Do you think winning the lottery will ruin your life?

Do you think winning the lottery will ruin your life?

  • Yes

    Votes: 16 8.7%

  • No

    Votes: 168 91.3%
  • Total voters
    184
Kevin Lancaster

Kevin Lancaster

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This is part of an office discussion we had, where we suggested that winning a large amount of money - R100 million - would probably make your life worse.

For a working-class man or women, having access to that kind of money removes the need to work, to socialise with your peers, and to aspire towards career and personal goals.

Almost everything you want is at your fingertips, with little effort.

Do you think going from "average Joe" status to a R100-million millionaire would ruin your life?
 
Certainly not, though it would certainly change things substantially.

If winning a lot of money changes your friends or your socialising with your peers, I think that speaks more to you as an individual, than to any fiscal situation.

Ultimately I think it will come down to who the person is at a basic level. Sure, the need to work may be gone, but what of drive and ambition? Bill Gates, Elon Musk etc are good examples. They have so much money they have absolutely no reason to work, yet they do.

I think an innate drive and ambition would remain regardless of money, and so the excess of money would simply bring out the basic nature of the person.
 
It would certainly make my life better. I don't have any friends, so no-one can say that I've changed etc... I'd just spend it wisely on things that makes me happy. Guess it would be different for everybody though.
 
Kevin Lancaster said:
This is part of an office discussion we had, where we suggested that winning a large amount of money - R100 million - would probably make your life worse.

For a working-class man or women, having access to that kind of money removes the need to work, to socialise with your peers, and to aspire towards career and personal goals.

Almost everything you want is at your fingertips, with little effort.

Do you think going from "average Joe" status to a R100-million millionaire would ruin your life?
Click to expand...

Depends on the person. I can say with absolute certainty that R100 million will improve my life. It's probably because I have a number of goals that don't depend on money, so even with that in the bank I'd continue to grow and develop as a person.

If you lack impulsive decision control and don't have clear plans for that sort of money then I can see how it could be a bad thing, but I've got a detailed plan for R100 million (or less, or more) so I doubt it.

Also I'd suggest adding a poll to the thread?
 
I have a plan if I win the lottery: Tell people I won the lottery, but claim to only have won, say, the R3 million jackpot from a few weeks ago. That way, you can explain your new toys, but they think you are basically broke again and won't ask for money.
 
TehStranger said:
Depends on the person. I can say with absolute certainty that R100 million will improve my life. It's probably because I have a number of goals that don't depend on money, so even with that in the bank I'd continue to grow and develop as a person.

If you lack impulsive decision control and don't have clear plans for that sort of money then I can see how it could be a bad thing, but I've got a detailed plan for R100 million (or less, or more) so I doubt it.

Also I'd suggest adding a poll to the thread?
Click to expand...

The poll is a good idea and I have added one - thanks.
 
I am very willing to prove it won't ruin my life if someone wants to give me a few million :)
 
Nope, not if you plan and invest/deposit the greater amount which will pay out certain amounts and not let you blow it all in minimal time.
 
Whoever voted yes in the poll - I'm more than willing to accept any lotttery winnings on your behalf, please let me ruin my life with 100 bar!
 
R100m making your life worse :crylaugh:
 
I'd just like the chance to do the experiment for myself.

At the very least - I will be crying while sitting in a Ferrari or a luxury house, or on a cruise boat.
 
Of course not. And if you know of any reputable sangoma or "prophet" that can assist with predicting the winning numbers please send me a pm!
 
No I don't. I do see how it might rob your life of direction and purpose though. I think I could still find both with 100 mill in the bank. It's a big wide world and you'd have the means to see and experience all of it.

There are plenty of things to achieve that money can only get you so far with. Get fit, learn jujitsu, climb Everest, learn guitar, whatever you want.

I think what winning the lotto really does is rob you of your excuses and that could be a soul crushing experience.
 
If I had to come into this sort of money I would do the following in this order.

1. Get trustworthy financial people to invest it, and let the income from that, pay me whatever.
2. Stop working, and take 6 -12 months to clear my mind, recover from stress, all those things, including patching up relationships, making up for bad things that happened, etc...
3. Buy two properties with a specific sum withdrawn from the investment.... one as a primary residence, and the other as a rental, which one day can be given to the children.
4. Without the burden of having to work, figure out what I want to do, that at the same time offers betterment to society, and go with it, if it means being a painter, then that's what will be done...
 
Nick333 said:
No I don't. I do see how it might rob your life of direction and purpose though. I think I could still find both with 100 mill in the bank. It's a big wide world and you'd have the means to see and experience all of it.

There are plenty of things to achieve that money can only get you so far with. Get fit, learn jujitsu, climb Everest, learn guitar, whatever you want.

I think what winning the lotto really does is rob you of your excuses and that could be a soul crushing experience.
Click to expand...

Good post, that last sentence explains things well.
 
That is something I have thought about a lot. I would still work though, as it helps with social interaction ( since most other people would be at work anyways). But it would be something like a pc techie at a shop. Would also take the salary and randomly place it in a large brown paper bag in a big mall each month just for giggles
 
Kevin Lancaster said:
Whenever a conversation about winning the lotto comes up, I think of this guy - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Carroll_(lottery_winner)

I think the temptation to "live it up" is strong, and can cause even disciplined/financially-literate people to fall.
Click to expand...

Well, if I won R100 mil, first thing I would put at about R30 mil into an RA. Even if I blew every cent of the rest, I would not be able to touch that till age 55 and then only get a 3rd max cash and the rest would have to buy an annuity that gives a monthly income.
 
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