I won the lottery (a few years ago) AMA

[NCuserer]

NC for this as I remained anonymous, which was fairly pointless as I did tell some family and friends and it spread from there.

@FeelinSpendy

Do you think you look physically different now? I’ve always been fascinated by how a lot of people with money seem to have a sort of veil of wealth or ‘sheen’ to them. The same thing happens when people become famous and their image slowly becomes upgraded. Never been able to put a finger on what it is though - good skin/ expensive clothes/ good haircut etc.

No work stress or early morning alarm calls, I should imagine. Plenty of holidays getting waited on hand and foot, plus having a cleaner, time to keep fit etc, must really help.

If they are in private accounts the safeguard is a maximum of £85,000 under the FSCS as a PP mentioned. If the bank/building society went bust you would get that back.

In stocks and bonds, CIA's, unit trusts, you pay someone else to manage it for you and there's no limit how much. A reputable company takes about 1% but that's easily offset by the gains.
I only know all this because a relative of mine is in this field.

@Aloethere

Do you have a lot of fun? I feel like with so much money and no money worries you would have the space to have a lot of fun if that makes sense? What is the most fun thing that you have done since winning?

Most fun is the holidays. I've been on some amazing holidays

People always say that money doesn't buy happiness, but my theory is that money can buy happiness as it removes financial stress.

Would you say that your money has helped make you happier and improve your life ?
(please say yes - I run a lottery syndicate )

But seriously, OP, you won't have to touch your assets - you can get someone to do this. What kind of accountant is sitting back and allowing you to put £10m into such a low interest account? You can insist on ethical funds etc and you don't have to do anything yourself but basically if this is true you are giving Coutts or whoever the interest. Why would you do that?

What do you tell new partners about how you can self support yourself whilst volunteering. I get you’re not flash (except 50 mulberry!!) but partners must wonder?

@DansMaPoche

What countries are your holiday homes in?

Do you still have an old friends from before, who behave no differently with you? It must be impossible not to tell them as you can't keep all that wealth secret forever.

They are in Europe.

The 'old' friends I'm still in contact with are great. They don't treat me any differently

Wow well done you! What a relief it must have been knowing you and your son are set for life.

Very happy to see you fill your days volunteering. Seems nice people do win. Enjoy! Now if you could sprinkle some luck this way, that would be marvelous!

@Nononsense2

That's amazing! Congratulations. Can you wish me good luck too (just in case)?

She's used up all our luck

Congrats! You sound very grounded.

Did you ever feel like you had to help a family member? Or Did you establish boundaries quickly?

I think it’s really fab that you do lots of volunteering - I’d really like to spend my time that way too. I would worry a bit that wealth would come with responsibility, you sound very grounded and your son does too. Good luck to you !

@NCuserer I don’t have a question but just read your replies and wanted to wish you well for the future. What a lovely, grounded person you sound.

I would have done exactly what you’d have done (or id like to hope so!). Volunteering and more sleep sounds blissful.

Congratulations to you!

@HollowTalk

But seriously, OP, you won't have to touch your assets - you can get someone to do this. What kind of accountant is sitting back and allowing you to put £10m into such a low interest account? You can insist on ethical funds etc and you don't have to do anything yourself but basically if this is true you are giving Coutts or whoever the interest. Why would you do that?

I do have more than one account and other assets that I don't wish to mention.

I can't say I'm financially literate even after all these years but even if I lost all the money tomorrow I still have my assets and my home. I would be fine

No, I understand you can't say everything on here, and anyone in that position would never run out of money, but it's just such an incredible waste of money. It is literally giving the money to the banks.

@JesusInTheCabbageVan

Can I be massively nosy?

How much did you spend on your house? What's it like (luxurious mansion? Beautiful cottage with roses round the door?) What did it feel like house hunting when there's no limit on what you can spend?

Less than 800k. I'm not a mansion person, Ivictorian/edwardian/georgian is my type.

It was amazing not to have to worry but I didn't want to overspend and buy a house I don't need

@JesusInTheCabbageVan

How did your son react when you told him you'd won?

He was primary school age when I told so didn't fully comprehend. I didn't dramatically change his life. I want him to be as happy and as normal as possible

OP please tell us why it took 2 months to recieve the funds!

@HollowTalk

No, I understand you can't say everything on here, and anyone in that position would never run out of money, but it's just such an incredible waste of money. It is literally giving the money to the banks.

I would prefer not to have any money in the banks. I want to have physical assets but I just about cope with managing property. One of the best things about the pandemic was the ability to close my rentals. Maybe in a few years once my son has gone to uni I can make a greater commitment to investment. I'm not a natural businesswoman and money hasn't changed that

Congratulations! Have you begun collecting anything or spending on stuff you wouldn't have before? I'm happy with my life but know if I won the lottery I would buy a lot of art & antiques. Do you have a cleaner?

This is fascinating, and OP you sound lovely and down to earth.

I’d like to know if you give much to local charities? Like a roof for the village hall or new equipment for a sports team or schooI etc. think those are the kind of things I’d want to support if I was well off. Anonymously.

Great thread, OP!

I'm surprised at this bit:

I have less than £10 million left as my overseas property were expensive. Interest rates for private accounts are very low and can be less than 0.1%

I have no interest in stocks and bonds. I'm happy with managing my property abroad, thats takes up a lot of my time

I though the private bank and NL advisers would have you set up with something slightly better but still very safe.

My question is: are you holiday homes in Europe or further afield? Please feel free to ignore if that's too outing. I guess I'm trying to get at how often you're able to use them, really, so I suppose that's a better question.

OP what do you tell people when they ask 'what do you do?'

I guess if I was a new school mum friend of yours, I would assume that you had done well from the divorce settlement.

@Shelvesoutofbooks

OP please tell us why it took 2 months to recieve the funds!

I'll answer this now since its been asked so much. The National Lottery people were very thorough in their 'investigation'. I had to provide every single detail of purchase and then the lottery man visited soon after and discussed options, then a mountain of paperwork, then I took my time picking a bank. It could have taken less time but the lottery man said it takes an average of 1 to 2 months to receive the money

I'm also concerned that your money isn't as well invested as it should / could be and wonder why you don't still have financial advice.

I'd say book that cruise now with your son! It works really well with teenagers in my experience, giving a great balance of independence, activities and spending time together.

Congratulations on your win.

Do they give you any money prior to it all coming through?