Do you dream of winning the lottery? Millions of people do. Every day, millions of Americans buy lottery tickets. They are hoping to win $100,000, $1,000,000 or more. What happens after you win the lottery?
When you win a million dollars, you don’t receive a check for the total amount. You may choose to receive $50,000 a year for twenty years. Also, you must pay taxes. After taxes, you receive from $25,000 to $40,000 a year for twenty years. This is a lot of extra spending money.
What have some people done with their money? Let’s look at three past winners.
Lisa K wanted to be an artist, but she didn’t have enough money to go to art school. She was working at a job she didn’t enjoy. In August, Lisa bought one ticket and won two million dollars. She quit her job three weeks later and is now attending art school.
Mark L was a car salesman. He worked seven days a week and had little time for family life. After he won the lottery, he quit working. Now he spends his time bowling, working in the garden, and fixing things in his house. But, he’s bored. He doesn’t want to sell cars again, but he isn’t sure what he wants to do with his life.
Jack B is one of the small number of winners who did not quit his job. Jack still teaches at a school near his home. But now he and his wife take their children on an interesting vacation every year. And they don’t worry about sending their children to college. They say that money brings security and gives a person opportunities, but it doesn’t bring happiness.