Readers Respond: If I won the lottery, I would ...

Your Oregon News asked readers what they would do if they won the lottery, after a record-breaking $1.3 billion Powerball ticket was sold in Northeast Portland .

Of our reader respondents, about 65% said they play Powerball; 63% play Mega Millions; 21% play Jackpot, 17% play the raffle, and 6% play Keno. About 25% of respondents said they don’t play the lottery.

Some readers also like to play Megabucks and Win for Life.

Of respondents, about 26% said they play the lottery about once per season; 22% said weekly; 17% said monthly; 9% said annually; 6% said less than annually; and 4% said daily. About 22% said they never play.

About 8% of readers said they have won a small jackpot before; while 92% said they have never won. No readers said they have won big.

Here’s what Your Oregon News readers say they would do if they won the lottery:

“I'm recently confined to a wheelchair so I would hire a couple of caregivers, take a trip, and contribute to some charities locally.”

“I would help my family long-term, pay bills, support local community by donating to scholarships, foster care and the food pantry.”

“Donate to public education and share with my family.”

“Keep it very quiet, even from family if possible. Any investments made with proceeds would be taken outside the state of Oregon. Investments made in mental health help for those who need it.”

“Disappear for about six months.”

“I'd pay off my house and all bills and maybe buy a newer vehicle to replace our 2020 year old truck. I'd do a matching grant to supply no cost breakfast and lunch to all schools in the state. After that I'd buy a new covered wagon cover for the Oregon Trail museum in Oregon City, develop matching grants for completing Milwaukie Bay Park, make truly affordable housing for seniors, along with grants to fund pre-K for all kids in the state.”

“Give the majority of it to charities. I'd probably keep 4 million and give friends a couple million total.”

“Add it to my estate savings managed by my fiduciary agent.”

“I am a senior taking care of my with an intellectual disability and a grandson with significant dyslexia and a nephew with high functioning autism. I would pay off my house so I don’t have to worry about where they would live when I pass. Set up trust funds for them to be sure they would never end up homeless and hopeless.”

“Build a house at the beach.”

“Pay off debt.”

“I'd buy a beach house in Newport and donate to my favorite non-profit, the Clackamas Bookshelf.”

“Set up a school system for smart and poor kids that can't afford private schools.”

“Get a good financial planner.”

“Build a church.”

“Save for my kids’ college and futures.”

“Use most of the proceeds to help some of my favorite causes.”

“Buy a house. Set up a foundation and give the rest of the money away.”

“Gift all of my friends Teslas.”

“Buy real estate as a savings and nearly almost guaranteed long-term growth investment.”

“Live in Prineville. I would first have a swimming pool, and all extras built. Then I would also have a grand senior center built.”

“Invest the money for the future of my family.”

“i would give money to my mother to pay off her student debt, buy a house and new car to get my family back on their feet, then put the rest into savings for college—and maybe do a little retail therapy.”

“Help as many dogs and people as possible, I wouldn’t change much about my life.”

“Buy a house and a good car, invest, and go back to school.”

“I would find a medical facility that could help my father with his post cancer edema that has rendered his arm useless.”

“Choose Annuity payments. Take care of everyone who has taken care of me. Work until I am debt free.”

“Buy properties all over.”

“Share with family only.”

“Pay off houses for a few select family members, new cars, and a suite at the Moda Center.”

“Contact an attorney. Contact a financial planner for investment advice. Buy a nice house and car. Give money to close relatives. Donate to trusted organizations that help the poor and animals. I'd be conservative, and save or invest most of the money.”

“I would buy a house with a nice yard for my kids.”

“I would look to buy a part of the Timbers or bring an MLB to the metro area.”

“I’d buy the City of Tigard a new building for their Police Department.”

“Buy real estate, pay off debt and set my kids up for the future.”

“Buy a small apartment complex with 4-8 units.”

“Pay all my bills and then live my life. Not much different.”