half a billion

If you're going to be handing out gifts, I think I'd prefer if you funded my trip to the Today Show so I could stand outside 30 Rock and hold up  a sign behind Matt Lauer and Ann Curry. I'm not sure what I'd say, though... I'm sure I could think of something in the event this dream were to become a reality. 

I'd be glad to eat Krispy Kremes along the way... say on my first class flight to New York...? 

remember if you take it all in one sum and tax taxes its its more like 150 mil. 

me I would just take it over the next 30 years and become a professional triathlete.  Can you be considered a professional if you are full time triathlete but do not ever qualify for your pro card?

I would set it up so if my sisters did not want to increase there lifestyle they could retire.  The rest would all be wait and see. 

From the past winners I thought they took 50% on the lump some.

Cash prize at this time is $359 mil.... after taxes it is $216 mil.... ya, not really worth my time.

I think the jackpot is up to $450+ mill.

I think the jackpot is up to $450+ mill.

I'd buy a non-real green dress.

I'd go for the K-Car, a nice Reliant automobile. 

I'd take the payments because then if I blew all the money somehow, it'd still be like winning the lotto again for 25 more times. Seriously though, I'd probably give half of every payment to some charity's. Pay off all my immediate family's debt and give my parents enough to retire comfortably. I'd also give my ex-coworker who broke his back and is now paralyzed a significant chunk of change so he would be set for the rest of his life. Then I'd travel. A lot. First stop? New Zealand/Australia probably.

Now what are my odds of winning if I don't buy a ticket? It's statistically the same as if I do right?

Only the best ketchups.  Dijon ketchups.

I think you'd be obligated to by hundreds of them since BNL would have bought one with only a single $1 million.

Mike_D - 2012-03-29 6:11 AM Hookers, blow, and P5's for everyone!

I want to party with you cowboy

Not a real green dress - that's cruel.

All the obvious stuff like houses, retirement, and college funds for my family. They are first.

Next is charities - Diabetes research, homeless puppydogs, people with disabilities (esp kids).

And I've always said "If I won the lottery, I'd......." open a gluten free coffee shop or a vegetarian/vegan/gluten free restaurant/bar. I don't want to run or manage it, but would love to set one up, pick the menu, coordinate the marketing, etc.  

There is a reason nobody takes the annuity.  At least with the lump sum you could take all the money and manage it as you wish.  Lump sum here, I quit my job in an epic way.  Take the family to Europe for about 6 months.  Then I'd find something to keep myself busy.  I'd certainly have time to train for a full IM.