I think & rethink purchases every time I want to buy something, even small ticket items many times. I really assess, “Do I really need this?” Even when I’ve saved for a while for something I still question buying it.

I would give some money to my family & a very few select friends. I definitely would not give money to anyone who came out of the wood work. If you weren’t friends with me or didn’t speak to me before I came into the money then don’t expect anything from me!

I also would never take the lump sum.

I’m already debt free and frugal, and that would still be the case. Once I spread it around my huge family, my charities, etc, I would be down to a much lesser amount. I’d buy some wooded acreage off the grid, be entirely self-sufficient, and garden to my heart’s content :) And I would do some camping around the USA – which is something that just thrills me to no end! While I might do more things (not having to work), I think I would still do them fairly frugally!

If you are good with finances, then you’ll be good with a big wad of dough. If you are a poor money manager, and very irresponsible with money, you’ll have a great time for a short time with a big wad of dough.

The whole idea of winning the lottery is really much more hype than reality, so figuring out what you’d do with the extra money and how it might change you isn’t of much value. You’re more likely to be struck by lightning, so start thinking about how that event would change you.

If you want to see the real odds of winning the lottery, take a look at: http://www.frugal-living-freed.....ttery.html

The odds aren’t good at all. I’ve contacted two state lotteries and asked how they calculate their odds. Neither have responded, and it has been weeks and even months since my requests. They don’t want to tell anyone because they aren’t using an approach that is reasonable and honest.

Clair