As for what I'd do if I win?
I'd first call up a reputable law firm (I'm in law, so I have some I'd definitely consider), and have them help with claiming strategy (trying to remain anonymous), trust-and-estates set up, and hiring a top-notch accountant. Basically set up everything to claim this efficiently. There will certainly be some initial charitable donor-advised fund type set up off the bat to try to reduce the taxes a bit.
I'd pay off my house and all our debt.
I'd have to think long and hard about how to do it to keep the fact that I won the lottery secret from them, but I'd make sure my extended family (mom, brothers and families, in-laws) were taken care of reasonably.
I'd then invest it something like 95-99% stocks and 1-5% Treasuries. Every year, the dividends/interest (after taxes) would be broken into 20% chunks: 20% to spend (which is probably way more than I would anticipate ever spending), 40% reinvested, 40% to the charitable donor-advised fund. Rinse, repeat.
Maybe I'd keep a small portion for speculation/angel investing. But I think just letting it ride in the market and living off a portion of the dividends/interest (while reinvesting the rest/giving away a lot ot charity) is the easy path at that point.
I'd first call up a reputable law firm (I'm in law, so I have some I'd definitely consider), and have them help with claiming strategy (trying to remain anonymous), trust-and-estates set up, and hiring a top-notch accountant. Basically set up everything to claim this efficiently. There will certainly be some initial charitable donor-advised fund type set up off the bat to try to reduce the taxes a bit.
I'd pay off my house and all our debt.
I'd have to think long and hard about how to do it to keep the fact that I won the lottery secret from them, but I'd make sure my extended family (mom, brothers and families, in-laws) were taken care of reasonably.
I'd then invest it something like 95-99% stocks and 1-5% Treasuries. Every year, the dividends/interest (after taxes) would be broken into 20% chunks: 20% to spend (which is probably way more than I would anticipate ever spending), 40% reinvested, 40% to the charitable donor-advised fund. Rinse, repeat.
Maybe I'd keep a small portion for speculation/angel investing. But I think just letting it ride in the market and living off a portion of the dividends/interest (while reinvesting the rest/giving away a lot ot charity) is the easy path at that point.
Statistics: Posted by Chadnudj — Sat Sep 06, 2025 11:03 am — Replies 86 — Views 6790