Couple who won the lottery cut off by family: “Blood is not thicker than money”
- Replies 24
For most, winning the lottery is something people dream about. Never ever having to worry or stress about finances ever again is a blessing and luxury that most people will never know.
In reality, however, being a lottery winner actually brings with it a lot of consequences. As the popular saying goes, “With great power, comes great responsibility”.
One couple, after winning massively, unknowingly broke the very first rule of winning the lottery – and now they’re caught in the consequences.
A married couple won $5.6 million on a lottery ticket they bought “just for fun”. Credit: IGraDesign/Getty Images/iStockphoto.
Just like any sensible lottery winner, the first thing they did was pay off their remaining debts, such as their university loans, car loans, and their mortgage.
Now debt-free, they were left with $5 million dollars in their account, a jaw-dropping sum of money.
The 24-year-old man, who was working in the financial sector when they won the jackpot, added that 70 per cent of lottery winners go broke after only a few years. And since he wanted to quit his job but didn’t want to be a part of that percentage, he decided to invest $3 million in a “combination” of mutual funds, real estate investment trusts and their preferred stock funds with an extremely low-risk, solid return approach.
For the remaining $2 million dollars, he used it to buy an apartment complex that he will be renting out. This way, both he and his wife can earn income passively.
The couple’s all ready and set up for their future. However, when the husband told his family about it, their reaction was anything but supportive.
“I thought their first reaction would be excited for me,” said the man. “But they started talking about a huge family trip, how I was paying for all their debt, and more.”
Apparently, the man’s family, particularly his older brothers, sisters, cousins, and aunts and uncles, all wanted a cut from the couple’s winnings. His mum walked out on their family when he was young, and his dad was “the type of person who never would have asked”.
When the husband told them that even though he and his wife won quite a lump of money, he would not simply “give it away” to people just because they’re family. Then, they became absolutely furious.
According to him, he was no longer “welcome in the family” and he should refrain from getting in contact with them ever again.
“I think I’m in the right because I’m doing what’s best for me and my wife,” he added.
The 24-year-old couple invested their earnings instead of giving them away to family members. Credit: Drazen Zigic/Getty Images/iStockphoto.
One person pointed out that his family members reek of privilege and entitlement, when it’s not even their money they’re talking about.
A second user commented: “Your family has shown you that blood is not thicker than money,” with another adding: “And that their love and acceptance is for sale!”
Meanwhile, some users are also telling the man that they broke the “first rule in winning the lottery”, which is: Don’t tell anyone you won the lottery.
“You never tell anyone you won money. People will always automatically hold out their hand for a share,” one user said.
What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.
.png){kind=icon}
