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Sun 11 Jul, 2004 12:37 am
Who plays the lottery? Wait, I should rephrase that. Who needlessly throws their money away for no good reason, under the ridiculous assumption that they might actually win the lottery?
I'm here to tell you to stop it. Stop it right now. It's dumb, and it's only going to make it that much harder for you to retire someday. If you are already retired, then why don't you spend your money on something fun and worthwhile, like a cruise, or cigarettes?
In the state of Texas it is not dumb to play the lottery. In the couple of years before it was instated, politicians were agitating for a state income tax. Once the Lotto came into play they quieted down. I believe that so long as they get enough off of us that way the income tax is a dead issue. That was my initial reason for playing. I have won back several thousand dollars of it; that's money I would not see again through a tax.
You won? My god, I've never met a person that won more than about fourteen bucks. I think you are the rare (and extremely lucky) exception.
See, that's just the kind of story that encourages people. Stop it.
well, true.
So, lottery , casinos etc used as a form of financing the country. But how about the addicted gamblers? That mean for they the loss of one's livelihood
I'm aware that the Texas lotto was originally set up so a person would have a good shot at winning about once every 700 years. Then they added the bonus ball and increased the odds against us by many more times.
The money I have gotten back was $1200 plus three or four times, $580 a number of times, $900 once, a hundred here, a hundred there. About five months ago I won $680 and less than a week later another $690. I really shouldn't be posting this, because it gives the reader a mistaken impression that winning is easy. I play a few dollars a day six days a week - BUT! I always tell folks that's my cigarette and alcohol money, since I no longer smoke or drink.
I will not stop playing and I don't appreciate you telling me that I'm stupid!
I didn't say you were stupid. I said what you're doing is stupid. :wink: Now stop it!
Oh well, that's different. Sorry!
Hey, I don't invest much money on the lottery, but the thrill of knowing I could be the one is worth it for me. I don't spend money on going out to eat, going to bars or clubs, etc..., so I blow a few bucks a week on a slim chance of being rich. I know some people go overboard, but I'm not one of them. I'm a dreamer, so what can I say.
Playing the lottery is not a smart way to spend one's hard earned money. The people who can least afford to play are precicely the ones you see every Friday evening spending half their paycheck at the lottery window. Just look at successful business people/people who have wealth. They never play the lottery. That money you spend on the lottery can serve you better in the long run if you invest it.
You Gotta Play To Lose
When I first started working on the Platform, I was the only American along with a handfull of Brits. Initially, they weren't too sure about this Bloody Yank who would be working with them. There's 10 of us who play the British Lottery together in a pool. This year's ante is 84 pounds each to play 11 numbers twice a week. When they asked me if I wanted to join them in the pool I jumped at the chance - not in any expectation of hitting the big one, but as a way to show that I'm just one of the chaps along with them.
But I must admit, when I'm home on holiday the missus and I do spend a few quid on the Arizona lottery, once in awhile (egads - now I'm even talking like them).
British lottery started about 10 years ago, my wife and I do £5 per week= £260 per annum= £2600 over 10 years + interest if it had been in a building society I dunno say £3000, it does seem pretty dumb when you consider that your chances of winning are about the same as being struck by lightning.
However, a mathematician has worked out that you are certain to win if you play every week providing that you live until you are 770,000 years old, so lets not get despondent :wink:
It's a tax on the mathematically disadvantaged.
On the other hand... if the jackpot gets big, I'll sink a buck or three into the lottery. I don't expect to win, but my meager contribution earns me the right to dream and play the 'what would I do with a large pile of money?' game for a few hours.
And that's worth the price of admission... once in a while.
Every once in a while I'll buy scratch tickets if I'm already having a day that makes me feel like a loser.
Over the years I've played the lottery off and on and the most I've ever won at one time is $100.00.
One of the oddest things about players is the idea that (no offense to those who do this) it is only worth it to play the lotto when it gets really big. As if the smaller pots are chump change. At its smallest you're still talking millions, fer chrissake.
kickycan wrote:Who plays the lottery? Wait, I should rephrase that. Who needlessly throws their money away for no good reason, under the ridiculous assumption that they might actually win the lottery?
I'm here to tell you to stop it. Stop it right now. It's dumb, and it's only going to make it that much harder for you to retire someday. If you are already retired, then why don't you spend your money on something fun and worthwhile, like a cruise, or cigarettes?
Do I sense a sort of frustration here? And, how much money did you lose kickycan? :wink:
edgarblythe wrote:One of the oddest things about players is the idea that (no offense to those who do this) it is only worth it to play the lotto when it gets really big. As if the smaller pots are chump change. At its smallest you're still talking millions, fer chrissake.
My thoughts exactly, Edgarblythe. And when it's a smaller pot, with fewer players, if you win, you're more likely to win it ALL instead of having to split it with all the other winners.
General Tsao
Rick d'Israeli wrote:kickycan wrote:Who plays the lottery? Wait, I should rephrase that. Who needlessly throws their money away for no good reason, under the ridiculous assumption that they might actually win the lottery?
I'm here to tell you to stop it. Stop it right now. It's dumb, and it's only going to make it that much harder for you to retire someday. If you are already retired, then why don't you spend your money on something fun and worthwhile, like a cruise, or cigarettes?
Do I sense a sort of frustration here? And, how much money did you lose kickycan? :wink:
I lost it all, my friend. I live in a refridgerator box now. It's a sad day in Kickytown.
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