definitely do the lawyer bit first. Most of those lotto tickets have a clause on the back that says you agree to them using you as a promo.

Pay Top notch Doc's and hospital's, reasonable pay, for the best of healthcare for the poor and the near poor!!!

Retire. Invest the money, buy my kids a new car and a nice condo.

Cool question.

I'm going to give the answers right off the top of my head which means if pressed - or clearer thought - I might change my mind.

1. Change my phone number. LOL
2. set up a foundation with at least 1/2 of the money...(not exactly sure what the mission statement is but I think it would be some philanthropic community thing or some eco-green 'be smart and kind to our planet' kind of thing)
3. pay off the houses (mine and members of my immediate family only)
4. Make a sizable charitable donation to the Wildlife Rehab Center of Minnesota
5. Not sure if I'd quit my job or not (nice to stay grounded for a while) but when the time was right, I'd probably take an extended vacation to places I've longed to see but have not. First stop St. Petersburg to learn more about the Czars, next stop..... somewhere safer and warmer.

Wow TXBatman. My mind's racing. What a fun question!!!! (love your answers btw)

I agree with a lot of you about the lawyer and changing the number. My kids already depend on my money to much now so I don't know what I would do there. I know what my husband would say. Get them out of debt and in a nice house/neighborhood!

I would pay to have my house fixed up so I could sell it, hire a moving company to do it completely and move into a very nice handicap accessible home. I don't need it now but my Mom and MIL could come in our house easily then. As it is we live in a bi level and it's hard for my Mom to get in and my MIL can't at all. I would hire a maid to do weekly cleaning and have regular massages. Give a good chunk to my churches national board and for MS research. Oh, invest, invest, invest!

Sounds like I had better win a big one. Oh, I forgot, I find the Lottery is gambling and I don't do that.

Interesting question and answers. First off, I'm with doydie, never buy lottery tickets to start with, but since this is a fantasy......... I've learned from experience that "instant money" -- inheritance -- can be a blessing or not. Therefore, I wouldn't tell anyone of my winnings, unless forced to as part of the deal. Money seems to bring out the "not so nice" in people and I'd rather not deal with it again! But I'd take care of business.....privately, giving a large portion away.

Lol, first thing I'd do is change my last name to DHs to fly under the radar. Then I would:

• Buy a big chunk of land for a handicapped and abused animal sanctuary.
• Give money to my Mom, brother and two best friends.
• Donate to MS research.
• Save the rest.

1 - buy land 'up north' wisconsin ... with a lake
2 - build my lighthouse and art studio (to work and teach classes - quilting)
3 - buy land in Alaska
4 - live in Wisconsin: oct - may .. Alaska: may - oct

start a foundation to build affordable housing so no one would be homeless or hungry ...

Buy a house on Lake Michigan close to the white sandy shore with huge windows overlooking it all. Ah Lake Michigan...no salt....no sharks....no problems.

But to really complete my life I'd have to really help some stranger in dire need and never let them know I was the one who helped. If I were ever so lucky I would surely pay it forward. Just between me and my God....oh and maybe my accountant.

I just love this type of post question!!

First, I would tell no one except DH.

I would keep the house I have, but move into another place while having it made as handicapped-accessible as possible. I would also have the hardwood floors refinished, and completely re-do the kitchen with a tile floor, accessible sink and cabinets, and open up the kitchen/dining area to the deck with french doors. Plus, have a cover built over the deck.

I would donate a lot of money to Saint Francis Service Dogs. I would also donate to the animal shelter and the food pantry.

I would pay to have my son and his family fly here from California, and I would pay to have my other son and his family fly here from South Africa at least once a year.

I would hire a couple who would keep my house clean and do the small repairs DH is incapable of doing.

I would hire a landscaping service to put in raised gardens in the back yard, and do the weed-eating after I mow. We have 1.25 acres, and I use a riding lawnmower that makes me feel not only more "normal" but extremely powerful! Plus, I have a lot of fun going up and down the slopes!

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. Gee, this is fun! Thanks to TX for starting it.

By the way TX, we lived in San Antonio for many years and I loved the Hill Country.