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MNHQ

Tell The National Lottery what you’d do with a fantasy £20,000 - £250 voucher prize draw! NOW CLOSED

463 replies

MichelleMumsnet · 08/08/2013 10:20

You may have heard recently that The National Lottery's Lotto game is changing this autumn and is introducing a new Raffle where 50 players will win £20,000 in each draw. To celebrate this, The National Lottery have asked us to find out what Mumsnetters would do with (a fantasy) £20,000.

Here's what The National Lottery say: "As of 5th October, Lotto is changing, offering more ways to win more money. The prize for matching three numbers will be increased from £10 to £25, the jackpots will be bigger (£2.5million on Wednesday and £5million on Saturdays) and there's a new raffle where 50 players will win a guaranteed £20,000 each draw. Tickets for the new game go on sale on 3rd October and cost £2 per line. We would love to hear about how Mumsnetters would spend £20,000 if they were to win the raffle prize!"

So what would you do if you were to win £20,000? Would you go on a huge spending spree, or would you be more careful with your winnings and put it aside for a rainy day?

What have you always wanted to do, but have never managed to justify the cost of? Dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant? Buy a piece of designer jewellery? Maybe you'd splash it all on a round the world holiday? Or perhaps you'd save it to make life easier for you and your DCs if they decide to go to university? Or would you take the opportunity to clear (some) debts or pay off a chunk of the mortgage?

Whatever it is, The National Lottery would love to hear about it.

Everyone who shares their thoughts on this thread will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £250 Love2Shop voucher.

Thanks and good luck,

MNHQ

OP posts:
GetKnitted · 08/08/2013 20:54

for how long could I pay for a cleaner with 20k? thats what I'd treat myself to!

CMOTDibbler · 08/08/2013 20:59

I'd buy myself a horse, and a trailer so I could go out and do things. And with what was left over I'd sort the IR car control so driving was easier for me, buy dh the uber expensive knee brace he can never afford, and finally get the garden furniture we actually want.

CaterpillarCara · 08/08/2013 20:59
  • Take the children to the eight children DH and I have lived in (four each) before we moved here.
  • Replace our so old it is uninsurable car
CaterpillarCara · 08/08/2013 21:00

Eight COUNTRIES!!!!!

Artijoke · 08/08/2013 21:05

I would love to reduce my hours at work so I could spend more time with the kids and get more involved with their schools. I'd use the 20k to enable me to afford to go down to 30 hours per week for two years.

thefirstmrsrochester · 08/08/2013 21:29

Actually, I erase my list, I'd would give it all to expatinscotland.
Your post reminded me what's important.

SaltySeaBird · 08/08/2013 21:41

We'd have a lovely holiday, have a new bathroom fitted and buy all new pots and pans for the kitchen. After treating family and friends we'd put some into DDs savings and the rest in a TTC fund so she can have a sibling.

al88 · 08/08/2013 21:46

I'd buy a brand new, shiny bright blue Mini. Not sure how much change I'd get from 20K but anything left would be for a holiday or to overpay the mortgage.

ThePearShapedToad · 08/08/2013 21:47

Buy my dad the classic car he's been wanting for 25 years and never been able to justify due to my school fees / mortgage / everyday life.
And with the final £1000, buy myself a ragdoll kitten as I have been longing for one for ever and ever and cannot wait until I have something to cuddle and love

Raahh · 08/08/2013 21:56

Boringly, I would pay off some debts-bank loan/car, so that we would have some money left when payday comesGrin

I'd love to move, but £20,000 wouldn't get us far (we rent).
Put some money aside in accounts for the dcs.
I would get my first hair cut in 18 months.

Then I'd re-new all the passports, and arrange a nice holiday, after I've taken us all clothes shopping.

I have dreamed this dream a lot.

mrscumberbatch · 08/08/2013 22:24

I'd use the £20k to pay for the rent and public liability insurance for one of the empty shop units on our local high street.

Then I'd use the space as a community unit. We have no community hall to speak of and the library is small, it would be nice to have somewhere where the offerings changed from week to week. Pop up shops, pop up craft events, kids events, reading groups, book signings, craft groups, acoustic music nights for the local teenagers etc.

I moved to this area because of the amazing community vibe but find the ruination of our high street galling. If I could contribute to increasing footfall, giving people a reason to stay for an hour or two and maybe pick up a coffee next door, a gift in the shop across the street etc then it would be a great adventure! Just not gambling with my own money! (Or lack thereof!)

mammal · 08/08/2013 22:47

We moved three years ago and still have a lot of work to do to the house. We have prioritised the children's rooms and the garden but there is so much left to do.

Apart from that I would plan a family holiday. I would also like to treat my daughter. She has had a difficult year and needs reminding how special she is.

wavesandsmiles · 08/08/2013 22:50

Sensible choice from me, I would use the money to finish renovating my house so it could be sold for the best price, meaning my dream of upping sticks and relocating could come true Smile

Summatontoast · 08/08/2013 22:57

Holiday of a lifetime, clear debt and treats for those i love.

LoganMummy · 08/08/2013 23:05

£20,000 would make a huge difference! The first thing I'd do would be to sort out my (getting on a bit) parents house for them - install a downstairs bathroom and fix the leaky roof and damp patches caused by cowboy builders who took their money and did a shit job.

With a 10 week old daughter id love to have the money to turn our box room into a nursery for her.

With any money left I'd love to treat us all to a beautiful family holiday (10 of us in total) in the south of France - all of us eating croissants and cheese on a warm, sunny balcony overlooking a vineyard would make me very happy!

Mayanbob · 08/08/2013 23:10

I'd put half in savings so we could go to Australia when our (currently unborn) baby would be old enough to appreciate it - in order to visit my Sister In Law who lives over there. The other half i'd put towards the deposit for a house we're looking to buy this year.

Cindy34 · 08/08/2013 23:12

Pay it off the mortgage. Really boring I know but the mortgage feels like the big chain around our necks, so the sooner that is gone the better.

42day · 08/08/2013 23:37

Oh dear, by the time I've reached reading through most of the above I've already spent it in several different ways, so before I change my mind again I would say I would spend £5,000 on home improvements and the majority of the rest on a replacement family car, much needed and then if by any chance a decent amount left I would save it for a really rainy day.

flutterbynight · 08/08/2013 23:38

£20,000 would enable us to move from our flat into a house, with a garden. I would love this for DS, to have an outside space and to be able to use things like paddling pools and sandpits! We will get there without a windfall too, but it will be a few years yet!

missorinoco · 08/08/2013 23:46

A lovely family holiday, possibly Disneyworld, but if the children were older, South Africa on a safari.

Pay off a loan.

Give my Mum and siblings some money just to enjoy.

Buy some nice clothes, that don't fall apart after five washes, and a pair of decent jeans.

WildThongsHeartString · 08/08/2013 23:58

Ooh, a holiday with both of us there at the same time!

A wardrobe-our Ikea temporary rails have done well for 3 years but it would be so nice to have the clothes behind doors

The rest, well I'm not being political but I would help my mil buy her little 2 bed flat so she doesn't get forced to move out of her home.

dygranny · 09/08/2013 07:22

I would clear some debts and take the family to Disneyland Florida :)

Chigley1 · 09/08/2013 08:18

Hmm, I spend too much time planning what I'd do with a lottery win! Probably take children on their first holiday abroad, then replace battered car and save the rest as we are constantly one month away from financial disaster!

IncaAztec · 09/08/2013 09:45

I'm a practical sort so I would probably pay off a chunk of our (hefty) mortgage with £20,000.

But if I didn't do that, well, I would go back to Hong Kong. I loved it there and would like to show my daughter. I have never managed to justify the cost of the flights to get there.

Then if we had some left over, back via India to see a good friend who has moved to Delhi. Then possibly onto Thailand....I think I would end up using it all on travel!

LittleMissSnowShine · 09/08/2013 10:02

Keep £10k for ourselves and do a bit of work around the house - I would love a new bathroom or a bit of an extension onto the kitchen. Then split the other £10k around the family so everyone could take a holiday or spoil themselves with something - got to spread the love around!!