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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think winning the lottery would solve all my problems

116 replies

talkischeap11 · 13/05/2021 10:05

I’m pretty much permanently stressed these days and 95% of that is down to money. The need to earn money takes up a lot of hours in the week, which leaves me little time to sort everything else, like the neverending cooking, cleaning, chores and life admin, not to mention spending less time with my DC than I would like. If I could win a couple of million on the lottery all that stress would instantly disappear and life would be so very easy compared to now.

Of course it’s never going to happen, but a woman can dream!

OP posts:
Milesbennettdyson · 13/05/2021 11:03

@MargateSands I completely agree.

When people say “money doesn’t buy happiness” it is bollocks. Yes you can’t go to a shop and buy an actual jar of it.

But like you say it allows you to do all the things you want and removes all the stresses from your life.

I know I’d be much happier without the daily druggery having my own maid, butler, cleaner, chef and personal trainer. Plus a nanny and a chauffeur!!!

If I won that much I’d just constantly travel with the kids etc

Original poster
talkischeap11 · 13/05/2021 11:03

did a load of little tasks she’d kept meaning to do but never had the time for

Oh to do this - I have a list of little tasks and it keeps on growing. There's just no time!

OP posts:
thecatsthecats · 13/05/2021 11:08

@merrynelly

Research shows that an income of up to approx £70k (I think it might have been in dollars) improves happiness levels. After that it doesn't improve happiness at all. Also there are many people who have won the lottery, and gone on to say they wish they hadn't and it ruined their lives. Also there are many rich people who go on to end their life which proves money doesn't solve many many problems.

That being said, I sympathise with your post and understand where you're coming from

I earn just under 60k but I save half my income in pension, mortgage overpayments etc.

I'm also signed off with stress from the job that acquires that income, and I had to give myself a real slap not to allow work to put me into depression when I have so much to fall back on in savings.

In that way I actually kind of hate the lottery, because I need nowhere near £1m to make my life easier. Almost no one does. The mega million draws are obscene. I'd be tempted, but probably fail, if I won a 180m megapot to select 180 people to receive 1m, or £500k. Or 200k.

Another pet hate is people who say that 200k etc isn't life changing money - um, paying off my mortgage would mean my life would be my own. Pretty big change!

DrCoconut · 13/05/2021 11:12

Someone on here once said that £80k was not a life changing sum of money. I'm quite willing to take one for the team and help anyone out who is not happy at having received a large sum of money. Make your cheque out to DC!

tulips27 · 13/05/2021 11:13

Yes, I really need a cosmetic surgery that I'm not eligible for on the NHS. Without the surgery a lot of things are closed off to me, without explaining why because it would out me.

Also, I could feel secure in where I was living and not have to worry about having nowhere to live.

Those are my two biggest problems in life so I agree with the OP entirely.

Tower134 · 13/05/2021 11:17

I could have written this post. A million pounds would literally remove 90% of the stresses in my life.

Meruem · 13/05/2021 11:24

I think money would help my general health too. I often feel run down, achy etc and the blood tests you get on the NHS aren't particularly detailed. A friend was telling me, I think it was the thyroid test, where she came up as ok on the NHS one but then paid for one privately and it picked up on an issue, which she's now medicated for.

So if money was no object I would have private health care and find out exactly what's wrong with me, and have the money for any treatments. I also wouldn't have to work, which is a drain on my, sometimes limited, energy.

The reason I wouldn't be bored is I'd have homes all over! Then spend a few months in each. I have no young DC or a partner so no one else to consider. Dsis lives in a holiday spot in rented accommodation so I'd buy a house for her, with a spare bedroom for me! I've spent quite a bit of time in Tokyo and have friends there, so I'd also buy a place there and spend lot of time there. I have family in another European country so would get a place near them too. Plus a place where I currently live. Then holidays to the places I still haven't been! Obviously I would need a big Euromillions win for this!

24GinDrinkingOnceTheKidsInBed · 13/05/2021 11:26

I think about this all the time. Someone local recently won’t 1mil on a Scratch card and it made me feel sick, just to think it’s so close to home and yet it wasn’t me. All my anxieties stress could be 99% solved with money.

Mabelface · 13/05/2021 11:28

Just think, imagine being able to pay someone to do the jobs like decorating or sorting out the garden. Bring able to go on holiday and have spending money whilst you're there. Being able to travel and see my kids who live miles away in a regular basis. It's a dream.

Slayduggee · 13/05/2021 11:47

I’m permanently stressed due to lack of money and having to work FT with young DC until we can get back on track (which will be about 3 years).

A lottery jackpot win would solve many problems but for me it would create new ones. Lazy DH would want to quit work becoming even more lazy and he already infuriates me with his loafing around on the sofa at every opportunity. Grasping family members would becoming even more grasping if they knew we had a lottery win and/or noticed a change in lifestyle.

I’ve decided what I really need is 5 numbers and the bonus ball. As this would pay off all our debts and allow me to drop to PT whilst DH would work FT. Before anyone says this is unfair I would still be doing all the school/nursery drops off, the 80% of the childcare and 98% of the house work so it would really just be levelling things out!

WarwickHunt · 13/05/2021 11:54

I don't even buy tickets so the chances are pretty low, I'd say Grin

The worst thing is buying one makes no significant difference!

Gothichouse40 · 13/05/2021 12:01

Winning the lottery would certainly get rid of your problems. Then bring you a whole set of new ones. How many lottery winners that you have seen in public, have marriages/relationships that have lasted, or are truly happy? I honestly believe you change one set of problems for another. People change when they become wealthy (Ive had a friendship end due to this) , people also view you differently and it seems to incite an awful lot of jealousy and ill feeling. Be careful what you wish for.....

motherloaded · 13/05/2021 12:05

Even health problems, relationships issues are easier to deal with money!

Even if a relative is very ill in hospital, you cannot compare having the luxury to provide the best care, be free to be around any time, have your life run by other people
vs a shitty NHS hospital, a job that demands you are there to pay the bills etc.

Unless you are the daughter of the Sheik of Dubai, then too much money can be more than a curse, but that's a very sad but exceptional life.

motherloaded · 13/05/2021 12:07

@Gothichouse40

Winning the lottery would certainly get rid of your problems. Then bring you a whole set of new ones. How many lottery winners that you have seen in public, have marriages/relationships that have lasted, or are truly happy? I honestly believe you change one set of problems for another. People change when they become wealthy (Ive had a friendship end due to this) , people also view you differently and it seems to incite an awful lot of jealousy and ill feeling. Be careful what you wish for.....
You don't hear the ones being sensible...

The most happy people I know are the wealthiest! Money brings a freedom and opportunities.

ClarkeGriffin · 13/05/2021 12:09

@pondfrog

You'd have to share the money though, as you're married

Perhaps not. There was a case of a couple who divorced and the wife had won a fair sum on the lottery and the judge decided it did NOT count as a family asset and she got to keep the money. She had put some money into their house, so that counted as a family asset to be shared, but not the rest of it. She had bought the ticket with her own money.

I spend FAR too long thinking about all this. Grin

However, I’d suggest it’s easier to live the life you want if you’re loaded 100% this. I could afford to get rid of H, and pursue the vocation I want.

True, hopefully she could.

I wouldnt even need a million to solve my problems. 100grand would probably do it.

If the lottery could be spread out across more people, more would be happier and probably spend more money than they can. It would even out.

motherloaded · 13/05/2021 12:10

Also, I don’t understand people who say that if they gave up their job due to a lottery win they’d be bored. How could you possibly be bored with loads of money in the bank and a whole world to explore?

OMG that!

You must have a pretty empty life if you need a job to give you something to do. Imagine having the funds to do most of the hobbies and follow most of your interests! Not enough hours in a day for that.

I always wonder how people who don't really have a life out of work handle illness, redundancy, retirement.

Who can have time to be bored if they have enough funds?

ClarkeGriffin · 13/05/2021 12:11

You don't hear the ones being sensible...

Yeah exactly. I'm pretty sure someone I know won the lottery, or at least came into a lot of money. I've never asked though, I don't blame them for keeping quiet about it. But they are a very happy family, make good decisions, don't splash it around etc.

Ponoka7 · 13/05/2021 12:15

£35k would do me. It would cover essential repairs on my house, which are essential and not just wanted, I live with damp. It would also give me new teeth, which is a massive thing. I've lost some through serious health issues and the treatment for that. I occasionally play the £10k a month lottery, which would suit me better, tbh.

thecatsthecats · 13/05/2021 12:17

@Mabelface

Just think, imagine being able to pay someone to do the jobs like decorating or sorting out the garden. Bring able to go on holiday and have spending money whilst you're there. Being able to travel and see my kids who live miles away in a regular basis. It's a dream.
To be fair, I priced this up recently(ish), and worked out that for about 10k per year, you could have:

2h cleaner pw
2h housekeeper pw
2h PA per fortnight
2h gardener per fortnight
2h handyman per fortnight, plus a budget for materials

That's at £12.50ph for the cleaner/hk, and £25ph for the others - roughly local rates.

Obviously it's not peanuts, but it's also a lot cheaper than I'd have assumed for that sort of staff!

Mabelface · 13/05/2021 12:33

Way beyond my current budget, the cats!

Original poster
talkischeap11 · 13/05/2021 12:42

For me a life changing sum would be whatever it would cost to pay off my mortgage in full, buy a lovely house by the sea in cash and never have to work again. So about £2 mill?

OP posts:
motherloaded · 13/05/2021 12:49

I think 25 million would do for me Grin
I would need a ridiculous sum to be that life changing BUT I would share with a lot of people, so if I ever win £2 million, half of it would most likely be given away already.

Strokethefurrywall · 13/05/2021 13:01

Money buys freedom and it buys time.
Freedom from the stress of money, time to slow down and look at what you really want to do or what you really need.
But I agree that over a certain sum it doesnt create more happiness because happiness looks different to all of us.
I really do wish good fortune (and lottery wins!) for all those on this thread struggling to make ends meet, struggling with health issues, just struggling in general.

Onesnowynight · 13/05/2021 13:04

I’m praying to the stars daily for a lottery win but so far they are ignoring me!

KillerFlamingo · 13/05/2021 13:17

Hell yes!

I can spend ages lost in lottery fantasies. I imagine a house actually big enough to fit a dishwasher and a big fridge freezer, a garden, a car, a regular haircut, private medical care, so many things...