What Everyone Else Had to Say

Of course, this is bound to have various answers, and people are likely to have different opinions. When it comes to generational wealth, everyone tends to be on the same page, believing it’s fair to share money amongst the family and pass it down from one generation to another. If someone purposely ‘blows’ all of their money and doesn’t leave anything to their children, they are often seen as selfish or rude. However, with an unexpected windfall, such as lottery winnings, there is more of a divide. 

Some people think money should be shared and enjoyed by going on family holidays or helping family members to pay off debts. ‘Peer pressure’ comes with winning the lottery, as many people think helping others is the right thing to do. So, if someone doesn’t do this, they are automatically seen as being in the wrong. It was an unexpected win, meaning the winner isn’t counting on it for anything in particular. 

But others have the opposite opinion. They believe that lottery winnings should be put to better use to make the winner financially secure in a way they could have only dreamed of. They see it as being an opportunity to change the trajectory of your life, a way to invest and plan for the future.

Though the question is hard to answer, as there isn’t a set ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer, in this case, the Reddit community had a lot to say on the matter. 

@lelawes said: “You’re no longer welcome in the family because you didn’t give them your money? The entitlement is nauseating.” 

@Mysterious-System680 agreed, explaining that “the OP’s family, unfortunately, have the type of mindset that has led other lottery winners to go bankrupt.“

For @NUT-me-SHELL, it was the family’s expectation of money that created the problem. She said “my husband and I have talked, jokingly, about what we’d do if we won the lottery and we both agreed that our number one rule would be not giving money to anyone who had the audacity to ask for it.”

Many people agreed with the above sentiments and supported the winner’s decision, saying it’s not his job to support his family just because he came into some money.

DerekScott commented: You invested the money wisely and may have decided to give them something at a later date, but instead they launched right into deciding how you would spend all your money on them and then got mad when you said no. You don't need people like that in your life. 

RNGinx3 commented: Your family has shown you that blood is not thicker than money.

MissPricklyUnicorn commented: You're taking care of your immediate family and trying to be extremely responsible. The apartment complex is a great investment. If they understood money a bit more they'd know being responsible now means a big pay off later on. If they want to be bitter and cut you off then let them. After a while they'll change their minds but be cautious because they've made their intentions clear.

Of course, a handful of Redditors also sided with the family, explaining that they would have shared the wealth if they had won.

502502502 commented: How could I let my mother work in her 60s when I have wealth and feel good about myself? Why not pay my sister's student loans so she can live comfortably? If everyone was already no debt-free, home-owning, with retirement funds and savings, I'd keep it, but I can create generational changes for my extended family with that money.

Considering the divide by opinions, it’s easy to see why a certain pressure comes with winning the lottery. There’s no right or wrong way to manage lottery winnings but, as the mixture of opinions shows, not everyone will agree with how you choose to spend it. In this instance, the winner was declared Not An A-hole, with most readers supporting his decision not to share winnings with his extended family. 

If you have enjoyed this post, check out our offers and bonuses for many of your favourite online casinos.