There are a lot of things on various threads that people spend money on which surprise me. Actually, I can go shopping in any store and wonder how something sells.
Everyone is an individual, that’s how. With all extra spending money we each get to choose what to do with it. If we all chose the same thing, life would be boring.
It’s okay if fantasies via lottery tickets aren’t someone’s fancy. It’s also ok if they are.
Our chances of winning were zero. But now that we bought 10 tickets, our chances of winning… are… not statistically different from zero. I believe there is a higher probability of becoming a billionaire by Warren Buffet randomly calling me on the phone and giving me the money vs me winning this lottery. Oh well…
Statistics never apply to the individual. They only apply to groups.
No one of the oodles on here (or say, even in my state) is likely to win, yet for someone out there (overall), sooner or later, there will be a winner. That much is fact.
I can’t say I believe Warren Buffet randomly calling someone out there and giving his fortune away is even remotely fact.
More people will be bit by dogs and get into car crashes, but generally those aren’t “lotteries” people are spending money on with dreams. 
One is statistically more likely to “win” with oodles of other things too - casinos, dog/horse tracks, smaller lottery deals, but win so much for so little (assuming one isn’t waiting in lines and using up time)? Not at all likely - or probably even possible considering I don’t recall any casino with such a big prize. Playing the lottery all the time figuring that “some day” or assuming it as a retirement plan is a totally different issue. My mom has won larger amounts some times at the casino, but overall it’s definitely a net loss. Nonetheless it’s her money and her life. Her bills are paid, so if she gets enjoyment out of it, enjoy! What bores me is somehow fun for her. We’re all different in what we like.
I live in a state where you can’t stay anonymous if you win. SO when I win, I plan to give the ticket to a dear friend who has great values, have her give me $5 million of it…and then wish her luck!
I don’t think many people now buying the tickets seriously think they have a chance of winning. It’s more for the entertainment value of talking about it and just dreaming.
I don’t understand why people buy new cars. I don’t understand why people buy alcohol in restaurants. I don’t understand why people spend a thousand dollars on a handbag. Different strokes for different folks.
I’m pretty sure I am going to win tonight. Unfortunately I will immediately have a heart attack and die. The housekeeper at my hotel tomorrow morning will find my dead body clinching the winning ticket. I am at a hotel in Overland Park, so if you happen to be a hotel maid, check my cold hand in the morning.
FAFSA is a point in time. Just submit right now and you can win later tonite.
I thought if I could spend &35 on my nails today, I could a few tickets. But when I stopped at the market, the line was at least half hour. Too bad
I’ve avoided the heart attack at night deal. I’m just going to keep dreaming until tomorrow morning - not even paying attention to the actual drawing tonight.
Sometime tomorrow or perhaps Sunday I’ll remember to actually check the numbers - though I’m sure the news will inform me that no one in PA actually won, so the hype will be off by then.
I know people who drop $1,500 on a Louis purse and $600 on a Louis wallet without blinking an eye and they’re are NOT rich (and not their first Louis purchase).
So yeah, a lot of people don’t understand the spending habits of others but to each their own!
I could have easily spent my $20 on Chipotle or Starbucks but I figure I saved myself some calories.
Good luck to all!! But especially to me and my crew
“SO when I win, I plan to give the ticket to a dear friend who has great values, have her give me $5 million of it…and then wish her luck!”
I have really great values. 
Can I be your friend? $-) :-bd [-O<
Interesting tidbit:
“Last week’s Mega Millions jackpot winner may have been in California, but when it comes to selling the most winning tickets, New York walks away with the top prize.
Residents of the state have won the lottery game’s jackpot a whopping 35 times in the last 16 years, ahead of even California, which sold the winning ticket 30 times in its 13 years of participation in the game.”
New Jersey is 3rd
https://abcnews.go.com/US/states-mega-millions-jackpot-winners/story?id=56807874
Whoever ends up winning it will be thrilled that they were so delusional.
My strategy is to buy one ticket and then buy a couple of the lowest lottery game tickets. No one else is buying them so my odds are up!
HI @Marilyn, I was leaving the strip mall where I had an appointment. There is a 7/11 on the corner of the mall; the parking lot was packed and people were jockeying to get my spot!
I buy tickets because I can afford $4 now; couldn’t afford it when I was young and, later, in college. I buy them because my father, who worked so hard to earn $4 when I was growing up, could never spare $4.
I also tip all of the young people who serve me at restaurants because they work so hard. Is it throwing away money? No, I don’t believe so. It reminds me of how hard my parents and my children worked at their restaurant jobs and relied on tips from strangers. When I’m at Subway, getting my chopped salad, I tip the workers more than I pay in $2 lotto tickets.
Just playing for fun!
The winners always come from New York and New Jersey.
“The lottery is a tax on people that are bad at math.” ~unknown (by me)
I never play but I bought 3 powerballs and one mega millions here in Georgia. It’s fun to dream.
^^^ And some of us don’t mind paying taxes when we know what they go for. This goes beyond the lottery, of course. I’m pretty partial to enjoying various roads, schools, and police protection among other things too.
It definitely beats knowing my money is going to individuals who are already well into the Top 1% when I buy things (or experiences) though some of it goes there occasionally too.
I bought two of each, at two different places, no lines at either place. i also belong to a casual pool of attorneys I know from court. If we win, there are going to be a lot of unrepresented clients, lol! Actually, I wouldn’t stop working right away, at least not until I figured out health insurance.
@FallGirl I love your post, I bought a ticket for each big lottery (although married to a lottery regular). He won $2,500 once. Back to your realtor in Manhattan, I was looking at NY real estate earlier tonight. But I would love a country home. We’ve watched too many MIllion Dollar Listing NY episodes. And I’m one @MaineLonghorn just mentioned As someone else said, different strokes!