Dear Powerball Winner: Take Our Advice and Take the Annuity

[Humanist_Activist]

65. I'd take the lump sum because I have plans for that money, and keeping most of it isn't part of...

that.

Pay off my and my Fiancee's debts.

Set it up so my Dad and MIL will never have to worry about money or shelter for the rest of their lives, Dad can retire early.

Help my Sister and BIL out of debt and troubles, set up college funds for the children.

Buy a house for me and the SO, not a huge mansion, but something dignified, with room for a library, we are both bookworms and already own enough books to fill out said library, oh and a dedicated playroom/man cave/game room, I'm such a dork, lol.

Use some of the money as capital to start a non-profit, whose primary focus will be on helping the homeless. This charity will be focusing on two primary areas, providing essentials(food, shelter, etc.) and then, with a partnership with local health care networks, provide comprehensive healthcare, with a focus on mental health.

I figured I could hire people to manage the non-profit in a way that I'm not an expert in. I was thinking of purchasing or having built an apartment building in a decent neighborhood for the purpose of providing apartments for the homeless, a permanent address, then have food provided as well. The only condition is that they would be required to see case workers and counselors to keep the apartments. Many homeless people have difficulty transitioning to permanent addresses, I've heard stories, and not judging them, but they need some type of counseling to transition.

Another charity I was thinking of is a comprehensive child care/day care network that would be at heavily discounted based on a sliding scale of income starting at 0 dollars and probably leveling off at 50 a month based on what's affordable. I find that many people do not like getting handouts at all, but will happily accept it if they pay something, as long as its affordable for them.

I have many other ideas, but you get the idea.

Thing is, I will have more than enough money to ensure that several people close to me never have to work again, including myself, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't work, just a different sort, and rather than working to try to and struggle to pay my own bills, it will be so I can pay other's bills instead.