To Those Who Have Won Big Cash Prizes ...

A

annielouise

New member
You know, the ones that are $5000 or more -

What did you do with your winnings?

Pay off debt?
Splurge it on something you always wanted?
Put it away for a rainy day?
Nothing special, just stuck it in the bank and it got used up for regular expenses?

Just curious, as I try to ride out my recent slump, and dream of the big win!
 
Hi annielouise,

In January 2007, I won a trip to Paris, France (7 days/6 nights, all airfare and hotel paid) or $5,000 - it was my decision. While we could have really used the money, my husband, Bob, never had a chance to go to Europe or anywhere overseas (I did - I was a military wife in my "old" life and I went to South Korea and Germany). So, I talked it over with him, and we decided to take the trip instead of the cash. And, it WAS the trip of a lifetime :sunny: It was wonderful seeing my husband look so happy!!! It was worth millions :headbang:

We still talk about that trip to Paris (and 3 days in London - that was on our own dime) and the photos we took, and will to our dying day. Could you see us talking about the $5,000 that we put towards our bills???? :crazytongue:

Kate
 
Here ! Here! Kate!

Exactly, memories are priceless. You can always look back on your trip and the memories. Great choice.

I haven't won the big one yet, still waiting. I've got my fingers crossed for a cruise this year. I'm dying to go on a cruise.
 
In January 2007, I won a trip to Paris, France (7 days/6 nights, all airfare and hotel paid) or $5,000 - it was my decision. While we could have really used the money, my husband, Bob, never had a chance to go to Europe or anywhere overseas (I did - I was a military wife in my "old" life and I went to South Korea and Germany). So, I talked it over with him, and we decided to take the trip instead of the cash. And, it WAS the trip of a lifetime sunny It was wonderful seeing my husband look so happy!!! It was worth millions
Click to expand...

We didn't have a cash option when my husband won tickets to Paris, but I agree that it was trip of a lifetime. Best vacation we have ever had, even if we did pay for the hotel, etc. ourselves. I would jump at the chance to go back, or even to live in Paris - amazing, wonderful city with lots of culture, oodles of small businesses, very nice people (really), and the ability to get nearly anywhere with walking and public transportation.

We are trying now to save up to go to Spa (Belgium) for an F1 race (maybe 2010 or 11). It seems a bit like a pipe dream though during this current financial craziness!
 
Hi annielouise :wave:

In January of 2007 I was chosen as a daily $10,000 winner from iwon, and after getting over my skepticism and shock, my husband and I decided we would use the money to take a second honeymoon to the Mayan Riviera to a couples only all inclusive resort to celebrate our 15th anniversary. It was HEAVEN!!!
With the leftover money, we did some remodeling, giving our two sons their own separate bedrooms (a gift to them, but also to us so they would stop with all the fighting! :laughing:) and then used the rest to pay off a couple bills.
It was a wonderful experience and one that I will never forget---although I will admit to being greedy and say that I am definitely ready for it to happen again!! :whistle:
 
Wow troisanges, you really stretched that $10k! Vacation, remodeling AND paying off bills - even after Uncle Sam's fair share - have to say I am impressed. Maybe I should ask you to plan our trip to Spa :).
 
In March of this year I won $35,000 which I received the end of April. What we have done so far is: torn out the lower cabinets in the kitchen and took up the floor to dig out the crawl space under the kitchen a little lower and level the floor to match the rest of the first floor which hubby already leveled. Got a new bay window for both the livingroom and family room as well as regular windows for the dining room, living room and kitchen. Resided the parts of the house affected by putting in the new windows that we got. What we are planning to do yet: Put the kitchen back together which includes painting the cabinets that we already have and hubby building more to match since we are reconfiguring the whole kitchen. I am getting granite counters when we get to that point. I have already purchased my new stainless frig, range, dishwasher and over the range microwave. We are also putting a new ceiling in the kitchen cause the one that is there really looks like crap. Before hubby re-drywalls the ceiling he is going to put in recessed lighting, and pendant lights over the sink. Once we get the kitchen done, and all the repairing of drywall in the rest of the first house from the windows we are switching the location of the den and the downstairs bathroom. Right now you enter the bathroom off the family room and the den off the hall. I want to enter the bath off the hall and the den off the family room. The bath is too big and den too small anyway. Once that is done we are going to put hardwood in the whole downstairs except the bathroom. Then we will re-carpet the steps and bedrooms upstairs. Next spring we will replace the windows upstairs in the bedrooms and bath then finish siding the house. Then we are going to re roof the house. Luckily my hubby can do all the work himself so the only labor costs we have are his sweat and my tears. LOL Right now I am living in a construction zone. My dining room table is in the living room and my appliances are in the dining room. I have a makeshift counter for the sink in the kitchen. But it will be well worth it when it is done. Our house is 176 years old so everytime you go to change or fix something you find it is more work than you thought it would be. Our course the first thing we did was set money aside for the dreaded tax man.
 
Does having major surgery count as a "vacation"? :) I sunk $3000 from sweeping into paying off my deductible. It really helps with the taxes if you turn around and spend it on a medical expense.
 
I won $5,000 a few years ago, and put it into an online account that drew high interest for a long time, giving me $5,650. I used all it to update my heating system to natural gas from oil, hopefully saving money in the future on heating bills. It's also more environmentally positive, and adds to the value of the house. :)
 
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