The million-dollar question right now, or should I say, $1.6 billion question, is, "What would you do if you won the Powerball?" Everyone's answer is different and we have all been exposed to many interesting responses via news coverage, such as "buy the Tampa Bay Buccaneers" or "on hookers and cocaine." After taxes, the sum ended up being around $983.5 million, a hearty winning for a mere $2 gamble. So we ask, what would you do?
Here are six ways to use your winning to change someone else's life.
1. Pay for animal adoptions at the local animal shelter. (This is what I would do. Without hesitation.)
If you have ever visited a city-owned animal shelter, you can immediately see the financial struggle. Although staff and volunteers continually do their best, there is never enough money for necessary medical treatment or enough space for the animals. Some shelters charge $200+ for adoption fees, and many people aren't willing to spend that. After winning the lottery, you could literally pay the adoption deposit for a million animals, and still have plenty left over. You could choose a few of those adorable animals to adopt for yourself, too.
2. Find and fund housing for local homeless.
With a sum this size, you could follow in Utah's footsteps and end homelessness in your local community. Utah realized it is actually cheaper to build housing for their homeless, roughly $11,000 annually, as opposed to jailing them or paying their medical bills, generally amounting to nearly $16,670 annually. Since implementing this program in 2005, the state's homelessness has decreased by 78 percent. By designating a portion of the winnings, you could easily eliminate homelessness in your hometown permanently. This would leave a lasting impression on those you help and all aspects of the community.
3. Pay medical bills for local kids battling cancer.
Cancer is a terrible, terrible thing and unfortunately, impedes on some of the youngest lives possible. Parents try to stand beside their children through these horrendous times, leaving them less time to work and pay the medical bills. Aside from health, financial assistance is the largest blessing many of these families could imagine.
4. Help someone pay off their student debt.
As a student myself, I cannot express how many times a day I hear someone complaining about their student loans. Some people are facing nearly half a million dollars worth of loans by the time they graduate, all in a pursuit to better their future. Whether it be by means of scholarships, random selection or students you know, paying off someone's student loans could change their life entirely.
5. Pay off your parent's debts.
Many of us have seen this tear-jerking Facebook video of a son paying off the rest of his parents mortgage. Have you ever imagined actually having the financial ability to do this? One could create a debt-free life for the people who they truly have to thank for everything -- what could be better?
6. Send a loved one on a trip they have always wanted.
If you ask anyone what is on their bucket list, the answer will likely include the phrase "travel the world." Everyone wants to see the Eiffel Tower in person and drink out of a coconut in Hawaii. But what about the places we don't even realize exist? You could take the love of your life on the perfect honeymoon to the Russian Ice Palace or snorkel in Sicily. The possibilities are endless, and the memories will last a lifetime.
No, money is not the most important thing in the world, but it can easily change someone's life for the better. $983.5 million is more money than one can spend in their lifetime, so why not change someone else's life along the way? Just some food for thought.
