Our country was beginning to go crazy as the latest Powerball jackpot winnings continued to rise to a whopping $1.3 billion. People were buying lottery tickets left and right, just hoping to be the 1 in nearly 300 million to win. The chances are obviously slim, but that didn't stop me from purchasing a ticket myself. After I bought the ticket, I started thinking what on earth I could spend that kind of money on if I were to be the lucky winner. The following are a few items I've come up with:
1. A sports team
Maybe not your favorite NFL team, as those are typically worth much more than a billion dollars. However, 1.3 billion dollars could buy an NBA team, which is pretty awesome, too. The money can also buy a few minor league baseball teams if you're more of a baseball fan. Soccer teams are also an option, both national and international.
2. A small, private island
Or, if you don't want all that upkeep, you can also spend a few weeks on Richard Branson's private island. Either option is appealing, if you ask me. Just make sure you bring someone or some people you actually like because after all, it is an island.
3. A real T-Rex skeleton
Actually, you can purchase about 100 of them with that kind of money. It could also make a decoration for the mansion you'll probably end up buying with all that cash. It would be an interesting conversation topic, but then again, so is winning the highest Powerball in history.
4. A solid gold bathtub
Because let's face it: it's everyone's dream to fill it with cash and sit in it. If you would decide do that, don't forget to post it all over social media because that will certainly get hella Instagram likes. It will also make your enemies jealous, which is an added bonus.
5. A round-trip ticket to the moon and back
This is probably the most unique vacation anyone could take. Forget traveling the world---normal people can do that, while you could travel the universe. But before you step foot on the moon, make sure you have something cool to say like Neil Armstrong did. It'd be a shame if you stepped off and just said "cool" or "wow."
6. Insanely expensive animals
I bet you didn't know you can purchase the world's most expensive cow for 1.2 million dollars. Or maybe if dairy isn't your thing, you could also buy the world's most expensive horse, Green Monkey, who is worth $16 million. And good news! You'll have enough money left over for other exotic animals and habitats for them.
7. Start your own business
If you have a super cool idea, why not invest in it with your new winnings? Maybe it's not a business and it's an invention instead, but give it a try and see what happens. Maybe you could make even more money and just become richer.
8. 1.3 billion soft serve cones from McDonalds
You could buy a cone for everyone who lost the Powerball and still have cones leftover. Or, you could just eat soft serve for every meal for many years to come, because you know, that's healthy.
9. A private jet
And you'll probably want to hire a private pilot as well, considering most of us don't know how to actually fly the jet. Or you could be really adventurous and take lessons on learning to fly your new jet.
10. A private concert
Now, just sit back and imagine your favorite artist coming on stage and singing only to you. It's something many of us have dreamt of. Well, if you're the lucky winner of 1.3 billion dollars, dreams can now come true.
11. The world's most expensive boat/yacht
"The Streets of Monaco" is the world's most expensive boat for purchase. It is modeled after the real country and stretches over 500 feet. It's basically a private cruise ship/city all in one. So why not blow nearly all your winnings on this super yacht?
12. Exotic cars
Or a garage full of exotic cars! You could definitely buy a few unique cars with this kind of money. You could probably have a different car for each day of the week. It would be like the days of the week underwear we used to wear as kids, but the exotic car version, which would also cost quite a bit more than undies.
13. A restaurant chain
Now, I'm not talking a huge restaurant chain like McDonalds, but you could buy one of the smaller ones. Portillo's would be affordable, along with Culvers. I guess it really depends on your taste.
14. The Playboy mansion
I hate to break it to you, however, good old (emphasis on old) Hugh Hefner would be included with this deal. That is until he dies, which is when the famous mansion would be all yours. I know this is nearly every man's dream, and dreams could come true when you miraculously win 1.3 billion dollars.
15. Charity
And last but not least, you could be what we all should strive to be: a good person. You could give back to the less fortunate. You could rescue a bunch of needy animals. You could give money to help research cures for cancer. You could give some to your alma mater. The list goes on, but for whoever does become this rich, I do hope that at least some of their winnings goes to a good cause for the sake of humanity.
