I bought a lottery ticket on Saturday, and while this may not sound like such a big deal, for me it's really out of character. To tell the truth I bought five of them - all on one Powerball ticket. $5 was the total cost. 150 million was the potential payoff. And what did I get out of it?
Well, about 72 hours worth of fantasy, at least as it stands now. I still haven't checked to see if I've won, because I'm having such a good time spending my imaginary winnings in my head. Oh, I know I haven't won the big prize, because our local paper would have gone ballistic over the news of the winning ticket being sold in our town, but who knows? Maybe I won something smaller? Enough to buy a week's worth of groceries? A small Mediterranean island? Something in between?
As much as I love the chance to mentally spend money that isn't mine, I hate to throw hard earned cash down the toilet. And let's face it - the lottery is one great big toilet. It's like Vegas with worse odds, so it would take something crazy to make me buy even one ticket, much less five.
A couple of friends and I went to Open Houses on Saturday, and ended up running into another friend in the process. One of the houses that was open was one we've been curious about for quite a while, and this was the first weekend it was open to the public. I think half the town was there, and we were all saying some version of
I WANT THIS HOUSE. BADLY.
I wanted it enough that I went straight to the Kwik Shop and bought five Powerball quick picks. God knows, that's what it would take. (It was much simpler than my friend Laurie's plan for three families to buy the house together and live there semi-commune style. On the plus side, I'm sure there's a reality series there somewhere. One with a big paycheck attached.)
Judging by the lack of newspaper headlines, I may have to let the house go. But I might wait a day or so before I dash my hopes completely.
What would you buy a lottery ticket for?
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
lucky numbers
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13 comments:
Right now I would buy a lottery ticket for a dryer that works. No dryer for one week and a rope between two trees makes for very stiff shorts and undies!
LOL
From time to time I have daydreams about how I would divide up the spoils - working out what percentage for this that and the other - usually changing my mind about the amounts to split between family members and what to give to the local community or charity and what I would do to fix the house - and that's without buying any damn ticket. hah!
So I could start a knit/book shop with my husband and so I could travel, although these two probably don't work well in reality. But we're in fantasyland, right?
I use to buy a ticket every now and then until one day after I had bought one for a very large jackpot, my daughter-in-law and I were talking about how I would spend it, if I won. When I said I would give each of my children a lump sum to get homes and other needs and then leave a yearly trust fund, so they would be set for life,the reply was "Well that's mean,I want it all at once".So thinking to myself I was trying to protect her from herself,since she would have spent it all the first 6 months, I just said"Buy your own damn ticket then".LOL
Life is a lottery. Sorry - am in philosophical mode.
My dream has been to own a holiday house in the Yorkshire Dales. I'd get to know the area in detail. I wouldn't be a week-ender who was a parasite. I'd love the place, tend it, bring income to local businesses, let friends and family and anyone in need of a break use the house rent-free. It would have views that I would sit and look at for hours on end.
I'd buy a lottery ticket for that.
I used to buy them regularly. I am much better off now. I don't buy any at all!
I agree with Thumbelina. Once I realized how in often I even got one matching number I decided finding a bag of money was probably more likely. And that you are more likely to be hit by lightning. All ready came to close for comfort with that. I think it was a sign to stay away from the lottery. But, if I did..........
I buy a lottery ticket every week. I work on the premise that you have to be in it to win it! :)
My mom picked all the winning numbers for the Illinois lottery once. Too bad she bought a Wisconsin ticket. I will never, ever forget that.
What would I buy? Land. As much as I could get my hands on. Nobody's making more of that.
There is a really nice, cute house large lot for sale in the middle of my very urban naghborhood. I looked it up one day... the lot is worth 2 million.
I have played the lottery more than once with the dream of being able to buy it.
I would use the rest of the money to quit my job and homeschool my daughter while we travel around the world.
I won 32 dollars with the very first lottery ticket that I ever bought when I turned 18 and haven't won since. I rarely buy one. I would like to just not have to worry about the day to day and also be able to be able to help others without wondering how it will impact the day to day.
And I want a new kitchen. :)
one dollar. ha ha ha ha
okay. that wasn't funny. I know I would buy it for a dollar.
well -- I think I buy them like you do, for just a moment of fantasy and hope. When I win - then I'll start figuring out the other stuff.
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