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.

do you still buy a ticket?

@HoneyHope

I’m a bit disappointed that you didn’t help out family more, instead falling out. I’d rather family were all supported with debts and mortgages paid, and a new car. Then choose not to keep in touch, but I’d rather people had a helping hand for a change in their lives

I don’t see much to praise here really.

You've no idea what the OP's family situation it!

And where does it sto? How much?

Your mum, dad, brothers and sisters, their children.... their partners? Your aunts and uncles? Cousins? Your cousins children? You mum's god daughter and her kid and new partner? More to the side of the family you actually see?

And how much? £50k? £100k? £500k? £1m?!?!? How do you grade it?

People are NEVER happy with what you give them. I can see the AIBU threads now.. "great aunt twice removed won £14m on the lottery and only gave me £50k AIBU or is she a mean cow?"

You day you fell out with a lot of family and didn't give away much

Why is that.?

I have always said if I won I'd keep 1 million for myself and give the rest to family an friends

Why didn't you want to change there lives to.?

I find it a bit strange you didn't share. Was there a reason for this

Surely 14 million is far too much for one small family.

Good for you. ! But two months to see the money put in bank is too long. Anyway if you’re looking to give to any charities, please consider pdsa and cats protection. I alway thought those would be the ones I’d give to first if I ever won. Then I’d open a donkey sanctuary!

bollingh

I agree!
Every single person I know who has any sort of wealth has Tax Advisers and Accountants.
It is impossible to navigate financial affairs without them because the more money you have the more complicated it is.

Having £10million in 'a private bank' is the equivalent of sticking it in a biscuit tin under the bed.

Every single person I know who has any sort of wealth has Tax Advisers and Accountants
And an Independent Financial Adviser too.

What kind of advice did the NL give?
Do you feel like it’s a “dirty secret” and that whilst it’s great? It’s also a bit of a burden?

I am wondering what advice the Lottery gave too.

Because there is massive financial planning to do be done with a huge sum like that. Sticking it in a 'private account' is not the way to handle it!

I don't wish to sound morbid but just bear in mind, you won't be able to pass it on to your son... 40% will go to the government, which reduces to 36% if you leave a good chunk to charity.

There are plenty of ways to minimise that further with Trusts etc.

@TheWomanInTheIronedMask

Do you come across many gullible people in RL and online?

To be honest, I think she has come across quite a few on this thread!

@Roussette exactly I think many posters don't care whether it's true or not true but like to dream and why not! That said the lottery has been described as a tax on stupidity. A tax on those who don't understand probability and a tax on the poor.

Given the good naturesness of this thread and MN has a light-touch moderation there are quite a few posts that have been deleted!

I don't wish to sound morbid but just bear in mind, you won't be able to pass it on to your son... 40% will go to the government, which reduces to 36% if you leave a good chunk to charity.

It's a shame that OP has decided only to help her son if he needs it, rather than because she has vast wealth and can do so much for him/with it.

@bollihigh

Given the good naturesness of this thread and MN has a light-touch moderation there are quite a few posts that have been deleted!

Some posters got into a racist scrap

OP did say they're in contact with their accountant. OP also said they have a few bank accounts. Advisers are there to advise, not force you to do anything. To them, it will be a stupid thing to do and they'll hound you with opportunities and advice because they think you're making a huge mistake otherwise but the decision ultimately lies with the account holder.

OP could be lying or telling the truth but I don't expect them to give us every single detail of their activities, finance and whatnot either way. I doubt any of us is getting anything else out of it besides being happy that someone else is happy so don't care if it's real or not.

It may not be true but you can't guarantee any thread on MN is true can you?
At least this one isn't getting people emotionally invested in a serious problem if it's not.

There's no need to make other posters out to be stupid because they don't know or care about her financial planning.

Oh - good then.

I do hope the OP comes back and deals with some of the doubters. Since she has taken the trouble to start a thread and answer almost each and every question then a rebuttal would be in order. TBH though it's a bit boasting "look at me I won £14 million quid" whilst cloaked in vast clouds of anonymity.

Some posters got into a racist scrap

That's interesting - can't imagine what must have been said. I only read all of OP's posts using "See all", didn't read most other posts till I got to the end of OP's posts.

When you called the lottery line to confirm the win, was the call taker shocked at the amount you'd won?
Congratulations, and although I don't know you personally, you seem very down to earth, and that the money hasn't changed you.

If it wasn't true and after 25 pages the OP said gotcha - how would you feel? Cheated ? A little doubt is a good thing.

@roobicoobi

I don't wish to sound morbid but just bear in mind, you won't be able to pass it on to your son... 40% will go to the government, which reduces to 36% if you leave a good chunk to charity.

It's a shame that OP has decided only to help her son if he needs it, rather than because she has vast wealth and can do so much for him/with it.

People who get everything handed to them, not have to work (from a young age) and who don't appreciate the value of money usually turn out to be entitled arseholes. I can see why the OP wants her son to make his own. I'm sure she wouldn't leave him destitute!

TBH though it's a bit boasting "look at me I won £14 million quid" whilst cloaked in vast clouds of anonymity.

Some of us don't see it that way but fair enough. Of course they should be anonymous. People are allowed to have money and talk about it though just like people blatantly talk about their inheritance - some will be envious, some won't. If it affects anyone, they can hide the thread. I particularly enjoy people's windfall stories. They're uplifting.

By the way, thanks for the reddit link, I enjoyed reading it besides all the 'hooker/prostitute' typical questions and answers.

No I haven't got myself invested in a strangers lottery win, I would unfollow it and continue with my day.

@bollihigh

If it wasn't true and after 25 pages the OP said gotcha - how would you feel? Cheated ? A little doubt is a good thing.

I'd roll my eyes and read on for the drama that may ensue but won't regret the happiness I felt reading it in the first place.

Very telling to see that even on an anonymous forum, some people have got judgmental and voiced opinions on what OP should do with her money. I can imagine this is why family relationships have broken down. Chill out!