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OK, you would not be in Bill Gates' league, but it's fun to fantasize.
Somewhere in Illinois, Maryland and Kansas there is someone nearly $219 million rich. Three people hit Friday’s Mega Millions lottery jackpot.
The largest U.S. lottery prize jumped to $656 by the time of the drawing, after the frenzy of ticket buying ended in the 42 states, the District of Columbia and the U. S. Virgin Islands, where Mega Million tickets are sold.
One of the winning tickets was sold in downstate Illinois.
"This is what the lottery is about. You risk a small amount of money, and it's long odds, and it happens to a person who walks into a Motomart in Red Bud, Illinois that wins $213 million," Illinois State Lottery Director Mike Jones told ABC7 News. (The amount was higher at the end of the selling period.)
"Around the country, we were selling tickets at the rate of about a million dollars a minute," ABC7 News reported Mega Millions Director Gary Grief said.
Days before the lottery drawing, the media reported on the 1 in 176 million chance of winning. With those odds, you were more likely to get struck by lightning, get hit by a falling plane or date Angelina Jolie or Brad Pitt (depending on your preference).
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
But indulging in the fantasy of what you would do with all that money is a form of entertainment. What if I am the big winner? What would I do? Many people’s first thoughts: pay off the house and save for the kids' college education.
But what else do you do with the millions left over? Answer today’s poll and tell us.
If you win a big lottery, you could build a 3D movie theater in your home. But that is if you are among the 19 percent who said in last week’s poll that they favor 3D movies. Eighty percent chose the answer: I look silly in 3D glasses, the movies aren't any better, and I'm not going to pay extra to watch one.
Tom Cadell
6:29 am on Monday, April 2, 2012
I would be upset with the fact that I'd have to pay 25% in federal income tax because I bet on a lottery ticket; while if I had bet on a stock as a day trader I would only have had to pay 15%. That should give everyone something to think about.
Malcolm
11:26 am on Monday, April 2, 2012
Not quite right, Tom. 15% capital gains tax applies to investments held for at least a year. It provides an incentive to buy and hold a company's stock, which in turn helps the economy, employment, etc.
I think I would've taken part of my mega-millions winnings to establish a foundation to teach American youth about the United States Constitution.
Mike Bruno
10:52 am on Monday, April 2, 2012
I would establish a foundation for youth science education.
Nick Swedberg
11:44 am on Monday, April 2, 2012
@Mike—Good idea!
Matthew Hendrickson
3:47 pm on Monday, April 2, 2012
Really, no one picked buy an island and jet yet? Well, I'll be first then.
Joe O'Donnell
4:48 pm on Monday, April 2, 2012
I don't know if you'll have enough to pay for the plane's gas, Matthew. (Zing!)
Laurie
6:17 pm on Monday, April 2, 2012
I would pay off all of our bills, including the mortgage, and then make sure that my children and their children (and even the next few generations) had money for college and beyond. I would also purchase a lake house, and simply relax knowing that my financial needs were no longer a concern. I would still work of course.
Kathy Catrambone
10:55 am on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Why, Laurie, would you still work?
J D McNugent
8:02 pm on Monday, April 2, 2012
I would start a childhood disease charity. Because every childhood disease deserves a cure!! I would also pay off all of my family and close friends house notes! I am sure I would find more to give away but the charity work would be my mission.
J D McNugent
8:04 pm on Monday, April 2, 2012
Me winning would be a win win for many people unlike some of these dead beat lottery winners who spend it all on themselves and then go broke.
Vona Vortex
9:21 pm on Monday, April 2, 2012
I would give a nice sum to my Church and lock away a large amount for my future and my children's future. I would give to the library, to St. Jude and the local food pantry. I would start a local micro lending foundation to help small business in my local community.
Carmen L Mercado
9:04 am on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
I would give an amount to my Parish. Pay all my kids and families homes. My kids school loans. Give to charity. Rebuild my home. Go on a long trip to Scotland. Put aside for my grandkids college. Take my kids and their families on a long vacation.