Powerball...Yea or Nay? That IS the Question

I sit looking at my two one dollar bills, trying to decide whether to buy a Powerball ticket for tonight's $500 million drawing.  It would be my first Powerball ticket ever.  Years ago I bought a one dollar piece of a lottery ticket every month for a year and gave up after ONE win of one dollar, which meant that over the course of the year I dropped eleven dollars down a sewer grating.  I would have had more fun losing at Monopoly. With play money.

Powerball is selling a dream.  Whatever YOUR dream may be.  A dream of fairy tale riches.

Of course I ask myself, what would I do with $500 million???  (Before taxes.)

The answer is: I don't know.

I own my own home, free and clear.  I have no debts and no dependents.  I have money in the bank to cover, as Agatha Christie's Poirot said, "my needs and my caprices."  I am content with my life as it is.  I've travelled to all the places I wanted to see in times of less turmoil and less airport aggravation.  $500 million would present more problems than it would solve, and it wouldn't buy me a happier life than the one I already have.

I think I'll pass.

Penny Pincher

Ann Patchett's Must Read 11/08/12 WSJ article

I digress from decoding the stripes on a snake to bring to your attention a MUST READ article for all frugalistas by Ann Patchett.  Titled "Going for Broke to Stay out of Debt" it appeared in the 11/08/2012 Wall Street Journal online.  It's her account of buying her first house.  But I'll let her tell you the story.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204712904578094743970376114.html#articleTabs%3Darticle

This article so closely mirrored my own homebuying experience I think Ann was whispering in my ear when I was condo shopping a few years ago.   I knew from the outset I was going to pay cash.  The idea of a mortgage never entered my mind.  My cash was earning zip in the investment market and was put to much better use putting a paid-for roof over my head.  Like Ann, I don't believe in d-e-b-t (it's a four letter word).  I remember a renter acquaintence (who constantly cries poor mouth while earning much more than I) saying about my cash condo purchase, "You were so lucky."   I looked at her salon done hair, her salon manicured nails, and her daily take out lunch, and replied, "Luck had nothing to do with it.  Have you ever seen me go out to lunch?"

Penny Pincher