The newest Lottery Winners!

I worked in banking and we had a pools winner as a customer. They won £750,000 which was a lot of money in the 1980s, and they were given financial advice by the pools company.

However, the money wrecked their lives. They moved from their council house to a large house in a posh snobby area where they didn't fit in and were lonely.

They were worried to death that their daughter's boyfriend was only after the daughter for the money.

The husband began suffering panic attacks and the wife had a nervous breakdown.

I wouldn’t go public either. I also know what I do with it. My son is a lifeboat man and his station would most certainly benefit. So would lots of the smaller animal charities and of course I’d look after my family .

I wouldn't be able to deceive or lie to people like that jerseygirl. Especially close family.

I am sure some famous people manage but many dont and to be honest often look as if they are living tragic lives.

Rich people seem to manage all right with their billions and don't feel burdened by them. That includes people who were born to it, such as the Duke of Westminster, but also people from less exalted backgrounds who have made their fortunes - Roman Abramovich springs to mind. I reckon I could handle £184 million, given the chance, though I wouldn't announce my win. The line about "not having to keep explaining" if you go public wouldn't work, as I only have a small family and very few friends! I would swear my family to secrecy and tell my friends I was moving abroad....We would have a good farewell party, though.

The first thing would be to secure my children's futures and put money in trust for my grandkids. Then the best private doctors available to sort out our health issues. A nice house, of course, and lots of travel, including regular trips to see our elder daughter in the USA. And then the joy of being able to give freely to the homeless charity our younger daughter runs, plus Children With Cancer, Water Aid, Medecins Sans Frontieres, the NSPCC, Save The Children and so many more...

However, as I never buy lottery tickets, I don't think that it will be happening.

jerseygirl It would be difficult to keep it quiet. How would you explain where the money had come from when you start to spend it.
I've already said twice you just don't tell anyone, even your children, how much you've won. You say you've had a win and then buy houses for people, but no-one will know where the boundary line is. Then I would offload millions onto selected good causes, maybe £1 million each, and just get rid of most of it. Depends how much you've won of course. After that you would be left with a manageable amount to see you through life.

I think its obscene that one person/couple can win £184 million. Surely it would be better if 184 people won £1 million each.

I would have a field day helping small charities. It would be nice to be able to afford private treatment and have the surgery done in a couple of weeks instead of being on a waiting list for a couple of years.

I would get rid of my ancient car and be able to afford mini cabs as and when I wanted one.

I would only tell one person and help others anonymously.

That couple will be lucky if they know their real friends because old acquaintances will undoubtedly be in touch.

I am having major work done on my house in the near future and it was suggested I move into a hotel for a week-in London somehow I do not think so.

I buy premium bonds, that is all so it is unlikely to happen.

Just think of all the good you could do with that amount. I would certainly not have gone public (I don’t know what possessed them to do that) but just appointed someone to help me set up some sort of charity foundation. No one needs that amount of money. Of course I would also make sure my family were OK as well.

On one hand I would like that sum so I could choose where I wanted my charity to go to, on the other hand, it is an obscene amount of money for people to grapple with. I really think these lottery winnings should be capped.

That would be so much better wouldn’t it?

I think I heard that if you don’t go public you relinquish any guidance of how you manage such an obscene amount of money. I’ve said if before, but how much better to have 184 people win a million each?

I know someone who won over £70,000, she had a fabulous wedding, (which was in the picture when she won) within 6months her new husband left her for someone else, after enjoying her win with her......she has said never again is she getting married !! It really took the shine off her Lotto win.

The grandchildren would definitely not keep it quiet!

It would be difficult to keep it quiet. How would you explain where the money had come from when you start to spend it. I would buy my daughters new houses and set up a fund for my grandsons. I would also buy myself and hubby a gorgeous property with plenty of land and get lots of rescue dogs. I would also have a property in Jersey as i was born there and it holds a special place in my heart. Charities would benefit too. holidays would also be on the menu, Florida Disney world being the first place. I would take my daughters and son in laws and my 2 grandsons and let them spend, spend, spend.

There is a lottery winner who settled in my area out in the countryside.
I was out walking one day when a couple stopped me and asked where the lottery winner lived. Told them I didn't know.

When people move they generally get their mail forwarded GQ. And wherever they move in the UK they will be recognised.

good luck to them - they seem an ok couple. Hope they share their win wisely with family, friends and deserving causes. will be buying a ticket for tonight!!

Famous people and royalty have this sort of money and don’t go around worrying about their children getting kidnapped! You’ll be able to have a house/s with the best security system, maybe 24hr security guards if you want one. You’ll be able to send your kids to the best schools (after they’ve been looked after by the finest nannies). See the world, maybe buy an island? Fly by private jets, the world will be your oyster. There probably will be a flood of begging letters to start with but when you move (which you obviously would and need to do) how would they find you? To be able to change family and friends lives for me, would be the best thing ever.

Chestnut

I just can't understand people saying they don't want to win that amount when all you have to do is support countless charities. It could be put to such good use.

I don't get it either. I confess I wouldn't be totally selfless. I've struggled financially for most of my life, so I'd buy a nice house and car and set aside enough to pay for a housekeeper and gardener for the rest of my life. I'd be able to afford a live in nurse/carer, if ever needed. I'd be able to give my children something, which I've never been able to do before. I probably wouldn't give anything to established big charities, but I can think of loads of small organisations which would benefit from having an extra million or so. I know somebody who made millions in the City and has his own charity and makes donations to worthy causes, so I'd ask for some advice. I wouldn't go public and wouldn't be seen drinking champagne, as I don't drink alcohol.

I think its ridiculous that one person/household should get such a large amount of money that they will have serious issues dealing with. There should be a cap on it and let other people get some of it too.

Gosh it would be amazing but I’d never go public !
Good luck to them x

My first thought was the good they could do with that money. I would give a lot to my favourite charities immediately if I won big.

I have never bought a lottery ticket but if someone close to me had a big win my advice would be to avoid publicity to protect the family.
Wouldn’t it be so much nicer for 184 people to win 1 million pounds?
184 families with an improved future.

I do feel sums like 184 million are excessive.

Just think of the good we could do with it. So many worthy causes we could help.