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Who would you tell?

(16 Posts)
Doodledog Mon 27-Jul-26 22:12:59

I've just had an email from NS&I linking to an article about Premium Bond big prizewinners, and who they tell about their good fortune. Apparently 75% would tell their partner or spouse, 67% would tell immediate family, and 20% would tell friends.

What struck me was that 25% of people would hide a win of a million pounds from their partners/spouses. That seems like a lot to me. How do you hide a million from your nearest and dearest, and still get any joy from it?

I would definitely tell Mr Dog, as we share our money, and as I tell him most things. I would tell the children, as they would get a share - a third each, and a third for us is what happens when I consider the possibility when I check the app to see if I've won. I don't think I would tell friends, as I don't discuss money as a rule, and I wouldn't want to be the subject of gossip.

Would you keep it to yourself, or tell others if you won a very large prize?

TwiceAsNice Mon 27-Jul-26 22:24:09

I think I would tell family and a few very close friends but nobody else

grumppa Mon 27-Jul-26 22:27:37

Of course I would tell my close family, and my financial adviser!

Abitbarmy Mon 27-Jul-26 22:31:35

I would tell the children and my DH as we share our winnings over a certain amount, but maybe not tell the kids how much…we won 10k last year and haven’t told them about that!

Charleygirl5 Mon 27-Jul-26 22:32:40

I have no family. I would possibly tell a couple of friends, but I would keep it to myself until I had worked out how I was going to invest it.

Georgesgran Mon 27-Jul-26 22:34:38

There would be signs!! The brand new Aston Martin might give the game away!

I’d definitely tell family and a few good friends. As discussed on a similar thread about a lottery win, I’d clear both DDs mortgages or buy the house of their dreams - bearing in mind they’d be hit with Inheritance Tax, so I’d set that aside - and make sure my DGSs had secure futures. I’d like a holiday home somewhere, but that could be a family secret.

DH and I were very open about money - and when our respective parents died, our ‘inheritances’ just went into the pot.

ferry23 Mon 27-Jul-26 22:35:32

I can understand why some people wouldn't tell their partner. If I had been in that situation and told my ex husband, he would have got his hands on it before I finished the sentence. hmm

Doodledog Mon 27-Jul-26 22:36:16

They don't mention financial advisors or accountants in the article grin. That makes sense, though.

I have one group of friends who I might take on holiday, or at least for a treat of some sort, as we've been through a lot together. I don't think I'd say I'd won a million, though - just that I'd come into some money.

MissAdventure Mon 27-Jul-26 22:37:57

I'd stay quiet while I considered my options.

Doodledog Mon 27-Jul-26 22:40:43

And Congratulations, Abitbarmy. That must have been a good day grin.

I can understand someone in an abusive relationship not telling, or at least not until the divorce was finalised, but yes, Georgesgran you'd notice if your spouse started buying unusual things unless you're Nicola Sturgeon, anyway, and not being able to use the money would defeat the point of having it, I'd have thought.

JenniRen Mon 27-Jul-26 22:51:44

Apparently, someone from NS&I calls on the two top winners the day before to advise them of their win and offer help with financial planning.

I'd tell immediate family and share the winnings with them but probably not tell friends and neighbours.

Those who wouldn't tell their spouses can't think they are their dearest so I wouldn't blame them for not telling.

JenniferEccles Mon 27-Jul-26 22:58:19

I think it’s likely that the twenty five percent who wouldn’t tell their partners are in a less than ideal marriage or relationship, especially as far as trust goes.

Such a large amount of money needs to be invested wisely before any decisions are made about how much of it to spend, but that might not go down too well if the partner is someone of a spend, spend, spend’ mentality!

Likewise, if the winner is an older person isn’t it possible that their immediate family may not immediately urge their parents to spend it on themselves?!

pably15 Mon 27-Jul-26 23:03:13

I'd tell OH, children, and GC, and they'd all get a share, I'm just wondering when it's going to happen.

JenniRen Mon 27-Jul-26 23:08:38

We're getting on a bit for investing wisely so I'm planning to spend, spend, spend!

JenniRen Mon 27-Jul-26 23:09:33

pably15

I'd tell OH, children, and GC, and they'd all get a share, I'm just wondering when it's going to happen.

Saturday! Not long to wait.

Charleygirl5 Mon 27-Jul-26 23:10:13

I dont need anything in my house, so there would be little evidence here. I would probably move closer to shops now I can no longer drive, and I would have the cash to employ somebody to do the packing etc for me.