So, the Powerball jackpot is currently at $650M, and sure to rise before the drawing Wednesday... If you win, what's the first thing you do? What's the first thing you purchase? How do you invest the rest?

First thing is take picture of winning ticket. Go visit my in-laws for a weekend. Visit an attorney that lives in that city that specializes in estate planning for large estates. Have that attorney research possibilities for claiming the prize anonymously, or if not possible limiting my exposure generally. Change all of my numbers, get a PO Box. Prepare to delete all social media .

If it's not possible to avoid publicity, create a trust and use it to buy or rent a house or condo in a relatively wealthy area of the country where I am not well known, preferably in a controlled access community or building. Move there after I claim prize and keep my head low for 6 months or so. Have attorney monitor the PO Box and throw away all requests for interviews, money or investment opportunities.

Have attorney advise me on creating a 501 (c)(3) charitable foundation and moving 150 MM into one if possible to claim the charitable deduction. Otherwise I make 150MM in direct donations to charities eligible for the deduction leaving me with around 293 MM or 177MM after taxes.

After 6 mos or so passes (or after media and other requests die down), look for a house where I live now. Use a trust or other entity to buy. Hire private security to park a guard on the street.

/r/ifiwonthelottery Thread