If you won the lottery, would you tell anybody?

1. 70

   grumpiornotposted 11 years ago

   If you won the lottery, would you tell anybody?
   
   I suspect that dozens of characters with sad stories would be popping out of the woodwork, expecting hand outs and loans. I wonder whether it might be a better idea to just keep quiet and try fly under the radar a bit...
   
   

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2. 61

   duffsmomposted 11 years ago

   No, if I won the lottery I would keep it totally private except for family. I would donate money anonymously to certain causes or people--but it would be completely anonymous.

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      grumpiornotposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I would also like to keep it private - would be difficult though... I really like treating people around me and would enjoy giving them gifts...

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      duffsmomposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I know, wouldn't that be great!  If you had a friend who needs a car, or a friend with a hospital bill that needs paying.  But I would have to do it anonymously so that it didn't become about my feeling good, but rather about helping.  it'd be great!

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   bankscottageposted 11 years ago

   I would tell only a lawyer and a financial planner.  I guess I would also tell my wife.  I would want as few people as possible to know.  I would change little or nothing in my life since I wouldn't want others to know I had won.

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      grumpiornotposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Yup, I think that careful financial planning would be very important. It is amazing how many lottery winners are in financial trouble soon after. Like mentioned below though, I would really like to spoil those around me...

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4. 66

   LandmarkWealthposted 11 years ago

   I actually would not tell anyone other than my wife.  Since I am a financial planner it would be easier for me to keep it quiet.  Mainly because there is an unhealthy contempt for those with wealth in this country.  Too many people already resent those that work hard and have accumulated alot.  Just imagine the resentment you'd generate when it wasn't earned but won.  I have seen this happen with many of my clients.  Even family and close friends treat you differently no matter how hard you attempt to be yourself.

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      grumpiornotposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That is an interesting perspective that did not even occur to me when asking the question - lots of resentment for wealth. It is easy to be angry about the money that others have when you don't understand the hard work they have put in to earn it.

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      LandmarkWealthposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Right, but think about those same types of people and how they'd act if you won the money.  It would be worse.  Actually I know it is.  I had a client who won 10 million in NYS lotto about 12 years ago.  He lost alot of so-called friends.

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   lburmasterposted 11 years ago

   I would tell my partner and no one else. They would believe they deserved some money like my neighbor. Her brother came into a ton of money and she believes he owes her some of it because he was lucky. She is a bitter woman who is never satisfied and I wouldn't want anyone like that, for example my parther's mother, knocking on my door demanding their cut.

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      grumpiornotposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      It is quite disappointing how many people are interested in your life once you start reaching success. I guess the trick is to measure your true friends on their accessibility and sensitivity to your needs, before money becomes a consideration...

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      lburmasterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Very true. However, there is nothing you can truly do about mother-in-laws.

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6. 65

   sparklingcrystalposted 11 years ago

   Just my immediate family. I'll also share some of the money to charitable institution and our Church as anonymous donor.

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      soconfidentposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I would share my money but I still wouldn't tell anyone about it. Just see it as a blessing.

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   paxwillposted 11 years ago

   Interesting question! I don't know how easy it would be to keep it a secret unless you moved away.  If you stay in the same area and buy a nicer house and cars out of the blue, people will start asking where the money came from.

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8. 73

   soconfidentposted 11 years ago

   No I would not tell anyone. Its funny how the people around you start to become more dependent.

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   1. 70

      grumpiornotposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I have not won the lottery so don't know, but agree that you'd probably find lots of people around you becoming dependent.
      I reckon that I would still even keep working - otherwise Id be bored stiff!

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9. 63

   LoisRyan13903posted 9 years ago

   I would have to tell my daughters and husband but have them tell as little people as possible maybe a close friend they can trust.  I know my husband would want to help out a few close friends.  I would also tell my mother because I would be giving her money as well.  I wouldn't tell anybody at work but I know they will guess when I give my two week notice.  Depending on the size of the lottery, I would have to talk to my lawyer and my tax preparer to make sure I don't have any legal issues.  If the prize is something like 3 mil, I could handle it without a lawyer, except I would use him to sue people for harassment when they come to me with a big sob story.

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