In addition to the 5 tickets I bought yesterday, I got in on the 10+ year office pool today for 2 more tickets. It was fun to talk about what we’d do with the money if we all won. Funny thing is that our department would be almost non-existent the next day if we won.
Tonight, I veered off my normal route home to go to an obscure liquor store to buy 3 more tickets thinking the little known stores in the boondocks always produce a winning ticket. Jackpot is now $970 million. There’s talk that tomorrow’s rush to buy might crash the system!
My point was that a high jackpot doesn’t make it a favorable bet. Even with the maximum jackpot allowed under the Mega Millions rules, it’s still a lousy bet with a high effective house edge, a higher house edge than nearly any casino would use in their games. It’s essentially a state tax for making unwise investments. That said, if you are really dead set on spending $2 on something with a high potential payout, there are plenty of options that don’t involve spending money on traveling to a casino, such as micro-investing apps and online casinos.
My total investment is $20 and I don’t mind it at all. I’ve blown more than $20 in less than 30 min on slots; this $20 MIGHT lead to a life altering event. As the saying goes “Someone’s gotta win.” $-)
P.S. If I do win you can bet that I wouldn’t post about it anywhere!
I will buy one. My husband works very hard, and very long days. His corporate job plus his own business. He is getting older and it’s really taking a toll on him. I’d love to win so he could stop working. We work to pay the bills, tuitions, retirement savings, and healthcare. It would be nice to be able to do something else. I also have an aging mom and it would be so nice not to worry and know everything for her would be all set.
I wouldn’t be able to post on the 1% not feeling rich thread because I’d have nothing to add. I’d feel rich.
Casinos bore me. My mom loves them, so has dragged us along a couple of times even in otherwise exciting areas like the Bahamas or Niagara Falls. I’ve yet to see how they interest anyone (but to each our own).
This $10 was quick and easy to spend as part of a grocery shopping trip. No line. No wait. And I still got to bring home my bread, veggies, and lamb for dinner.
Instead of the % taken out going to wealthy casino owners helping them be able to post (or not) on the 1% thread, my money goes to the state to assist older folks with medical needs. It’s a far worthier donation to me. There’s an actual dream bought with these tickets too - no dream at the casino (or dog track which we do enjoy when in a dog racing area).
I would definitely buy a ticket if a kid came to my door selling them. Not sure if I have the motivation to actually go out and buy one. Wait a sec… wife said she is going out to buy some gas. I will tell HER to buy one! (Just checked. It’s up to $1 billion.
Oh, my gosh, I am honestly shocked. I just do not get it AT ALL why people would waste money on one of these tickets. Your chances of getting struck by lightning are SO much greater than winning this thing. It’s not dreaming - it’s delusional. I hate seeing those “dreaming” ads on TV.
