Lump sum?

[Cynth]

I still think you would have trouble spending 124 million at one go. Even on the finest flutes. But I guess you never know!

[Congratulations]

That said, I guess you wouldn't have much problem getting a loan.

Now that is a dastardly thought.

[Wombat]

That said, I guess you wouldn't have much problem getting a loan.

Now that is a dastardly thought.

Why thank you. I do my best.

[Wanderer]

You would get a payment every year of 6.5 million after taxes for 30 years? That totals around 60 million more than 124 million. Can that be right? That is half again as much.

Cynth, the way most lotteries work is that when you choose "lump sum" you actually only get about half of the jackpot. When you choose "yearly payments" they take that same half, and buy an annuity, and that's what pays you. You could do the same with your lump sum payment if you want. The anuity pays out interest every year, and a portion of the capital. It's timed so that after 30 years, everything's paid out and there is no money left.

Even a mediocre money manager should be able to do more with that money than the interest generated by an anuity, plus, after 30 years, it won't be all gone.

[amar]

I would do installments or else I'd spend it all in one go.

But what could you buy that costs that much? Some beautiful house on the Riviera couldn't cost that much, could it?

Spending money does not have to mean buying things. You can spend money on helping hungry children in China eat and HIV/AIDS patients in South Africa get the basic medical care they need.

party-time, remember?

[chas]

The cash option is $177.3 million, or $124.1 million after taxes

That's 125,000 Olwells (88,600 after taxes)!

[Congratulations]

The cash option is $177.3 million, or $124.1 million after taxes

That's 125,000 Olwells (88,600 after taxes)!

That might be enough flutes.

[Joseph E. Smith]

Dale, the winning ticket was purchased in Nebraska.... when were you last in Nebraska?

[Paul Reid]

Lump it... or leave it.

[Montana]

I would say go with the yearly payments but not necessarily for investment reasons. The other thing that you'll have to deal with besides these pesky decisions is millions of people begging you for some of your money. Happens to every mega-winner. You'll barely have the check in your hand before people will be tugging at your sleeve. So many will give you the excuse that they've had to struggle along with just a Gen for so long and if they could just have enough to buy a Copeland.

So if you take yearly installments, you can probably come up with enough excuses for spending $6.5 mil that you can escape the begging. If you take lump sum, no one will believe that you could spend that much...

[Flyingcursor]

But what could you buy that costs that much? Some beautiful house on the Riviera couldn't cost that much, could it?

Spending money does not have to mean buying things. You can spend money on helping hungry children in China eat and HIV/AIDS patients in South Africa get the basic medical care they need.

party-time, remember?

Amar. First of all you don't want to give starving people money. They might spend it on food. Give them beer. Lots of beer. Then you know they'll be happy. Or in your case, single malt whisky.


Cran, If I'm going to be a philanthropist than this is the path I'd take:

1. Immediate family
2. Extended family and friends.
3. Local neighborhood.
4. Local city/town etc.
5. State
6. Country
7. Rest of world.

[Craig Stuntz]

The cash option is $177.3 million, or $124.1 million after taxes

That's 125,000 Olwells (88,600 after taxes)!

Remember to factor in interest accumulation and inflation during the waiting period to receive the flutes!

[missy]

all I can say is:

Dale!! We're related!!!!!

[Congratulations]

Cran, If I'm going to be a philanthropist than this is the path I'd take:

1. Me
2. Immediate family
3. Extended family and friends.
4. Local neighborhood.
5. Local city/town etc.
6. State
7. Country
8. Rest of world.

Fixed.

Really, is it so bad to want some (or most) of the hypothetical money for myself?

[Wanderer]

Dale, the winning ticket was purchased in Nebraska.... when were you last in Nebraska?

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/3676644.html
When was the last time he worked in a meat packing plant?