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AIBU?

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Original poster

Winning the Euromillions

303 replies

Ellabella989 · 04/10/2019 16:34

If you won the £169 million jackpot tonight, would you go public or keep it private amongst your immediate family?
I’d like to think I wouldn’t go public but it’s such a huge amount of money that someone is bound to find out and blab.

OP posts:
CampingItUp · 04/10/2019 17:51

I wouldn't tell anyone.

I would wait a couple of months and then give my nearest and dearest a meaningful chunk each, enough to massively improve their lives and obliterate worry, and tell them I had won a much smaller amount and distributed it all amongst us.

These amounts would be enough to buy all nieces and nephews a flat each, create a really good pension fund for older relatives, but some a small house each etc or enough to upgrade to a 'forever' house.

I would complete a building project that a charity dear to my heart needs, and make a significant donation to a charity that has helped one of my Dc.

I would set up an endowment fund to support a specific range of training courses in my industry and in my local area.

Buy a few properties - one specific one, for my wider family's use as it is our favourite place, and a town house and a country / coastal retreat for me. I would let other people use them, they wouldn't stand empty.

My DC would get Uni costs, enough for a flat, and money in trust for a later house, a car every 5 years, and a fund for establishing a business or undergoing training. I wouldn't just bung them a massive load of cash in one go.

I would get out there and enjoy my life - give up work, go to galleries, go camping, go on long walks (The Lycian Way etc) , not a blingy champagne soaked lifestyle. I wouldn't buy an expensive car, for example. I really don't want one.

HavelockVetinari · 04/10/2019 17:52

I'd give away about half to close family, I wouldn't tell friends how much I'd won but would treat us all to a good few holidays. I'd fund some feminist action, give lots to charity, and work 3 days a week (I love my job).

CampingItUp · 04/10/2019 17:53

Is it too late to enter?

seaweedandmarchingbands · 04/10/2019 17:55

I’ve just bought my tickets.

Thinking about it more carefully, I really wouldn’t be telling anyone other than my DH. You would instantly have security risks if people knew you had that amount of money. I would also be circumspect with family. I have family members where it would go up their nose, family members where their partners couldn’t be trusted with a spare tenner, let alone a couple of million, family members I don’t especially like who might come creeping round, family members who have very little financial security and would struggle without advice, etc. Slow and steady wins the race!

ChubbyCharmer · 04/10/2019 17:58

I'd have to tell only my closest family and have a few days to mull it over. I've got a few mates who I love but who are always trying to borrow money due to their terrible management of finances.

I wouldn't want to be seen to watch them struggle but I also wouldn't want to keep bailing them out forever.

loulou20106 · 04/10/2019 18:00

Thinking about it I think I'd actually give away about 120 million I don't even think I'd want a great big house because I'd be petrified someone would break in?

Outsomnia · 04/10/2019 18:00

This is an interesting thread, and good to see most would be sensible and not just go and live the bling lifestyle either.

Best thing to do, is do good.

LaurieFairyCake · 04/10/2019 18:03

I have no interest in living an extravagant lifestyle - I wouldn't even change my (free) car that my mate gave me.

I want to tread lighter on this earth and just give back. I already have everything I need - I love my quiet flat and my great job - money wouldn't change any of that.

Lisa2019GB · 04/10/2019 18:03

It would be kept within the household and everyone sworn to absolute secrecy. We would split the cash 25% each (me, husband, two children) and go from there.

You can splash the cash with friends etc. within a believable context, like a bonus from work etc. but definitely not sharing the news.

The reason is because money can change how people treat and view for you; be the test of friendships and overall could attract unwanted attention.

TheFormidableMrsC · 04/10/2019 18:04

I would definitely keep it quiet but would do so much with it. First thing would be my SIL as she is newly widowed as my DB died recently and she has four kids to take care of. I’d make sure they were set up for life. I’d pay off mortgages for family and buy houses for those who are stuck renting. I’d give a huge amount to Women’s Aid and Shelter. I’d have my house done up. Buy a new car. Take the kids to Australia as it’s a place I want to visit so much. So many wonderful things that could be done and so many that could benefit. I’m a single parent/carer and it would change my life. I’d be able to set my kids up for life. How lovely! 🤞

BrieAndChilli · 04/10/2019 18:04

It’s such a crazy amount of money. I wish instead they split it so 169 people got a million each, still enough to change your life and would inject more money into the economy in terms of stamp duty etc.

BrendasUmbrella · 04/10/2019 18:05

If someone refused publicity, what would happen? Would they just hand over a cheque or do a bank transfer? The local bank staff would be all over it for this amount surely?

I know someone who works for Camelot, he told me how it works. Someone comes out to your home asap to verify the ticket/winner's identity, then I believe they have to choose a bank to handle the cash, like Coutts. Nationwide on the high street is not set up to handle that much cash! Then a banker from Coutts or wherever you chose comes to your home within the next day or so to set up the account, and the money could be in the account in a couple of working days.

lazyarse123 · 04/10/2019 18:05

You wouldn't need their financial advice, you would get your own adviser. I only have my immediate family so would keep it quiet.

BrendasUmbrella · 04/10/2019 18:05

Do the papers really try and "out" winners who don't go public? I've never noticed any.

Steviestamborine · 04/10/2019 18:08

I’d definitely want to stay private and I’d give away a lot I think, anonymously via just giving pages. I love the thought of people checking their page and suddenly seeing their target smashed.

homley · 04/10/2019 18:08

I wouldn't tell anyone, although I think DH would let it slip so the suggestion that a few of you had about saying you won a smaller amount would be a good way forward!

It is an insane amount of money to win, surely it would be nicer to enhance the lives of 169 people by making them millionaires compared to just the one person? Although on the other hand it would be nice to win so much and be able to help out anyone you wanted whenever you wanted :)

Loveislandaddict · 04/10/2019 18:09

I would pretend I have won a smaller amount, maybe still a large amount, but not 169 million

notanotherfucker · 04/10/2019 18:10

I will tell you all when I win later 😀

SherbetSaucer · 04/10/2019 18:11

I’d keep it extremely private!! I would hardly tell a soul! My life probably wouldn’t change massively to be honest. I already have an awesome life and I’m not in the least bit materialistic. I’d probably just travel more!

I do everything I want to do when I want to do it already! Grin

Lisa2019GB · 04/10/2019 18:11

@BrendasUmbrella Coutts. Nationwide on the high street is not set up to handle that much cash! Then a banker from Coutts or wherever you chose comes to your home within the next day or so to set up the account, and the money could be in the account in a couple of working days.

It would take a lot of paperwork on the bank's side to complete the legal due diligence like anti-laundering checks etc. but a bank like Santander would still accept the money, it would be in their absolute commercial interest to do so.

On the other hand however, it would be best to go with a more prestigious bank, as they will have higher interest rates; exclusive tailored cardholder benefits and commercial discretion.

In addition to that, a credit provider like American Express would bite your hand off for choosing one of their prestigious cards, knowing that putting a handful of your expenses through them would generate higher-than-average commercial benefit.

Breathlessness · 04/10/2019 18:11

I wouldn’t tell anyone.

verytiredandstressed · 04/10/2019 18:12

I wouldn't want to go public but my dh said you would need to as people would find out .
First thing I'd do is scream Grin
Then email resignation letter , no more early get ups and gridlock traffic commute.
Immediate family and a couple of friends will be looked after .
Money to charity's
Holiday booked
And house hunting
Treat my dm and a few others for expensive meal & drinks somewhere really expensive in the city .

AdoraBell · 04/10/2019 18:12

I would keep it private. I’d tell my boss, she is completely level headed and would not tell anyone unless I wanted someone else to know.

I wouldn’t tell DH the amount because the in-laws are grabby, so he would believe that I had won about 5 million. It would be in my bank account because I buy the tickets online from that account.

Ated · 04/10/2019 18:13

Keep quiet and put it in an interest generating account after discussing it with your bank manager. Agree an interest rate and only spend up to the interest income every year. Get a mortgage for a bigger house, buy a car on hp You would probably get 500 to 600k interest per year and should live on that.You still have the original winnings and if there is any left over from the interest each year, add it to the main amount to get more interest. After a while you can then do what you want as the heat will have died down.

Gileadisreal · 04/10/2019 18:16

Honestly I'd keep my gob shut. There's no way I'd be telling anyone other than DH, not even the kids. It must surely have an impact on them, their friends, future relationships...it could do some real harm I imagine. I'd also say I won a smaller figure to friends and families.