If it was me, I'd be in a rush to get my money.
It's more than $46 million in cash.
Or $87 million-plus spread out in 30 yearly payments.
Either way, no time like as soon as possible for getting rich.
Am I right?
Sure, you take your time to find a good lawyer or financial adviser who can help you avoid some big tax or estate mistake. Or set up the best way to share the loot, out of the goodness of your heart.
Which makes one wonder: What's with whoever won half of a $174.4 million Powerball jackpot on Feb. 28?
Somebody bought the ticket at Plymouth Meeting Mall, according to state lottery officials.
But, 69 days later, still no word.
The holder of the other winning ticket, purchased at Ben Bow's package store in Dover, Del., came forward in mid-April, choosing to remain anonymous.
This is the longest wait ever for anyone who won a Powerball jackpot in Pennsylvania.
Even if winners do have a year to stake a claim.
Previous record-holder Edward Varley of Hatfield got his ceremonial check for $30.8 million 66 days after winning in 2002.
In October, 22 Philadelphia postal workers needed just three days to reveal they would split $10.2 million in cash.
So what happened this time? Some theories - with totally unscientific odds.
The dog/hamster/ferret ate the ticket. A longer shot than Mine That Bird winning the Kentucky Derby: 1 in 25,000.
The ticket got ruined in the wash. Now, this wasn't some Daily Number, worth a few hundred bucks. This was a gigantic jackpot. Not one to just jam into your pants: 1 in 10,000.
House fire or car accident. Great luck, then misfortune? Ticket - or owner - gone? Let's hope fate's not that cruel. 1 in 1 million.
Fell out of sock while jogging. Guy in sweats buys ticket, tucks it in sock and jogs home from mall. Ticket falls out. Wait, somebody else would find it and win, right? 1 in 1 billion.
The winner still doesn't know. Maybe he or she just hasn't checked the ticket yet. Or it's still buried in that wallet or purse. Ahem: The winning numbers were 3, 16, 20, 42 and 58, with a Powerball of 7! Maybe 1 in 20.
The winner can't find a lawyer. 1 in 100 million.
The winner is waiting for the divorce. Now, this sounds plausible. The problem is, wouldn't the spouse find out later, and take the winner right back into court? Yessiree. But what if it's set up as some anonymous trust? Or in a friend or lover's name? Hmm ... The plot thickens. 1 in 350.
