It’s been all over the news the last week or two…the Mega Millions lottery jackpot, played in 42 states and some of the U.S. territories, is at an all-time record high.
Like, 540 MILLION DOLLARS high.
Tomorrow’s drawing will be a new world record for the highest lottery jackpot ever…by far. The current record is $390 million, split between two winners in 2007. Add another $150 million on top of that and you have tomorrow’s jackpot. It’s unbelievable!
If you end up with the lucky six winning numbers, you’d obviously be one of the richest people in America.
You’d be richer than Britney Spears, who has an estimated net worth of $200 million.
You’d be three times richer than Lady Gaga, with an estimated net worth of $150 million.
You’d be far richer than famed New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who is worth an estimated $100 million.
How about Steve Wozniak, the original co-founder of Apple Computers? He is worth a measly $100 million.
Sadly, you’d still have nothing on Steve Jobs (worth an estimated $8.3 billion)…but who has anything on Steve Jobs, really?
I have my lucky ticket tucked into a very safe place.
And I’m already thinking about what checks I’ll write first. When one poses the question, “What would you do if you won the lottery?”, I think the typical answer would be to rattle off what kinds of houses, cars, planes, vacations and fancy luxury goods you would buy.
But…I can honestly say that the thing that gives me butterflies, when I think about being $540 MILLION dollars richer…I feel like I have to write it in all caps….$540 MILLION dollars…
Anyway, the thing that gives me butterflies is the opportunity to give it away.
Wait, what…?
Yes. YES! You read correctly. I can. Not. Wait. To GIVE IT AWAY!
I get so excited at the thought of being able to write my parents a check so that they both could instantaneously retire.
I feel thrilled at the prospect of buying my brother a house, or building my other brother the recording studio of his dreams so that he can truly live his passion.
It brings a tear to my eye to imagine totally revamping my aunt and uncle’s country home. To set up college funds for the babies of my pregnant girlfriends. To help one of my best friends get her new company off of the ground. To just start writing “because I know you can use the money” checks.
Every time I volunteer at an event for underprivileged kids, I wish I could do more.
Every time I stand behind a mother at the supermarket and watch her fumble with her food stamps, I wish I could send her back into the store with a cart and a $250 gift card to feed her children.
Ever hear about that trend during the holidays where people were going into their local K-Mart store and anonymously paying off someone’s layaway bill? I want to do that too. I want to pay ALL of them.
I want to be able to do these things so badly!
Now, don’t get me wrong…I’d move out of my studio apartment and into a house with a kitchen that has lots of natural light!!! I’d pay off my car and I might hire a personal chef. (wink wink)
But, all in all, I think the very best thing about striking it super-rich would be being able to share it.
How about you? Did you buy a ticket for the big drawing tomorrow? What is the first thing you would do if you won the lottery?
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