If you won the lottery would you go public?

[HOGEPH]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire...

What are the benefits and flaws in telling the world you have a stload of cash?

Any thoughts?

[ewenm]

No. I hate junk mail anyway and going public would result in gazillions of begging letters.

[ScottishSamurai]

Positive - bhes!

[FraserLFA]

I'd do it for bragging rights and just pay for extra security. And to brag to the rest of PH that i now own all the cars they wish to own.

It's nice to dream....

[ProfessorPeach]

I suppose you could make poor people feel more wretched.

Do an interview with the Daily Mail, saying how you enjoy driving your solid gold Phantom through council estates, eating unicorn burgers.

[soad]

Hell no, i wouldn't go public! Would be such a mad thing to do! Unwanted attention, publicity and the like...

[5unny]

No.

[Merlot]

HOGEPH said:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire...

What are the benefits and flaws in telling the world you have a stload of cash?

Any thoughts?

I don't play, but even if I did - no.

[Schmeeky]

Hell no, I'd keep quiet. Telling the world that you're suddenly rich would attract all sorts of attention that I wouldn't want. Chuggers are bad enough anyway, and if they all knew I had a bob or two.... Then there's the begging letters, chancers with grand ideas for making a mint(but they need some money from you first), charities, etc. Then there's the criminal fraternity...

No, I'd definitely keep schtum.

[Devilstreak]

soad said:

Hell no, i wouldn't go public! Would be such a mad thing to do! Unwanted attention, publicity and the like...

Just been having this conversation whilst watching the news at dinner. Wouldn't want to go public, but then the endless coke/hookers/Exotic vehicles outside would give it away..?

[oobster]

soad said:

Hell no, i wouldn't go public! Would be such a mad thing to do! Unwanted attention, publicity and the like...

^This. No way would I go public if I won >£1M on the lottery.

I might tell a few mates/work colleagues though if I won a tenner!

[soad]

Schmeeky said:

Then there's the criminal fraternity...

Exactly my thoughts. Robberies (armed probably), burglaries, potential abduction spring to mind.

[Art_Vandelay]

I wouldn't go public although it might come apparent when I pull up to college in a helicopter and waltz in under armed guard...

I would sooner live a quiet life enjoying my money without being hounded.

[ProfessorPeach]

If you went public, more people would ask you for money.


You could then sit on a thrown and have a big queue of people line up to beg.


Maybe charge them a £1.00 begging fee, and sell tickets.


You could give out the money that you collected in - maybe even keeping some as a profit.


And call it "Begging Lotto".

[HOGEPH]

So as a second question, how would you hide the fact you now have stloads of cash? Emigrate? Move away? Live frugally?

[Don]

I would STFU.

I am sure the relatively modest outward displays of wealth that I would be interested in would eventually be noticed but could likely be explained away by platitudes like "a few investments did well" or "the firm has won a lot of new business, lately".

I would, of course, enjoy the wealth greatly and would most certainly use it.

[10 Pence Short]

I would tell as few people as possible.

[Don]

HOGEPH said:

So as a second question, how would you hide the fact you now have stloads of cash? Emigrate? Move away? Live frugally?

All you need to do is not throw your money around. Keep a regular car as well as the expensive toys. Have a nice house - but in the country.

Only people who know you well and you decide to tell will ever find out just how much you won. The rest can believe you're doing a bit better than you were...

[soad]

HOGEPH said:

So as a second question, how would you hide the fact you now have stloads of cash? Emigrate? Move away? Live frugally?

Move about between different properties (make use of oversea ones too). Live in fairly affluent areas in order not to stand out. Not be a flashy bd...

[Don]

Personally I think the couple that have just won £56 million have made a grave mistake. Luckily they do have £56 million to shield themselves from it - and, no doubt, now will need to.