As the mother of a teenage son who likes hip hop music, I’ve heard Travie McCoy’s song, “Billionaire” so many times that I can’t get the lyrics out of my head: “I wanna be a billionaire so fricking bad. Buy all the things I never had.”
What I love most about the song – besides the catchy tune – is the way the lead vocalist from “Gym Class Heroes,” talks about helping other people with his money – granting someone’s last wish and helping Katrina victims.
I’ve watched with fascination the TLC program, “The Lottery Changed My Life,” knowing that financial experts say 70 percent of people burn through their lottery winnings in just a few short years. After winning the lottery big, some people become obsessed with spending and end up broke.
How would winning the lottery change your life? For me, I think winning the lottery and going from rags to riches would not change me at my core. But here are five ways winning the lottery would definitely change my surroundings and every day life:
No. 1: I’d tell my mom to retire from her job as a librarian so she could take some time to write the children’s books she always wanted to write. My mom loves to play the lottery and is also dreaming about how winning the lottery would change our lives. As a writer myself, I’d continue to work – focusing on topics I enjoy when I go from rags to riches.
No. 2: I’d buy our family’s old home in White Hall, Md., offering the current owners a sweet deal. I’d have the home completely renovated including adding a deck and windows with sweeping views of the beautiful backyard where my mom used to bird watch. Since my father passed away and my siblings scattered throughout the country, I think the home would give my mother comfort.
No. 3: I’d hire a personal Thai chef to make me healthful meals that will help me stay trim. I’d also hire a cleaning service, personal assistant, massage therapist, gardener and personal trainer. I’d make sure such expenses fit into a written budget.
No. 4: To avoid being in the 70 percent category of lottery winners who squander their fortune, I’d give a percentage to charity/the church and invest much of the winnings in the stock market. I would avoid gold which is selling at unsustainable high levels.
No. 5: I would not just give my teenage children a huge sum of money or spoil them after winning the lottery, but would invest in their business ideas, education or real estate. I’d do the things that would further their goals to be self-sufficient and hard workers because ultimately I would not want winning the lottery to kill their ambitions.
After winning the lottery, I’d still be me – just more popular!
