Any Big Winners Here?

[Valid not Invalid]

Several years ago I was big into frisbee dog competitions, not so much because I could throw a disc that well but because I had a dog that never missed. In 2004 ESPN was hosting the great outdoor games and I let a friend of the club use my dog in the competition. They won the gold medal in the distance competition which included a $4200 check. The dog was awesome but so was the guy that I loaned her to. He split the check with me 50-50.

 

[marion10]

30 years ago, I noticed a work acquaintance spent a lot of money on vacations, new cars, audio equipment , etc. His wife didn’t work and I vaguely wondered if he was embezzling. Later he shared that his BIL had won 9 million in the lottery and split it 25% with his partner and then his sister ( my friend’s wife) and his parents each got 12.5%- paid in installments. After a few years, his BIL died and his share went to his sister and parents. My coworker told me he and his wife hadn’t saved a penny of it and weren’t sure what they were going to when the payments stopped. Sadly, their only daughter died in her early teens and my co- worker died in his early 50s. I don’t know if his widow is still alive.

 

[RunningBum]

Several years ago I was big into frisbee dog competitions, not so much because I could throw a disc that well but because I had a dog that never missed. In 2004 ESPN was hosting the great outdoor games and I let a friend of the club use my dog in the competition. They won the gold medal in the distance competition which included a $4200 check. The dog was awesome but so was the guy that I loaned her to. He split the check with me 50-50.

What, you didn't cut the dog in for 1/3?
That's a neat story.

A few of us were at a minor league soccer game years ago, and at halftime they choose a ticket at random to shoot at a small hole in a board covering the net, for $500 or $1000. Not that big but the above story reminds me of it.

One of the guys with us won it, and he really didn't want to do it, was wearing sandals and just knew he couldn't come close. I suggested he give the ticket to one of the kids of another friend. One of them was still playing HS soccer so he wasn't eligible, but the other was in college and no longer playing. Watching him while they got things set up, he just looked to me like a slacker, and I was disappointed that he didn't look like he was going to give it a good try. Then he stepped up and BOOM!, launched a line drive rocket that rattled the board no more than a foot outside the hole. Too bad he missed, but it was fun to see how close he got and hear the crowd reaction to it.

 

[audreyh1]

Stock options were a huge winner. Took 15 years to vest, purchase, go public and seriously appreciate, but still a big winner.

 

[Koolau]

DW won three days free in a hotel in Miami. We were planning to go there anyway. It turned out to be the high pressure breakfast to buy swamp land (a forerunner of timeshare). We had the continental breakfast and politely but firmly said no to the salesman and sales manager. Got our free stuff and left.

In the elevator, another couple had purchased! Unbeleivable.

We've done that 3 times and TWICE DW insisted on buying in! I talked her out of it BOTH times before the grace period was up.

I should have known better. BEFORE we were married, she bought a set of encyclopedias - and SHE realized it was a big mistake. We went to a shyster who said, "don't pay. You're getting married and will disappear. Offer to send the books back or you'll dump them in the trash." It worked. But she NEVER learned. I no longer let her see those offers. YMMV

 

[Maidensong]

We haven't ever won a "major award," but my DH's dad did once. They were saving up for a washer and dryer--the DH's mom had an old wringer washer and her dryer was a clothesline. About the same time, the DH's oldest sister started playing in band and needed a clarinet. My in-laws took their savings and bought the instrument. It was near Christmas, and a week later, the DH's dad won the grand prize offered by their bank for all their customers. You guessed it. The prize was a new washer and dryer!

 

[CowgirlUp]

Yes, I had a coworker win the lottery about 15 years ago. She won 11 million. After that she wasn’t my coworker anymore. Lol. As far as I know, she’s living happily ever after.

 

[Luvdogs]

Back in the mid 60's, my aunt won a church raffle for $1000. Even way back then, the crazies and losers tracked her down wanting money from her.

Then in 1973 my mom won a trip to Spain. It was from a radio station. You called in and the correct number caller won the 45, "Never Been to Spain"--the country version since it was a country station.

Then they put all the winning names together and drew the names of several grand prize winners on the radio. One was my mom.

I was on the phone with a friend at the time and my mom runs into my room yelling "WE WON A TRIP TO SPAIN!"

It was really cool, it was for six people and one of the people that went was my aunt that won the $1000.

I remember it was April 1 and we had a snow/ice storm on the east coast and our airport was one of few that was open in the northeast. Funny after I got to Spain, I got one of the worst sunburns ever!

 

[LV_Travel]

They Don't All Blow It and end up Broke !

20 years ago a neighbor in his 20's won over $45 million !!! After tax approx $25 mm. Was a young professional. Retired, married, lived the life of Reilly for a few years. Invested wisely. Went back to work out of boredom for a few years. Now retired again. Nice to see someone who didn't end up BK within 3 years.

 

[jollystomper]

Not a big winner but fun experience for me: We won $500 at a slot machine on our honeymoon trip many years ago. The machine only paid out $200 in coins, then an attendant came over and asked if we wanted the remaining $300 in casino chips or coins. DW immediately said cash please. I continued playing and of course proceeded to lose all the coins. I am sure glad that DW is not a gambler that night and we went home happy with $300 cash.

Reminds me of what happened on our honeymoon many years ago. Part of our package was a $25 credit at a nearby casino. We went there one evening, and DW said "we'll play the slots and leave when this runs out or in 15 minutes, whichever comes first". In 15 minutes we were up $100 - and DW said "okay, that's it!". I wanted to keep going, but DW stood firm and I was not about to challenge my new bride - a wise choice .

 

[aaronc879]

Always best to work out the numbers rather than jumping to a conclusion without working through them. Not going to apologize for disproving your point.

Nor should you

 

[nubill]

Does the Selective Service Lottery apply? My number was 33.

 

[Car-Guy]

Does the Selective Service Lottery apply? My number was 33.

33, that was rough from my POV.


The draft lottery was no doubt my biggest win by far... My number was 344, so there is a very real possibly that's why I'm still here and writing this today.

 

[Koolau]

Does the Selective Service Lottery apply? My number was 33.

Over 300 so I guess that was MY huge win for a lifetime - Much better than a "million dollar" wound. Thanks to all who did serve.

 

[BrianB]

About a year and a half ago we had a Mega Million ticket that was a $500 winner.

The day after the drawing our Daughter told us about her friend's mother, who had just lost her job & been diagnosed with breast cancer.

We tucked the ticket into a get-well card and gave it to her.

 

[rmcelwee]

Nothing ever impresses me but a co-worker won half (with his FIL) $600,000 in Draft Kings or some other kind of fantasy football pool. He said he has won around $700k total to date. Impressive skill...

Oh, when I was in high school in the 80's a guy in our old neighborhood won $7M in the Ohio State Lottery (if memory serves me right). I heard he was picked up for DUI that night. I think he had a severely handicapped child so good for him!

 

[Librarian]

Some years ago close family member won $50M-ish lottery.
They have enjoyed it, but not stupid. If you met them on the street you would never know!
529s for grandchildren.
Some shared with children, but not so much that they couldn't work.
Basically they will have comfortable retirement & should be able to leave a nice legacy to their children (the grandchildren) as well assuming they also are wise investors.
Too bad all winners aren't as wise!
For me--$1600 poker tournament win was the most I have won.

 

[harley]

Does the Selective Service Lottery apply? My number was 33.

I was a 33 too! But that was in 1974, a year after the end of the draft. I'll take that as a big win.

We've never won anything to speak of. However, when we were selling a house about 25 years ago the realtor had a contest going for people who came to the open house. A free trip to Yucatan for two. DW talked her sister into going to the open house to see what the realtor was saying and doing, and SIL won the trip. They had a great time, and we've still never been there. Funny the way things work sometimes.

 

[ownyourfuture]

My coulda, woulda, shoulda, big win.

In 1988, a friend who was a member of a local wildlife conservation club, talked me into buying a ticket to their annual dinner.
So 3 friends & I each bought a ticket ($100.00 each)

A new Ford truck was the grand prize that year.
Up until that year, the 1st name drawn won the grand prize.
For whatever reason, that year they decided to change it.

The 1st two names drawn got their 100$ back, & the 3rd name drawn got the truck.

You can figure out the rest

 

[aja8888]

33, that was rough from my POV.


The draft lottery was no doubt my biggest win by far... My number was 344, so there is a very real possibly that's why I'm still here and writing this today.

I don't remember my number, but I did get drafted and served 4 years.

 

[Koolau]

I don't remember my number, but I did get drafted and served 4 years.

Thank you again.