Powerball 2025

Saturday afternoon Isabella and I met up for lunch and each bought a lottery ticket for funsies. Well, I got two - one random and one where I picked the numbers. 

Here's all the stuff I'd do if I won the big deal.

These things that I wanted to do back in 2018 when I last bought a lotto tick: 

- pay off my credit cards, mortgage, and own Phineas outright
- buy a weekly chunk of time with WRTI radio and have Rickster Rick present his Dark Forest broadcasts and thereby change the world for the better and ensure that it is live streamed on YouTube so the youngsters can catch on to his musical selections and stylings!
- take Low Budget Philosophy to a whole new level --- donate more!
- buy a plot of land in Chester County, PA then contact Alan Mascord Designs and discuss modifying The Bucklebury Studio to fit my life just right. The home would be modest, but comfortable, with a luxurious bathtub and loads of bookshelves, the land would be secluded with lots of trees and a large pond for ducks plus a fabulous swingset, vegetable garden, birdbaths, and a stone slab beneath some trees with a bench to sit and relax. 
- help Mum pick out her new home and pick up the tab
- contact a publishing house and get hooked up with a talented and exciting illustrator to bring my stories to life
- become more involved with animal rescue and ocean/river cleanups
- sit back and enjoy the very notion that I will never, ever have to worry about money again and can finally focus on doing good, making changes for the betterment of the world, and feeling useful

PLUS....

- ask to move in to Amy’s old house that hasn’t sold yet so that I can be away from everyone and figure things out by being off the grid

- get great personal health insurance

- hire Dave as my full-time personal financial advisor which will get him away from the grind of office life and allow him to focus on himself, his family and friends and most importantly, his hobbies

- hire Bishop as my full-time health advisor: personal trainer and chef who teaches me to cook and be stronger 

- invest in Xavier's business

- set up trusts for education and/or future housing for one million a piece: Bailey, Avery, Syd, Zach, Jackson, Lucy, and to Terri, Autumn, Tom & Michelle, and Emily to distribute for their children's education

- million dollar trusts for my three brothers, Mum, Amy, Bishop, Kayla, Jaeden, Bella, Melanie, Lauryn, Autumn, Natalia, Lauren, Ivy, Maggie, Louise, Karen Z., Marie, Melissa, Trey, Maureen, Amber, Megan, Corinna, Jen & Buzz, Michel, Barbara, Helen, David, Morgan, Janine, Rick, Aunt Berne, Uncle Phil, Uncle Alan, Marina, Uncle Roy, and Alina because it's enough money to improve their lives but not so much that it will drastically change it and maybe mess it up

- get Aunt Berne 'round the clock personal care in a safe and charming place with gourmet meals and a fabulous staff to keep her happy and healthy 

- book tons of doctor appointments to get myself in the best shape of my life

- pay for a full restoration of The Colonial Theatre with a clause that I get free entrance to any show for life!

- get Trader Joe’s to let me host an after hours shin-dig and give all my favourite people a chance to play a ten minute long Supermarket Sweeps! Bishop gets a two minute head start because I know this is a life-long dream of his.

- take a college class to learn Spanish fluently 

- invest loads so as to stay wealthy and therefore able to continue donating to my favourite charities!

Also, I’d be sure to follow the steps outlined by @money_cruncher on Instagram:

Do NOT declare yourself the winner YET. Do this first...

• hire an attorney

You will receive a generational amount of money and need to get a "Trust and Estate" partner from a large, national firm.

Do not use any firm that has any connection to family or friends or community

• Decide how much to give to your family (i.e. 10%)

A lawyer will be able to set up trusts for them that fund specific goals (i.e. education, housing, etc.)

Do not start giving out cash, because once you stop, you will be called specific names...

• Prepare to take the money

Change your phone numbers and make sure the new one is unlisted.

Stop home mail delivery. Get a PO Box before claiming the prize.

Once you claim, do not read mail from sources you don't know (they will be begging for $$)

• For some jurisdictions, you have to agree to minor publicity:

- only 1 person should collect

- ask that the novelty check and media release name you without using your full name

- dress up, grow a beard (lol!)

- collect the prize as far away as possible from your home

• Take the lump sum

You will be given an option to take the lump sum or an annuity.

Most winners take the lump sum. You should do that if you follow this thread. If you are likely to blow $$, take the annuity.

For the current prize ($1.4 billion), thee lump sum payout is $589 million pre-tax

• Taxes

Lottery winnings automatically withhold 24% for federal taxes, which is around $141 million. Depending on the state, there might be some % withholding as well.

However, you will be in a 37% federal tax bracket, which is another $76 million.

Get a CPA to plan your tax liability.

• Investments

Do not start paying a 1% fee to FA. Find a FEE ONLY fiduciary that could help you determine your plan.

With $350 million after tax (say $35 million to family and $15 million to spend) you will have $300 million.

The 3 fund portfolio like $VT + $BND, could give you millions of income.

•  Don't rush

Did you know that 33% of multi-million-dollar jackpot winners eventually declare bankruptcy? This is because they don't put this foundation in place and lack any common financial literacy.