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Original poster

Lottery win (not a bad amount).

379 replies

winningballs · 08/11/2022 00:41

Name changed for this.

I have been thinking about asking this and I have spoken to f&f about it and the opinions vary.

Last Wednesday I got an urge to do the lottery, I haven't done it in ages because I just can't afford it, but I got a lucky dip and lucky it was, I got 5 matching balls plus the bonus. I won't say how much I won but it's a fair amount, enough for me to not worry about bills for the foreseeable and enough to give people 10k each.

Here's my question.

I have a list of whom I would share my winnings with stored on my phone, it's been on there for years and my ex is on there. We have been split for a year or so but I always said I would give him something if I won. I don't hate him and I really liked his children, so should I just transfer some into his account? This is not a plan to get him back as I am happily with someone else now and he has no problem with my list as he is well taken care of too.

Should I - or should I not bother?

OP posts:
FlamingBells · 09/11/2022 04:39

winningballs · 09/11/2022 00:32

I am late 50s. I don't have a mortgage and I still work part time and will continue to work. No one there knows or will know. My wages just covered my outgoings since all the utility increases happened which is why I've not been buying a ticket lately.

It was just a lucky dip lotto.

Then max your pension contributions and think about buying a bungalow or ground floor retirement flat for your later years.

Property prices are dropping now so as a cash buyer you're in a good position to buy.

Consider health insurance and any long haul travelling before any major health issues kick in.

BonnesVacances · 09/11/2022 05:27

AmandaHoldensLips · 08/11/2022 09:35

I have a plan for if I am ever lucky enough to be in your position. I would instruct a local lawyer to make all the payments with a letter stating that it's an anonymous gift from a friend who is making a series of gifts.

Then if it ever comes up I would say that I too received an anonymous gift.

Then nobody would ever know I won the lottery.

Yes I have a similar plan. I'd definitely try to help people out but I'd do it anonymously.

MistySkiesAreGone · 09/11/2022 06:04

If I won the lottery <idly wonders> it would be mortgage, more pension so I can retire at 55, help my mum move house and boost her income, decorate my brothers flat and pay for him to have his teeth done, give my dad a lump sum. I'd probably have about 250k left to live off so I'd invest some and train in something I love.

Cookingmama999 · 09/11/2022 07:23

Congrats, personally I wouldnt tell anyone the amount ive won. I would downplay it as money causes so many problems within families and friendships and creates expectations. It is your choice completely who you share your winnings with, I think its a lovely thought and you do what you please!

CambsAlways · 09/11/2022 09:24

Congrats op, I’m never lucky! But if I’d won money like you I would help my family but would keep The secret in our immediate family as once it gets out there’s always issues

Sophie89j · 09/11/2022 09:24

Congratulations!!!! If you give the money away to every atom, Dick or Harry you’ll end up with nothing left!
Invest the amount you were planning on giving him and maybe in 5-10 years time you’ll be in an even more comfortable position or give that amount to charity?

Sophie89j · 09/11/2022 09:25

Ha meant Tom, Dick and Harry for some reason it autocorrected 😂

Comedycook · 09/11/2022 09:54

I don't hate him

Surely this isn't your criteria for deciding who to give money to!?

Oddieconvert · 09/11/2022 10:15

You absolutely MUST follow the list on your phone OP. You must 🙄

i take it you don’t have children? Because the notion of giving an ex money when… oh I don’t know, I have people in my life that I don’t prefix with the word “ex” is… frankly totally weird

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 09/11/2022 13:40

Nothing to add, it’s all been said. Just wanted to say what lovely news and Congratulations! Best of luck with whatever you decide.

EmmaRT · 09/11/2022 14:26

Many congratulations OP!

Mylakk · 09/11/2022 14:46

Congratulations!!!
If you don't have a healthy pension pot already I would think very carefully about what you do with this money and whether it is wise to be telling people at all. Easy for me to say I know as I don't know the people you are considering giving £10K to and what it would mean to them/how they would react. I would definitely give yourself a couple of months to get some good financial advice and let it sink in before doing anything or telling anyone.

WingingItFTM · 09/11/2022 17:07

You mention that you don’t think it’s sunk in yet. Could i suggest you don’t do anything until it has.
Understandably your adrenaline will be off the scale, probably for weeks - and no one makes good decisions on adrenaline!
i have no advice on whether you should or shouldn’t other than just taking the time to let it settle.
Enjoy!!

Rosie22xx · 09/11/2022 18:03

Nah its an ex, part of the past. This win is yours, enjoy it, enjoy your future with the people closest to you. Agree the least people knowing is best, remain as anonymous as possible and give to those you trust with your life and won't use you.

Doggate1 · 09/11/2022 18:08

Why give any of it away and why tell anyone! You could invest it for a year and live off the interest and still have the capital. £30,000 interest on £1m per year. If compounded could be more and if put in and investment portfolio could yield around 11% (mine does) … a fool and their money are soon parted ..

DGay · 09/11/2022 18:08

I wouldn't but that is just me. If I won, I'd share with sisters, parents, son and charities I support.

alottea · 09/11/2022 18:12

You should first tell your husband, and discuss with him what you want to do with it as a couple. I wouldnt give an ex anything, youve got to be joking. Its your money

ThistleTits · 09/11/2022 18:16

Give him a third of what you are giving others. Still a nice little surprise for them, make it clear it's no strings.
Glad for you.

SofaLola33 · 09/11/2022 18:20

I wouldn’t! The intention is nice but I really don’t think it’s appropriate, especially if you are in a relationship with someone else.
That money won’t necessary stretch as much as you think, and with the current state of the world, I would be keeping it to save or live as comfortably as possible.

cherish123 · 09/11/2022 18:21

I wouldn't

HowhardcanitB · 09/11/2022 18:23

I think it’s a lovely gesture, and you have always said you would, so I think in your shoes I would. But the amount would decrease the longer I thought about it. And make sure your current partner is genuinely fine with the amount. I do think the fewer people who know, the better. Congratulations and all the best

Mummadeze · 09/11/2022 18:25

I have a list on my phone too! It is also a bit outdated so I wouldn’t follow it to the letter if I won. If I was you, I would have a cooling off period and really think about what you want to do and how much to give people. And who you want to know. The first thing I would do would be to book myself a holiday as sometimes being somewhere away from your everyday life gives you a chance to think freely and gain perspective. Enjoy your winnings!!!!

mrsbitaly · 09/11/2022 18:32

Congratulations!!! Spend it how you want to! It won't last long so spend it on the people you care about and don't forget yourself!

Juststopamoment · 09/11/2022 18:37

Don’t give him any.

Darbs76 · 09/11/2022 18:38

Why not, it’s a really kind gesture in my opinion and I’m sure he will be grateful. Congratulations to you, wonderful news and I too would definitely share my winnings with my friends and family too. Enjoy your winnings