Power Ball!

I didn't get a chance to buy Mega Millions tickets a few months ago so I made sure to buy 5 tickets with the Power Ball being so high this week. I read a news article 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.


So here's what I'm doing with my winnings:

1. Tithe. Simple enough. Deuteronomy 12:6-7 says "bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, what you have vowed to give and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks. 7 There, in the presence of the Lord your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the Lord your God has blessed you."

2. Debt. I don't regret for a second taking out student loans to graduate or having a loan for my car, but I'd love to be able to pay those off. Not to mention the money I owe my parents for helping me survive college. I'm also going to 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! While I'm at it, I'll help my parents with the small amount of debt they have.

3. I'll help my Uncle finish his house. He has been a really huge help to me the past few years and I'd do anything to pay him back for all that trust/support/help.

4. I will 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 we won't go crazy. We'll bargain shop for hotels/tickets/meals/etc.

5. I will purchase lifetime memberships with SFA Alumni Association, UNH Alumni Association, and NIRSA. 3 communities filled with wonderful people that I care about.

6. I have a few bigger items that I'm in need of but haven't purchased yet: Bedroom furniture, a new laptop (My old one still works but is starting to fall apart. Not sure how much longer it will last. I want a MacBook Pro so badly!), and a diploma frame for my SFA diploma. I'll spread those out over the course of the next few months. I don't want to get greedy and lose all my money.

7. Charity: I will be donating in $10,000 increments to the following groups:

• DZ Zeta Psi 
• SFA Campus Rec’s scholarship fund
• The SFA Alumni Association
• UNH Campus Rec
• Charity Water
• Driving Jacks (They'll get a double or triple donation)
• Moka's Dog Rescue
• the Make a Wish Foundation
• the Allen Eagle Escadrille
• the NIRSA foundation 
• The Team Mizzou Scholarship Fund

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)

8. The Breast Cancer 3 day. I'll sponsor myself and anyone else who wants to join me! I've always wanted to do this!

I'm not going to lie, I'll probably splurge and move to a one bedroom in Lincoln Park. But the rest of the money is going into savings and my retirement plan.

And I'm not quitting my job. Working with students makes my heart happy :)