So let’s see. There’s actually a non-astronomical chance that I’m related to someone who just won $200 million in the lottery. No, seriously. One of the three winners of the $640 million Mega Millions lottery bought their ticket at a convenience store in the tiny town of Red Bud, Illinois, population 3700. And most of my father’s rather large family happens to live in Red Bud, going back generations.
Really.
No, there’s no word today of a sudden lottery win in the family. But there’s a fairly reasonable chance that if the winner’s not a relative of mine, it’s someone a relative knows. It’s that small of a town.
And all I have to say about that is, whoever it is, good for you. Red Bud is a small working class town that has seen its share of struggles, and very likely, someone’s life there is about to change very dramatically. If it’s you, and you’re reading this, I sincerely and wholeheartedly wish that this bring nothing but good fortune for you and your family.
However, lottery winners have to win twice. The first time is with a ticket. That’s the easy one – that’s just chance and numbers. The second time happens after the money arrives. Most lottery winners don’t nearly clear the second hurdle, ultimately turning into more cautionary tales of happy lives ruined by the lottery.
Can I offer a few words of advice, from watching this unfold time and time again in Florida?
First, don’t say a damned thing to ANYONE until you’ve met with a competent attorney in St. Louis or some other large city and gotten yourself some sound legal advice and protection. The second you go public, all bets are off. There’s no rush – even if you want to claim all your winnings in a single lump cash payout, you have 60 days to do it. So take a deep breath, don’t do anything stupid and quietly consult with highly paid, knowledgeable professionals before letting anyone know.
Pay your taxes right off the bat. A huge number of lottery winners get into trouble by going nuts with their cash payout and then forgetting that at least a third goes to the government.
Expect things to change with friends and family. Long lost relatives are going to magically appear, looking to reconnect. Everyone’s going to have their hand out. If you didn’t know who your true friends were before, you’ll learn pretty soon. Be ready for that.
Most of all, try to not let it ruin you. If you were happy yesterday, stay happy tomorrow. If you like to fish, keep liking to fish. Keep your feet on the ground and your self firmly rooted. More people than not, when they win the lottery, lose themselves pretty fast and hard. In the few lottery success stories I’ve heard, what they all had in common was the will to continue living their normal lives. The best of them turned around and used their winnings to help others. However you choose to use yours, please don’t use it to corrode who you are.
And in the freakish event that you ARE a relative of mine, understand this. We’re happy for you. We wish you the very best. We don’t want any of your money, and aren’t going to suddenly come looking for it. And we hope and pray that your lottery win is a blessing and not a curse.
The first win is easy – it’s just numbers. The second win, though, is up to you.
Beat the odds.