Tonight’s Powerball jackpot is up to 500 million bucks. I found some good pointers from
Forbes about what to do when you win.
First of all, sign the back of your ticket or somebody else can claim your prize if they get their hands on the ticket. Stay anonymous if possible so people don’t start clamoring for handouts. See a tax professional before you cash in the ticket. You have 60 days to get everything together and sort out the financial ramifications. Avoid sudden lifestyle changes. Wait six months before you buy a McMansion or quit your job. ("Hey, Bob, what’s up? I noticed you traded in your ’97 Camry for a sterling silver Lamborghini!") That might be tough, but I guess a lot of lottery winners go completely off the rails with the extravagant spending and blow through amazing amounts of money in no time at all. A little restraint will serve you well as you get used to your new status as a wealthy person.
Good luck, even though your odds of becoming an astronaut are better than your odds of winning the jackpot . . . . but you can read all these helpful tips
here.
