Friday as he received his check in Raleigh. "I was totally stunned, like a deer in the headlights."

Zimmerman had the option of taking a $4 million annuity or a lump sum worth $2.4 million. He chose the lump sum. After required state and federal withholdings, he took home $1,662,006. He plans to use some of the money to pay off his home.

"I've always wanted to know what it's like to own my own house," Zimmerman said. "I'll have to have an old-fashioned mortgage-burning party."

Zimmerman is the first to win a top prize playing Millionaire Bucks, the news release said. The game began in January with three top prizes of $4 million and five prizes of $1 million.

Two $4 million prizes and four $1 million prizes remain.

News story photo(Click to display full-size in gallery)

Fox 8, Lottery Post Staff

Comments

music*'s avatarmusic*

 As Michael Zimmerman said,"I was totally stunned."  A very common human reaction to winning the lottery. 

 I am glad that he did not fall down. 

 Be prepared to win big.

 Congratulations to Michael Zimmerman!Shocked

Brynja

so he's the assistant manager at the grocery store where he bought the winning ticket on his day off and 'something told him to buy one more'......

 

yep, nothing fishy going on here folks......

 

Roll Eyes

LiveInGreenBay's avatarLiveInGreenBay

$20.00 for a scratch ticket is kind of steep.  Think I'll pass on that one.

Raven62's avatarRaven62

Good Name for this Game!

mypiemaster's avatarmypiemaster

Good thing he is not named Patel or this thread would have exploded!!!.

Mrs. Lotto-nc

Been looking for someone to win a top prize on this ticket!! wondering why it took so long.... Congrats and "spend a little and save a lot" is the motto me and the hubby live by!!! Thumbs Up

LiveInGreenBay's avatarLiveInGreenBay

Quote: Originally posted by Mrs. Lotto-nc on Apr 26, 2016

Been looking for someone to win a top prize on this ticket!! wondering why it took so long.... Congrats and "spend a little and save a lot" is the motto me and the hubby live by!!! Thumbs Up

I wonder if they wait before issuing the winning tickets?  If the winning tickets are sold too early, sales would drop to nothing and they'd lose money.

TnTicketlosers's avatarTnTicketlosers

The Patels are running our country.....I stay clear of all those places now,stores,hotels,subways,.....Keep my money and figure on paper.It's alot cheaper in Tennessee............I know they are losing my money in Murfreesboro.I think it's funny.Cheated us for years.

faber98

Quote: Originally posted by TnTicketlosers on Apr 26, 2016

The Patels are running our country.....I stay clear of all those places now,stores,hotels,subways,.....Keep my money and figure on paper.It's alot cheaper in Tennessee............I know they are losing my money in Murfreesboro.I think it's funny.Cheated us for years.

there are thousands of patels running stores in this country. ok, you stay clear of them. ok to keep your money but what do you figure on paper. what is cheaper in tennessee exactly. who is losing your money in murfreesboro. what exactly is funny and who cheated you for years. i think you got cheated out of an education in school if you actually went. clear this up for everyone.

Bleudog101

Quote: Originally posted by Raven62 on Apr 26, 2016

Good Name for this Game!

Congratulations.  Same here, when I win, here comes the mortgage burning party.  Nice story for a rainy night.

Groppo's avatarGroppo

I needs me a small win like he got.
I needs to get me a modest house, a RAM pickup, and possibly a Fatboy S.

(Of the 3, I can do without the Harley, for now.)

ErikB14's avatarErikB14

Congratulations MR Zimmerman on your windfall '

cbr$'s avatarcbr$
Congratulation to Michael Zimmerman on his win. He wants a mortgage burning 
party. Great  if it a nice night when you have it. Don't forget some campfire 
marshmallows.
myturn's avatarmyturn

Paying off a mortgage may feel good, however it may not be the best financial decision.

Lottery winnings should get independent, professional financial advice, before any decisions are made.

This is why I believe there should be a cooling off period before winners receive their prize money.

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