$18.5M lottery winner 'scraping by'

Comment #44

Hermanus104 — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 00:21:35 GMT

I found it - it was Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder.

Comment #43

Velocity — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 01:52:42 GMT

I'd like to scrap by with just 18.5 measley million dollars. Boooo

Comment #42

rdgrnr — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 21:07:38 GMT

He's a good-hearted man, God bless him.

Comment #41

Daveyl — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:03:30 GMT

petergrfn,

Sorry to hear of your misfortunes. Our family has struggled through some tragedy during the last decade, so I can sympathize with you. Winning the lottery is that one dream we all share, but remember that our primary aim should be to subsist on what we can earn, not what we don't have. The company that insured your relatives should be exposed as frauds. It is hard enough to face the expenses and heartache of a family member's grave illness, much less having to deal with their... [ More ]

Comment #40

drhymes74 — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:40:52 GMT

Bottom line for me is:

I like this guy.

He does have a big heart.

It sounds like he did get taken advantage of and I hope that others don't abuse his generosity.

I hope that he mends his relationship with his children...and that they recognize that they need help....It's the least they can do, their mother is gone.

Whatever his belief in religion is, I hope that he is fulfilled.

Comment #39

TheGameGrl — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 01:32:08 GMT

Particularly someone with your desire to point out the obvious! . Geesh I think the man meant he has good intentions with his good fortune and I am sure that it is very much wishful thinking for him to give away to make folks satsified. Even Walt Disney carried that dream thru his life and he sure as heck did touch ALOT of lives. Fiddle de dee to folks who dont dream and wish. At least this guy followed it thru with goodness and it didnt squander it on useless toys...Hats off to a goodhearted wi... [ More ]

Comment #38

Coin Toss — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:02:43 GMT

From the OP:

I wish I'd won a billion dollars so I could keep everyone happy, saidSnelius, a retired truck mechanic originally from Lithuania. Sneliusopted for a single $18.5 million payment back in September 2000, ratherthan get 26 annual payments.

It is impossible to keep everyone happy. Does he really think he would have handled $1 billion any better

Comment #37

starchild_45 — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 14:24:10 GMT

Quote: Originally posted by starchild_45 on August 25, 2010

tiggs no matter how you get there are still ways to stay in the sexual game if you know what i mean. LOL. it would be my splurge because as i get older there is not much i want anymore except the fore mentioned. that money could buy a lot of fake i love yous LOL. LIE TO ME. lol.

Havaball

Plus a lot of painful and/or unenjoyable sexual viruses received ... so, be careful with your libido!

I have asked via obtaining my lottery... [ More ]

Comment #36

Iesha Kelly — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 06:29:03 GMT

I agree with you regarding the suspicion of loneliness. I can't believe his own children use him the way they do. I like the fact that before his wife died, he and she were donating to legitimate charities. Perhaps things would be different, if his wife hadn't died. I'm worried about the Traveller type golddiggers out there who know how to play the 'I'm destitute help poor little me' organ like a pro in the presence of vulnerable people with good hearts but no direction.... [ More ]

Comment #35

DC81 — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 17:31:14 GMT

There's been several stories on him that have been posted here from what I recall and yeah at least that one kid and the in-law took advantage of his buying them a house as we saw in one of the How the Lottery Changed My Life episodes but at least he stopped before being completely broke. Speaking of that episodes, I don't recall anyone but them from his family appearing, can't remember if it was the man or woman who was his kid but seeing how crazy they went with their excessive Elvis shrine ho... [ More ]

Comment #34

RJOh — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 17:02:14 GMT

There will alway be needy people, no amount of money will ever eliminate them. There are needy people who thinks it's the duty of others to help them that never do anything to help themselves.

Comment #33

LotteryTechInc — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:53:59 GMT

MC Hammer did the same thing tried too help his entire neighborhood on 30 mil and went bankrupt!! so whether you win money,inherit money or earn it as an entertainer manage it WISELY no matter what.

Comment #32

drhymes74 — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 09:18:02 GMT

I did a search on this guy....there is an article: The 18 million headache The guiy has his heart in the right place, but needed to use his head when it came to doling out money.

While Jack Whitaker had his faults, he over-gave to everyone, including the granddaughter. It seems this guy did the same thing minus the strip clubs.

I understand wanting to give money to those in need. Giving away too much and you become the one in need. Coupled with the death of his wife, I suspect loneli... [ More ]

Comment #31

HaveABall — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 04:02:56 GMT

Well, he still has money, as the article didn't say that he dispensed of it all! I'm not sure why some LP members are assuming he's broke, unless they know something that the article didn't print.

Regardless, perhaps this widowed, sinior 2-digit multi-million dollar jackpot winner, should stay a week at the best hotel in Burbank and spend that week deeply entrenched in Burbank downtown life socializing, observing resident's interactions, and sightseeing. After all, the Burbank town may be dif... [ More ]

Comment #30

HaveABall — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 03:54:18 GMT

Stephi, for the same income, you could quit your job at the motel and take a job at a large retail store. Doing so soon would eliminate 95% of your listed job hassles and stresses; that is unless you enjoy suffering and stress. Make conscious efforts towards enjoying people again, your life will become more fun that way.

Comment #29

HaveABall — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 03:49:22 GMT

Plus a lot of painful and/or unenjoyable sexual viruses received ... so, be careful with your libido

Comment #28

drhymes74 — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 22:53:35 GMT

Even if he did claim anonymous, he probably wouldn't be able to resist the allure of of giving to those in need which would have probably given away his win.

Mistakes:

Building a replica of Graceland

He even wishes that he was back where he originally came from.

i am going to guess the type of houses he bought for his children were a little over the top too.

Loaning out money....

Buying houses for 8 other relatives.

Paying for weddings

I can sympathize with... [ More ]

Comment #27

HoLeeKau — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:12:02 GMT

Hear hear

Comment #26

louise black — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:03:34 GMT

Mr Snelius a good man , who did good with his money and still doing good things for people.My hope is that his blessing keep coming,but some how I detect a little sadness in his tone.Good luck for the years to comes, a man that worthy of such praise.

Comment #25

Hermanus104 — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:00:34 GMT

He seems to be a very generous man, but I wonder if he would have given away more money if he had won $1 billion and then dug himself into the same hole.

Also, does anyone know what that song they play in the trailer for Lottery Ticket is? I like that song but I have no idea what it is called or who sings it.

Comment #24

LotteryTechInc — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 05:26:15 GMT

good idea I think I WILL DO the same

Comment #23

fwlawrence — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 04:13:38 GMT

When I win, the bank won't be open in the first place.

Comment #22

stephi — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 21:25:40 GMT

I don't foresee myself winning anything beyond a 5 of 5 prize or few nor do I want to ( I live in a small town I am always the sucker). I have the right kind of job--a motel clerk. I work with thieves, who do not sign for a package yet walk off with it knowing that the person who signed for it gets blamed for thievery; who when the drawer is over, conveniently fail to tell you and you have to pay when boss notices shortage and they are all so nice and friendly to your face. And not to mention th... [ More ]

Comment #21

starchild_45 — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:53:53 GMT

at least i am being honest. lol.

Comment #20

starchild_45 — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:52:35 GMT

well the county outside of vegas is where the good buffets are at. LMAO. if you know what i mean. 20,000 would buy a lot of buffets of the sort i want. lol. then i would go back to my quiet life of trying to win another jackpot so i can give to my kids. lol

Comment #19

starchild_45 — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:50:12 GMT

tiggs no matter how you get there are still ways to stay in the sexual game if you know what i mean. LOL. it would be my splurge because as i get older there is not much i want anymore except the fore mentioned. that money could buy a lot of fake i love yous LOL. LIE TO ME. lol.

Comment #18

LotteryTechInc — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:06:00 GMT

When you win a lottery jackpot it doesn't mean you have too solve everyones financial problems it's okay too give ONCE in awhile too someone REALLY in need but after that the bank is CLOSED

Comment #17

hearsetrax — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:57:31 GMT

I wish it was possible to be anonymous ..... I'd slip out of town on the next train and or greyhound that'd be the last any one heard or saw of me

Comment #16

dpoly1 — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:14:10 GMT

I would like the chance to scrape by with Friday's Mega Millions Gazillions

Comment #15

Nino224 — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:29:48 GMT

What a nice man.

It's amazing how it's always the same story. The beast of a thousand hands that comes at you until there's nothing left. I'm afraid he'd still be broke even he'd won a billion.

I wish more winners would remain anonymous.

Comment #14

Nino224 — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:26:43 GMT

LOL

Comment #13

petergrfn — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 03:20:43 GMT

I used to feel the same way. After Jack Whittaker won that Powerball jackpot my family was going thru hard times...and I fel like the combination of the extreme stress and lack of medical insurance led to a realative having a severe heart attack. The doctors did all the could but we still lost our relative..... And we were still stuck with huge medical bills. All during the next few years while we have been stuggling to pay these bills while hearing stories of Jack Whittaker wasting Millions and... [ More ]

Comment #12

jeffrey — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 01:09:06 GMT

I remember when he won. I was praying to win the lottery so I could afford a liver transplant for my mother and a bone marrow transplant for my brother. They had insurance, unfortunately, it was the deny all claims insurance. They died in agony and bankrupted my whole family. The recession took my career that year and I lost everything. Ten years later, I am just recovering. I could have used a win like that. My family would still be alive. (probably) To hear of 1.4 million graceland copy just m... [ More ]

Comment #11

OwlCreekBridge — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:22:10 GMT

what are you talking about? I only go to vegas for the excellent buffets

Comment #10

OwlCreekBridge — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:18:39 GMT

I'd do my best to stay anonymous if I won but it sounds like he had a blast blowing through all that cash

Comment #9

dpoly1 — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 19:27:56 GMT

My entourage will be my family ! The four of us would be enough ! ......... some for my siblings .......... if they accept it.

Some anonymous donations ......... some close friends on vacation ............

Let's go Mega Millions !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh ........ almost forgot ........... I will not spend like the Government

Comment #8

plus40 — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:54:51 GMT

I remember this guy from one of those Lottery Changed My Life type shows. He seemed like a nice guy, but I remember thinking how silly that Graceland house was for his daughter and Son-in-law, but I like the idea of handing out the odd 100 dollar bill to a needy/struggling person.

Folks 18.5 millions is a lot of money but poor planning and spending can get rid of it. Compared to what I'm living on now, I could put that money into CDs or someother low risk investment and live off of the inter... [ More ]

Comment #7

hearsetrax — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:28:16 GMT

as I've queried b4 ... I often wonder how many of us are actually prepared to win vs talking out the _____

again I can't fathom why any one would choose the lump sum over payments ......

we've seen arguements for both options .... but I still wonder

as for the greed of others : phooey

Comment #6

RJOh — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:27:05 GMT

Hope he kept playing, maybe he'll get lucky again and be able to do what he seems to enjoy doing, giving it away.

Comment #5

tiggs95 — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:18:55 GMT

Sexual in Nevada thing sounds good..IF TIGGS WAS YOUNG!!!..

Comment #4

starchild_45 — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:40:04 GMT

they did a story about him on tv before. everything is relative no matter how much money you have. i barely know what i will do with the money if i win tonight. probably something sexual in nevada. arrgghh.

Comment #3

BoBoMcQuickfeet — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:22:57 GMT

I'd hope you do better, too, Dpoly1. And with me in your entourage, I'd help you stay on track.

If I won, all those total strangers with their hands out would be told no. Homes for family? Mom and Dad, sure. Brothers and sisters? No. First, they have homes. Second, the homes they have are homes they can easily afford to maintain (anything bigger, and it would be a burden to pay the utilities, taxes, insurance, etc.) Any money I give them would be in the form of a cash gift (they can put to t... [ More ]

Comment #2

fwlawrence — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:05:56 GMT

I wouldn't mind scraping by on $18.5 million. Or tonight's $115 million jacjpot.

Comment #1

dpoly1 — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:53:06 GMT

Wow!

I don't know if I would do any better managing my money if I won a jackpot, but I would be very very careful with investments .

Hope this guy is OK.

I would like the opportunity to find out if I can mange the money tonite ............. I just scrape by, but I have been paying medical bills for 24 years and had my last full time job in 2001 and am now disabled. I do think that I could do better with more cash! Life goes on and I make do with what I have! After all, family is worth m... [ More ]

$18.5M lottery winner 'scraping by'

Lottery Post — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:21:29 GMT

'I wish I'd won a billion dollars' not just $18.5M

Ten years after he and his wife won $64 million in the Big Game lottery, Alex Snelius wishes he'd won more money.

The 73-year-old Palos Heights man doesn't want to replace his 2001 Lincoln Town Car. Nor does he want a bigger home (he'd actually prefer something much smaller).

I wish I'd won a billion dollars so I could keep everyone happy, said Snelius, a retired truck mechanic originally from Lithuania. Snelius opted for a single $18.... [ More ]