Cost of Hope
As you probably well know, Mega Millions has reached a record jackpot of $540 million. Yes, $540,000,000. If you need to pause read this to buy a ticket or 20, go ahead. I'll excuse you this time. But I'm relying on you to come back! For those people who don't buy tickets, I fully comprehend why since the odds of winning is 1 in 175 million.
For those people who don't understand why people do buy lottery tickets, it's for the chance of winning the outrageous amount of money of course. But for me, it's more than just that. It's the emotional roller-coaster that it brings. After buying the ticket, I'm full of hope. More and more hope builds up right until the drawing of the numbers, lasting a day or so. Usually, it ends with disappointment (not this time though) and looking at the ticket for 5 minutes. Then, my life continues like it normally does. Being optimistic as always, I look at buying a lottery ticket as buying hope and usually a better mood. Being in a peppy mood is priceless, right?
The most frequent question that comes with this record jackpot is: What would you do with that much money?
First of all, I wouldn't quit my job like most people would. I would continue to live my life as usual (Why change something I love), at least for the first couple months. This way, I will avoid going on a crazed shopping spree. It would help me avoid the "More Money, More Problem" issue people that have a fortune seem to have. The most important aspect of life is family and friends. So naturally, they will be the first to benefit from the money. Without getting into the details, life would be amazing. And for those who think I would live a ridiculously luxurious life, you're wrong. I've set limits in which I will by, learning from stories and experiences of others. It's not about what you have but who you have it to share it with.
One thing I would get if I did win the lottery, the Xbox Kinect. I've been eye-ing it for some time now!
Countless numbers of people will buy lottery tickets in hope to change their lives forever. Some will buy tickets in a group at work in order to have a greater chance to win the giant jackpot. Whether the winning party's lives change for better or worse, it'll solely be up to them.