Mo. woman describes aftermath of lottery jackpot

Comment #55

tntea — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 02:09:16 GMT

I wouldn't expect a thing from a friend if they won the lottery. Just like I don't expect any thing from a friend who works for money. Why do people want what others have??????

For fun, hubby and I discuss who we would give money to and who we wouldn't. It comes down to which friends need it. We have lots of wealthy friends. They wouldn't need anything if we win as they don't need anything now.

My family wouldn't need anything more than we have now if our friends hit the big one. We w... [ More ]

Comment #54

Nikkicute — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 08:01:12 GMT

If one person wins this MegaMillions $500 million and counting jackpot, what happened to this women

will look like a walk in the park compared to the people that would come after the new winner.

Comment #53

kapla — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 02:16:12 GMT

Great post! Nice to see someone talk about wanting to run an honest business

Comment #52

Artist77 — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 17:33:57 GMT

I really love the idea about writing a book with letters to a lottery winner . I think it would do well. I would buy it. I have written a couple of art/academic type books (not in the category of the Hunger games by any means, but what is, but they are published by a real non-vanity publisher). You could include some followup research with the letter writers (i.e. check out their claims like this woman did and find out some interesting details...all names kept anonymous of course). If I ever win... [ More ]

Comment #51

PrisonerSix — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 17:13:25 GMT

My wife and I joke about if we win, the first rule is anyone who asks us for money isn't getting a dime.

Comment #50

rdgrnr — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:58:40 GMT

That was a phony friend.

Comment #49

Simba774 — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:32:04 GMT

I wonder what Chris Shaw has been up to? I'm guessing he's doing way better than me. Anyway, congrats to this woman, but NEVER go on television! If you want a peaceful life after the big windfall stay out of the spotlight. Now, I know some family and friends are going to show their other side, but the problem is you can't hide it from them, so no becomes your favorite word.

Comment #48

sunjune6 — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 22:07:32 GMT

You got to be kidding! Woopie wish she looks that good. Are you blind or what

Comment #47

maggieg — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 17:48:31 GMT

I think that she was selfish not to help her friend. If one of my friends hit for millions, I would hope that they would share without me having to ask. She enjoys others doing things for her, but she will not help others, she is all for herself and should be all by herself.

Comment #46

dk1421 — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 13:56:21 GMT

You know, there are several books out there that run in the same vein. You COULD do that - and make sure all proceeds go to your favorite charity.

Comment #45

CDanaT — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 20:38:16 GMT

At least she wrote a paperback book on some of issues that come with winning. Could always be read before turning in the winning ticket

Comment #44

rdgrnr — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 19:10:19 GMT

I failed to understand why these winners feel the need to talk...

Some people feel the need to strut their stuff even when they ain't got any stuff to strut.

And having newly acquired big bucks would only exacerbate that problem.

Comment #43

NJJim — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 18:47:19 GMT

This is a topic that I've thought a lot about. I cannot say exactly how I would react to the begging. So many folks are out of work, yet so many also think that you owe them something simply because you won the money, and will be mad because they are jealous. Any services I get from companies, they'll think they should be able to over charge. First, I would fear for my childrens' safety - we would have to move to a gated housing arrangement, and put them in schools that have some special securit... [ More ]

Comment #42

josie kat — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 18:30:57 GMT

mum's the word. tell no one... peoiple lose life long friends and money can be a powerful motivator.

I failed to understand why these winners feel the need to talk... keep ur mouth shut handle your biz accordingly.

Want to share the good news? Send a bunch of checks to your favorit charities and they wuld be Delighted.

Spread the joy and abundance.

Comment #41

TigerAngel — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 05:07:30 GMT

I already have my press confrence speech written.

It goes like this...

To all my friends and family that have been supportive of me , I say thank you and there will be a little something extra in your Christmas stocking this year. And to my friends and family that have not been supportive of me in thinner times, I say, na na nah na na

Comment #40

LucyMontgomery — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 02:41:05 GMT

All of this is so true. It scares me. I don't want to think of this as a gift and a curse, but it could surely end up that way. That's why no one will know, maybe one person whom has guarded my darkest secret and trust the must...but he's not even family lol. Other than that, its my investment and i won it fair and square

Comment #39

mediabrat — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 02:13:30 GMT

Or they live in a state where you have no choice but to have a press conference.

Comment #38

rdgrnr — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 18:08:14 GMT

Dadgum straight, I gotta git me one of them shirts.

Comment #37

hearsetrax — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 16:11:29 GMT

yeah laughing

Comment #36

RedStang — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 16:00:37 GMT

All you have to do is dress up like rdgrnr and wear a yosemite sam backoff shirt. One look and they will just walk away.

Comment #35

hearsetrax — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 12:15:37 GMT

am sure the most stubborn and or fool hardy would still go public

the smart ones know better

Comment #34

Coin Toss — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 06:11:24 GMT

From the OP,

But she's had to weigh those pluses against the minuses, like having to find new friends.

There have been discussion here on LP about would you remain anonymous, if you had the choice, and some said they would shout it from the roof tops. I wonder what they think after stories like this one.

Comment #33

naijaman — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 15:00:48 GMT

Great point GiveFive...I would definitely have plane tickets for the same day in my jacket pocket - from the lottery office and the announcement straight to the airport....out of the country for 60-90 days.

Comment #32

rdgrnr — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 23:40:00 GMT

The first time they see your gun should be when they hear the safety clicking to the off position.

And then it's too late - for them.

Comment #31

Babel — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 23:05:53 GMT

Unfortunately they end up dealing with leaches of a different sort. I used to work in Sun Valley, Idaho which is such an area. Lots of Hollywood types, Microsoft millionaires, etc. Bruce Willis lives there full time and ownes several businesses in the area. Arnold Schwarzenegger has a place there, his billionaire neighbor refers to him as the poor foreign guy with the tiny house next door. Most of the businesses that provide services to the rich up there are all run by crooks. They mainly hire i... [ More ]

Comment #30

RJOh — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 22:24:13 GMT

Numbers 1. and 2. I might do but those letters might make a nice read for folks interested in those kinds of things. I would published them in a book Letters to a lottery jackpot winner . I could have a best seller, right up there with the Harry Potter books. I would remove the names to protect the innocents.

Comment #29

time*treat — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 08:36:38 GMT

Don't worry. Another four years, you'll be in the bottom 20% and you won't have to go anywhere.

Comment #28

time*treat — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 08:34:03 GMT

3. Buy a big shredder and immediately deposit any letters or faxes directly into it.

Speaking of deposits, if anyone gets past the guard and dogs, and the shredder is big enough ... oh, nevermind.

Comment #27

Colt45ML — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 02:10:19 GMT

That's why rich folks seem to gravitate toward exclusive communities full of other rich people. That way they won't have the snip worried out of them constantly by human leaches of one sort or another. I think I'd want to live someplace where I'm in at least the bottom 20 or so % in terms of total wealth. Might even be someplace out of the country, and I'd take my money with me.

This post has been automatically changed by the Lottery Post computer system to remove inappropriate content and/o... [ More ]

Comment #26

rdgrnr — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 02:06:47 GMT

Roger that, CD.

Comment #25

CDanaT — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 01:47:53 GMT

Ridge, I hear ya on the truly friends aspect......Look at family after a death where numerous assets are divided amongst family. The blood is thicker than water has the same demise as money changes your friends . True friends and true relatives are rare..Here's hoping that you, the other positive L.P. kids and I never have to experience what this lotto winner did.(other than winning

Comment #24

rdgrnr — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 01:27:10 GMT

It's been said here a few times before.

The money may not change you but it may change your friends.

And that would be a shame.

But I don't think it would change people who truly were your friends.

Comment #23

rdgrnr — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 01:22:12 GMT

It says 30 pieces of silver in my book.

Comment #22

HaveABall — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:33:08 GMT

The article reads: She took a lump sum payment, which she said was significantly less than the $8.5 million reported at the time, although she wouldn't say how much she got.

Well, it's a shame that shared Powerball jackpot winner Sandra Hayes wouldn't say. However, most of us can calculate that she RECEIVED a net of apx. $5.7 million dollars after 4% Missouri state and 34.9% U.S.A. federal income taxes deducted. This is an excellent amount of monies for her and her children to live very well... [ More ]

Comment #21

HaveABall — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 23:30:22 GMT

It's years too late for Sandra Hayes! However, future non-anonymous, net multi-million lottery jackpot winners -- after receiving their own lottery jackpot winnings -- can painlessly make out helpful $6K+ one-time Gift Checks and give to their five closest friends.

Probably most of those friends wouldn't be insulted, but rather thankful that their net multi-million jackpot winning friend was being a concerned and sharing financial friend to them. It is said that people of similar incomes and... [ More ]

Comment #20

VenomV12 — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 22:52:36 GMT

1. Move away, or buy a house in a guard gated neighborhood and a couple of dogs and learn to say NO.

2. Buy a gun. If people show up at your door and see your gun, they probably won't come back again, that is if the dogs don't eat them first.

3. Buy a big shredder and immediately deposit any letters or faxes directly into it.

Comment #19

winwi5 — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 22:00:19 GMT

I'm glad she has revealed her story on how people can be because it just let's me and everybody on this board that are future lottery winners that even your friends will act up.

When my aunt won millions in the lottery a coupke of years ago her kids acted up and stop speaking to each other and be on facebook and twitter acting up.

This story let's me know i will put my business in order first before giving out anything i have a strong feeling i'm getting ready to win millions in the lotter... [ More ]

Comment #18

HoLeeKau — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 21:38:57 GMT

I agree that's just normal human feelings, and it's okay to have those feelings. How you deal with them and express those feelings is the key to being a mature person a nd a good friend.

Comment #17

dk1421 — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 21:38:50 GMT

Agreed!! That really burns me up!

It is possible that the friend had a different loan they needed to have paid, but were embarrassed to admit and so made up that it was property taxes. At least, that's what my optimistic side says.

However, the truth is probably that they felt they deserved some of her money.

Comment #16

murdoog — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 21:02:24 GMT

I think that falls under being human.

Comment #15

Littleoldlady — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:48:42 GMT

You don't even have to win the lottery for these folks to come out. You just need to make a decent amount of money. People put their hands out for gimmee, lend me, can you spare? all of the time. What amazes me is that when they get their hands on some money..they can't remember those bills that they owe. They burn through their cash and then think that you should give yours to them.

Comment #14

maringoman — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:47:34 GMT

This is a beautiful story. Shame on the property tax friend, everybody who reads this story will curse her. Thats a lot of curses.

If the story is retold in the newly published book then she will forever be grouped with Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus for 30 gold coins.

Comment #13

TheRightPrice — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:37:08 GMT

EVERY Lotto Winner gets attacked sooner or later. Be Prepared when you win

Comment #12

Franky79 — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:27:37 GMT

It has to really hurt to have life long friends treat you like that. But, if my friend won the lottery, I would be envious and would need a moment to get used to her wealth. is that selfish

Comment #11

Lucky SOB — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 19:26:38 GMT

well if she thought people werent going to bother her any more they sure are now after reading this

Comment #10

CDanaT — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 18:07:29 GMT

Amen Give5, I have seriously considered moving immediately to a gate restricted community after a big win to avoid just this very issue and even going on a month long vacation to visit other states for a 2nd home away from home. Course if you have kids in school that won't work..but moving will. You can always tear up letters or stamp them, return to sender, no longer at this address ....

Comment #9

NightStalker — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 16:58:43 GMT

Glad to see that she is doing well. You never can tell how the win will affect people long-term.

Comment #8

GiveFive — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 16:36:43 GMT

This woman's experiences after her win isnt much different than other big winner's experiences. It happens to them all, and that type of thing has been well documented here and other places.

Claiming a JP anonymously is the only way to go, but the gaming laws of individual states may or may not let that happen.

Take heed and learn from her experience. If your name is required to be made public, then prior to collecting your prize, you need to have a plan in place to disappear immediately a... [ More ]

Comment #7

time*treat — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 16:12:39 GMT

Hayes searched a St. Louis County government website for her friend's property tax records. They were paid in full.

Some friend.

Comment #6

KSplayer — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 15:04:13 GMT

It is always nice to hear of a winner who manages their money and doesn't end up broke within a year. Congrats on your win Sandra

Comment #5

dpoly1 — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 15:00:23 GMT

Nice lady! Maybe Todd can write a post about my big win soon! No picture though.

Comment #4

mightwin — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:58:49 GMT

You will know who your true friends are.....the ones that don't ask for a dime and are happy for you.

Comment #3

LottoGuyBC — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:29:53 GMT

It feels good now to be with people who will take you out to dinner or buy you a drink,

and there's no strings attached, she said.

They love me for who I am and not because of what I have.

well said

Comment #2

sully16 — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:24:04 GMT

Congrats Sandra, I hope you find some peace and quiet so you can enjoy time with your family.

Comment #1

mcginnin56 — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:19:11 GMT

Sandra has a smart head on her shoulder, probably more then most who win even larger jackpots.

God bless her, she deserves everything she received!

Is it just me...or doe's Sandra remind you of Whoopi Goldberg? Could be her twin sister.

Mo. woman describes aftermath of lottery jackpot

Lottery Post — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 13:45:08 GMT

When Sandra Hayes hit a $224 million Powerball jackpot with 12 of her co-workers, she didn't retire immediately.

Hayes was a social worker with the state of Missouri then, and she was a single mom of three who was twice divorced. Her income was less than $26,000 a year.

She had debt, including school loans, and she still was having a hard time believing that she had won. She wanted to wait until she had her winnings in hand.

But things at work got increasingly difficult.

She started... [ More ]