Everyone has their dream of what they would do if they won the lottery.  The powerball has hit a world record high of 1.3 billion dollars with the drawing being held this coming Wednesday.  If you take the lump sum payment rather than the payment over time, you’re looking at 604.5 million dollars after taxes.  (If you take the lump sum it is 62% of the original value, and the IRS automatically takes 25% off the top as well).  Still 604.5 million dollars is more than I could ever imagine in my entire life.

So what would I do with 604.5 million dollars.

Quit my job and live at Disney for a year.  I have always said that I would love to live at Disney for an entire year.  This would just be absolutely AMAZING.  For the first year post lottery I would just enjoy everything that Disney has to offer.  The estimated cost of living at Disney for a year (the way that I would want to live… in luxury!) would be approximately $450,000.  How did I get that number?  I would probably resort hop on a monthly basis within the Deluxe Disney Resorts, but for a starter, I would stay at the Polynesian Village Resort Bungalows, which are on average $600 per night.  So for a year that would be your biggest expense at the price of $219,000.  I would also add the dining plan on for myself and my husband.  At $62.00 per day per person, you’re looking at a year long expense of $45,260.  Add two platinum plus annual passes on so we have access to all of the parks, water parks, and golfing (I would have to take lessons), and you’re adding on another $1658.00.  I figured I would round up to $450,000 and use the additional $184,082 for other expenses like additional meals, spa treatments, special tours, and tipping.

Spend a Year Traveling the World-  I am 32 years old and have traveled quite a bit compared to some, but there are so many places throughout the world that I would LOVE to visit.  Internationally I have been to England, Mexico, and Canada (I know… Canada practically doesn’t count…) I would love to visit Paris, Venice, Rome, Vienna, Budapest, Hawaii, Alaska, Tokyo, the American Southwest, the Caribbean, and many more spots!  One goal of mine has always been to visit all of the Disney parks in the world, so this would obviously be included in my year long travels.  I would be sure to enjoy cruises, as well as “Adventures by Disney” packages as part of my travels as well!

Purchase a home at Golden Oaks- Golden Oaks is a development of high end homes on Disney property.  I would gladly spend the 3 to 5 million dollars to have a wonderful home near Disney property.

Here are just some of the perks of living in the Golden Oaks community-

INVEST- While 604 million dollars is a LOT of money, and certainly enough to last a lifetime for two people, I would want to make sure I invest my money wisely to protect my newly acquired assets. Why not make a return on the money you already have!

Donate- I am currently a choir director at a school.  I would make a sizable donation to the choir program and set up a nice scholarship fund so that the choir wouldn’t have to fundraise any more.  I would also want to make donations to the Make a Wish Foundation, and the Haven of Rest (a local shelter in the Akron area.)

Hire a personal trainer- One thing that I’ve heard is that nearly everyone who has won the lottery gains weight afterwards.  I would want to ensure that didn’t happen to me.  I would want a personal trainer to stay on me constantly, and helping me stay in shape.

Make sure my parents and in-laws are taken care of– I would want to make sure that my parents and my in-laws were taken care of financially.  They would each receive a gift to pay off their homes and bills, and receive a monthly stipend to enjoy 🙂

What would you do if you won the lottery?  If travel is on your mind with or without lottery winnings, be sure to contact Ashley@charmingtravelsllc.com for all of your travel needs.  Ashley can book cruises, all inclusive resorts, Adventures by Disney, and all Disney resorts!

ashley@charmingtravelsllc.com