I wonder if the reason the vote results are tied right now is because many, like, me - would do all three?

...who am I kidding - I don't even buy tickets!

there should be a fourth choice of don't buy the tickets

I do buy lottery tickets ($12 per week).
My prayer - If I win I'll use some in your service.
God's response (so far) - Some?

Actually I have the double tithing already planned (not all to the same church).

Admin asked: "If you won the lottery, what's the first thing you'd do with your winnings?"

EZ Answer: Claim them.

I never buy lottery tickets. As a socialist, I also do not believe that lotteries are helpful for a population nor the betterment of the individuals in it.

After paying off the bills, set my family up for future security (if they don't blow it all foolishly! crazy kids these days!)

Gosh! I was surprised to find only 16% would invest it all. My first action would be to put it away so that my friends and family would not see me as their "bank", which is my real experience of inheriting money. My goal would be to give a lot to charity (to reduce income tax) and help out family, but I would need time to think on the best use of this money. Best to let it grow by investing and take a look around, rather than impulively become the Candy-Man. So although I may eventually give most of it to Charities in 3rd World countries, I would want time to research this. I don't much believe in giving my money away to friends and family, especially friends. I may make low interest loans but I believe that each of us needs to find our own way to emerge in life. I NEVER believe that you can get something from nothing. That is why I don't ever try lotteries or gamble. If I had the misery of running into LUCK, as I recently did with a family inheritance, I would not model behavior that I detest -- showing others that LUCK is how the world turns.

I'd invest, then spend on family, friends & charity. I'd love to be able to good things with what I have, after all the good things people have done for me. I know, I know - lotteries are not a great thing. Well, I agree, but I still cheer with a single dad wins, or a bunch of co-workers win.

I'm surprised as well that people decided not to invest it! I think that if you can make money make itself, why not watch it work for things like charity and family and friends? If you give regularly to a charity, is it not better than just one lump sum?

It's one of the few polls here that's not a fair question, that's why. Many people would probably invest it, give some to charity, and give some to family and friends.

Where's the "have a money fight" option? You know, like Mr. Burns and Mr. Smithers did -- you throw bundles of bills at each other.

I wouldn't do any of those things. The best thing to do when you win the lottery is to put all of the money in the bank and live off the interest.

However, I said that I'd invest it since that could technically be spun in that direction.

Killer, you don't put it in the bank, you invest it in something that will grow it.

i would invest it but probably the first thing i would do is ask an accountant for advice. Once it is growing then I would spend only the interest if possible.

and buy that fishing camp

Of course if it was a small win i would play with it and but treats.

I would invest it so that I could actually then share with family and friends and donate to charity.

:)

If the win were enough I would buy a house as an investment. I hate the idea of throwing money away to rent.

I would definitely give to family and friends and ensure that there was money set aside for the children (I don't have any yet, but my nieces and nephews would be set up!).

I would invest as well, and give to charities once I've done research on which one's I want to support.

I would buy a motorcycle because I've always wanted one.

Bank it then buy myself a home preferably a farm where I could have cows,
a dog and a cat of my own.

I voted for the thing that I would do first: spend on friends and family. Then I would spend a bit, on a farm, a car and a couple of other things. Then I would invest what was left and look into the best ways that I could help the four charities that I would like to support.

I believe i would do all 3---I certainly would try to be smart about it as i would nt want to go broke by being stupid and wasteful.

I am really surprised that 'give to charity' is at almost half of 'spend on family and friends'... given most of us here claim to be Christian.... I'm affraid I am very much one of those "WWJD" kind of people.... and the term "spend" sounded more like an indulgent shopping spree than usefull giving...

If 'invest it all' was intended as a first step to charitable giving, then perhaps the results are not as depressing...

As far as giving regularly vs lump sum to charities, my experience with charities is that when we are talking the kind of sums that a lottery would normally involve, a lump sum gift would be more useful to a charity (once you had determined the charity you wanted to give to) because a large donation can allow a charity to accomplish a significant goal/project that they would not be able to with smaller, more regular contributions.

I am a Christian, let me say that 1st and foremost. But, I would not give money to charity, especially if it was the first thing. Yes, I would spend it on my family and friends. I would pay of their debts, buy them new houses and cars. It gives me such joy in giving to people, especially if it is something meaningful to them. I would then put my money way, not invest it, but put it in a medium interest bank, and earn a little bit. Then, I would give some to charitys that have helped me.

I have no family and few friends,

Last charity I gave to misappropriated funds.

So I'd invest it in my own pleasure, which may include some key friends,

The problem with voting is that you have to decide between 3 good choices. Obviously I would do all three - give to my family - set my kids up with homes so they don't face crushing mortgages for the rest of their lives
Give to charity - this is the most fun - giving resources to groups that work for others - large part would go to the church. And invest so that I could continue to give money away - e.g. the interest or proceeds of the investment and not the capital.

I think the difficulty in the choices is that what you would do is a combination but in fact the prudent thing would be to invest it and let it earn money so that you had more to use.

If you spend it all , it's gone. If you invest it you could give your favourite charity $50,000 each year rather than just once.

I invest in an annuity - get weekly cheque, turn back on corporate world. I be full fledged warrior for Christ. No ifs. No ands.

Hey Drew,

You said - I be full fledged warrior for Christ.

Why not be that now?

Many blessings upon you.

Paul

Umm why no box to check off the obvious.. .__spend some or all on myself first and find a place to hide.

Pay off my children's mortgages.
Buy a small place to live close to children for visits and for later when I am older.
breathe a sigh of relief: no worry about being poor and old.

I would spend on family and friends, and I would invest a lot of it too. But I would be reluctant to spend on charity because most charities are scams, and those that are genuine are usually inefficient.

id leave canada quick!

the lottery corp is just a way for canada to gain interest.. ya dont get the money anyway something like 325,000 per year is what i hear the govie dishes out to the winner while it sits back and collects interest from the canadian people lol... hahahahahahaha.... stupid govie.

I would invest it...and *then* I would spend on family and friends and charity.

And a little on myself, too : J