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Algernon Moncrieff

(5,790 posts)
Fri Jul 29, 2022, 01:52 PM Jul 2022

Are you buying a MegaMillions ticket (or two) (or more) today?

Yes, it's throwing dollar bills into a wishing well. But I wouldn't mind becoming an instant multimillionaire.


34 votes, 1 pass | Time left: Time expired
Yes
23 (68%)
No
11 (32%)
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Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll
34 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Are you buying a MegaMillions ticket (or two) (or more) today? (Original Post) Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2022 OP
5 + 5 powerball underpants Jul 2022 #1
Even if you split it with half a million people... ret5hd Jul 2022 #4
$2 for a chance to win enough to buy a politician?? Why not. IA8IT Jul 2022 #2
I bought two. Archae Jul 2022 #3
If it keeps going up, somebody might net a billion after taxes Shermann Jul 2022 #5
I once worked for a man who was a giant in the field on decision science MissMillie Jul 2022 #6
This is exactly how we do it ok_cpu Jul 2022 #16
Exactly. One ticket. alphafemale Jul 2022 #18
There's also the perception of playing a part in a story Shermann Jul 2022 #23
No, I've already been hit by lightning..... lastlib Jul 2022 #7
yes and everyone else can stop wasting their money zappaman Jul 2022 #8
Not me. I am worried about the inflationary pressure that increased prosperity brings. Midnight Writer Jul 2022 #9
Yep DakotaSnow Jul 2022 #10
My wife and I discussed it and rejected the idea on the off chance that we might win. Chainfire Jul 2022 #11
I bought 2 tickets dflprincess Jul 2022 #12
Normally, I don't, but it's my 77th birthday today, so I bought one ticket. MineralMan Jul 2022 #13
Happy Birthday! DakotaSnow Jul 2022 #15
Happy Birthday and good luck, MM! Totally Tunsie Jul 2022 #19
HBTY!! Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2022 #26
Currently at $1.28 Billion ($747 Million single payout) brooklynite Jul 2022 #14
Dont waste your money bottomofthehill Jul 2022 #17
Hell no. lpbk2713 Jul 2022 #20
Not today - can't get out. Totally Tunsie Jul 2022 #21
Yea I bought 2 tickets yesterday ArnoldLayne Jul 2022 #22
No, there was a line at the grocery store mnhtnbb Jul 2022 #24
Sure. It's never gonna happen for me, but the dream is fun. herding cats Jul 2022 #25
No not today, bought two yesterday. Emile Jul 2022 #27
No, the notoriety of being the winner of such a huge jackpot would suck. demmiblue Jul 2022 #28
I wouldn't turn the ticket in until the day before the deadline. About six months. jimfields33 Jul 2022 #30
Hell NO!!! LiberalFighter Jul 2022 #29
I just bought two Deep State Witch Jul 2022 #31
Only if shanti Jul 2022 #32
A buddy of mine wanted to play ten bucks... 2naSalit Jul 2022 #33
This message was self-deleted by its author IcyPeas Jul 2022 #34

Shermann

(7,413 posts)
5. If it keeps going up, somebody might net a billion after taxes
Fri Jul 29, 2022, 02:00 PM
Jul 2022

There is some interesting psychology behind these big jackpots. The odds of winning haven't increased, just the jackpot amount. The typical $100 million or so is still a pretty damn good return on that $2 investment. But for many, that just doesn't pique any interest. But a $1 billion return on that $2? Now we're talking!

MissMillie

(38,556 posts)
6. I once worked for a man who was a giant in the field on decision science
Fri Jul 29, 2022, 02:01 PM
Jul 2022

(also game theory and negotiations... but, anyway)

He told me that if you must spend money for a ticket, it's important that you realize that you are paying for the excitement that you *MIGHT* beat the astronomically overwhelming odds.

You're buying the thrill.

He also recommended buying only one ticket. If one ticket represents a 1 in 13,000,000 chance at winning, then doubling your odds by purchasing two tickets still only gets you 2 chances in 13,000,000 at winning.

Everyone in the department calls lottery tickets a tax on people who are bad at math.

ok_cpu

(2,051 posts)
16. This is exactly how we do it
Fri Jul 29, 2022, 02:20 PM
Jul 2022

We buy one ticket when the jackpot is high enough that the daydream is worth $2.

 

alphafemale

(18,497 posts)
18. Exactly. One ticket.
Fri Jul 29, 2022, 02:23 PM
Jul 2022

I feel really bad people who are spending extra money they don't have on this fantasy.

Shermann

(7,413 posts)
23. There's also the perception of playing a part in a story
Fri Jul 29, 2022, 02:55 PM
Jul 2022

You have your water cooler conversations and DU threads and local news stories, the $2 gets you a seat at the table

zappaman

(20,606 posts)
8. yes and everyone else can stop wasting their money
Fri Jul 29, 2022, 02:02 PM
Jul 2022

the clerk told me I definitely bought the winning ticket, so sorry everybody

Midnight Writer

(21,760 posts)
9. Not me. I am worried about the inflationary pressure that increased prosperity brings.
Fri Jul 29, 2022, 02:04 PM
Jul 2022

Besides, I would never be able to pay the taxes, as this windfall would put me into a higher bracket.

dflprincess

(28,075 posts)
12. I bought 2 tickets
Fri Jul 29, 2022, 02:11 PM
Jul 2022

Accepting that what I've bought is a couple hours of day dreaming. But I've wasted more money on worse things.

MineralMan

(146,294 posts)
13. Normally, I don't, but it's my 77th birthday today, so I bought one ticket.
Fri Jul 29, 2022, 02:11 PM
Jul 2022

Random pick, but we'll see, eh?

I'm not planning what to do with the money yet, though.

Totally Tunsie

(10,885 posts)
21. Not today - can't get out.
Fri Jul 29, 2022, 02:28 PM
Jul 2022

I did buy for the last two drawings without luck, even though I specifically asked the store clerk for "three winning numbers". She failed me.

I'll just have to let someone else get lucky today.

mnhtnbb

(31,388 posts)
24. No, there was a line at the grocery store
Fri Jul 29, 2022, 03:05 PM
Jul 2022

when I was there yesterday, so I skipped buying a ticket. I was going to buy one, but I figured someone in line had just bought " the one".

demmiblue

(36,849 posts)
28. No, the notoriety of being the winner of such a huge jackpot would suck.
Fri Jul 29, 2022, 04:11 PM
Jul 2022

I want to be the person who wins the following, lesser jackpot. Let the billionaire take all the heat!

jimfields33

(15,793 posts)
30. I wouldn't turn the ticket in until the day before the deadline. About six months.
Fri Jul 29, 2022, 04:59 PM
Jul 2022

Then the following day, I’d go on a 6 month world cruise. By then there will be some other interesting story to talk about. I really think that is the best outcome from new winners.

2naSalit

(86,598 posts)
33. A buddy of mine wanted to play ten bucks...
Fri Jul 29, 2022, 06:04 PM
Jul 2022

Never played the lottery before so I had to show him how. There was nobody waiting while we were there.

I got a few yesterday, I always try to guess the #s even when I don't actually buy a ticket. I'd kick myself if I guessed the #s and didn't play for pot this big.

Response to Algernon Moncrieff (Original post)

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