Nurse explains just how the lottery changed her life
By Kate Northrop
After winning a record-breaking $107 million (US$79.6 million) in January 2019, an Australian nurse proclaimed that she would be returning to work the next day, and she has since kept her promise.
Humble, hardworking, and down-to-earth, the historic winner who won the country's largest prize ever awarded to an individual came forward to offer advice to future lottery winners, as well as explain just how the lottery has changed her life and what she spends her money on.
When she hit multi-millionaire status overnight, she swore she would return to work the very next day.
"I don't know why people were so shocked," the anonymous player told The Lott. "I'm still working, and my husband is also working. We both love our jobs."
Besides the love of the job, there was sound reasoning behind the decision to return to work. For future lottery winners of massive proportions, she explained that maintaining normalcy is a key factor in dealing with such a huge win.
"My advice is, if it's possible and you can stand it, wake up the next morning and go to work," she said. "In the beginning, it's important to go about your usual day-to-day life while you really think about things. It gives you normality, and it allows the news to slowly sink in."
While her advice is completely sound and reasonable, she emphasized that it's best to seek financial help from professionals as soon as possible.
"Run, don't walk, to a really good financial advisor," the winner urged. "It takes two weeks for the prize money to come through. I used those two weeks to engage a financial advisor who I really trusted."
Since relationships among family and friends are different for everybody, she also offered some advice that can be true for anyone — don't rush to tell people about the win.
"Take some time to think about who you might tell before you start sharing the news with your family and friend, and let the story get out of the headlines first," she recommended. "If this news affects relationships in a negative way, then it's probably time for that relationship to end anyway, and that's just natural."
Thankfully, the mother had a positive experience when she finally came clean to family and friends about winning a massive amount of money.
"Honestly, everyone we told was in tears — genuine, happy tears!" she recalled. "I don't think one person didn't have a little cry. Everyone was so overwhelmingly happy and excited for us!"
She did, however, say one thing that possibly deterred people in her circle from asking for money. Either that, or she has incredibly honest relationships with those around her.
"No one ever asked me for money, not one person," she remarked. "I told people it had been locked away."
So how has her life changed since winning a $107 million jackpot? Surprisingly, not much is different, except now she upgrades from cheap chardonnay and regularly buys fresh flowers for her home. She's also quite the bookworm and admits that it's a great feeling to be able to go into a bookshop and buy whichever book she wants.
"It's things like that that I don't take for granted," she said.
She and her husband don't splurge, they continue to clean the house and do the grocery shopping, but there is one household task that she didn't mind giving up.
"I've never been one for ironing," the winner quipped. "Now I do have someone who does the ironing for me, and that's invaluable."
Of course, she and her husband did what most sensible lottery winners do — planning a vacation and buying a family home.
"That's something that I've always dreamt of, and every time I walk into my beautiful home is a 'pinch-me' moment," she gushed. "And having the ability to travel with the children is incredible. We never thought we'd be able to afford that. It was always out of reach for us, so to have those memories is priceless."
While she is still not one for big luxuries and huge splurges, there is one way of putting the money to good use that she can absolutely get behind.
"We have already made some really important donations, and we're always thinking a lot about what we want to support next," the Sydney nurse said. "We watch the news, and we read the papers, and we literally keep a notebook of causes we know we want to help on a grassroots level."
While not much has changed in her day-to-day life, having millions in her bank account has given her a fresh, unique perspective on acquiring a great deal of wealth.
"In those weeks after our win, I walked down the street, and I knew that just about every second person bought a ticket into the draw, and I know that I won their $10 or $15, and that really resonated with me," the lucky player said thoughtfully. "Paying it forward is really important to us because if you change one person's life, you have the potential to change the whole community."
Lottery players wondering what steps they should take after winning the lottery should check out Lottery Post's instructive video, What happens when you win the lottery?
Very nice story. What a trooper she is returning to work the very next day!
With only 4% of Australia vaccinated for Covid-19 I'd be leery to return to work, though because she's a Nurse does not necessarily mean patient care, i.e. Nurse Manager etc.
She mentioned that no family members had asked her for money. I find that very strange, family members should not have to "ask" for money if you won $107 million dollars. You should have all of that figured out before you even pick up the money you should have targeted who in the family you are planning to help, and discussed it with them ahead of time, that way everyone is on the same page and there is no confusion. Why put the family in the awkward position of having to ask for help. The reason no one asked is because they were waiting on her to reach out to them. Most people play the lottery so that if they happen to win it will change their life. If you do not "want" to change your life ......why are you playing??
l Like the idea that Australia does not tax lottery winning. What they will tax is revenue earned from investments.
Spoke with Canadians years ago I think your last sentence is the same thing they told me.
She is showing lottery winners how to live a boring life!!!
LOL. Kinda funny. We blast people that win and then go crazy blowing their money.
Now criticism for going back to work and not blowing the money.
We really don't know all the circumstances of people that win big.
Wow, I am so glad you're not related to me Mata. Do you seriously expect a family member who comes into a large sum of money by winning a lottery to come rushing in to save the day for anybody who you believe needs it? To me, it sounds like you're saying whoever finds themselves winning millions like this needs to 'spread it around' so that everybody else can benefit from this sudden windfall as well.
Okay, after everybody gets that slice you believe they're entitled to by being family, what's this lottery winner supposed to do when their funds have been depleted or even exhausted? What about the quality of their lives? What about what they may have wanted to do? What about their financial well-being? What about their children (if they have them)? What about their dreams? These are all rhetorical questions because I know you don't care about any of that. As long as you get your grubby little hands on what you believe is rightfully yours, nothing else matters to you, does it?
People like you make me sick.
I'm going to disagree. Lottery winners don't have to discuss what they're going to do with their lottery winnings with anyone. No one is entitled to someone's money and how it's spent. If I ever win big, I'm not going to gather all my family members and friends and ask them how much I should give them or how I should spend my money. That's how people go broke. If I give someone something, it's on my terms and not because someone believes that they are entitled to my money.
* Unless you have scoundrels & dishonest family members " Charity begins at home."
* Enough said.
You're missing the context of what some of us are saying noise-gate. If you want to give some of your winnings to your family, go ahead - it's your money to do with as you please. Heck, if I were to hit Powerball tomorrow I know I'd buy the house my sister is currently living in because I know how much she loves both the house and the neighborhood it's situated in. I'd also give my mother some money so she'd have nothing to worry about financially as she enjoys her golden years.
The problems begin when you have family members who, just like Mata demonstrated in his post, believe they're entitled to those winnings as well and try to play the family card in order to get it.
Powerful and agree with you 100%. My Sister told me and my older Brother that if we win the lottery (she doesn't play) we HAVE to give her some. Brother told her 'Sure, it'll be a loan @ market rate'.
As for me, she gets none or my younger narcissist Brother.
When I hit will have my tax accountant or Attorney---neither one of which I have help me with the IRS paperwork, though I'm sure the KLC would be more than happy to assist too. Aside from myself, it gets split five ways and since I'm fortunate that KY will write separate checks to each person that is one big headache over with. We sometimes play in nearby Indiana and they too cut separate checks. California gets some of my moola in September and I know for fact they will cut up to fifty separate checks...not that will be the case with us! My home state of MA creates financial hardships by only cutting one check.
Missed the context- l don't think so. First off the lady says family were shedding tears over her win, yet nary a word on " l did right by them." Perhaps she did not feel the need to bring the topic up with the press, and l can understand that.
No one, especially myself is suggesting that you call the family & tell them you divving up your fortune, but to mention charities out there first..Right Ok.
Opinions are like noses, everyone has one, so no harm, no foul.
You made it quite clear that this woman is not living by your authoritarian rules, how dare she not say the things you wanted to hear.
I happen to love my family members, and I believe that families should share the joys of life just as they have to share the grief. You are acting as if I was saying you should just recklessly start handing out checks for millions of dollars to third cousins whom you barely know. That is not what I'm saying, this is what I would do if I won 107 million dollars. I would set aside a certain percentage for family members who "needed" help. But I would never put them in the humiliating position of having to "ask" for money That would in no way effect what I have planned for the majority of the money. It does not mean that you are a sucker or that family members are being greedy, it just means that you are a person that loves their family. By the way .....welcome to the lottery post family, I see my post got you so upset that you joined after reading it, welcome aboard.
Nice job, insult everyone.
* Look at the 2nd line of my signature in amazement...and ponder!
Shove your second line weasel, If I win the lottery I don't have to tell anyone or share with family, and for you to come on here and try to shame people for wanting to keep what is rightfully theirs shows how disrespectful you are of others peoples rights.
You think you're clever, nope
LMAO Weasel.
Look at you do a 360, you're not fooling anybody.
* " I find your lack of faith disturbing."
* " l sense the conflict within you."
Actually, you didn't upset me at all so I'll thank you to get over yourself.
Maybe to you targeting family members who "needed" help is noble, but have you stopped to consider how this could be taken as a slap in the face by some family members? I see you believe making your family ask you for monetary help would be "humiliating" for them but I would counter that by pointing out you singling out certain family members over others to give money to would be just as bad, if not worse. Now, not only have you insulted them, but there's also a good chance you have left them with the impression you believe yourself to be better than they are since you now have money. What's more, the moment the family members you overlooked hear about you giving money to a family member in need, they will undoubtedly take offense and will make sure you hear about it. I know in your OP you mentioned talking to everybody in your family to make sure they're all on the same page, which is not only an invitation for disaster, but the reason I said you'll be giving money to everybody since all of them will undoubtedly want some (you are giving money away after all). You would be amazed how quickly being the "good guy" will deplete your resources (even if you set a certain amount aside).
Ok, enough of this nonsense. Attacking Mata over an opinion is
Unless you have won a jackpot and have experienced what it is like to be a millionaire etc etc , it's just speculation on our parts. None of us here can point a finger and say your idea is 
. Mata may have friends that " he or she knows very well. Your friends may be A**** and you have a right to feel that way. Comparing Mata's friends to yours is.. asinine. Win a jackpot then comeback with your " experience "on what not to do.
Geez, people. Get a grip. I support Mata Garbo. When I win $107 million, I'll keep half for myself and split the other half among my brother, sister-in-law, nieces and nephews, and 2nd cousins. If you want to keep all the loot to yourself, go for it. Be as greedy and selfish as you like.
With the half I keep, I'll use the "rule of 3rds" -- 1/3rd for buying stuff like cars and houses, 1/3rd in safe investments, and 1/3rd in risky investments such as angel capital.
The saddest thing is that the people criticizing Mata Garbo and noise-gate didn't even bother to read and digest what they actually wrote. That kind of kneejerk reactionism is appalling.
Geez, maybe you should stop calling people greedy for keeping something that is rightfully theirs.
It is not selfish or greedy.
Noise-gate......your sharp intellect is surpassed only by your kindness and common sense. Thanks for lending your voice to what was a much more sensitive subject than this girl anticipated.
EdG1955 ........Very well said, thank you for your support and for actually "reading and understanding" the comments.
Sully...it almost sounds like expected redistribution of wealth... Interesting and entertaining. Choices and freedoms are wonderful things.
That's the truth.
Wow! Sounds like the alley cats/weasel are howling their displeasure because a few here simply believe in a common sense approach in the direction they would take with a large windfall.
I also find it amusing that some think it's perfectly fine when a family member is willing to risk THEIR assets whether it's gambling or a business venture even though they themselves would never do so yet feel entitled to a portion if their family members happens to be successful.
But nobody suggested that family members should feel entitled to a portion. What was said was that sharing good fortune with family members is a good thing and some of us will do that. If you choose not to do so, don't. Why do slime molds/nematodes have such a hard time with reading comprehension?
wow and i thought powerball was only in the usa.
I was born and raised in Michigan. The way I was raised, I wouldn't give donations to charity while excluding family members like the Australian winner did. The definition of greed is "a selfish and excessive desire for more of something (such as money) than is needed". How much is "needed" is an individual choice. My OPINION is that $107 million is more than I need to live quite comfortably for the rest of my life. I would choose to help my nieces and nephews and other family members go to college, start businesses if they wanted to, buy better houses and cars, and in general, live better lives. I would NOT give to charities, i.e. strangers, before giving to people I personally know and love.
"redistribution of wealth"? Why did politics enter a discussion about lottery winnings?
Well, you certainly outdid yourself Weasel
, you spent the time searching for the perfect meme, you picked one you like, it is a reflection of you, Thank you for letting us know who you really are. 
* Whatever blows your hair back. I mentioned " mine mine" yesterday-clueless one!
* Why are you trolling my posts, you seem obsessed with me. You showed up yesterday & immediately attacked MY post. Hey, if l help you make it through the day, it's pretty unfortunate in my pov.
Sooooooooo,when you reply to someone over and over, like, let's say to me, that's okay, but when I do it, it's trolling.
It is not the same as the USA Powerball.
You have assumed something that perhaps is beyond your grasp in this case and you carelessly cherry-picked part of the statement... Let me help you, " expected redistribution of wealth".... I was referring to the Forbes article that was written less than 20 months ago. Not some popinjay political representation. Can't imagine why someone would assume(<---we know how that word is divided up) that nonsense. But I did notice that you commented on not giving to charities(2 times) before family... See that's the beautiful part about charities. Nobody needs to "personally know or love"(your words,not mine) anything about the patients at Shiners or Ronald McDonald House or St Jude's or the AHA etc etc to give to them, before family.
Personal choices, I get it and agree with that aspect.To each winner, grants them many options and their choice to share or save. Best of luck with your future lottery endeavors. Here's hoping that you have a code 100 day.
Sure, dude, sure. You create a new term "expected redistribution of wealth" that has NO defined meaning and expect others to know what you're talking about. The term "redistribution of wealth" has long established meaning and is frequently conflated with communism and socialism. Adding "expected" to it means absolutely nothing. A Google search returns this: No results found for "expected redistribution of wealth" +forbes.
Google
.... unbelievable...well.... gormless works in mysterious ways
Yes, you certainly do.
Well maybe you should google Forbes , they have a great article on the transfer of wealth from the baby boomer generation to the younger generation, talks about 401k's and stock market gains, it is about the expected redistribution of wealth.
I managed to find it.
Uh, I Googled with the query "expected distribution of wealth" +forbes. Since you're not up on search terminology, the quotation marks mean to search for the specific phrase within the quotes and +forbes means to search for that specific term being used by Forbes. Since no results were returned, Forbes never used that specific phrase.
I also searched Forbes.com and that phrase was not found. See: Forbes Search
Sully, you tried....like a short brook trout...just have to let that one go.
Type Greatest transfer of wealth ,Forbes,I pulled up 3 freaking articles.
I glad we weren't talking about the transfer of wealth away from the middle class by the greedy, bloated Government, of which most esteemed leaders would love to see a Socialist Country go full blown Communistic.
But that's not what CDanaT claimed. Here. I'll refresh your memory with the following two comments from CDanaT since you apparently don't have the capability to view earlier comments in this thread:
Comment to Sully: Sully...it almost sounds like expected redistribution of wealth...
Comment to EdG1955: You have assumed something that perhaps is beyond your grasp in this case and you carelessly cherry-picked part of the statement... Let me help you, " expected redistribution of wealth".... I was referring to the Forbes article that was written less than 20 months ago.
Good for her for returning to work since she is a nurse. To each her own. If I won, I would only tell one person. I would quit my job after a few months of getting used to the money and creating a plan, budget and investing the money. It would be a dream to wake up when I want, spend time on my hobbies, create a small home based business, take yoga & pilates and travel, travel, travel.
* Don't waste your precious time trying to explain. You'll be caught between common sense &
- not a very good place to find oneself.
See EdG1955- my point was made. Without naming names, these purveyors of
came to the defense of 
. You going to see a lot of it, my advice, just brace yourself.
Golly Weasel, you don't have to be so mean, show some love.
Redistribution of Income and Wealth:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redistribution_of_income_and_wealth
" People say you the life of the forum because you tell a joke or two,
Although you might be laughing loud and hearty, deep down you blue,
So take a good look at your face, you'll see your smile looks out of place
if you look closer, it's easy to trace the track of your tears."
Oh no he didn't, oh yes he did!
He just butchered a Smokey Robinson song, not cool.
That's why you a tool- you fall for anything. Regular troll despite the denial.
* It's rather humorous- like dirty birds hanging around trees & power lines, you TOOLS gather together to defend your own.
* Lunch was handed out, live with it.