$200 Million Too Much? Sure Is!

[The Ceej]

Now that the Powerball payoff is bigger than the odds, anyone who lives in or near a Powerball state would be stupid not to play.

How do I figure? Well, in the Powerball, you choose five numbers from one to 55, and then a sixth Powerball number from one to 55 which is drawn from a different pot and, therefore, can be a repeat of one of the first five.

The odds of drawing the correct five original numbers and the correct Powerball number are (55*55*54*53*52*51)/5/4/3/2:1 or:

191,331,855:1.

Compare that to the payoff of $200,000,000.

(Yes, I know that after taxes, it becomes below the odds. So sue me.)

Okay, odds aside, the topic of this post is learning from previous lottery winners' mistakes. What do you do if you win?

First: Don't quit your job unless you absolutely hate it. And even if you do, make sure you get another job later. One you like.

Second: Call you job and tell them you're going on an indefinite leave of absence effective immediately. This is because you're going on vacation. This is your "me time." Take friends and family with you if you so desire. A private jet is fine. It's the only way to go long distances.

Third: When you get back from your vacation, or perhaps before you go, pay off your debts. Why do you need debts? You have $200 million.

Fourth: Give everyone you know $10,000. Why ten thousand? Because that's the most you can give them, in the US of course, without their having to pay taxes on it. $200 million is too much for you. You might as well share. Give some to some charities too, if you so desire. Just make sure they're reputable and your money is going to good use.

Fifth: Buy a sensible house and car. Not more than you need. Sure, you have $200 million, but that's no reason to splurge. Just buy what you need. You don't want to end up bankrupt a year from now like all of those other lottery winners.

Sixth: You probably have a lot remaining. Yeah. Well, this is the fun part. You get to make a difference with this money. Use this money to do something for society. Use it to make a movie or start a band. Use it to start a business that will benefit your area. You know. Whatever you like and benefits society. You can use it as leverage for that important dream job. Personally, I haven't decided yet, but I'm leaning towards making a movie which is why I mentioned it first.

And one more thing: Won't it be fun when you go to the bank with your check, to bring a briefcase with you and fill it with twenties? You're putting the rest in your accounts anyway, so what the hell? That would be a great prop for entertainment, leverage, and just all around anything. Imagine this scenario:

"I want to purchase -insert game here-"

"I'm sorry. That game doesn't come out till next week."

"Your boss said I can buy it today."

"My boss? You know my boss?"

"Sure, I know your boss. Who is he again?"

"Oh, I'm just in it for the money."

"Oh, really?" Then you put the briefcase on the counter and open it up.

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Another great line would be this, "Andrew Jackson was known for getting what he wanted regardless of what the law said."

But anyway. Topic is the Powerball and the lottery in general. I guess if you want to get specific:

1. Powerball payoff being above the odds.

2. What you think of my lottery plan?

3. Lottery ideas of your own. What would you do?