Statistically, the less you have when you win, the less likely the changes will be positive. And of course, the more you have to begin with, the less change there is at all.
Why is that?
Well, think about it.
If you are already a millionaire and you win the lottery,
you have more millions.
But your lifestyle doesn't really change.
Your existing, trusted accountant helps you
make sound investments of the new millions,
joining the old millions in growth.
The notoriety may briefly bring a flurry of additional requests for gifts and loans,
but the wealthy are already accustomed to discerning the truth of need -
and in recognizing sob stories designed to lighten their pocketbooks.
Very little - if anything - changes.
However, the person who struggles to make ends meet is a different story.
That person's life changes overnight!
She no longer lives paycheck to paycheck.
He no longer wonders if he will have enough to pay the electric bill.
They no longer feel the need to keep the house cold in the winter
and hot in the summer.
She no longer has to hope for enough gas
to get to and from work until payday.
He no longer has to tell the kids "no" to anything but absolute necessities.
They no longer have to live in a rental or less of a house than they would like.
In an instant, everything changes!
Many lottery winners quit their jobs.
They buy a brand new house.
They buy a brand new car.
Suddenly they are receiving credit offers.
Suddenly they have lots and lots of friends and family who love them endlessly.
The opportunities seem endless.
Unfortunately, the opportunities often do come to an abrupt end.
About 70% of people who suddenly come into a large amount of money are worse off in one to five years than they were before the windfall. They spend and "lend" foolishly and lose not only what they won, but have used the sudden influx of credit offers so they are deeply in debt as well.
It is not a pretty picture.
So, how does one avoid lottery poverty?
CHOICE
Choosing to seek and listen to wise council.
Choosing to continue to work.
Choosing to continue to live within a budget.
Choosing to not touch principle.
Choosing to spend your windfall wisely.
And that is the way with all windfalls,
all change.
Choice makes the difference.
It is not easy to choose to spend wisely.
But it is far more rewarding!
So how have you
chosen
to spend the windfalls of your life?
Time
Energy
Heart
Emotions
Spirit
Intelligence
Possessions
Family
Friends
Even the bad windfalls' outcomes have a lot to do with how we
choose
to handle them.
Death
A break-up
A lost job
Illness
Not getting our way
Loss of any kind
I pray your choices are wise! I pray mine are too!
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