Comments
heidismiles t1_iy02eba wrote
There's nothing wrong with buying a reasonable amount of lottery tickets. Let people have their fun.
5abbingia t1_iy02o0t wrote
A reasonable amount of lottery tickets is zero.
heidismiles t1_iy02sdo wrote
A reasonable amount is the amount you want to buy, which doesn't hurt your budget in any way.
Let people have their fun.
5abbingia t1_iy02y80 wrote
That's not the definition of reasonable, which means according to reason.
algabana t1_iy0377n wrote
what if they buy them for the thrill and not because they expect to win? its not a financial decision its entertainment.
mmft_93 t1_iy03ani wrote
Everyone's sense of reason is different based on their own experiences though 0.o so however much they can buy without hurting themselves seems reasonable no?
5abbingia t1_iy03g4o wrote
I see your point, but the thrill comes from the expectation of winning, doesn't it? And that's an unreasonable expectation.
annoyedsquish t1_iy03k02 wrote
You're quite the fun-sucker.
AngelOmega7 t1_iy03l71 wrote
“According to reason” if a person buys a non-zero amount of lottery tickets that doesn’t impact their finances, that is a perfectly fine amount to buy.
heidismiles t1_iy0409u wrote
Have you never fantasized about being wealthy before? Are you from Earth?
algabana t1_iy049e4 wrote
there is a chance of winning isnt there? it doesnt have to outweigh the cost to be thrilling
take it this way: i know that by buying $20 worth of tickets every week i will be losing on average $5 a week. on the other hand, every week theres a 10% chance i end up making $100, the thrill of that is an experience worth more than $5 according to me.
giantvoice t1_iy04cfv wrote
No different than betting on sports or paying for fantasy leagues. Except a ticket is only $1-$2.
Free_Leonard_Peltier t1_iy04oms wrote
And seemingly everyone has a plan on what they will do when they win the lottery, while not many have a plan on what they’ll do when they are diagnosed with cancer.
North-Philosopher-41 t1_iy04x4p wrote
People that desire wealth haven’t gone deep enough in themselves to see what brings about desire. A quick solution seems to be to get rich and all of the sudden life is easy mode, unfortunately that is not the case you will find you still have to get up and live with yourself. Being within yourself and cultivating your own energy will bring joy, where in chasing wealth will bring a feeling of emptiness that is never nourished no matter how much one has accumulated, it is why billionaires don’t stop chasing money after making a billion dollars
slide_into_my_BM t1_iy04z4y wrote
The lottery is just state sponsored gambling to take advantage of low income people. They then claim it’s for the schools or something, and a little bit is, but most of it doesn’t.
Winter-Mind-9823 t1_iy05b26 wrote
If you win the lottery why would keep buying more lotto tickets
drumsripdrummer t1_iy05ew2 wrote
You can smoke a little bit of crack without hurting yourself, but that doesn't make it reasonable
AggyResult t1_iy061sj wrote
They’re both the same
PM_ur_Rump t1_iy06kxk wrote
I mean, if it doesn't hurt you and you get some enjoyment out of it...
PM_ur_Rump t1_iy06x62 wrote
It's unreasonable to say "I can give $2 to the lottery fund every few months, which goes to help support state programs, daydream a bit about being a millionaire, and not at all miss the money?" It's basically a donation with a chance of a payout.
Aetheldrake t1_iy07ebg wrote
To win it AGAIN
Almost impossible, but one or 2 tickets now and then should be more than manageable
Dont forget some dude won a jackpot on a scratch off ticket and when he went to act it out for a tv show or whatever he fucking won another huge sum of money
BetterFuture22 t1_iy07qao wrote
Yes, hence nickname of "poor people tax"
MooPig48 t1_iy07vgd wrote
Expectation? I don’t really think anyone has that expectation. Hope, sure.
Matthew0275 t1_iy07wh4 wrote
I'll have time to figure out how to cultivate self worth when I'm not working 60 hours a week between two jobs to barely break even. Getting at the absolute most six hours of sleep a day.
Hilariously, a bit of money would alleviate the largest pressure in my life giving me room to actually grow into the type of person who can learn how to better themselves.
Terrible-Swim-6786 t1_iy07yoz wrote
Lottery tickets are incredibly overpriced for the chance they give you. Don't just downvote me, show me a lottery where the price of the ticket is lower than the expected win (probability×jackpot)
The_one_maybe t1_iy08btf wrote
Happiness is a very individual thing, and is inherently unreasonable, as it cannot always be reasoned out. A reasonable amount may not be the best way to put it, but an amount that brings about happiness at a greater rate per dollar than other alternatives would be the most logical decision to put money intended for enjoyment on. I see where you're coming from, as the lottery is a terrible investment, but a couple dollars for a chance to dream may be a small price to pay for many.
5abbingia t1_iy08sz3 wrote
It's legalized gambling, it has nothing to do with fun.
5abbingia t1_iy092m5 wrote
But the chance is one on several thousands, not 10%
algabana t1_iy098j1 wrote
doesnt matter, on average youre losing either way. the point is that the thrill may be worth the cost
PM_ur_Rump t1_iy09bx0 wrote
A voluntary donation is not a tax.
ironicf8 t1_iy09dee wrote
No. No you cannot.
Dqnnnv t1_iy09fi4 wrote
Reason why gabling is so popular is because its fun.
ShibbyBearz t1_iy09fno wrote
I related to this 💯%. My mom has always been a compulsive lottery ticket buyer and she was always in debt. One day I did a rough calculation on how much money she spent on tickets from my birth until I turned 30 and it was ~$90K. The amount is likely higher because she had the same habit with my brother who is 12 yrs older than me.
5abbingia t1_iy09kyi wrote
Gambling is popular because it's addictive.
justreddis t1_iy09nuw wrote
Just 10 minutes of meditation, exercise, joyful time with family and friends, here and there, help, no matter how busy you are. Don’t lose yourself in the hustle
ironicf8 t1_iy09oc1 wrote
Seriously. Sounds like that "money doesn't buy happiness" shit millionaires tell everyone else as they hoard all that totally unhappy money.
Dqnnnv t1_iy09oey wrote
Yes, but reason people start with it is because its fun.
ResettisReplicas t1_iy09tds wrote
Not necessarily tickets, but also stuff like a business idea or a high risk investment that will “definitely” pay off.
ironicf8 t1_iy09uah wrote
Statistically you are more likely to win twice than once.
5abbingia t1_iy09uim wrote
My point is still valid.
ResettisReplicas t1_iy0a0hb wrote
There’s nothing wring with a “reasonable” amount of any addictive behavior, but that’s the thing, they’re addictive so it’s hard for some to keep it in moderation.
Dqnnnv t1_iy0a45c wrote
So is mine.
StanleyDodds t1_iy0aem8 wrote
Doesn't change the point of the post, which is that those people are the type to make bad financial decisions.
If I find burning money fun, does that make burning money a good financial decision?
[deleted] t1_iy0af6m wrote
[deleted]
HoeTeamIsHere t1_iy0aixd wrote
Let people have their addiction more like lol
Tikithing t1_iy0altb wrote
I work in a shop and I always laugh when people buy lottery tickets because the jackpot has hit a certain amount. Like ugh, $150 million, not even worth winning, but $200 million is.
not_a_droid t1_iy0am63 wrote
Was supposed to be “for the schools”, I’d like to see how those dollars are spent, because, it does not seem like the schools are getting their fair share
jhvanriper t1_iy0auar wrote
Hey mathematically but $2 buys a bit of fun what if I win fantasy.
icecoldfivefold t1_iy0b2pq wrote
You have $400,000.00 in the bank. There's a chance spending $1.00 will get you $485,000,000.00. is my mom unreasonable for buying the ticket or are you unreasonable that a dollar is too much to risk on a small chance of millions? Lmao
ThirdCrew t1_iy0b3zr wrote
It's not about the money, it's a way to moderate one self. Winning Powerball or mega millions is life changing money whatever the amount.
Loves_tacos t1_iy0b965 wrote
I only use a "reasonable" amount of meth. I'm responsible.
Virtuoso1980 t1_iy0bc5v wrote
Because it’s not their livelihood. I buy tickets when it’s a high amount and i get my money’s worth of hoping and daydreaming about what I can do with the prize.
mcpickledick t1_iy0bfg1 wrote
It's not necessarily a poor financial decision. The value of a lottery ticket is different for everyone. I very rarely buy them, but when I do it's a kind of entertainment. I'm buying a whole few days where I know I could be a multi millionaire. Obviously I'm aware it's virtually impossible to win, but It's not just about the money. It's much more about the hope and excitement it brings into my life, and a few whole days of that is easily worth $20.
Johnny-Edge t1_iy0bhpg wrote
That’s like saying people who buy beer make “poor financial decisions.” People do it for entertainment and that feeling in between draws, not necessarily because they’re making a financial decision to win the lottery.
sei556 t1_iy0bsuo wrote
Well for most lotteries here you can win a percentage of the jackpot by getting some numbers right. The odds for that are way higher and the higher the jackpot, the higher the payout from the lower brackets
Brain-of-Sugar t1_iy0bxon wrote
You talk about it like people even have a chance at winning nowadays. Last time I checked you have a better chance at getting hit by lightning 3 times in your lifetime.
If you really want to moderate, then understand that it's a scam and choose a better coping mechanism.
angusshangus t1_iy0c4sp wrote
I only ever buy lottery tickets when a group I’m part of, like at an office, pool their money to buy tickets. I only do this on the off chance they won and everyone quit and I was stuck there.
Colorado_Car-Guy t1_iy0c58c wrote
I got a plan. Debt, throw about 5m to retirement. Buy a house under 600k. Continue to go to work. Throw the rest into my savings @2% APY
And just collect interest.
bytx t1_iy0c670 wrote
Also the larger the jackpot is the more people playing the more winners and more divided the wining.
bytx t1_iy0c8xr wrote
Isn’t a reasonable amount 0?
Gofastrun t1_iy0cmfq wrote
Says someone that participates in social media - possibly the most widespread modern addiction
Strawberrylacegame t1_iy0cqd1 wrote
$9 a day on lottery tickets?
decorama t1_iy0cxos wrote
One exception: Raising Cane's CEO blew $100,000 on Lottery tickets - TWICE saying he would split the winnings between all employees. $200,000 worth of tickets and they won squat.
I get his intention, but that money could have been put into an account for an employee emergency fund or anything else. Stupid.
stacksmasher t1_iy0d5ug wrote
Not really. I only play when it’s over $500 million. It’s a great way to have fun lol!
Simply_Epic t1_iy0dcq1 wrote
Someone on Twitter did the math and with the odds of winning at $1B it’s actually rational to buy 3 powerball tickets. No more, no less. Every lottery would have some threshold where it’s rational to buy 1 ticket based on the odds of winning and jackpot amount. Those people certainly aren’t doing the math, though.
BushyOreo t1_iy0dg5g wrote
Which also are dumb
Ryan949 t1_iy0di50 wrote
I forget which US state it was (I think it was featured on Last Week Tonight), but the revenue from their newly introduced lottery did technically go to education, it's just that an equal amount was then taken out of the education budget.
oflowz t1_iy0dnxq wrote
So what? It’s just a dollar. It’s not about the mathematical chance to win everyone knows the odds. But saying it isn’t possible to win is a lie.
The chances are low but people do win. There’s a difference between playing it for fun and being addicted to gambling.
To me spending $2 on a lotto ticket is better for you than buying a candy bar or soda.
My dad won $300,000 playing the lotto a couple years ago. He doesn’t spend tons on it he buys a ticket with change from going to the store. He’s retired and enjoys it what’s the harm?
The same people mad at people playing the lotto go spend $50 a weekend drinking. Everyone has a vice as long as you manage it I don’t see the issue.
Somekindofparty t1_iy0dsk7 wrote
I’ve done pretty well for myself so far. I’m pretty sure the $10-$20 a year I spend on lottery tickets isn’t a sign of poor financial decisions.
Granted, if I won a few hundred million dollars I’d still do some hookers and blow for the experience. But only as much as my wife is willing to do with me and not until 99% of that money was tied up in extremely stable, dividend paying investments.
rucb_alum t1_iy0dul8 wrote
Reasonable assertion but not proven. It just might be that an 'abundance attitude' is learned from birth and 'instant millionaires' are not grown from a position of "There's more where that came from". Pro athletes (for the most part) show the same inability to make good financial calls.
decolored t1_iy0dzls wrote
If you buy 2 tickets you’re more likely to win both than one? Statistics isn’t as simple as words
bordellp t1_iy0e5bu wrote
Your point is valid, I just want to point out, this isn’t a hustle thing. It is the baseline reality for a huge majority of people just trying to keep a roof over their heads. All with varying levels of support and ability to tend to self care. It isn’t just an attitude thing, times are very hard.
thunderwolf69 t1_iy0e649 wrote
It’s just a bit of fun, innit? My wife and I spent $9 to spend a night fantasizing and having fun about what we’d do with winning that 2bil Powerball a few weeks ago lol. Even getting $50k would’ve been worth it.
People with money don’t play the lotto because they don’t need to win a 2bil Powerball, OP. They already have generational wealth.
Capt_Dummy t1_iy0e7px wrote
Honestly, i buy low. I want that 3-4 mil jackpot. It’s all i need. Also 100mil would be an absolute curse. Id be stressed out all day and nervous for my family
Maiyku t1_iy0e8tx wrote
I had a guy at one of my old jobs who played scratch offs constantly, but he also won constantly. Biggest win was only $7,000 he said, but he won $1,000 twice in the three years I worked there.
For some random people, it oddly seems worth it.
decolored t1_iy0e8z1 wrote
Lottery’s feed off leveraging greed? Crazy, I’ll go tell my grandma who buys tickets with money she doesn’t need, so she can have more money she doesn’t need.
Spidernemesis t1_iy0ech7 wrote
Pretty much. Plenty of examples of people who won big but were back at McDonald's a few years later
Beatplayer t1_iy0ed87 wrote
I dunno. My dad always bought a ticket. He said that the best but about the lottery was the consideration of what you’d do with it. I’ve followed in his footsteps.
thunderwolf69 t1_iy0edf5 wrote
Apples to oranges. Don’t be intentionally obtuse.
decolored t1_iy0eh4f wrote
Well ya that’s how they end up benefiting a select minority (state government and winners) and stiffing everyone else
Free_Leonard_Peltier t1_iy0ehdc wrote
Sounds great, so now it’s just the easy part, winning the lottery.
void_evilness t1_iy0eo47 wrote
Have heard of ‘doing something for fun’? Most ppl who buy the lottery arent really expecting to win it lol they like the idea of “possibly winning” and it’s just harmless fun like a raffle ticket for a fundraiser jesus
slipperyShoesss t1_iy0epzo wrote
Also feels like Christmas morning as kid as the time for the numbers to be shown gets close. Oooo what am I gonna get??? Oh, nothing, as usual. <Sobs into stocking>
DruTangClan t1_iy0eqzu wrote
Lol so should alcohol be banned then? Caffeine?
ironicf8 t1_iy0evdo wrote
No if you win the lottery. Then play again. You are more likely to win the second time than the first. Statistically this is true but that just goes to show how misleading statistics are. It's based on the fact that there is a higher % of people who have won the lottery and then won again, than people who have won vs the general population. I was joking but it is an actual statistic.
Capt_Dummy t1_iy0f2j8 wrote
There’s a bit more to it than that. Studies have shown that when people are given things, they’re more likely to turn around and give said things away. When they earn things, they hold on to them and make reasonable decisions
Brain-of-Sugar t1_iy0f57y wrote
Because I definitely partake in unhealthy coping mechanisms like that. Yep. Absolutely accurate.
It's gambling. If you don't have that high of moral standards, then there's not much point in arguing about it unless you want to try and convince me that it's not predatory and that poorer areas and black neighborhoods are disproportionally targeted by it?
Edit since I saw yours: Not really. I don't drink. I also view that as useless, though not as predatory since Americans have to be 21 to throw their money away getting alcohol.
renomustang t1_iy0f8gt wrote
I don’t agree with the last part.
What IS true however, is handing millions of dollars to someone who is used to having less than 75k/ annual salary. There is no way they be successful with that money absent some very good sound financial advice.
therollingchunder t1_iy0f9sm wrote
Maryland. This was an issue a number of years ago when they finally let casinos open. Slots only, then eventually tables too.
ChefMoney89 t1_iy0f9wg wrote
Although, if you win the lottery, that decision to buy the ticket was probably the best financial decision you’ve ever made
Justsk8n t1_iy0fd21 wrote
yeah but social media is free (except your privacy and all your information but shh)
decolored t1_iy0fdmt wrote
Ah, so the statistic is actually better worded: if you continue to play the lottery after winning, you are likely to continue to use that lottery winner wealth until you eventually win again, when compared with the average player. Yes indeed that is statistically logical and deceptive
Loki12241224 t1_iy0fidk wrote
That doesn't make sense to me. If the expected value of winning the lottery is greater than 1 than it should be rational to buy infinite tickets and if it's less than it's not rational to buy any. How did they come up with 3?
iTwango t1_iy0fju0 wrote
My understanding is in TN it goes to the scholarships that allow free associates degrees to everyone
oflowz t1_iy0fl22 wrote
Gambling is just like any other vice. As long as it’s done in moderation I don’t see the issue. Everyone here has a vice of some sort and spends money that others would deem wasted in their eyes. If people enjoy it and do it responsibly who are you to judge someone else?
Everybody here talking crap about people that buy lotto tickets are out buying video games or exercise gear or your pog collection or whatever.
I don’t see the difference.
Darklord_Bravo t1_iy0fn05 wrote
I've watched enough people piss away money they've come into or won to know damn well that I will never do what they did.
That said, I do buy lottery, but only when the pot is absurdly high, even though I know I'll never win., Not playing though is a 100% guarantee you really really won't win.
Also, don't understand people that will drop hundreds on scratch tickets, only to win a significant amount, and turn around and buy more with the winnings. *facepalm (Gambling addiction, I get it.)
SexPanther_Bot t1_iy0fu0j wrote
It's called Sex Panther® by Odeon.
It's a cologne that is illegal in 9 countries.
It's also made with bits of real panther, so you know it's good.
60% of the time, it works every time.
Fondren_Richmond t1_iy0g083 wrote
that's a little snooty, gambling can be entertainment detached from core investment and budgeting decisions, the costs can certainly be similar to other recreational activities
twohundred37 t1_iy0g6ko wrote
This is why the lottery is often referred to as “the poor tax”.
not_a_droid t1_iy0g7ho wrote
im in tx
jsgx3 t1_iy0ggpi wrote
Generally yes. It is a defacto voluntary tax on lower income citizens. Lottery's are immoral and unethical and should be stopped.
Imagine if the gov cancelled lottery's and then increased taxes on the people who spend the most on lotto tickets to make up the deficit?
My favorite part are the states that run lottery's yet outlaw gambling. It's fine if the politicians run a gambling racket and get to pick the winners and losers of the state monies spent to run them but by god no private citizens will be allowed to do it because that would just be encouraging gambling!
get_off_my_lawn_n0w t1_iy0goa0 wrote
Its about the fantasy, I understand the probability just fine. I earn enough to get by. Life is good.
The idea that I could never have to work is appealing. Just not appealing enought to buy them all the time.
cavalierfool t1_iy0gre5 wrote
That doesn’t mean don’t buy lottery tickets. Oregon roads are pretty bad, buy more tickets
Birdknowsbest21 t1_iy0gwjx wrote
The lottery is a tax on a poor. Its legalized government endorsed gambling and sends a terrible message that if you get lucky you can be rich.
anewman513 t1_iy0h0oe wrote
Unitedite t1_iy0hlvi wrote
This is not how probability works. The number of double lottery winners has no bearing on your chance of winning the lottery, regardless of whether or not you've won it yourself.
trodden_thetas_0i t1_iy0hq10 wrote
I’m so glad I’m not in a position where I have to cope that buying $4 worth of lottery tickets won’t break the bank.
TrulyStupidNewb t1_iy0hu54 wrote
It's harmless fun for most people, just like alcohol, but for a minority of population, it's a struggle.
I totally believe that lottery should be legal. After all, you are spending your money. Even if the odds of winning was 0%, it should still be legal because people can do anything with their money, even flush it down a toilet.
However, my uncle lost $1 million Canadian dollars on gambling. He retired early after selling his successful restaurant, then blew all his money on gambling, then remortgaged his house and gambled that away too. Now, 15 years later, he's still driving an uber.
I am afraid of gambling because I don't want it to snowball like my uncle. If he was able to blow away $1 million Canadian dollars, I don't even want to get into gambling.
ShibbyBearz t1_iy0j640 wrote
My calculation was a combination of daily lottery ticket purchases and the occasional scratch tickets. I averaged $8 per day based on some weekly habits I remembered and the remaining as scratch tickets.
MoonBearIsNotAmused t1_iy0jqgg wrote
So is you or me not buying a ticket magically gonna make anything that you mentioned change? You indirectly contribute to all the evil in the world just buy grocery shopping at Walmart. Ever bought chocolate? How does impoverished cocoa farmers who have never had chocolate taste? Get off your high horse and daydream about a jackpot once in a while
CzarCW t1_iy0k0fv wrote
If you shoot up heroin and your dealer leaves you $50 grand in his will, buying heroin still would not be a good financial decision.
AquilaScura t1_iy0kdae wrote
You don’t hear about the successful ones. Not as interesting a story
ChefMoney89 t1_iy0m6ah wrote
Eh, depends on how the heroin costs. And how long the dealer lives
Hrmerder t1_iy0nitv wrote
Back in the late 80’s /early 90’s the Mississippi gulf coast started pushing casinos as a way to both bring tons of jobs as well as other industry and also conned the community into thinking the taxes that would go to local and state will be for maintaining roads really well as well as bringing education up to high standards while casinos would be required to have gaming only on semi permanently docked barges and boats which would also allow the casinos to move their barges into canals for better safety against hurricanes.. What actually happened was casinos did do the barge thing and moved them when hurricanes came.. but after years of not moving them due to only smaller less threatening hurricanes (and casinos staying open until it was too late to maximize profits while also unfortunately keeping low paid workers in harms way only allowing them to leave at the last second when it was too late for people to leave), once hurricane Katrina came a lot of them were stuck and couldn’t be moved. As a side effect because of course at this point casinos are required to be open for the local and state governments to get their tax money we never saw implemented locally, the casinos were pardoned in 2006 to have land based locations if their barge was a total loss which was a few. At least 4-5 out of probably 10 casinos were able to operate since then on land.. there is now an all new casino being proposed to be built in one small town across from the beach without having a barge at all.. people have protested but of course the crooked promising money is going to win..
Hrmerder t1_iy0o1mt wrote
Dis is deh wey
BetterFuture22 t1_iy0oybr wrote
That's why I put it in quotes, clever one.
Let's be real, the vast majority of purchasers are people who don't have a lot of money - if they were better at math, they'd realize they're just throwing that money away.
Emu1981 t1_iy0q4cw wrote
>I work in a shop and I always laugh when people buy lottery tickets because the jackpot has hit a certain amount. Like ugh, $150 million, not even worth winning, but $200 million is.
It is a great way to self moderate your spending on lottery tickets while still getting that "if I won the lottery" feel. If there is 52 draws a year and the jackpot goes off enough for it to only hit (say) $200m+ for 2-3 of those draws then you go from potentially playing 52 times a year to just 2-3 times a year.
[deleted] t1_iy0qmfb wrote
[removed]
5abbingia t1_iy0rqr1 wrote
Just had a chat with my wife. She changed my mind, I guess I see your point now :) That dollar is spent on entertainment.
Emu1981 t1_iy0xrie wrote
>Lol so should alcohol be banned then? Caffeine?
Don't forget refined sugar as well.
Emu1981 t1_iy0y82p wrote
>There is no way they be successful with that money absent some very good sound financial advice.
Here in Australia if you win over a certain amount of money in the lottery (and maybe scratchies?) you are required to take a (admittedly short) financial planning course. I think the hope is that you will make some sensible financial decisions with your money instead of blowing it all on hookers and coke.
Emu1981 t1_iy108w2 wrote
>if you continue to play the lottery after winning, you are likely to continue to use that lottery winner wealth until you eventually win again, when compared with the average player
Let's say the population is 100 million, you have 1 million lottery players* and of these 1 million lottery players, 1000 have won the jackpot. The ratio of jackpot winners to the general population is 1 in 100,000. If a single one of those jackpot winners wins the jackpot again then the double jackpot winner to single jackpot winner ratio is equal to 1 in 1,000. This means that despite having just a single double jackpot winner, the double jackpot winner is statistically 100 times more common in the jackpot winner population than the single jackpot winner is in the general population.
Note: I have no idea what percentage of the population has actually won a jackpot, the numbers provided are just guesses that let me show what I am getting and to do the maths easier.
*edited to hopefully make some sense looks for his coffee*
*I could probably just remove the reference to the percentage of the population that plays the lottery as it isn't really used at all.
Emu1981 t1_iy11v9w wrote
>but he won $1,000 twice in the three years I worked there
How much did he spend on tickets over those three years though?
My brother used to be a poker machine junky and would put thousands through them. He would always brag about how he won "$5000" here and "$1000" there but overall he would have been down by tens of thousands of dollars a year despite the wins. I used to go with him sometimes (usually to the Texas Hold'em tournaments and then play the pokies a bit afterwards because he didn't want to leave for a while afterwards) but I would just take like $40 with me to play with and continually buy beers to drink while playing. Despite lucky wins here and there (one time I came home drunk as a skunk with several hundred in gold coins in my pockets lol) I know that I would be down overall on the poker machines.
renomustang t1_iy12az9 wrote
That’s actually pretty smart. I’m one of those people but if I ever win I’m not going to be one of “those” people who blew their lottery in a year. I’ve thought about it enough to know exactly what I would do with it to ensure money is never an issue again for me.
95in3rd t1_iy16agw wrote
One time I drove into a gas station at 10 am. Big crowd for so early. Filled up, went in to pay and asked what's all the hubbub about? The lottery is up to 10 million! Well, I better get one then. How many you want? How many does it take to win? One. Then I'll take one. On the way home I thought if I win, I'll get the crack in my windshield fixed.
wolf805 t1_iy1dzml wrote
Well, regardless. Instead of buying good teaching materials, they'd rather buy screens and tvs to display the school logo.
PM_ur_Rump t1_iy1jsi4 wrote
But it's not throwing money away. It's just spending money on something that they want to spend money on. Yes, if you are buying a bunch of tickets regularly, it quickly becomes a form of real gambling with terrible odds, but for most it's just a buck or two that doesn't really hurt them. No different than spending money on anything just because you want it. It's not an investment, it's just a game with a side of charity. "Poor" people are allowed to perform acts of charity too.
Maiyku t1_iy1pgwp wrote
He bought 1 ticket a day on his lunch.
He also won more than that while I was there, but I can only remember the $1,000 twice as we talked about it both times.
Showerthoughts_Mod t1_iy01yz7 wrote
This is a friendly reminder to read our rules.
Remember, /r/Showerthoughts is for showerthoughts, not "thoughts had in the shower!"
(For an explanation of what a "showerthought" is, please read this page.)
Rule-breaking posts may result in bans.