I just noticed that tonight on 20/20 they are talking about lottery winners whose lives got worse after winning. I find this fascinating. It might be fun to watch and meet back later to talk about it.

Curse of the Jackpot

Another reason I'm happy not to be rich. :D

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I got to see a few minutes of it...it looked more like a curse of stupidity. I hope I would be able to keep my wits about me if I ever came into money like that.

I just read the article, and.. Um yea he was stupid. I can understand wanting to help people, but donate clothing and food to shelters or new uptodate equipment to medical centers. Give a large donation to cancer research. Set up a college fund for your granddaughter. Buying people cars and everything - it sounds like he WANTED to be everyone's Santa Claus. Probably made him feel even richer and more powerful than he already was before he won the lottery (his business was a multi-millionaire one as it was). It's sad - so much could have been done with all of that money. Even 10% of that could have changed so many lives for the better.

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I agree with the assumption that its a curse of stupidity in a way but I also don't believe everyone who wins is that stupid.I think people who win are immediately put under alot of stress(esp the BIG winners)Some people can handle that and some can't so I do have some sympathy that way I guess.

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I saw that segment. The guy made some terrible decisions; giving a 17-year-old $2,000 a week, drinking too much, cheating on his wife, etc. I think that money amplifies the good AND bad in people.

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I would never be that stupid with money, whether I won it or not. I couldn't believe reading the granddaughter's allowance. I have been a single mother for 2 1/2 years now and make a little more than that a MONTH. How weird it would be to have that a week. I would be saving it for sure. The guy seems to have been hit over the head with the "stupid stick". All that money could have gone for soooooooo much more in life. It is crazy thinking about how the world is these days. Now what does he have to show for any of it?

I finally got around to watching the segment.

For those who didn't see it.
Jack wins over $300 million the largest Powerball ever.
He has a good business and a good marriage.
He has has one dd and one granddaughter (age 17) who he loves very much, talks to her on the phone every day, takes her on vacations.

He wins the lottery.
He gives away enough money to build two large churches.
He sets up a foundations where people can apply for funds if they are in need.
Suddenly after 20 years of good business 20 people take out lawsuits against him because they want his money.
He buys four cars for granddaughter and gives her $2000 a week allowance. She then gets her first boyfriend and starts buying him a lot of stuff. Then they get into drugs. Boyfriend overdoses and dies. Granddaughter goes missing and is found dead.
Jack begins to drink heavily.
He starts going to strip clubs, making passes at women, getting into fights.
His wife kicks him out.
In the end he has no-one and he says, "I don't even like Jack anymore. I wish we had ripped up the ticket."
He would give it all back just to have his granddaughter back.

Very sad and very eye opening. Life isn't about money. It's about relationships. He would do things differently next time. The sad thing was he was motivated by love. Others were motivated by greed. If I ever come into money, I'm keeping it a secret! (as much as I can).

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That is so sad. More people should realize that life is not all about money.

I personally fel bad for ppl who win.Yeah it would be nice to have all the bills paid off and a new house.BUT everyone trys to be your friend even if you didn't know them and they wouldn't give you the time of day before your winning.


Samantha