How did you first react?
I found out at 3 in the morning. I was putting away some laundry and tidying my room before crashing. The ticket was on my dresser so I gave it a quick check assuming it would be a bust so I could throw it in the waste paper basket.
When the numbers matched I sort of swooned and got dizzy. I kept double checking and stayed up to go to the lottery office when it opened. Some of the longest hours of my life. I was very red and warm, I kept fanning myself for a few days.
What was the process like when going to the lotto office and claiming your ticket?
It was kind of weird and not what I expected it to be. The staff at my lottery office weren’t really all that impressed. They said congratulations a few times but it was kind of hollow. It was a lot of paper work in a back office/conference room. It was kind of the same feeling you’d get from going to a bank to set up a checking account, but like, with a lot more paperwork.
The lottery office was in a strip mall in a decent part of town. I went in when it opened and I did feel slightly concerned for my safety but the place opened up at 8am before any of the other shops did so the parking lot was practically deserted. They don’t keep any cash on the premises and most prizes people were claiming we done through like a bank teller window. I guess I was taken into a back office because it was a larger prize with much more forms to fill out.
What was the first thing you bought?
The first thing I bought was a new car. Mine was 20 years old, made terrible noises and was in general a death trap.
Do people close to you know about it? If so, how did they react and did anyones opinion of you seem to change?
I’m not close with my family but I did tell a few select friends that I’ve known for quite some time. Their general reaction was that I’m a nice person that went through some tough times so they’re glad I finally caught a break.
Have people come out of the woodwork asking for a handout?
No one really came out of the woodwork. My state allowed me to claim my prize anonymously and the few friends I’ve told do well for themselves.
Whats your day to day life like now that you’re set financially?
I’m a night person. So I wake up whenever my body is ready to…usually noon. I live on the beach now so I walk about 5 miles to the lighthouse and back, and then do some school work(I went back to college online because I never finished my degree and always felt badly about it. Usually I relax in front of the TV after I’m done with that, get a work out in, take an hour long shower and then crash.
Originally I’d planned to travel quite a bit but covid put a stop to that. But my brain is wired a little differently so I think sticking to a routine and having a purpose(school and staying in shape) helps a great deal.
What are you studying?
I just finished my English degree last spring. I just started a sociology degree and have another two years to finish that.
How did your lifestyle change?
Well prior I worked 2 jobs and lived with 3 annoying roommates and drove a 20 year old car that was on it’s last legs, I was only just getting by. I felt trapped.
Now I can just do whatever I want within reason. Biggest change has been just putting whatever I want in my shopping cart without having to think about it. It took some getting used to because I’d been living on poverty wages for so long.
I still look at the prices but now it’s more out of curiousity rather than the imperative that I not spend too much and to my budget.
How did it feel when you quit your jobs? Also, how did it feel when you moved out of your roommates place?
Quitting my call center job was a relief because I didn’t like getting yelled at by customers for stuff that wasn’t my fault. I was only there for the health insurance.
I miss my 2nd part time job though sometimes. I worked 20 hours a week at Starbucks and my coworkers were fun. I just told everyone I was moving out of state to go back to college which wasn’t untrue. Well wishes and hugs goodbye and all that. It was a relief that I was able to quarantine when the pandemic hit.
Moving out of my place with the roommates: that was awesome. They were slobs so I don’t miss that at all. It was kinda fun driving 800 miles with everything I owned in the back of a new car and starting a new life.
What’s your Holy Grail? Like what thing have you bought you never imagined you could ever own.
Well just about everything I have I probably would have never owned giving how little I earned before.
Favorite thing: the cars(I like classic cars) 64 Corvette Stingray, 68 Mustang fastback, and a 63 Lincoln Continental. Toying with the idea of an early 60s Jaguar but the garage is getting kinda crowded.
Best thing you’ve done with the money?
Best thing: bought a house at the beach so I could fall asleep to the sound of waves crashing.
Was it amazing buying your own home? Did you walk in, close the door and happy scream?
It kind of was amazing but I felt the need to act like it was no big deal. Since I was buying at the beach I was required to show some documentation that I was a qualified buyer at first… Apparently a lot of tourists will dress fancy and put on airs to get the opportunity to tour around all the properties with no real intention of buying. Usually between 10-25% of the homes are on the market so I had a lot to choose from(people buy these homes and don’t realize how expensive and time consuming all the upkeep is and decide to sell after a couple of years). I had a hard time expressing what it was I wanted besides very general terms. I think my agent was beginning to be a little frustrated with me. But when I found the right one I just turned matter-of-factly and said, “how much again? Ok, write a full ask offer 10 day close no contingencies”
For the first two weeks or so I’d walk in and drop my bags and just say “home” quietly to myself. It really didn’t feel like my space till I’d lived in it for some months.
I had been struggling to save up a modest down payment for a 2 bedroom condo prior to my life changing so I get how lucky I am.
Worst thing you’ve done with the money?
Bought an expensive watch (Patek Philippe Nautilus)
I also have one of those glass front floor to ceiling wine/cellar fridge things in my kitchen. I went to a fancy wine store and bought some expensive wines and a case of champagne to fill it.
I don’t drink and neither does my significant other, nor do I entertain. So it was kinda frivolous, but it looks nice.
Whats the most extravagant thing you’ve considered/are considering buying? Like a superyacht, private island, mansion, etc.
To be honest none of the examples you gave really appeal to me. I’m not very materialistic. I had planned to travel quite extensively and had considered booking a private jet for some of the trips I’d had in mind, but to be honest it just seemed like a waste of money when first class is just as nice and a 1/4 of the price.
Do you have people working for you, like servants/drivers/cleaners?
Nah. The pandemic happened relatively soon after so the idea of having someone coming into my space and possibly bringing the virus with them was not something I want to deal with.
I do have a landscaper and a pool guy and someone that comes every so often to detail my cars, and maintenance people that occasionally come to fix things, but other than that I do my own chores and take care of myself. It’s wonderfully grounding to scrub your own toilet bowl.
How much is still left?
I took the annuity. I’ve received about 16 million in annuity payments so far. I’ve spent 3.5 so far, and I have 27 years of annuity payments left. So quite a bit.
How does the annuity work?
Large lottery prizes are generally expressed in the value of a 30 year annuity, a yearly payment. If you take the lump sum its generally much less than the full jack pot. And you have to pay all the taxes all at once.
They laid out both options for me when I went to claim my prize, I took the annuity because I was still relatively young and it was more money in the long run and I didn’t trust myself to have all that money all at once.
How much have you paid to the IRS?
More than I care to think about. It’s a hard check to write every year. But I am glad to see all the direct assistance that went to people in the pandemic and that some new infrastructure investment is gonna happen…so that kinda takes the sting out somewhat.
Did you do a Quick Pick or did you pick your numbers?
Both: Quick pick for the 5 numbers. My lucky number for the powerball.
Do you plan to ever have a ‘job’ again or are you happy to travel and relax?
I dunno. I haven’t really thought about it. I do miss the social aspect of having a job sometimes; joking around with coworkers and stuff like that. I don’t miss the stress off working for a living. If I did feel like my life was lacking purpose or I felt bored I might work part time just to feel like I was contributing to society in some way.
Have you sat down and wondered what you want to do for the rest of your life?
Yeah. I do think about the bigger picture sometimes. I’m really a coffee enthusiast…i used to work at Starbucks and I drink about 4 cups a day(down from 6 or 7 when I was working 2 jobs and had 14 hour days and needed that much caffeine to function). I’ve thought about moving to the Big Island of Hawaii and starting a coffee plantation. Of all the varieties I like Kona the best(the volcanic soil just does something to make it taste amazing).
Also I like jazz clubs. I’ve thought about starting one since they can be hard to find unless you’re in a major city.
The pandemic has put a hold on a lot of things that I’d otherwise be inclined to do, but in a way it’s good because it’s sort of throttled back a lot of those dream plans to let me consider all the pros and cons. And so far, taking the time to work on myself, has been enough.
You havent ruined your life yet right? There are so many stories of people winning the lottery and fucking up their lives.
Nope. I’m happy most of the time, and when I’m not I’m at least content. I’m not very materialistic past a certain point. I still buy my clothes from discount stores like Target, Marshall’s. I get yearly annuity payments and I’ve yet to spend more than 1/4 of one so far. I don’t foresee myself going bankrupt.
I also keep a very low profile. I don’t tell anyone about it. I have a very good security alarm/cameras with monitoring and I live around the block from the local police station. So far I’ve felt safe.
Is it true, more money more problems?
I wouldn’t say more money more problems. It’s more like more money different problems.
Theodore Lee is the editor of Caveman Circus. He strives for self-improvement in all areas of his life, except his candy consumption, where he remains a champion gummy worm enthusiast. When not writing about mindfulness or living in integrity, you can find him hiding giant bags of sour patch kids under the bed.