The Mega Millions

I read a news article this weekend that said you are "20,000 times more likely to die in a car crash than hit the lucky numbers." If those are the odds, i think my family probably has pretty decent odds due to the obvious lack of a brother in my life.

With the Mega Millions so high this past weekend, I thought about what i would do if I won. I Unfortunately didn't get the chance to stop and buy a ticket as I'm a slave to my job. But I thought about what I'd do with the money if I won it. Who knows? Maybe one day in the future I will win the mega millions.

First, I'd handle taxes and I'd tithe. My faith is important to me and I try to tithe but it's not something I've been good at. With that much money, there's no way I would be able to say I needed it for something else.

Next, I'd handle all of my family's loans; I myself have loans out on my teeth, on my car, and on my education. Not to mention the money I owe my parents for helping me survive college. I'd also make it a point to pay mom's way through her Master's degree. She's given everything to me so there's no way I would walk away from the one thing she wants! I'd pay for every "A" or "B" Teri got in her classes, too. She's been lacking motivation and therefore not every class has gotten the attention it deserves. I'd also buy a (used) car for her to drive. She is a better driver than anyone else I know (how on earth did we end up with both ends of the spectrum? Dad/Bry crash very 6 months or so, Teri is the world's safest driver.).

I'd help my uncle finish his house. He has put so much time and effort and trust into me. I wouldn't be where I am today without him! If I can repay the favor, I will. I intend to do this anyway, even if I don't ever win a huge sum of money.

I’d donate in $20,000 increments to: DZ Zeta Psi, SFA Campus Rec’s scholarship fund, UNH Campus Rec, Charity Water, Driving Jacks, Moka's Dog Rescue, the Make a Wish Foundation, the Allen Eagle Escadrille, and the NIRSA foundation. Each of these organizations has touched my heart in some way or another and I can't think of a better way to spend my money than helping others. I already give back as often as I can, but to be able to make a HUGE difference would be cool! (May I give graciously of what is mine! - DZ Creed)

I would participate in the Breast Cancer 3 day (and invite a few folks to do it with me). I's pay triple the amount expected of fundraisers for everyone on my team, simply because I could.

I would take my family on the vacation of a lifetime: All 7 continents! (My dream vacation would be to Antarctica, if I can't reach all 7 continents). But I wouldn't go crazy. We'd bargain shop for hotels/tickets/meals/etc.

I would attend the TED Conference (and take Mom with! She'd appreciate it every bit as much as I would).

I think it’s also important to be politically active. I would donate a couple million towards getting rid of the deficit. I know that’s nowhere near enough, but every step counts. And potentially I would donate money to a Super PAC if I believed strongly in a candidate.

I would purchase lifetime memberships with SFA Alumni Association, UNH Alumni Association, and NIRSA. 3 communities filled with wonderful people that I care about. What better way to spend some money than that?

And whatever is left from there would go into savings/investments. I would like to have a beautiful wedding one day, I would like to retire one day, I would like to send my children to school one day, I would like my parents to be able to retire comfortably.

And I would still work. Working with students brings happiness to my life!