What Would You Do If You Won The 540 Million Dollar Jackpot?

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 18:48:12 -0400

The Mega Millions jackpot has increased to $540 million, as brisk ticket sales fuel the estimated jackpot for Friday's drawing.

Paula Otto is executive director of the Virginia Lottery and lead director for Mega Millions. She says sales leading up to Friday's drawing have exceeded expectations resulting in the jackpot adjustment.

Friday's drawing will be the 35th since Mega Millions (winner)

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jul 7 at 2016 6:54 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 18:54:21 -0400

First, I'd donate at least 500 million to worthy causes which would deny the government a windfall to waste money on...

Response by Capt Vickie Adams made Jul 7 at 2016 7:07 PM

Capt Vickie Adams — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 19:07:10 -0400

It's difficult to fathom having that kind of money. I would pay off my house, pay of my son's student loans, travel, donate to my favorite charities. life would become more comfortable and much more interesting.

Response by SFC Alfredo Garcia made Jul 7 at 2016 7:10 PM

SFC Alfredo Garcia — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 19:10:48 -0400

I would be a new Lego set. Maybe two.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2016 7:16 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 19:16:39 -0400

Well, I still have to run a range in August, but after that. Probably early retirement

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2016 7:19 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 19:19:34 -0400

Quite a question. I think I would find a way to disperse an awful lot of it.

Not that I am that generous, just that one would become a walking target.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jul 7 at 2016 7:57 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 19:57:10 -0400

Would that be after I sobered up, Pretty sure I would be pretty hammered after drinking a several Espresso Martinis or After I Set Up a fund for Hailey to continue her Education in Dance. Got Madison a Horse and set Roen up with a College Education in Engineering?

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Jul 7 at 2016 8:08 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 20:08:24 -0400

Buy a nice cabin on the lake and a new boat to start with. Then I would start racing again.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Jul 7 at 2016 8:24 PM

SrA Matthew Knight — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 20:24:03 -0400

First I'd hire a lawyer, a damn good one too along with a financial advisor. Once the ticket was redeemed and the money was secured I would start knocking out bills. My car would be paid off (which wouldn't take much). I'm guessing I'd be separated from the military, that or I'll be out next year anyway.

Once I am out I would move back to ND and get a modest house near my home town. I would make sure it was nice inside and out of course but I would be sure to not be too flashy (don't need a golden mansion or anything). I'd probably get a newer Silverado and a Chevy SS because I couldn't resist getting a couple of nicer vehicles, however I would also keep the Impala I've got now.

I would also make sure close family and friends (close is a key word here) are living comfortably and although I wouldn't necessarily just give them 10 million each and say knock yourselves out I would make sure that especially school and medical bills are covered for them.

Next would be donations. A portion would go to the church although I would look more into non-denominational church based charities that benefit many rather than just donating to one church in particular blindly trusting them to not spend it on something unnecessary. Then I would start donating to medical research and other medical charities and some other ones that are personal to my heart such as the FFA, Game and Fish and Law Enforcement charities.

The rest would be to live comfortably myself. I would put myself through law enforcement training and just volunteer to help be a back up any time my local Sheriff's Office needs extra man power. I'd also put time into hobbies such as learning to fly and maybe learning an instrument and language.

This is of course what I have planned in my head for if I ever win big. Odds are things wouldn't necessarily play out that perfectly but that's my dream for if I do at least.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2016 8:35 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 20:35:48 -0400

Well, I am pretty sure it would put me in a higher tax bracket.

Response by MAJ Rene De La Rosa made Jul 7 at 2016 8:53 PM

MAJ Rene De La Rosa — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 20:53:52 -0400

The first thing is to go blow a million dollars on just stuff to get it out of your system. I would likely stop after a vehicle, the house payoff, and others bills get paid off. Give to charities to offset the tax bill. Then, I would set a $400,000 limit on spending per year. How did I conclude this? I would take $1,000 for each day of the year, with a fudge factor of $35,000. I am more than sure my family and I can make it on that, and if we can't, there is something wrong.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2016 9:44 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 21:44:16 -0400

Update my will.

Response by CW5 Andrew J. Foreman made Jul 7 at 2016 10:29 PM

CW5 Andrew J. Foreman — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 22:29:49 -0400

I would not change a thing in my life for at least a month. The only thing I would do is get a lawyer to help me start setting things in motion. Step two, retire! Don't get me wrong I love being a Soldier but at that point it would be time to retire and donate my entire retirement paycheck to vets.

Response by SPC Kirk Gilles made Jul 7 at 2016 11:33 PM

SPC Kirk Gilles — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 23:33:13 -0400

Disappear.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2016 11:49 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 23:49:15 -0400

Make it rain!!! Just kidding. Put quarter in a college trust fund for my entire family, start a foundation for veterans in tech, Annuity for my kids, invest a quarter, establish a scholarship fund for military kids, crap ton of CPA and Lawyers, donate the rest.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jul 7 at 2016 11:53 PM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 23:53:06 -0400

Go to work like normal, Donate the max to my church and favorite charity so I would NOT have to pay taxes on it, and not tell anyone, put it in trust for my kids after paying off all my debts.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jul 8 at 2016 12:43 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 00:43:53 -0400

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL first would shout for joy and give thanks to God. Then I would ask my Lord and savior what I should do, who I should help and how best to use these unexpected riches.

Response by SGT Charles Cameron made Jul 14 at 2016 12:36 PM

SGT Charles Cameron — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 12:36:05 -0400

Rejoice!...and PRAY. Give thanks to God, and ask for His wisdom and guidance. Also...I know, the "Uncle Sugar" will take up to 50% in "taxes", but that's OK..."give unto Ceasar..." . The rest, well...investments, others in need (as directed by the Spirit). GET OUT OF CA. !

Response by MSgt J D McKee made Jul 14 at 2016 8:17 PM

MSgt J D McKee — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 20:17:32 -0400

1. Get knee-walking drunk. 2. Curse the IRS.

Response by Sgt Bruce C. made Jul 15 at 2016 5:43 PM

Sgt Bruce C. — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 17:43:21 -0400

you know its going to happen to someone, why not you

good luck to all