What We Learned from the Jackpot Winners!

 Have you ever dreamed how winning the lottery would feel? Millions dream of receiving an unexpected windfall, but only a select few are able to turn that fantasy into a reality. What do these fortunate people have that the rest of us don’t? Several jackpot winners have said there could be more to success than luck alone. In this piece, actual lifetime lottery winners share the strategies that landed them the jackpot — and you can use these tips to up your odds to win the lottery, too.

It's More Than Just Luck

Many people think winning is all up to chance, and while luck does in fact play a part in the game, most winners attribute their success to consistency and strategy. One Powerball winner in Illinois said of her lottery-tapping routine, “I played the same numbers every week for five years. It became part of my routine. I treated it as a business investment.” Repetition and commitment, he contends, provided him the focus to hang in the game long enough to find gold.

Play With a Purpose

Winners of a jackpot also speak about playing with intention. Rather than purchasing random tickets now and then they plan their purchases and monitor the outcome. A Florida Mega Millions winner said, “I did some research on past winning numbers and avoided the most commonly picked combinations. My numbers are unique.” That gave her a better chance of not having to split her winnings with other players. So if you want to win the lottery, there are ways to keep it smart and low-key.

Group Efforts Can Pay Off

Pooling money with friends, family or coworkers is also a popular strategy among winners. Lottery clubs enable players to purchase more tickets for less money per person, improving the odds without breaking the bank. A group of 20 co-workers from New Jersey who won a $250 million jackpot said teamwork made the dream work. “By ourselves, we didn’t have the means to play as much. As a team, we really heightened our odds.”

Avoid Emotional Spending

Smart lottery winners put financial planning first. “It’s very easy to blow through a fortune if you’re not mindful,” said another jackpot winner. He hired a financial advisor and lawyer right before his ticket was cashed in. Responsible winners know that winning isn’t as important as protecting the prize.

Tips to Keep in Mind

Stick with a strategy: Don’t mix your numbers up too much – take care and be consistent.

Avoid common picks: Don’t use birthday numbers, don’t pick in a pattern.

Go with a group: Lottery pools can greatly improve your odds.

Set a budget: Not more than you can afford to lose.

Get ahead of the game: Consider your financial future before you win.

And there are no guarantees — but some tried-and-true tips, from real winners, just might put you in the right position to win the lottery one day. Also, fortune favors the prepared.