Formerly homeless Lucia Forseth is now rolling in dough after winning $5 million in the California lottery, the Los Angeles Times reports. Her stroke of luck came during a pit stop at a Contra Costa County Walmart for an oil change. With time to kill, she bought a single Scratchers ticket. “I just closed my eyes and picked one,” Forseth said. At first glance she thought she had won a free ticket. But no, she had become a multi-millionaire. “Six years ago,” Forseth told the California Lottery, “I was homeless. I’m getting married this year, getting my associate degree, and I’ve won $5 million. You never believe you have a chance to win it. It’s just random.”
In the lottery’s press release, spokeswoman Carolyn Becker said, “The California Lottery’s sole mission is to raise additional funds for public education, and that is only possible with the support of our players. Hearing a success story like this shows the positive impact our games are having on winners and schools alike.” Forseth said she doesn’t want to speak to the press. Winning the lottery has significant benefits and pitfalls, notes Yahoo Finance On the plus side, this can result in a sudden influx of wealth, allowing for greater financial freedom, the ability to pay off debt, and the ability to invest or donate to charity.
On the downside, CNBC reports, the sudden bonanza can also lead to adverse psychological effects. It can also strain relationships and lead to privacy issues due to public attention. In addition, winners often risk bankruptcy due to poor financial management. There is also the so-called “lottery curse”. Numerous winners have experienced unhappiness after winning, ranging from financial problems to personal problems. (Read more stories from lottery winners.)