Baton Rouge, LA United States
Member #4,602
May 7, 2004
1,206 Posts
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When you say "Jackpot," how much are you talking about? If you're talking about in the millions like Powerball or Lotto, you shouldn't go claim it right away I don't think. You should find a good financial advisor to help you manage and invest the money, and have a lawyer to help you set up a trust, corporation, etc., to claim the money. When word gets out that you've own, people probably won't leave you alone.
Jackson, MS United States
Member #8,354
November 2, 2004
1,605 Posts
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If you win a large jackpot, the first thing to do is not tell any of your relatives or friends. You will not believe how many of them will expect you to give them some of your winnings. My husband recently won $12,900 playing the pick4 and after taxes netted $9,675. Which is still a nice sum and this money will help out tremendously. But, everyone thinks because we won this money that we are obligated to give them some of it. Why???? If you play the lottery obviously you would like to win enough to make a difference in your life, why would these people think that you have to change theirs is beyond my comprehension. Bottom-line, be selective in who you tell about your good fortune.
Blaine WA United States
Member #17,274
June 15, 2005
117 Posts
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If you win a large jackpot, the first thing to do is not tell any of your relatives or friends. You will not believe how many of them will expect you to give them some of your winnings. My husband recently won $12,900 playing the pick4 and after taxes netted $9,675. Which is still a nice sum and this money will help out tremendously. But, everyone thinks because we won this money that we are obligated to give them some of it. Why???? If you play the lottery obviously you would like to win enough to make a difference in your life, why would these people think that you have to change theirs is beyond my comprehension. Bottom-line, be selective in who you tell about your good fortune.
i have read so many stories confirming what you said
USA United States
Member #1,849
July 15, 2003
265 Posts
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This is a true story, I have told all my family and friends that if I won the lottery I would not give anyone a penny. LOL. People look like I am crazy but I tell them, hey at least I'm honest. One important thing we forget, while money can help us all, it can also hurt many of us also. I know some of my family members, maybe myself included would not be motiviated if they had a ton of money. How many family members will you hinder with your wealth? Maybe your nephew was going to be the next Bill Gates but lost all motivation when you gave him that million dollars. I truly believe successful people will find a way to be successful and I do not want to harm them with UNEARNED RICHES. Lotto money does not come from hard work, which means the emotion and pride that goes into the earning is gone. I won't do that to any of my family, they can hate me for it but I think they will be better off without my money and I will be better off without it also if I stop working and earning my keep in life. My .02... Cheers.
New York, NY United States
Member #13,514
April 7, 2005
235 Posts
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I would not say anything and do what some of the other members on here have stated. At first I thought I would say stuff, but now I decided I would not say anything to any friends and extended family. I would tell my mother and that's it!!!! The way I view it is my dollar investment will change my life. I don't have to share it unless I want to!!!! I happen to know a couple of relatives who would expect me to part with money, and I would have to hurt their feelings.
United States
Member #13,684
April 11, 2005
77 Posts
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This is a true story, I have told all my family and friends that if I won the lottery I would not give anyone a penny. LOL. People look like I am crazy but I tell them, hey at least I'm honest. One important thing we forget, while money can help us all, it can also hurt many of us also. I know some of my family members, maybe myself included would not be motiviated if they had a ton of money. How many family members will you hinder with your wealth? Maybe your nephew was going to be the next Bill Gates but lost all motivation when you gave him that million dollars. I truly believe successful people will find a way to be successful and I do not want to harm them with UNEARNED RICHES. Lotto money does not come from hard work, which means the emotion and pride that goes into the earning is gone. I won't do that to any of my family, they can hate me for it but I think they will be better off without my money and I will be better off without it also if I stop working and earning my keep in life. My .02... Cheers.
PS... Anyone know who won CT lotto?
I agree that I would likely not announce it to my entire family. The problem I have with my family is that many of them play the lottery and watch the local news, so if I am forced to claim the JP under my own name (and not with a trust) and the media announces it, my phone will start ringing off the hook. I do not want to change my phone number, but I may be force to do so!
I plan to only tell my immediate family - mum and bro - and not the rest of my family. But, I do plan to help out my family members and friends when a monetary need arises. Fortunately, I am a dentist, so they will think that I am just doing really well and I am helping them out.
On the other hand, I have also considered telling my family and giving each person an equal share (like a tenth of a percent or something below what would have to be reported under the federal gift tax) and make two conditions - do not ask for more and tell no one. If they cannot agree, then they do not get anything. Of course, knowing some of my family, that will probably piss them off and they will make a point of spreading my name across the media. So...the first option sounds better -- tell no one.
And I agree with acronym007, some people simply cannot handle a monetary windfall and it could end up messing up their life more than helping them. Come to think of it, my brother tends to fall in that category, so I guess I would only tell my mum!
Oi, the more I think about it, the smaller the list keeps getting on who I will tell!
USA United States
Member #1,849
July 15, 2003
265 Posts
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Hello danisiri, I like what you said and I also like your Avatar. The sad story that always comes to mind is that of Jack Whittaker's granddaughter. You can never fault someone for wanting to help or giving a hand. While that is only one story, it appears to be a very common thread with unearned wealth amongst many people even spoiled millionaire children. I can only pray I would do some things different. That is why I figure the one thing I can do right is not corrupt others with fast riches. Maybe I can pay for college or invest in a business idea but free money cannot be good. How can family escape these tragedies? I guess uneared equals unappreciated. God bless.
A long and winding road United States
Member #17,083
June 10, 2005
6,682 Posts
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Whilst there is a sense of logic in Acronyms007 remarks, I disagree with the ill *logic* of it. Lets take for instance the family member who needed medical money so they COULD survive a condition and move on to their life's goals. Since the money wasnt earned, whats it to ya to give it up? I think there needs to be a sense of prudence in ascertaining what is acceptable to give to another and when is it senseable to say no. Using sound judgement is not any easy task and I understand the need to proceed with caution . Money can be a positive resource for oneself and others.
Alaska United States
Member #16,216
May 27, 2005
287 Posts
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I dare any of my family to tell me that I haven't earned it if I do happen to win a large jackpot. I have spent alot of time and effort studying and analysing the numbers and the patterns that seem to come up. I have note books full of charts and graphs and all kinds of data. I feel that one of these days it is going to pay off in the end. Most of my family thinks I am insane and that is ok. They have that right. They know that I don't spend money on the lottery that I don't have. I have a pretty strict budget where my lottery play is concerned which makes it that much more imperitive that I be super sure when I hand that pay slip to the clerk that I have the best numbers I can possibly come up with. And if I am wrong and I don't win a large jackpot, I still have a plan and I'll be ok. -Bonnie
Singapore
Member #17,867
June 28, 2005
4 Posts
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I wouldn't tell anyone. Not because I'm selfish, but I just don't want people to work hard to please me just because I won some money. I'll rather have them treat me as they always do. Don't think I'll tell my mum too, I'll continue to give her allowance and will add a little bit more bonus to it.
BTW, lottery winners in the US will be announced? as in having names announced or pictures taken? Over here in Singapore, nobody knows for sure if the game is rigged or not as all we'd know when results are posted is the number of winner(s) so far, nobody that I knew ever mentioned about anybody that they knew to have hit the jackpot.
And hello to everyone!
PS, this post was supposed to be here but I ended up creating another post topic by mistake.