Is it worth it to play the lottery?

[Tsar]

Is it worth playing the Lucky for Life lottery game that was recently adjusted to have a better second prize. Tickets cost $2.

http://www.neluckyforlife.com/

Second Prize: $25,000 a year, FOR LIFE*
Odds of Winning Second Prize: 1 in 1,813,028

It's decent enough to live on annually in most HappierAbroad countries if won. I don't like the lottery because I know only the people running it truly profit and winning is almost impossible. Do you think it's worth playing a few tickets each week? I'm thinking it's money that's better saved but I'm not sure at this point because even an impossible chance might be worth taking.

[Cornfed]

If you enjoy the thrill of playing then it might be worthwhile. As an investment, of course it f***ing isn't worth it.

[Luc Furr]

how does the saying go? "lotteries, a tax on the poor and stupid."

[onethousandknives]

No, you'll be happier putting the two dollars toward beer.

I used to buy only $1 scratchoff tickets. I once won $80 on one. I figure by winning $80 on one I pretty much broke even and quit.

[jamesbond]

If you do win the lottery, think of all the hot women you could get!

[MrMan]

It's a voluntary tax for those who are bad at math.

[Cornfed]

It's a voluntary tax for those who are bad at math.

Although you can tip the odds a bit in your favor by picking unpopular numbers.

[droid]

People sometimes throw more money away like losing $3k in B.S. 401k value or what not and just shrug it off.
They probably would get more value playing those 3K in lotto tickets.

[MarcosZeitola]

For two dollars a ticket, it's hardly a financial ruin to give it a try. Who knows, you might get lucky? Stranger things have happened to less deserving folks. Just be careful not to develop some sort of gambling problem, because that would be a shame.

[MrMan]

For two dollars a ticket, it's hardly a financial ruin to give it a try. Who knows, you might get lucky? Stranger things have happened to less deserving folks. Just be careful not to develop some sort of gambling problem, because that would be a shame.

200 tickets a month could lead someone to the poor house. The lottery appeals to those with addictions. Some people buy a ticket or two, but there are other people who buy lots of them.

[Dragon]

Is it worth playing the Lucky for Life lottery game that was recently adjusted to have a better second prize. Tickets cost $2.

http://www.neluckyforlife.com/

Second Prize: $25,000 a year, FOR LIFE*
Odds of Winning Second Prize: 1 in 1,813,028

It's decent enough to live on annually in most HappierAbroad countries if won. I don't like the lottery because I know only the people running it truly profit and winning is almost impossible. Do you think it's worth playing a few tickets each week? I'm thinking it's money that's better saved but I'm not sure at this point because even an impossible chance might be worth taking.

Don't listen to any of the fools in this thread. Playing the lottery is a great idea. It's the only real way to get rich nowadays. Go for it!

[Tsar]

Don't listen to any of the fools in this thread. Playing the lottery is a great idea. It's the only real way to get rich nowadays. Go for it!

Are you being serious or is that suppose to be a joke?

[xiongmao]

The lottery is a complete waste of money. More people should do what I've been doing over the last 10 years, which is to put every spare penny into 5-25% paying investments. All those $2's do add up - my investment income now pays my mortgage. And I've done this on an average salary.

[Zambales]

Isn't there more chance of dying than winning the lottery?

I guess it's OK to spend a small amount though - say 1% of one's weekly income.

[Cornfed]

The lottery is a complete waste of money. More people should do what I've been doing over the last 10 years, which is to put every spare penny into 5-25% paying investments. All those $2's do add up - my investment income now pays my mortgage. And I've done this on an average salary.

What investments would you recommend?