Penni Glass

English 111-40

Judy Miller

 

If I Won The Lottery

 

I think we have all wondered from time to time what we would do if we won the lottery and we have let our

imaginations run wild.  We often hear from the media about people who have won millions of dollars and

you have heard some success stories and also some tragic stories.  I did a little research and read some

stories about some people and the steps they took when they found out they were instant millionaires.  If I

won the power ball lottery, which is currently at $46 million, the first thing I would do is allow myself to

calm down from the emotions so I could make wise and rational decisions.  The most important thing to do

is to seek the council of a financial advisor to setup the appropriate distribution of funds.  I would hire an

accountant and a lawyer.  I would first have to determine if I am going to receive a lump sum disbursement

or receive annual payments.  I would rather receive the lump sum distribution. I would take a portion of the

winnings and invest in low to moderate risk investments.  I would take another portion and invest into

moderate to high risk investments.  I would do this so that the money I won would continue to make money.

I would setup trust funds for my children and grandchildren.  I would do this for them to have the

opportunity to utilize the funds for their specific needs such as a college degree, a down payment on a home

or maybe a new vehicle.  I would instruct them to invest the money wisely to help benefit themselves and

their families.  I would do something special for my parents.  My dad has always talked about owning a

truck.

I would buy him a new truck and my mom a new car.  Due to health problems, it’s hard for my mom to

access the stairs in their home so I would buy them a one level home.  I only have one sister who has always

been there for me and I would do something special for her.  I would probably give her an amount of money

and let her choose what she wants to do with it.  I would just instruct her to choose wisely.  I have two

nephews that I would setup trust funds for and instruct them as I did my own children about the importance

of utilizing the funds wisely.

I would distribute a certain amount to various charities and to different churches in my community.  I would

donate to the Ronald McDonald House, The Children’s Hospital and to St. Jude’s.  All three of these do a

wonderful job at helping the many sick children in our region.  I would donate to the Breast Cancer

Awareness Fund and to the organizations that are researching a cure for the horrible disease of cancer.  I

would also donate a portion to the organizations that helps homeless people such as The Haven of Rest, The

Salvation Army, The Manna Bagel Company and Healing Hands.  I am a volunteer with Bristol Life Saving

Crew and am currently in the Paramedic Program, so I would donate some of my winnings to this

organization since it is a non-profit organization and rely mostly on donations.

I would eliminate my financial debt.  My house would immediately go up for sale since I’m always

complaining that it’s too small.  I would buy me a larger house to accommodate my family and buy a new

vehicle also.  My favorite place to visit is the beach so I would purchase a vacation home at the beach so I

would have a place to stay when we visited there.  Me and my husband like to vacation so I’m sure we would

be taking plenty of vacations to places we’ve never visited.

Winning the lottery would be very exciting, but to me the best part is where I would get to help other people

and see the look of excitement on their face.