Contrary to popular belief, most lottery winners go into shock after discovering that they’ve become an instant millionaire. For those lucky enough to pick the winning lotto numbers, their first instinct is to find a good hiding place for their ticket and take some time to consider their next move. Liz Anderson from Bromely in the UK is no different.
Upon discovering that she was the winner of a £1 200 000 EuroMillions prize, she simply carried on with her work.
She even resisted the urge to phone her partner, Frank Coles. But when she popped out for her lunch break, it occurred to her that she should find some way to celebrate her good fortune. So she walked into a drugstore and splashed out on a £5 tube of lipstick. It was only later that day when Frank arrived at Liz’s place of work with the couple’s 12-year-old daughter, that she told them the incredible news.
And even then, they didn’t think of cancelling their plans to Arsenal play in the Champions League. In case you’re wondering, Arsenal won the match by two goals to nil, which made it the perfect end to the perfect day for Liz and Frank. Although they’ve handled the news so calmly, both Liz and Frank are excited about the future possibilities their big win has created for their lives. Liz is looking forward to paying off their mortgage and renovating their home while Frank plans to spend more time on the golf course.
Their story serves to remind us the lottery really does change lives. While we tend to focus on the big Powerball and EuroMillions winners, there are even more people winning smaller prizes. If you win anything from £50 000 to £1 000 000, and invest it wisely, you can look forward to a comfortable retirement. You may not be able to quit your job, but even paying off your debts can make your life much easier.
And that’s what you should really keep in mind when you play the lotto online. You might buy Powerball tickets online because you want to win the big jackpot, but the fact remains that playing the lottery gives you a sense of hope. It allows you to dream big about the things you really want to do with your life. And while you’re waiting for the Powerball results, you can find other ways to make your dreams come true.
If you want some inspiration, there’s EuroMillions winner Matt Myles. He also won a £1 000 000 EuroMillions prize in 2014. Being young, single and recently out of the army, Matt set about travelling the world with his winnings. He visited 22 countries in 18 months, and he did it in style. But once his mother sat him down and had a chat with him about his reckless spending, he changed his ways and started investing the money he still had.
Now Matt is worth £1 100 000, and determined to grow his fortune. By investing in property and medical shares, he’s managed to increase his net worth to a sum greater than his original EuroMillions prize. It doesn’t hurt that he had a bit more cash than the rest of us to start with, but it’s proof that you can do anything you put your mind to.
If you’re determined to live the millionaire lifestyle, there’s nothing to stop you from making it happen. A EuroJackpot or Mega Millions grand prize will simply help you get there faster. And if you budget for your lottery tickets, you can use it as part of your long-term plan to secure your financial future. That’s why seven time lottery winner Richard Lustig recommends that you set a budget for your lottery spend and stick to it. You should never spend money on lottery tickets that you can’t afford to lose.
Experts also recommend that lottery winners get financial advice from lawyers and tax advisors before they start spending their money. Whether you win the Powerball lottery, or a more modest sum such as Liz and Matt, it makes sense to get help from professionals. Managing a sudden fortune can be daunting, and without a proper plan in place you could lose your winnings sooner than you think. Even donating money to charity can leave you penniless, so unless that’s your plan from the start, it’s better to work out a proper plan.
While Liz did splash out on that lipstick, she has no big plans for her winnings yet. She already feels blessed and sees her EuroMillions prize as icing on the cake. That’s a great attitude to have and one worth remembering the next time you check the lottery results. Don’t forget about your dreams if you don’t win the jackpot. You could still make them happen and you may win a smaller prize that will go a long way towards helping you reach your goals.
