“The safest way to double your money is to fold it over once and put it in your pocket.”
~Kin Hubbard
If I had a dollar for every time I’ve been ribbed by loved ones over my affection for playing the lottery, I’d probably run right out and buy another handful of tickets. Many people agree that playing the lottery is foolish. I disagree.
As long as you know what you’re buying, I believe playing the lottery is one of the best things you can do with a dollar. I haven’t played in over a year. As much as I enjoy it, I do understand it’s a gamble, and this last year while sweating my mortgage, I would never allow myself to part with a dollar that could be used for family essentials.
And that’s just it – I’ve never viewed the lottery as the solution to a problem. I see it as cheap access to a sprawling dream.
When Cindy and I shared plenty of disposable income, I found that the single dollar spent on my Mega Million Lottery ticket each week was penny for penny about the best entertainment I could think of. For half the price of a Venti daily drip, I could spend a half week dreaming of a better life for me and everyone I love.
And I had every right to that dream because I was willing to lay my dollar down.
I was never disappointed that I didn’t win, only happy for the chance to dream.
I don’t believe anyone should play the lottery with money they do not have, but I do believe there are far worse ways to spend a dollar. A penny for your thoughts is reasonable, but ginormous dreams for an extra 99 is a pretty good deal as well.
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About Sean Platt
I agree that the dream of winning is pleasurable. I'm playing catch up, though. Our state has only had the lottery since October and I'm spending about $10 a week. If we weren't able to afford it, though, I wouldn't do it. I do only play power-ball or mega millions — whichever one has the highest payout at the time I buy.
Ha, that's exactly how I play, either the regular California or the Mega Millions – whichever's larger when I'm gonna buy a ticket. And yes, the dividing line is whether or not you can truly afford it.
Nice to see you, Mike. :)
My husband used to play a little, but then a funny thing happened. I won $100 from a radio contest and asked him how he wanted to spend it. He said on lottery tickets. I shook my head, but agreed. After scrapping 100 tickets and only winning 50 or 60 bucks back, he's rarely bought a ticket since. The physical exercise of watching 100 “dreams of big wins” leave him poorer than when he started tarnished his desire to try that route again.
That is a sad, hysterical story.
I'm laughing and shaking my head in unison.
So, um, thanks for that! :)
Well said Sean. It's good to see someone with a healthy outlook and gambling sensibly. Of course, when you do win, remember your supportive Welsh friend won't you? ;)
I'd never forget!
Not to worry, Sean! Greg still cheers on his parents' lottery endeavors. He can dream that they will win big on the drawing and share the wealth with their kids.
That's win/win!
Sean: This is the most compelling justification I've seen for playing the lottery. As long as you know why you're doing it and have no regrets, it is money well spent.
But, really: not even a tiny bit of disappointment… ever? :)
Oh yeah, well, sure. I'm a *little* disappointed. :)
Very interesting perspective about playing the Lottery.
Thanks!
I am so not a hater on this. The risk to reward ration is so ridiculous as to be awesome. And let's face it. Most Americans don't believe solely in a universe that operates on chance.
(hug!!!)
Awesome, Hayden. And wonderful to see your smile. :)
(hug!!!)
Awesome, Hayden. And wonderful to see your smile. :)
I figure it's worth a dollar's entertainment, to be able to daydream about “What if?” for one more week.
Exactly. If you think of the lottery as a chance to win millions of dollars it's a pretty lousy proposition. Think of it as entertainment and it's a bargain!
Dream big I always say, you never know what you may get. All the talk about dreams without goals aside, it is so much fun to plan out the winnings, the day, the immidiate holiday after picking up the fat cheque, the way it will affect our life and generations to come, others – oh hubs and I have had so many fun talks over this very topic. It's fun to include the kids too and see where therir ideas land. Recently my sons dream went from 'could I have a million of my own?' to 'I could buy a helicopter and fly us places'. I said what about school, and he figured we could hire a tutor…
Yeah, who needs school when you have lottery winnings? And I'm not even being sarcastic. You can travel the world and learn through adventure. I guarantee you'd get more that way then you would in a classroom.
:)
Nice article… makes sense… The same principle actually applies to may things and situations like buying a home. Never spend money that you don't have.
Exactly. Spend what you don't have, regret it later. Pretty much aways and without fail.
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