Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
So would you like to be a 1%'er by the end of the week? You can be. Just be the owner of the winning Powerball ticket. That ticket will only cost someone $2. Tomorrow night's drawing is currently estimated to be for a record $1.5 Billion dollars, or about $930 Million cash value.
Simple. But not easy, as the odds of winning this pot are approximately 292,000,000 to one. To call these odds "astronomical" is not out of line at all. Your odds in a Las Vegas Casino are comparatively quite excellent compared to this proposition.
But some of you will object I am sure, not only because you do not want to be stigmatized by bearing the politically incorrect label of "1%'er," but also because when you look at who plays this game - with the acceptance that the odds of winning are effectively zero - you quickly realize that what this contest effectively is, is an extremely regressive tax on lower income people who can afford it least. I am sure that someone here will want to call out the inequality and unfairness of this exploitation of less educated poor people by this government numbers scheme.
Personally, I have never played the Powerball before, as it costs $2, which rubs me the wrong way for some reason. I will occasionally pick up a MegaMillions ticket ($1) when the pot gets large, but only one, as the odds of winning are not appreciably improved by buying more tickets. However, I do like to have the one, because you cannot win if you do not play.
In any case, with the pot edging over $1 Billion for first time, I was thinking about buying a Powerball ticket. So, I was daydreaming about what I would do with all that money. Truth is, other than investing it, I would have a really hard time spending very much of it.
I could put maybe 5 million or so into a house, furnishings, a new car, clothes, and such. But that would not even begin to dent this pile on this bad-boy. If I took the $930 million cash option, say $650 million after taxes, and invested it in Treasury bonds (30 year) or muni-bonds, I might yield close to 3%, which would throw off almost $20 million a year in interest. So all my big dreams combined just mowed down a quarter of a single year's interest in total. Wow.
On a larger scale, building a business empire through acquisitions would be interesting, and with this much money, it would certainly be achievable. Also, I think I would want to look into setting up a charitable foundation of some kind.
Then again, I have heard numerous stories of people having their lives ruined because of the pressures and problems that came with the sort of rapid infusion of wealth that comes from winning a large lottery pot. It has literally ruined many people's lives. There are in fact numerous suicide stories. So, maybe this whole thing is not such a good idea.
So, what do you think? Do any of you ever have 'dreams of the Powerball'?
I don't buy lottery tickets, but yes, I have absolutely thought about what I would do if I won that...and dang is that a big jack pot. I even cut it down to what I would take home if I took half off for the thieves in the government, and then I took off even more for "getting it all at once" (if that's an option? I don't know, but I pretended it was.)
So I told myself that with all of those expenses taken out from the top, let's say I ended up with 300 million.
Since my family is already "torn apart", that's not even a concern for me, it would not ruin me.
After buying a house with land, a new car, furnishings for my house, set aside $200,000 for any "house problems", went on a spending spree to buy every fricken thing I want, (which I discovered really wasn't that much after a roof over my head and a new car), I had a ton of money left. In the past, I've always thought that I would blow everyone off and just hide away with my money. But in this pretendville, I still had a fleet of boats load of money. I guess I could get charitable.
I gave money to some family who maybe doesn't really deserve it but whatever, why not. Set them up with a house and land, car, and $250,000. That went to three people.
Some other relatives would get varying amounts of money depending on what kind of interactions we've had in the past. That was another three people.
The rest of the family would get what I calculated would have cost them to raise me, and that was actually a gift for me, not them.
I would give some money to two people who helped me a little bit when I was struggling.
I would give a bit to two people who have been more understanding towards me than anyone else I currently know.
Everyone else can pound sand.
That took care of the people I know who, for whatever reasons, I would just go ahead and give them something, because dang it, that's a lot of money.
I still had over 296 million left.
Great! Now I will find 50 quality rescue organizations, and give them each $25,000. Didn't even make a dent. Fine, they get $50,000 each.
I still had about $295 million left. WTH, how do you spend this?
That's when I stopped thinking about it. After that, I would have to hire people to help me pour over all the organizations and people that would be coming out of the woodwork asking me for money. I would not just give it to anyone who asks, I would have to know more about them, what they do, what their past record is, how the money is spent, etc. And then the staff and I would pick what I consider to be worthy of the donations.
All of this, of course, after first speaking with a doctor to check me out to make sure I'm not going to die of a heart attack by actually being beyond wealthy, but also a financial adviser. I would also retain some lawyers...so I'm sure that would eat away at some of the money, as well.
After all the fiasco, I would live in my new house, on my land, and do what I want. Leave me the hell alone, except for my weekly meetings with said financial adviser, lawyer, and staff.
Edit: Oh yeah, and I did think to use several credit unions and banks, because you never know. Also, not every state lets you be anonymous. But if they insist on photos, I'm putting that big check over my face.
Last edited by Three Wolves In Snow; 01-12-2016 at 11:00 PM..
I will be setting fire to approximately $15 tonight for tomorrow's drawing. I'm doing it for the "what if" entertainment value.
Of course, I won't forget my fellow CD'ers. Anyone who has ever given me a reputation with their name signed will be getting a $1,000 Best Buy gift card. Only people who did it prior to my win will be eligible.
hahahahahahahahah....oh alright, I'll do it just in case.
It's an obscene amount of money and I wouldn't want the responsibility. Before I even claimed it I'd talk to experts and set things up for myself and those closest to me, making sure to keep it going into future generations. But then I'd also plan to get a huge chunk of it away to other people so they could do the same thing. I only have one mind and one POV but a handful of other people could take several millions of dollars each and do things that I wouldn't think to do (or maybe wouldn't WANT to do charity wise, etc). Sure, some people might be greedy about it or blow it all but I really believe that it would be better for everyone if multiple "winners" each got a cut to do with as they wish. Even if the winners have to be identified by me personally! It guarantees that there will be money spent in a big variety of ways.
If I win, my first trip will be to our attorney and financial advser to ensure the funds are adequately protected. Then, I will dividie the winnings three ways: a third to my mother and two single brothers (who have no children); a third to my oldest daughter and her family; and a third to me, DH and my youngest daughter. DH is estranged and not speaking with most of his immediate family, but I'd gift them a million or so, and be curious to see if they'd accept it..."gambling", including playing the lottery, is against their religion. I do have many close friends I will treat very very well, though...and of course I'm going to form a charitable foundation for my favorite charities (St. Jude's, Wounded Warriors, land preservation, establish local recreation, etc.) My only "extravagance" will be a farm and a big old farm house (and buy up as much adjoining vacant property as possible to guarantee privacy and seclusion and preserve wildlife habitats from development).
Youngest daughter says she is going to put her share into her art, and offer Tim Burton a huge donation to his favorite charity if he goes out to lunch with her and critiques her artwork.
Hey, dreaming is most of the fun.
Last edited by Mrs. Skeffington; 01-13-2016 at 04:01 AM..
I'd get a big shiny silver car. Drive around all over Hollywood. Really show Flugleman a thing or two. Then I'd go to New York, maybe Paris. Champagne, parties. Really be a big shot for a while. Oh, and uh, I'd start a foundation for homeless children. You know, BEFORE the car and the parties.
ETA: how do you rep someone with your name?? I get those every now and then but don't know how to do it for others.
Unless they spend the extra $1 for Powerplay. $15 would get them 5 lines along with the Powerplay for each line to increase the winnings for secondary and lower prizes.
If I win, my first trip will be to our attorney and financial advser to ensure the funds are adequately protected. Then, I will dividie the winnings three ways: a third to my mother and two single brothers (who have no children); a third to my oldest daughter and her family; and a third to me, DH and my youngest daughter. DH is estranged and not speaking with most of his immediate family, but I'd gift them a million or so, and be curious to see if they'd accept it..."gambling", including playing the lottery, is against their religion. I do have many close friends I will treat very very well, though...and of course I'm going to form a charitable foundation for my favorite charities (St. Jude's, Wounded Warriors, land preservation, establish local recreation, etc.) My only "extravagance" will be a farm and a big old farm house (and buy up as much adjoining vacant property as possible to guarantee privacy and seclusion and preserve wildlife habitats from development).
Youngest daughter says she is going to put her share into her art, and offer Tim Burton a huge donation to his favorite charity if he goes out to lunch with her and critiques her artwork.
Hey, dreaming is most of the fun.
FYI. Wounded Warriors is a terrible charity in my opinion. They use very little of the money donated to them to actually help vets and they target other vet charities with lawsuits because they don't want anyone donating to anyone else. There are some great vet charities out there, but WW is definitely not one of them.
I don't buy lottery tickets, but yes, I have absolutely thought about what I would do if I won that...and dang is that a big jack pot. I even cut it down to what I would take home if I took half off for the thieves in the government, and then I took off even more for "getting it all at once" (if that's an option? I don't know, but I pretended it was.)
So I told myself that with all of those expenses taken out from the top, let's say I ended up with 300 million.
Since my family is already "torn apart", that's not even a concern for me, it would not ruin me.
After buying a house with land, a new car, furnishings for my house, set aside $200,000 for any "house problems", went on a spending spree to buy every fricken thing I want, (which I discovered really wasn't that much after a roof over my head and a new car), I had a ton of money left. In the past, I've always thought that I would blow everyone off and just hide away with my money. But in this pretendville, I still had a fleet of boats load of money. I guess I could get charitable.
I gave money to some family who maybe doesn't really deserve it but whatever, why not. Set them up with a house and land, car, and $250,000. That went to three people.
Some other relatives would get varying amounts of money depending on what kind of interactions we've had in the past. That was another three people.
The rest of the family would get what I calculated would have cost them to raise me, and that was actually a gift for me, not them.
I would give some money to two people who helped me a little bit when I was struggling.
I would give a bit to two people who have been more understanding towards me than anyone else I currently know.
Everyone else can pound sand.
That took care of the people I know who, for whatever reasons, I would just go ahead and give them something, because dang it, that's a lot of money.
I still had over 296 million left.
Great! Now I will find 50 quality rescue organizations, and give them each $25,000. Didn't even make a dent. Fine, they get $50,000 each.
I still had about $295 million left. WTH, how do you spend this?
That's when I stopped thinking about it. After that, I would have to hire people to help me pour over all the organizations and people that would be coming out of the woodwork asking me for money. I would not just give it to anyone who asks, I would have to know more about them, what they do, what their past record is, how the money is spent, etc. And then the staff and I would pick what I consider to be worthy of the donations.
All of this, of course, after first speaking with a doctor to check me out to make sure I'm not going to die of a heart attack by actually being beyond wealthy, but also a financial adviser. I would also retain some lawyers...so I'm sure that would eat away at some of the money, as well.
After all the fiasco, I would live in my new house, on my land, and do what I want. Leave me the hell alone, except for my weekly meetings with said financial adviser, lawyer, and staff.
Edit: Oh yeah, and I did think to use several credit unions and banks, because you never know. Also, not every state lets you be anonymous. But if they insist on photos, I'm putting that big check over my face.
If I win, I'm giving you $100,000 as a consolation for you not winning.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
It guarantees that there will be money spent in a big variety of ways.
