How many people do you know say, “I’ll be okay, I’ll win the lottery won day” or “Imagine winning th
e lottery, what would you do?” – Does it annoy you? It annoys me!
Winning the lottery may seem like a modern day fairytale where you don’t have to ever work again, but is it really that good?
While winning the lottery may be a quick fix for money problems and buy a few material things, there is often a darker side to the story. The curse of the lottery is a well-known reality. Drugs, death, divorce, depression and bankruptcy are just a few of things that often happen to lottery winners. Society believes that money solves most problems; however, lottery winners often lack the financial guidance necessary to manage a large windfall. A rush of money can be a psychological shock.
Huge houses, luxury sports cars, and fancy holidays are some of the first things that that lottery winners buy when they get their cash. However, the majority of winners don’t factor in much bigger utility bills, maintenance, insurance, and taxes that come along with a new residence or fancy car.
It’s not to surprising to learn that the 16 to 24 years old, an age group with limited sources of income, often dream of supplementing their minimum wage jobs by a win on the lottery.
Whether it’s in the UK or the USA there are countless stories of lottery winners lives gone wrong.
A prime example is Evelyn Adams, she has to be considered one of the luckiest people alive for winning the New Jersey Lottery twice in 1985 and 1986, claiming a total $5.4 million.
However, she must have been crazy enough to think her luck was limitless, as she gambled heavily and gave away all of her money. By 2001, she was poor and living in a trailer.
“Winning the lottery isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. Everybody wanted my money. Everybody had their hand out,” said Adams. “It was a very hard fall. It’s called rock bottom.”
While the chance of becoming a multimillion pound winner is extremely low, it might happen to you. I am not saying never buy a lottery ticket, just don’t become another victim of the lottery curse. If you do play and are lucky enough to win, the first thing you should do is invest in your own in a financial advisor!
But, there is nothing better than working for your money and living a rich and rewarding life.
Do your best and become who you want to be.