$475 MILLION: Powerball jackpot nears a half-billion dollars

Comment #131

jamella724 — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 14:36:56 GMT

With only 5 numbers to match and you get $1 million seems like a jackpot to me. I like the new structure since it generates bigger jackpots. Jackpots are getting higher and higher; I'm sure more and more players are placing their bets. Good luck to us

Comment #130

Emilie — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:59:26 GMT

The Price Money in Powerball is manipolated by the People who set the Price after every drawing because if it starts with 40 Million and then every

after that it only grows by 10Million there something not right,there must be a lot Money going into the States Pockets and not in Prices,then nobody can tell me that there is every Drawing coming in the same amount of Money and the Price Structure doesn't account for that, the Prices in the Jackpot doesn't go up over 10 Million a Drawing until it... [ More ]

Comment #129

detroit PB — Sun, 19 May 2013 01:23:55 GMT

I hope that I dont have to deal with strangers calling asking me for money when I win the big one....tonite later you turkeys lol hahaha just kidding Iam feeling like new money I can feel it....

Comment #128

RedStang — Fri, 17 May 2013 04:59:46 GMT

Thanks Hearsetrax. If i win, i'll buy your kitty a new toy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of2HU3LGdbo

Comment #127

Arrowhead — Fri, 17 May 2013 02:21:31 GMT

Some of us already figured that...

Comment #126

Jill34786 — Fri, 17 May 2013 01:42:02 GMT

I was simply trying to be nice and clarify some question he may have had about investing and not soliciting for business. I trade different lines of investments for a living and I am a CFP. My husband runs a private hedge fund which is closed to the public so we are not looking for any additional clients.

Perhaps in your line of work trolling is how it's done but I live in the real world and we do things quite differently.

Comment #125

Teddi — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:55:36 GMT

I read that they weren't doing well enough to get to $1 billion in the time that he wanted, but that he'd crossed $130M a few years back. Can't seem to find anything else on him, perhaps he's keeping a low profile. But it would be great to see if he gave in and spent it, or lost it in the risky investments or if he's still on track, albeit slowly.

Comment #124

helpmewin — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:27:47 GMT

$550 MILLION Powerball jackpot

Comment #123

Ronnie316 — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:24:03 GMT

We are a Landlocked Bay.

Comment #122

Ronnie316 — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:19:36 GMT

Shiver me Timbers mate. I be walkin the plank.

Comment #121

Ronnie316 — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:18:15 GMT

I just think she should buy some ad space if she wants to start advertising as a financial consultant.

Comment #120

helpmewin — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:13:17 GMT

ky says ny we're being surrounded

Comment #119

Arrowhead — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:12:09 GMT

She's been on here quite awhile. Never saw a pattern of that. If you have, spell it out. An off-hand comment to PM her about advice doesn't strike me as soliciting.

On the other hand, a PM to me (or anyone) out of public view from her on that subject would be a possible red-flag for me. Never happened.

Comment #118

Ronnie316 — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:11:01 GMT

Is Toledo in the Valley

Comment #117

KY Floyd — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:09:33 GMT

Look at that. You read something in clear and simple English, but can't understand it. Quelle surprise.

Comment #116

helpmewin — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:08:13 GMT

ronnie wasn't you from the Ohio Valley

Comment #115

Ronnie316 — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:05:44 GMT

How would you know? Anyone asking for PM's to give financial advice sounds suspicious to me.

Doesn't mean I'm right. Just sayin.

Comment #114

Arrowhead — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:02:55 GMT

I don't get the sense Jill's a spammer. Trolling a lottery-news site for biz? Don't think so...

Comment #113

Ronnie316 — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:58:36 GMT

I don't think anyone here will be PM'ing you for investment advise.

But it was nice of you to offer your services.

Comment #112

Arrowhead — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:57:25 GMT

Check your PM box about 11 p.m. EST Saturday...(thanks for the offer).

Comment #111

Jill34786 — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:55:16 GMT

I had read somewhere that his investments weren't doing too well. I believe he got hit pretty hard during the financial crisis and not really sure if he has recovered.

Comment #110

Teddi — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:47:17 GMT

That fellow Brad Duke who took home $85M is attempting to parlay it into $1 Billion in 15 years. He only used $5M of it. Everything else was invested. $45M in safe investments, $35M in risky but potentially high yielding investments. No real estate, no businesses, no restaurants/bars. Straight investing.

I wouldn't be setting aside 95%, that's a little too disciplined for me. I'd prefer to have some fun and make donations over being a billionaire. Half of $200M would still be plenty enough t... [ More ]

Comment #109

Jill34786 — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:46:41 GMT

When it comes to investing it highly depends on what kind of risk you're willing to take and what your time horizon looks like. Some folks want to preserve the wealth they have while others want income and growth.

Your present age and employment are important factors to take into account when setting up a portfolio. You can PM me if you have specific questions.

Comment #108

Ronnie316 — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:41:33 GMT

You don't need much know much about to see which direction a metropolis is growing and buy some dirt.

In AZ I have seen dirt grow 1000 times in value in places like Fountain Hills in the past 30 years.

Comment #107

Arrowhead — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:32:32 GMT

Dammit, I'm going to have to spring for investment advice after all. Here I thought I'd just keep all this for myself...

Comment #106

yoho — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:26:18 GMT

tax-free shouldn't be important. It neither implies safe growth or fast growth. You shouldn't look exclusively at tax-free investment vehicles.

Furthermore, while it may cover several family generations at the present value of a quarter-billion, you need to take inflation into consideration.

It's probably best to invest in a wide variety of blue chip dividend stocks as well as gold, silver and government bonds. That way you're not putting all your

eggs in one basket, and will be a... [ More ]

Comment #105

Arrowhead — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:19:22 GMT

Partial to Vanguard stuff myself. Like those low-expense ratios...

Anyhoo, with these numbers I'd be all about protecting principal with small, safe, tax-free growth. At a quarter-billion, several family generations are covered. No real estate, restuarants, bars, or anything else I don't really know much about for me.

My wife and I both have 30-plus year pensions as well, both relatively safe.

So, boring=better.

But, to each their own.

Comment #104

Ronnie316 — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:46:28 GMT

Are you saying that your very accustomed to being wrong KY

Comment #103

KY Floyd — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:43:03 GMT

The jackpots may not get this big very often, but MUSL has years of experience at estimating sales. It was a foregone conclusion that they would lowball the first estimate, but once they've got several hours of sales figures to compare to past drawings they can make a much better guess at what the actual sales will be by Saturday night. If MUSL didn't already expect it be higher than $550 they wouldn't have picked that figure for the first update. We can expect another adjustment, but I'd be sur... [ More ]

Comment #102

Jill34786 — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:41:16 GMT

Muni bonds are not as safe as they once were and the yield has gone way done. That said, there are small pockets of quality munis that will net you 3-4% annually.

Comment #101

Arrowhead — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:19:49 GMT

What's your thought on putting the vast majority of this windfall (250 mil-plus depending on state of residence) into tax-free, short-medium length municipal bonds and bond funds

Comment #100

yoho — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:48:33 GMT

100th comment wooo hope that brings me some luck for the draw.... I'll REALLY need it considering I live in Canada so I can't buy a ticket

Comment #99

Jill34786 — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:48:38 GMT

First of, I respect everyone's opinion on whichever payout he/she chooses. Those who think that the annuity may be best for them may want to consider that it's paid out over 30 years and is heavily back end loaded. We all have no idea what inflation or how high taxes will go.

I personally would advise any of my clients to choose the lump sum. Any competent, well seasoned money manager can offer much better returns than what the annuity pays out. Many individuals who have opted for the annuity... [ More ]

Comment #98

hsg2000 — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:36:17 GMT

I wish all who are going to buy the MM PB lottery tickets for these draw BEST OF LUCK!!!

Enjoy the winnings

HSG BR LA

Comment #97

hearsetrax — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:29:27 GMT

officially giving some serious thought to one of these homes

Comment #96

xaab — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:28:21 GMT

i see lol.

Comment #95

brees2012 — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:26:49 GMT

Powerball hit the half of BILLION ..........$550 MILLION DOLLARS

Comment #94

dallascowboyfan — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:20:23 GMT

There's already a thread.

https://www.lotterypost.com/thread/261007

https://www.lotterypost.com/thread/260139

Comment #93

xaab — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:14:11 GMT

I'm surprise nobody haven't post that luxury car, million dollar homes, or dream vacation already.

Comment #92

Kumo — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:08:53 GMT

It will be interesting to see how long the lines get at the border towns near states that don't have the PB.

Jackpot will probably be around $600M by tomorrow and it is anybody's best guess on what it will be by drawing time on Saturday.

The prior two record breaking jackpots ended on the weekdays, having this one on a weekend changes everything.

I am not sure if the CVO record will be broken, but I bet the $656M Annuity record will fall by the wayside.

Comment #91

joshuacloak — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:59:04 GMT

todd getting some sleep, he update to 550 shortly

like i said before on old pb record of 587,500,000 or $384,700,000 cash

now at 550m or 350m cash, we are getting close to record

i sure think by draw time we beat old record

ofc lottery should Of updated to 550 in half a day

the lottery CEO's in charge of powerball meet ever day to talk about the jackpot amount phone conference

at lest that's what they said last time we had billion dollar jackpot, so they doing same thing now... [ More ]

Comment #90

xaab — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:58:46 GMT

Not really hard to check it yourself. Just head to the powerball.com website.

Comment #89

rooster8786 — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:56:06 GMT

The powerball, Va Lottery, NC Lottery webistes ALL say the jackpot is now $550 MILLION with aw $350 cash option. Can we get a clarification...

Comment #88

BBLL — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:51:05 GMT

Anything is possible still. Yes people will be taking out loans. LOL

Comment #87

Teddi — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:45:25 GMT

ROFLMAO. I think it's cute you think they won't drive you insane if you take the annuity instead.

I'm sure the reasoning will go something like: you can give me $X now. You're set for life and you'll get it back next year anyway.

I've been always against the annuity. Mainly because I'm paranoid. But now...now I'm rethinking. A billion dollars will probably have a cash value of $600M give or take. That'll be $360M after taxes. I'm not sure I can fathom that amount all at once. NOT TH... [ More ]

Comment #86

Arrowhead — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:37:02 GMT

Powerball website indeed has it at $550 million.

Comment #85

gocart1 — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:37:01 GMT

Someone waking up sunday is going to be really happy...lol

Comment #84

gocart1 — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:35:46 GMT

Just hoping .....anyone's two dollars could be the winner..

Comment #83

gocart1 — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:33:56 GMT

That would be great to see

Comment #82

Teddi — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:32:55 GMT

$75 million jump in half a day????

Is that really possible?

If it rolls Saturday, it'll be a billion by next Wednesday. At the very very least. People will be taking out loans to buy as many tickets as they can.

In which case, let's beg all the states to not make revealing the winner's name mandatory. I don't want to get poisoned when I win

On the plus side, whoever wins the MM any time soon will not have the media frenzied attention they normally would. Silver lining.... [ More ]

Comment #81

savagegoose — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:26:33 GMT

oh hell i can see a billion jackpot if it rolls. i need to win that jackpot,. i have bills.

Comment #80

tymack — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:26:23 GMT

I was thinking the same thing. Great minds think alike. I couldn't such a windfall all at one time. My family would drive me completely insane.

Comment #79

gocart1 — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:17:17 GMT

That would be really interestion to see happen

Comment #78

Arrowhead — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:16:45 GMT

At this amount---and still climbing for two more days---I'm taking the annuity. Don't everybody pile on me at once ....

Comment #77

Toronto — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:13:52 GMT

Couldn't have sold that many tickets 14 hours since announcing no winner. Maybe they're jumping the gun to garner more sales early on as it is inevitable it was going to reach 550+ anyways

Comment #76

BBLL — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:11:18 GMT

Let it roll on Saturday

Comment #75

En ReVal — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:11:12 GMT

U are right. Geesh, $75 million in less than 24 hours...maybe 700 mil by Saturday night

Comment #74

gocart1 — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:59:48 GMT

Yes...Your right bluefox10........Gotta pay the taxman ..I thnik the I.R.S. is going after the lottery people next, after the TEA PARTY people.lol

Comment #73

Stack47 — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:58:00 GMT

I just noticed that too on the KY Lottery site. Double Wow

Comment #72

hearsetrax — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:58:00 GMT

industeral strength YIKES

Comment #71

bluefox10 — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:56:22 GMT

Not after taxes, unfortunately.

Comment #70

weshar75 — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:54:03 GMT

I just read on powerball website $550 million annuity. Wow!-weshar75

Comment #69

Piaceri — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:52:06 GMT

$350.1M CASH

Comment #68

gocart1 — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:48:34 GMT

I just got an email from new york state lottery on my facebook saying its now 550 milliom

Comment #67

tymack — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:44:12 GMT

Powerball just increased to $550 Million

Comment #66

brees2012 — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:03:16 GMT

Will keep all this in mind .........taxes can become complicated ......

This is the reason why they say ...hire Tax Lawyer , Financial Advisor , and CPA .

Comment #65

Kumo — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:01:51 GMT

I agree. Not to mention last year's record PB started off at $425M on the final run. One thing that might have lowered sales for the old PB record is that the drawing was held less than a month before Christmas.

The world record March 2012 $656 MM jackpot started off at $476M, I'd reckon that this new PB jackpot has got a pretty decent shot at breaking that record as well.

Comment #64

whiteballz — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:53:32 GMT

California Dreamin

Comment #63

brees2012 — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:52:00 GMT

Thank You ......... Jill 34786

Comment #62

Jill34786 — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:48:05 GMT

That is the amount you will be paid initially. The lottery only deducts 25% Federal and your states 5% tax. You will be responsible for additional Federal taxes when you file your income tax return.

Assuming you have no deductions, you will owe $44 million more just on your Federal tax liability. Your state may assess additional local taxes and you may be responsible for a 3.8% Obamacare tax. At this point the IRS language has been very vague on this matter as they state that this tax will ap... [ More ]

Comment #61

helpmewin — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:46:33 GMT

Thanks for joining Cali you are making a Huge difference

Comment #60

brees2012 — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:43:47 GMT

What I like to know ....in my state the : net payout $211,680,000

( after taxes ) is this the true amount or estimate

Comment #59

KY Floyd — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:35:27 GMT

It's far, far easier to lose, as proven by the many millions of players who got zip. When you spend that extra dollar there's about a 97% chance that you're just wasting it.

Comment #58

Stack47 — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:23:46 GMT

and now everyone buying a ticket can look at something really expensive and think, I could buy it (or several of them) if I get really really lucky

Comment #57

surimaribo24 — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:50:14 GMT

let it raise to a billion. that would be awesome .. record breaking number of players would get a chunk of atleast a million .

Comment #56

Jill34786 — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:48:28 GMT

You don't have to like your numbers. At least you have your ticket and have as good a chance as anybody else to win. It simply takes a miracle and you just never know.

Comment #55

Ronnie316 — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:46:53 GMT

Nice Post. (it was a dumb question)

PP is cool for those playing a line. (or possibly 2)

I like to play at least 5.

Comment #54

Jill34786 — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:44:55 GMT

Even though 28 tickets won the 2nd tier prize I am willing to bet that millions were spent on powerplay and didn't win ANYTHING.

Because of the ridiculous odds, I rarely play and when I do it's never with the Powerplay or Megaplier option.

Comment #53

scarchelli — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:30:57 GMT

Uhhh..Maybe cause the odds of winning are astronomical? When u go to the casino and play blackjack and win $20 in a hand, why not bet $250? U knew u were gonna win right? (Sarcasm if u cant tell

Comment #52

Arrowhead — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:29:56 GMT

Will be going WAY OVER BUDGET this weekend with Lotto tickets. Powerball at 475 mil and rising, Mega at 190, Ohio Lotto at 35.6, Ohio 5-number Rolling Cash at .565, Michigan 47 (live ten min. from state line) at 5.2 mil.

Screw the house payment, I've got priorities...

Comment #51

Ronnie316 — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:23:36 GMT

Thank you and good luck to you as well.

Comment #50

ShowMeTheMoney$ — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:19:00 GMT

I think I'll go with some of my numbers and some quickpicks too. I'll play both Mega Millions and Powerball. I want to be in it to win it for both. I want it so bad!!! I dream BIG!!! GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE

Comment #49

ShowMeTheMoney$ — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:11:18 GMT

The drawing is on Saturday night. You have time. Go get numbers you're happy with.

Comment #48

CLETU$ — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:11:09 GMT

Send it to me,I can use it.

Comment #47

tymack — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:05:35 GMT

I bought an advance ticket last nite for the Saturday drawing but I don't like my numbers.

Comment #46

pickone4me — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:47:06 GMT

I bet crapafornia will be the big winner. I bet theres shenanigans behind the constant crapafornia lottery wins.

Comment #45

tigerfan — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:39:22 GMT

I dont care about money. I just wanted to feel like a winner.

Comment #44

dpoly1 — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:06:18 GMT

Oooooooops!

Imagonawinbig Saturday!

Good luck to all LP Members

Comment #43

Ronnie316 — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:46:46 GMT

Comment #42

noahproblem — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:42:22 GMT

Because that extra million (or worse, the extra couple of bucks on the small prizes) isn't what I'm aiming at - I'd rather have extra chances to win the whole thing.

Comment #41

CLETU$ — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:04:01 GMT

Gonna be a lot of disappointed people Wednesday night,judging by the responses on this board this morning.

Comment #40

hearsetrax — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:38:22 GMT

@ CA,NY and TX

Blood in the water and let the insanity begin

lord have mercy on those poor clerks that have to deal with the mob

Comment #39

Piaceri — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:32:56 GMT

Rooting for Texas to get her first Powerball jackpot winner! Yee-Hawwwwww!!!!!!

The stars at night are big and bright...

clap clap clap clap

Powerball jackpot - Deep in the Heart of Texas

Comment #38

delS — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:57:38 GMT

If it does get won this saturday, for sure it will beat Mega Millions record. But I am glad the Jackpots are gettinglarger and larger. I remember when I first joined LP, I posted several post asking people if they ever thought we'd see a $400 million Jackpot, 9 to 1 people said no. Well, Im glad we are inching closer to the first ever billion dollar Jackpot...........

Comment #37

maringoman — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:47:15 GMT

PP can double the second prize from $1M to $2M. Also it is much easier to hit the second prize than to hit the JP as proven by the 28 people who hit it last nite. I play it when I buy my 2 lines.

Comment #36

Saylorgirl — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:59:45 GMT

I never play the powerplay

Comment #35

yoho — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:42:01 GMT

Think it could hit 1 (fake) billion if no one wins this time around, given four more days til wednesday's draw

Comment #34

dallascowboyfan — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:35:39 GMT

Woo Hoo Powerball Frenzy

Comment #33

whiteballz — Thu, 16 May 2013 09:17:51 GMT

I don't know. Those who lost, why didn't they pick the winning numbers and win the jackpot

Comment #32

brees2012 — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:39:19 GMT

Those who won Million Dollars , Why didn't they spend extra dollar and play

powerplay and win $2 million dollars