If I Won the Lottery

I saw a commercial recently that showed the Lotto jackpot was at $135 million.

I think I've played the Lotto twice -- both times were a number of years ago. I think the jackpot was over $200 million each time. If I recall, I matched one number each time (five plus the Powerball are required to win the jackpot). I wouldn't have won squat.

It is said that money changes people. I presume that to mean that the changes are negative ones. Personally, I'd like the opportunity to challenge that statement.

If I won $135 million, here's what I'd like to think I would do ...

• Take the immediate payout, which would amount to about $87 million
• Set aside the tax money, which brings the total amount of winnings down to about $54 million
• Find $5.4 million of worthy charitable causes (total is now $48.6 million)
• Put a million aside in some account that I could just spend out of however I wished, to pay off the house, replace the 163,000 mile van, etc. ($47.6 million left)
• If $47.6 million were invested in the Mainstay High Yield Corporate Bond fund, it would generate $303,325 of interest every month. Every month, without touching the original $47.6 million.
• Since we currently live off of about $2,800 a month, I admit that I would probably give my family a payraise. Maybe to $4,000 monthly.
• That leaves $299,325 of interest left to give away or put back into savings.
• I know I would leave my current job, but I wouldn't stop working. I might take my financial knowledge and start a non-profit business aimed at teaching financial 101 principles and helping people avoid the pitfalls of unmanageable debt. Maybe I would become a radio announcer, which I've always thought would be fun (and low paying). I could run for political office. Or do some missionary work. The possibilities are, of course, are endless.

But, you can't win if you don't play.

I don't think I'm going to play today.

Oh, but the dreams ...