Many people dream of winning the lottery. In fact, two American lotteries, US Powerball and Mega Millions, have set records for the largest jackpot prizes ever. These enormous jackpots attract huge amounts of publicity and throngs of players. However, the odds of hitting those big jackpots are very slim. In reality, you are much more likely to be struck by lightning or live to 110 years old than win the lottery.
Even the lucky winners who do hit the jackpot face some trouble handling their money. For example, Callie Rogers, who won a UK lottery prize of about $3 million in 2003, spent her winnings on vacations, clothing, cars, breast implants, and (according to British tabloid The Sun) more than $300,000 on cocaine. Eventually, she was forced to sell her house and move back into her parents’ home. She also lost a large portion of her winnings to gambling and other debts. She ultimately hanged herself in her parents’ garage in 2005.
Whether you’re playing the lottery for fun or to try your hand at making some extra cash, there are several ways you can improve your chances of winning a prize. First, choose your numbers carefully. A Swiss study found that a combination of numbers with more high than low numbers has a better chance of being drawn. This strategy is especially important in 50-number games like The Health Lottery, where all the numbers are assigned a low or high value.
Another way to increase your chances of winning is to play more frequently. If you play more often, you will have a greater chance of getting the jackpot or winning one of the lower prizes. But beware of chasing the big prize too much; there is a risk of losing more money than you have won.
In addition to playing more frequently, you can also increase your chances of winning by playing the lottery in states with the best odds. These states have higher average prizes paid per dollar of lottery spending than other states. For example, Ohio has a very high average prize for every dollar spent on tickets. In comparison, Kentucky has the lowest average prize for every dollar spent on tickets.
Many lottery winners end up blowing their winnings, often due to poor financial planning or the intoxicating feeling of instant wealth. To avoid this, consider assembling a financial team to help you manage your windfall. A certified financial planner can help you make the most of your winnings, which could include paying off high-interest debt and investing a portion of your winnings in low-cost index funds. This approach can help you keep your winnings in the long term.