Jul 26, 2023
A woman's post on the Reddit subchannel 'Am I The A-hole' sparked a debate after she said she won tens of thousands of dollars on a scratch-off lottery ticket — and decided not to share any of the money with her husband.
Instead, she put it aside for travel.
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She said her husband believes the money should go into their joint savings account to continue saving for items like a house or car.
“That doesn’t seem fair to me since I bought the ticket, scratched it, and cashed it in for the money myself,” the woman said. “We have a joint account but also separate accounts for spending. My husband isn’t owed half of the money just because we are married.”
As always, the Reddit community had varying opinions. Some questioned why they were married if she wasn't going to share the winnings, while others agreed with her rationale.
In reality, each side might have a point, and compromise is likely all that’s needed. If you ever find yourself with a life-changing windfall, here are three ways to make the best of it.
Pay off debt
If you’re heavily in debt, buying lottery tickets probably isn’t the best use of your spare change. But if you’re lucky enough to hit the jackpot, use it to pay off your loans first and foremost.
The Reddit thread brought attention to the woman's student loan situation. That kind of loan, as well as credit card debt, usually comes with a high rate of interest, which can accumulate over time and result in thousands of dollars in interest charges.
The average American had $5,910 in credit card debt last year, according to March data from Experian. In addition, the average credit card interest rate in the U.S. as of July 20 is 20.82%, according to CreditCards.com. With rates that high, the site says it's likely consumers will find it hard to keep up with their bills their summer. So anytime you have some free cash, it's a good idea to prioritize paying off your credit card debt.
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Set cash aside
It's important to have a safety net in case of unexpected financial emergencies or to save for long-term goals.
This safety net is often referred to as a rainy day fund or an emergency fund. Whatever you call it, many young couples don't have enough saved for these purposes.
According to a survey by the Federal Reserve Board in 2021, 32% of American adults wouldn't be able to cover an unexpected $400 expense without borrowing or selling something, or said they would not have been able to cover it at all.
Sometimes, it's important to prioritize saving for your future rather than just spending on your present needs.
But also, live in the moment
While saving for the future is important, it's also important to enjoy the present. Just do it wisely.
Studies have shown that experiences, like vacations or concerts, tend to bring more happiness than material possessions like clothing or gadgets.
So, if you receive a windfall, consider using some of it to splurge on experiences that will bring you joy and happiness. But make sure to plan out how much you want to spend beforehand so you don't overspend and end up more deeply in debt. By striking a balance between the two you can set yourself up for long-term financial success and happiness.
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Amy Legate-Wolfe is an experienced personal finance writer and journalist. She has a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Toronto, a Freelance Writing Certificate in Journalism from the University of Toronto Schools, and a Master of Arts in Journalism from Western University. Amy has worked for Huffington Post, CTVNews.ca, CBC, Motley Fool Canada, and Financial Post. She is skilled at analyzing trends and creating content for digital and print platforms. In her free time, Amy enjoys reading and watching British dramas on BritBox. She is a mother and dog-mom to a Wheaten Terrier.
