Caught up in the crowd

[billmayo]

While shopping last week at Winne Dixie, I noticed people standing around the customer service register. Someone passing by commented that everyone was buying Florida PowerBall lottery tickets with the jackpot at 900 million and climbing. So 5 quick picks later, I joined the crowd. No winner last night again. I got 2 numbers in the same line is all that matched. Now they estimate it to climb to 1.3 billion by the next drawing. So I guess I have to try again to see if I can have success beating the 292,000,000 to 1 odds. I have had 2 success wins with life on betting the odds already so who knows.

[BuckeyeDennis]

Whatcha gonna do with all that money, Bill?

If buying used Shopsmiths, I calculate that the world would run out of machines, before you run out of money!

[cooch366]

A group of us at the station (20) each put in $5.00. And...

Missed a million by ONE number. 36,000 each. Maybe not enought to retire but could have helped feed the addiction.

FWIW we won 104.00.

Oh well, there is always Wednesday.

[wa2crk]

Impossible odds if I buy a ticket but what the odds if I don't put my name in the hat?
Bill V

[oldiron]

What a chunk of money. After helping my local charities and family, I think I would start a shopsmith museum... See how many of the wonderful machines could be compiled under one roof...

I never play the lottery however, I think I'm going to purchase a ticket for Wednesday nights drawing!

Mike

[Bruce]

Although I confess to buying a few Powerball tickets recently with the jackpot being so high, I generally subscribe to Dave Ramsey's point of view. The lottery is for the poor and those people that can't do math.

[Ed in Tampa]

Local News station did a report on past winners. Almost to a person their lives have been destroyed
Best one I heard was the woman that won and was picketed by parents of sick children that wanted $1 million each to help their kids. Between them and the press the winner looked like a heartless hoarder that would not give 1 million to save the kids. Then the relatives demanded money and refused they filed false claims of child abuse. The lottery winner won the trials but between the relatives and the parents of sick children they received death threats every day.

Live like hermits with little or no outside connection. Can't go anywhere without some hack photographer chasing them and telling everyone they are the lottery winners that let children die.

I hope none of this happens to any of you that might win.

[jsburger]

I don't gamble and even if I did I would have to drive to Wyoming to get a ticket. I really have no interest in it at all nor does my wife. Although she has been known to gamble a little. When we go to Wendover, NV over night for a concert she sets a $20 limit in the casino. When the $20 is gone she quits. Sometimes she wins so that is OK.

[tomsalwasser]

While shopping last week at Winne Dixie

Winne Dixie and Publix are both really nice grocery stores that we don't have in Minnesota. We shop there whenever we are fortunate enough to be in Florida during the winter.

[artman60]

I played my customary 3 quick picks. If I win, I'm still buying a Shopsmith (I'd have a whole lot of time available to learn it).