lottery winnings

My old military buddy and I were discussing lottery winnings and he thinks it is a ripoff that the lottery wants to give the winnings out over thirty years.  I totally disagree.  Now we are not talking about winning a few hundred over even a few thousand and many a little more than a million or two.  We're talking about big winnings, the kind that don't just change the direction of your life but changes
everything about your life.  let's say 90 million on up to the skies the limit. 

If it's ninety million spread over 30 years that's three million a year.  In one lump sum you are talking maybe 54 million give or take a million or two either way.  Chances are if ones the 54 he will never be worth the ninety million dollars.  In fact about the only way he will every accumulate that much is to save the 54 and only withdraw it when it reaches 90 million and that will happen ins , say, 30 years.   

Taking the three million leaves almost $5,000.00 a day for thirty years.  In vest wisely and it could last the rest of your life and the lives of your children.  But even if you are stupid and blow the $3,000,000.00 its okay.  Next year you will receive another three million.  Screw that up too and there is no real reason to worry.  The year after that you will receive another three million.  However, it's a different story if you take the lump sum. 

For one thing, you never knew you had so many relatives that had great ideas for a successful business but only need a little help getting started.  Buying a nice house, one  worthy of a millionaire, and of course, a couple of fancy cars and a great vacation.     It just wouldn't do if you didn't so something nice for your parents, your siblings and  a couple of your closest friends. 

Really?  You are really going to work Monday?  Now I really didn't think so.  You have your own idea for a great business. 

The trouble with the whole scenario is it cost a lot more to heat and cool and upkeep that big house than you every dreamed that it would and it is too big for you and your spouse to keep up.  You had no idea that landscapers and housekeepers costs so much.  Running a business was much tougher than you every dreamed it would be and all those friends with bright ideas can attest to the fact that turning a good idea into a profitable business takes more than money.  At least it takes more than they have and more than you are willing to let go of. 

Yea, all those millions were great for a few years but the money is going fast and the friends went faster.  The cars are depreciating and don't look so hot now.  They just look broken down and that dream home turned out to be a money pit.  All those fancy clothes don't fit now that you have gained so much weight from eating out so often.

It's hard to believe but people still think you are rich and are making your life miserable by begging for money to see them through a rough period or to get their great idea off the ground.  You really wish you had your old life  back but you can't.  You haven't worked in years.