Once you've won a big prize from the lottery, you might assume that all the serious effort is performed. Alternatively, you'd be quite wrong! There are various documented cases of men and women who've hit it big only to lose their fortunes through bad deals, unhealthy living, selfish acts, as well as other unfortunate events. So if you want to be a lottery success story, and avoid the famous “lottery agent curse” that seems to always make it to the front page of newspapers, here are several tips to help.

Get a lawyer or financial planner

Before going public with your lottery winnings, it's really a great idea to speak to a lawyer and also a financial planer. Certain lawyers concentrate on lottery winners and the way to best begin a wise life that will make the most of their winnings. Simply, the ultra-rich (millionaires and billionaires) got that way by being wise with their money. They have had their wealth for a long period. You, alternatively, as a brand new lottery winner, are thrust into the role of ultra-wealthy, without needing the years of experience that others may have had. This is why an attorney can give great advice and be a great help while you begin your new life.

A financial planner is also a significant person to speak to. They may help you make the decisions early on within your life to be certain that you not have to work again. If you make wise investments with your lottery winnings, instead of spending it foolishly, you will truly be a lottery success story.

Focus on your dreams

Winning the lottery is one area that most of us dream of doing. So now that you've won, what would you like to do with your winnings? Maybe you have always wanted to travel. This is now your chance to become a world traveler. Or possibly you've always regretted that you were not able to go to college. You have the opportunity to get that degree! Making a number of all your hopes and dreams shall help one to discover the very best path to achieve them.

Additionally, think beyond just things to buy. Sure a brand new car or dream home will be nice, but think more about lifestyle changes rather than new toys. Many people don't love their jobs, but find it nice to have a hobby to take up time. Your hobby can now become your full time career, if you wish it. Being happy means spending your time doing the things you love.

Learn to say “No”

Whenever you make a big win at the lottery, you will hear from friends you haven't spoken to in years. You will hear from cousins that you never knew existed. You might even hear from complete strangers! How did everyone find you all of a sudden?

Most state lotteries make their winners public. It's within their terms of service that winners has to be prepared to go public. This is accomplished for a range of reasons. For one thing, it's really a great promotional device and it generates interest within the lottery. Additionally, it proves that the lottery is a fair draw and that there's absolutely no cheating going on. The flip side of this is that having their names made public puts a target on many lottery winners' lives. As a whole new lottery winner, you may have to learn to say “no” to the many requests that can be coming to you. If you have a hard time doing this, then you will be easily taken good thing about, and pretty soon you will find your fortunes dwindling.

One alternative for anyone who might not be looking forward to a life of public scrutiny is to try their hand at online lotteries. The relative anonymity provided by winning online implies that a big winner can still remain relatively anonymous. If you have always dreamed of having it all, but you'd like to still live the life of a regular Joe, then you certainly may want to try your hand at online lotteries.

Give some back to charity

Despite the fact that you certainly will have to say “no” to a whole lot of greedy people trying to take advantage of you, you might discover that you are considering giving back to charity. Many millionaires and billionaires have done great things with their donations, whether or not it be to hospitals, colleges, or other non-profit organizations. You may even donate your time! Even though it sounds crazy, many millionaires and lottery winners do it. (In the event that you don't have a regular job anymore, or only work part-time resulting from winning the lottery, you might have a whole lot more free time for you to share and may discover that you enjoy volunteering tour time).

Should you decide to give to charity, do your research first. You will need to find out what your interests are and how you would like to see your money spent, so make a list about which charities interest you. You can even research your favorite charities to view where they spend their cash, simply how much of each gift they receive is utilized for charity, and other facts. This data should help you decide on several worthy charities.(Image: http://ogimages.bl.uk/images/019/019ADDOR0005475U00024VRB[SVC1].jpg)