MOUNT POCONO---The Powerball jackpot is half a billion dollars and that had stores busy as people waited to buy their tickets, hoping to win big.
It's the sixth largest jackpot in history.
“I would lose my mind! I would absolutely lose my mind. It would be mind-blowing. It really would,” said Tykisha Chavis of Tobyhanna, who bought her ticket.
Many have day-dreamed about winning the lottery and planned what they would do with our winnings.
"I'd give it all away except for about a million. I would really do that. I'd like to drive down the road, see some poor stricken family and give them a million bucks. That's what I'd do with it,” said Richard Rossman of Barrett Township.
But beware!
The experts call it the "lottery curse." According to a 2015 study, 44 percent of lottery winners spend it all within five years.
“You ever watch the lottery channel where the guys win it and everything gets blown off? Yeah, when you have money, you're used to it. When you don't have money, you go bananas,” said Dan Prendergast of Pocono Summit.
Here are some tips from the experts for the suddenly wealthy:
- Sign your winning ticket
- Stay anonymous, do not tell all your family and friends
- Do not make big purchases
"I would buy a nice house and a nice car and I'd even buy one for my son,” said Patricia Tilek of Mount Pocono.
Nope!
Experts say you shouldn't buy anything for six months to a year after you win. It's tough advice.
"If I was to win, I would buy a house. I would open up my business and I would also take care of my family. Just, just live my life,” said Chavis.
Experts also say winners should quickly get a wealth management team to handle their dough.
