[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

Anyone who watches the Today Show is not far behind those broke lotto winners. Money doesn't build character, it reveals it. I would never let anyone, other than lawyer and accountant, know if I won and that would prevent most of the problems that come along with it.

Normally she doesn't stoop so low.

As much as I admire your idealistic notions, I wonder if it is realistic. History says that it is not. While I like to think that I would be able to keep it a secret, in my opinion nothing short of cutting ties and moving away from your current location would allow you to do so. Nobody would notice that you quit your job? Bought new car(s) significantly nicer than your could previously afford? Bought a new house? Started traveling more? Even if you saved the vast majority and lived within your means, living within your means after winning over $500M is a pretty big change from the life most of us live.

So when your friends and family start coming out of the woodwork because they know you have money from "somewhere", how do you respond? Give them all money and eventually go broke? Tell them no and be hated? I've seen relatively small sums of money tear families apart on several occasions. This much money would be like a nuke going off in your life.