Why I’ll Be Happy To Not Win The Lottery

I know that sounds strange considering I bought a ticket, but I bought mine for purely entertainment value. Some people are lucky with the lotto, I’d only win if zombies ate all the other ticket holders. So, I’m actually thrilled to know I won’t win. I’d be tickled pink to get the four bucks for hitting the red ball, but other than that? Nope.

And before you call me crazy, I’ve been there. Twice. Any time you get something in this life there will be those who wish you well and those who wish you dead. Each time one of my parents passed, well, let’s just say I can tell you money brings out the ugly in some people real fast. So here’s my reasons to cheer my not winning big tonight.

By the way, this article is meant to be fun. I’m not one of those embittered people who hates the world or thinks people are out to get them. But I’ve seen the ugly side that comes out in people when they think you are rich (I never have been, trust me) and I’d rather never be in that position again.

And if you re going for the win I truly wish you luck. Just remember that as with anything else instant fame is a mixed blessing, so be safe out there and keep your head, OK? As always all writing and photography are my original work and all videos are included for informational and entertainment purposes only.

Seriously, if I though inheriting debts was bad, it would be nothing to suddenly being, thanks to the Internet, internationally known as Miss Money Bags. Which is ironic because even if there is one winner, they will not be a billionaire. A quick search can show you all the merry millions the federal government will take, and then the state, and that is the fun part.

After my mom died, and I live in a small town, total strangers approached me on the street to ask for money. Or make marriage proposals. At first I thought it was a joke in poor taste. I didn’t know these people from Adam. Nope, they were legit money grabbers. Luckily, I had some actual friends in town who told me these freeloaders were actually much better off than me financially, and these Romeos got that way from romancing widows. Gross, right?

Imagine if I hit the Powerball. I’d need to pay the fire department to hose stage door Johhnys off my porch on a daily basis. All joking aside, I really wouldn’t want to go through the stress again of everyone and their uncle thinking they deserved a cut. I’m not ungenerous by any means, but the stress of constant demands would not make the money worth it.

I remember all the calls where relatives I’d literally not seen in decades screamed demands for money I just didn’t have on me. Strangers too, because someone had spread a rumor I’d inherited millions. Yeah, right. But when I needed finical help as the estate drug on forever, and bills and debts came in like clockwork, mysteriously none of these people could be found.

My advice? Be aware you are not an “instant” anything. Also be aware the taxes may be the least of your worries.

Seriously, I don’t. Yes, I have debts, yes, my home needs a ton of work I just can’t afford right now, and it would be nice to afford a doctor’s visit or good health insurance. But you know what? That’s life. We all have our problems, and while winning all the money would allow me to fix my home and health (to a point), it wouldn’t make me a happier person per se.

Yeah, it would be nice to have a sofa without holes in it, and a recliner that isn’t broken, but again, that’s life. Would I like to win some money? Sure, anyone would. But it seems to me that much is just asking for trouble. I don’t believe in the lottery curse by any means, but as I have experienced first hand, money brings out the ugly in some people real fast.

I did have a few people who did remain loyal and sensible, and that is what got me through. Those, by the way, are the kind of people who deserve kindness in return, not sketchy folks who you never met before. Do they seriously do this to the millionaires who live in town?

I suppose if I join their ranks I could ask. And yes, I know, people do give up eventually, and a lot of good could be done with the winnings. It just seems to be asking for trouble when the lotto folks thoughtfully give out your name to the world at large.

I don’t have much, so I really enjoy things a lot of people take for granted. Eating out is honestly a luxury for me, but I enjoy it. I can be out, talk to people or be ignored. But people mostly leave me be. A lottery win would change all that. I don’t think all people would loose their heads, some wouldn’t care, some would be happy for me, but I honestly like being left in peace.

All that money would mean I’d be besieged until the next winner came along, or I gave up and moved into a gated community for peace, and I don’t want that. I love my little home, even if she has leaky windows, a settled foundation and needs repairs. I like taking walks to do my photography thing and just enjoy myself. I like a quiet, secluded life.

I also could never know if people loved me. Would they hang around for the money or would they really care about me? We might all snort and roll our eyes and call it a first world problem, but we all knew (or were) the kid in school who bought all their friends either through favors or having more stuff than them, and it’s a rotten feeling to be falsely loved for what you can do or what you have.

To put it into perspective, think of the obnoxious “friends" you can make on FB who only want to post ads for whatever they are selling on your wall. Or the aggressive sellers who outright demand you buy something as you are now “friends". I have a black belt in the Block function.

Of course. I’d pay off my debts and as long as I didn’t develop a taste for the richer things in life, I’d live quite well. Most rich people, stay rich, by the way, because they are conscious of every penny. Sure they have nice things, but they aren’t going into a finical tailspin to get them either.

And I could help out my local community. Not everything for everyone, but imagine being able to give the local homeless a halfway house. Or to set up a soup kitchen. To improve parks. The problem would be a lot of donations have a way of getting “lost” or used for other things. But it would be great to give back.

I’d love to build bus stops for my elderly friends as I know from experience how bitter cold the winters get here and the summer sun is no pip either. I’d like local kids to have a safe place to play away from traffic. I’d love to support the senior center. But although it would be wonderful to do all those things it seems from experience that everyone and their uncle would be on my doorstep, so a win just would not be worth it.

To the winner(s) I wish you the best of luck and here is some free advice based on experience: there is no infinity symbol in any dollar amount. Spend wisely and you wins should see you through a lifetime. Spend foolishly and you will be worse off than before your win. Figure out who you can trust, and treat the money as the precious resource it is.

Remember that money is only money. It isn’t good health or happiness nor can it buy either. That said? Spot the walking money pits and firmly and gently tell them no. You aren’t responsible for Uncle Harry’s gambling debts, nor your sister’s daily trips to the mall. Feel free to help those who deserve it, but consider the money a gift, not a loan unless you have paperwork stating otherwise.

Lastly, the best advice I ever got was to pick one charity or cause you care about and focus on that. Even with a trillion dollar win you couldn’t help the entire world, as much as we all want to. But by focusing on one area you can make a difference for countless others.

PS Here’s wishing the winner(s) much joy, good health, and long life. May you avoid the lottery “curse” of the win going to your head and report into work as usual. May you still find joy in the small things in life and may you be blessed by your win.