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.

@rbe78

Is it enough that you can mostly live off the interest/returns from investment?

Do you have a financial advisor, or do you work it all out yourself?

Do you do anything charitable with it, and how do you decide where it goes if so?

How are you planning on helping your son as he gets older, or are you going to encourage him to stand on his own two feet?

So many questions!!! Could ask them all day!

I make more in interest per month than I did in 9 months of work

I used to have a financial advisor for the first year but not anymore

I am a regular donor to some charities that are special to me but I also volunteer my time.

I have always told him I want him to be independent and not rely on me. I'll always support him but I want him to make his own money

Wow congratulations, you seem to have taken this all in your stride in a sensible way.

I know you said that you had an initial splurge (as would most people) but now the dust has settled do you still budget and have a think before splashing out on expensive things even though you have vast funds at your disposal?

Do you have plans for the majority of it when you die? Like school in your name or something or would you just pass it on to your son and hope for the best?

@Cowbells

Do people treat you differently - not just family and friends, but strangers (shop assistants, people in bars, airports etc) - does your obvious wealth mean people react differently?

Are you fitter, thinner and healthier?

I chose to remain anonymous so people I meet in my day to day don't know and neither do new friends

Has anyone in MN sent you a begging email yet?!

@frumpety

Have you given any to charity ?

Did you move house ? did you buy a holiday home ?

I do give to charity.

I moved to a different county and I own 3 properties abroad that I let as holiday homes and use myself

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?

@ShutUpaYourFace

Did you tell your work colleagues you had won? Did you gift any of the money to them?

Nope and nope!

I got on with my colleagues but we weren't friends outside of work

Do you have a really quite large house? (I think I would with £14 mill....) Hence, isn't obvious to new people (once you meet) that you must be independently wealthy as you've got a massive house (with its related outgoings....) and aren't in any paid work? Basically, I think I'm asking has anyone ever guessed or asked you outright?

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.

@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?

Love this question!

@roses2

Did you buy a really nice house and do you pay for security?

I live a nice but fairly normal house. I have regular security, like cctv and door sensors

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?

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

@HollowTalk

This is so interesting! It's hard not to tell anyone but it's obvious they will all talk. Did you find the grabbiest people were those actually related to you or were they in laws?

Are you leading a similar life to the one you had then, just with more handbags or do you have a completely new set of friends and live in a different part of the country?

Yes, it was my closest relatives who showed their hand. I'm not in contact with many of them.

I still speak to my old friends but I live in a different area and have also made new friends. I was a fairly introverted person before and that hasn't changed

@readytosell

You say you still have most of it left, do you have any longterm plans for it?

I know it's a bit of a gruesome thought (sorry), but if you passed away suddenly would DS just suddenly become a very rich young man and the blessings / curses that can sometimes go with that?

After a few months I did write a will. My son is smart and frugal and I have no worries for him, I know he'll make the right choices. I will leave a considerable amount to some charities and nieces and nephew and cousins

You sound like a sensible person! So good that you invested it in properties!

Super jealous !

How did the change of relationships affect you emotionally/mentally?

What reason did you give your work for leaving?

Do you drive a nice car, and has anyone from your "new life" asked where your money came from?

Is it harder to meet potential partners now?

Get a lot of professional expertise in contracting your will, especially around charity donations

Did you not give your sister some money?

Did you give your son any?

I'm really pleased for you OP, I always like to hear of "normal" people getting a lucky break!

My question is: what did you buy that was just a really silly "because I can" purchase? Something fun and that you bought just for your happiness?

@Inaseagull

Did they give you the winnings in one lump sum into your regular bank account?

How long did it take to be paid?

Were you offered financial advice and if so, did you take it?

I go to sleep most nights thinking of how I would spend my winnings. I don't go for the big ticket items first, strangely enough. I imagine the relief of no more money worries would be the best thing about it.

Yes I got the lump sum but I had to open a private bank account. It took about 2 months for the money to be deposited.

Yes I was offered advice and yes I did take it.

What sort of advice did the national lottery people give you?

Tax wise were there any implications for gifting?

I’m planing my imaginary win 😁

@Standrewsschool

Did you buy a new house, car, holidays etc, which made it obvious you won or had inherited a lot of money?

If anyone asked you whether you had won the lottery, were you honest and admitted you had? Did you tell them how much you had one?

I did buy a new house and car but I also moved to a new area, so no questions asked.

I do not tell anyone I won the lottery. I live in quite a naice, middle class area and they would judge me harshly if they knew even though I generally mind my business and keep to myself