Reply #77: I've sort of been there - not the lottery exactly. But I paid the taxes gladly [View All]

[csziggy]

Went on to start several businesses and invested in a couple of other small businesses. Got ripped off by one person, lost money on another. Gave a number of people employment for several years. Closed down our businesses when things went south after Reagan got into office. Carried back our losses, got a big tax refund under a law written for Ross Perot. Started a new line of business that kept me busy for the next 25 years. I'm finally pretty much out of business with this financial fiasco.

So I did what many recommend - started and invested in small businesses. Several of the people we employed finished college and trade school on what they made. Some have businesses of their own. Now I cannot afford to donate money to charities and hope I have enough money to live on for the rest of my life.