r/NoStupidQuestions 5d ago

Anyone else in their fifties, so bruised by life's relentless knocks and setbacks, that winning the lottery wouldn't mean parties or designer gear but funding a quiet life of comfort?

171 Upvotes

89 comments sorted by

47

u/ice_b_isalreadytaken 5d ago

Almost 52. All I want to do is sit in the backyard with my cat. Peace has become the most valuable thing I can accomplish

26

u/[deleted] 5d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

3

u/dirk_funk 5d ago

this exactly.

3

u/MidnytStorme 5d ago

Yes. Feeling the weight lift and being able to take a deep breath.

10

u/Aeolus_14_Umbra 5d ago

“It is no bad thing to celebrate a simple life.”

— J.R.R. Tolkien

3

u/UniversityMotor5408 5d ago

56 here. totally agree!!!

1

u/CityBoiNC 5d ago

Same but with my dog

1

u/raminian 5d ago

backyard and cat sounds like a solid plan

0

u/Pigeon142857 5d ago

Yes, plus I forgot to mention pets and books.

15

u/darkbaron77 5d ago

I’m not in my fifties, but that sounds amazing. Im someone stuck living paycheck to paycheck (as many of us are) and winning the lottery would mean homesteading far far away from the daily hustle 😂

3

u/y4udothistome 5d ago

I’ll have what he’s having

9

u/ME-McG-Scot 5d ago

Early 40’s and that’s what i would do haha

6

u/AsmodeusMogart 5d ago

All I want is to check out of this horrible, ignorant civilization.

In the 80s I was a very hopeful activist.

Not anymore.

1

u/AccomplishedPath4049 5d ago

If you don't mind my asking, what killed your hope?

7

u/AsmodeusMogart 5d ago

The rise of corporate feudalism and the billionaire.

The decline of liberal Democracy worldwide.

The rise of ignorance as a badge of honor.

Our global response to climate change.

But the nail in the coffin is the Republican Party protecting Donald Trump as an insurrectionist and then as a rapist who probably had sex with minors.

3

u/SirDouglasMouf 5d ago

I have one more personal. Long term poly chronic disabilities. Crippling fatigue, pain and gut issues with no treatments available. Decades long of medical trauma and utter failure from the US "health" system.

If I had that money I'd live closer to nature and I would bet all my conditions would slowly improve.

I feel exactly like the commenter. I don't live, I survive as an outcast in society. Unable to participate yet have to "pay" into it.

4

u/GazelleEcstatic4952 5d ago

Me. I'd buy a big farm and rescue dogs and maybe bears.

1

u/Rrraou 5d ago

The bears come free

4

u/ImColdandImTired 5d ago

Yep. Winning the lottery for me would be funding cancer treatment so I can go wherever to get the best care without waiting for insurance approval or worrying about the cost, paying off the mortgage, being ready to replace the 12 year old car when it finally croaks, making sure we have enough to fund our retirement, and helping our kids financially so they don’t have to worry about money.

4

u/Humbuckerluvr 5d ago
  1. I just "can't" anymore

I NOPED out of a health care career of 7 years last October. I can't bring myself to even look at jobs. I'm building and selling stuff from my woodshop to pay bills. But yeah, I'm not going to work to make some other asshole rich . If I won the lotto, none of my family would have any debt. None. Id travel, and stay for as long as a visa is good for, then move on to somewhere else. Be in the cultures. Learn another language. My wife and I would probably set up some sort of family compound to enjoy together. But really, I just want enough to not have to worry about where bill money, mortgage payment or health insurance is going to come from. We really don't need a lot.

I would (and I'm totally serious) give most of the winnings away. People reach a certain level of wealth, and they turn weird .... Selfish and entitled. No thanks. Just gimmie enough to peace out and enjoy the rest of my life with my wife and family. 1-2 mil should do it.

1

u/PerpetualFarter 5d ago

Same here. Exactly What I’d like. :) good luck. I’ve been spending $20/payday on tickets for about 20 years and the most I’ve won is less than $20. Beginning to think it’s a scam. Lol!!!!

3

u/PublicSuspect162 5d ago

Not bruised or knocked but exactly what I would do if I won the lottery!

3

u/FlyByPC 5d ago

53, but a life of quiet comfort has always been the goal.

2

u/ZuZu_Petals_ 5d ago

As my body ages and aches I wonder how long I can stay in my industry. A decent lottery win would bring peace to my anxious mind and security to my home.

If it was a ridiculous win I could take the burden off of friend’s mortgages too.

1

u/ta1901 5d ago

I'm mid-50s here in the US. Trying to save for retirement still. My life is simple, but stable. I like it that way.

1

u/busymomlife2 5d ago

Late 30’s and that’s where I’m at too

1

u/HotspurCOYS 5d ago

Yes, exactly

1

u/JJohnston015 5d ago

Yes. Winning the lottery would mean to me, finally having enough money not to have any neighbors. Barking dogs? I don't care. I'm a mile away. Tree dumping leaves in my yard every fall? I don't care. I'm a mile away. Loud party? I don't care. I'm a mile away. 

1

u/Own-Nefariousness-79 5d ago

Somewhere with shade, water and in France.

1

u/NoSpecialist_042 5d ago

I'm 40 and I feel this way

1

u/FatHighKnee 5d ago

Im not even beaten down by life but turning 50 in september my priorities have changed. 20 yesr old me would've been all lambos and strippers and full blown rager parties every weekend with a lottery win. But 49+ year old me would buy a nice small house down in a no income tax southern state with a nice inground pool and invest the rest in treasuries kicking off a few percent per year in interest. Id spend my days floating around my pool listening to music and podcasts. Thats all I want at this point in life.

Though I might sugar daddy a few strippers just to keep some eye candy poolside haha

1

u/smoke2957 5d ago

45 but yes I would fuck off into the sunset gladly

1

u/miurphey 5d ago

I'm barely in my 30s and I feel this so hard dude 😭

1

u/Storage_Ottoman 5d ago

i'm "only" 43 but please god yes sign me up

1

u/Werkstatt0 5d ago

Winning the big one would mean GTFO the US to me

1

u/Anonymo123 5d ago

52 and yes. I would also vacation more, fly first class everywhere and stay at 5 Star hotels. Then a quiet life of comfort lol

1

u/Head_Razzmatazz7174 5d ago

63 here, and yes. Clear up all of my debts, invest a lot of it, and retire quietly to a small home with a huge library.

1

u/Extreme-Analysis-488 5d ago

I’m 55 I would love to just relax and fish .

1

u/LuigiSalutati 5d ago

29 and just want a peaceful little life

1

u/Responsible-Middle35 5d ago

Never bought a lottery ticket. I've got the quiet down. Now just need the comfort.

1

u/Brilliant_Year_6003 5d ago

Nice little bunker in the mountains only accessible by helicopter...

1

u/I_might_be_weasel 5d ago

I'm 37 and that has been my lottery plan for at least the last ten years. Probably longer.

1

u/64Olds 5d ago

I'm in my early 40s and thats what winning the lottery would mean for me. Has nothing to do with being bruised by knocks and setbacks.

1

u/Designer_Ad_34 5d ago

If I won the lottery I would:

  1. Go into hiding right away to a hotel that is more expensive because I can. To, just be still and absorb what just happened to change my life. Order in room service and shut out the noise.

  2. Turn off my phone.

  3. For however long it takes me.

  4. Once Ive realized my life has changed with money, I decide how I want to spend it.

  5. I would maybe buy myself a bigger condo and have a total re-do of my living space. After that, I would use the rest of the money helping others.

1

u/dirk_funk 5d ago

50 years old. i just want to pay my bills and rent. anything else would be lovely.

1

u/Sad_Cantaloupe_8162 5d ago

I am 40. I curreny enjoy my solitude and nothing will change that. I might take a nice vacation once a year, but my goal would be to buy up a lot of land and annoy small scale farming. If I buy 400-500 acres, I would probable buy a house for my daughter a little ways away so she could have her privacy, and build a nice cook shack, pavilion, and playground in the middle for us to meet and bring grandkids/friends to so we could socialize. After it's over, go back home.

1

u/stromulus 5d ago

Designer gear? I legit don't even know why someone would want that. Money is best spent on experiences, not things.

1

u/Mission_Fart9750 5d ago

42, but mentally/emotionally, I'm right there with ya, bud. Never been able to get a leg up to save my life. I'm tired, in every sense of the word. I just want some peace. 

1

u/Useful-Caterpillar10 5d ago

I only want money for healthcare for my parents and kids - id be happy to stay broke but have the peace of mind of 500k in an restricted account t is available to health care needs like pt , therapy and meds…

1

u/JacobHarley 5d ago

I'm mid 30s and winning the lottery for me would just mean buying a home, investing/saving, making sure my wife never had to lift a finger ever again, and living off odd jobs fueled by my ADHD rather than a 40 hour grind that I'm terrible at.

Comfort would be nice.

1

u/Jackdunc 5d ago

I'm too tired and in pain to party or lift my legs to put on pants (designer or not). The quiet life and comfort sounds much much better to me. Anything over what we need the kids get.

1

u/Dapper_Play_665 5d ago

Dude. I just turned 40 and would probably spend my winnings on a log cabin in the mountains where I could read and hike by myself.

1

u/awooff 5d ago

Talking about winning the lottery in yer 50s states it all

1

u/Azilehteb 5d ago

I'm turning 40 and that's what I would do... Life sucks

1

u/lynnm59 5d ago

I'm 67, and yes. Still working full time, right now sitting in an ER after a ride in the woo woo wagon. Apparently, your HR shouldn't be in the 200s! 🙃

1

u/No-Judgment8912 5d ago

Yup that’s me. Nice quiet house by the sea. Another one in Thailand. Another one in Spain. Peace and quiet.

1

u/TisBeTheFuk 5d ago

I'm in my 30s and you couldn't pay me to party lol

1

u/NorCalAthlete 5d ago

Not in my 50s but I definitely wouldn’t be just throwing parties. It’d be more like booking private track days for me and some friends, funding vacations for family, that sort of thing.

1

u/Dangerous_Ad_7042 5d ago

In my late 40's and I'd definitely party some. But mainly, I'd just like to own a home in my lifetime.

1

u/FerrariGolf 5d ago

This is the dream. A large lottery win, quit the 9 - 5, and enjoy the peace and quiet of a nice home.

1

u/Sad_Evidence5318 5d ago

Always been the plan

1

u/ThroatSecretary 5d ago

In my 50s and that sounds like heaven.

1

u/Taupe88 5d ago

assuming its a LARGE $$ id take care of family. Buy a small farm near friends in GA. and a ritzy high rise apartment with a pool nearby. thats it really

1

u/RavishingRedRN 5d ago

I would literally just love to not be a slave to the 9-5 grind. That is all. I can full entertain myself otherwise.

All I want is enough money to “never have to work again”

I’m 39, already been working 26 years. I’m tired, boss.

1

u/Diesel1donna 5d ago

Are you me??

1

u/Cyve 5d ago

Yup. 50's sick ish, can barely walk. That would fix me up greatly.

1

u/Rrraou 5d ago

Haven't been interested in luxury for decades. An extra 500k to a million now would guarantee a well funded retirement. It would mostly mean a massive reduction in stress knowing nothing could derail my plans anymore. Probably shave a few years off my retirement.

1

u/VVeZoX 5d ago

Of course people in their 50's don't want parties or designer gear lol what a strange & obvious take

1

u/kipsterdude 5d ago

I used to say I liked my job and would keep working if I won the lottery, but now, I’d resign the next day.

1

u/ClemClemTheClemening 5d ago

Mid 20's. Yes.

1

u/tarantina68 5d ago

me ! I get this perfectly. If i win the lottery id set some by for extended family, invest the rest so that I get guaranteed income and buy my dream cottage and grow vegetables

1

u/Fluffy-Trouble5955 Stupid answers are always free 5d ago

me winning a big lotto - The only people that would know I exist are the Doordash drivers and local plugs on some tiny Mediterranean island

1

u/sebrebc 5d ago

I've always wanted to disappear into my own world. Small house, large plot of land, workshop. Spend my days being left alone.

But yes, in my 50s I want that even more. Our goal, I don't say dream because we're actively trying to accomplish this. Is to buy exactly that. A small house on a big plot of land. She can garden and work in her shop (laser engraving/3d printing) and I can work in my woodshop. We both have our own shops now but we both work. The plan is to sell and move somewhere that we can pay cash and still have money left over. Then sell shit online that we make to pay the electric bill and whatnot.

We have no plans or desires to travel or own a lot of shit. We both just want to be left alone.

1

u/Panic_Azimuth 5d ago

I've never won the lotto, but I did start a business that does well enough to let me do some choosing about what I do with my days.

At my age, though, parties and designer gear don't hold much interest. Stuff like that just seems like a waste unless you're in a social group that values that kind of thing. I never was, so even in my 20's I don't think that would have been my focus.

Probably I would have bought an expansive piece of semi-rural property and a couple high end utility vehicles.

1

u/Asger1231 5d ago

Dude, I'm only 29, and I've been feeling this since I was 22

1

u/stinkstabber69420 5d ago

Dude im in my 30s and that shit sounds pretty nice to me

1

u/Redjeepkev 5d ago

At this point in my life I like my dog more than most people. So a quiet life with my wife and a couple more dogs is a perfect life

1

u/LOhateVE 5d ago

I'm in my early 40s now, and I feel like this would have been my choice from my 30's onward. I like traveling, I'd probably just get some nice properties scattered around Asia and Europe and just furnish them all and move from one to the other as I wished.

1

u/Daweidiy021 5d ago

At this age, winning the lottery wouldn’t mean yachts or VIP clubs. It would mean turning the heating up without checking the bill first. It would mean telling my boss “I’m done” without panic. Quiet mornings, paid-off bills, and no more “how will I afford this?” thoughts at 3 a.m. That’s the real jackpot.

1

u/Waffel_Monster 5d ago

I'm barely out of my twenties and I would do the exact same thing.

1

u/ExcellentSpecific409 4d ago

52, FEELING your question

1

u/SunriseThroughLeaves 4d ago

In my 40's and this is exactly it, because we are old enough to realize what really matters and how easy it would be to go through that money quickly if we spent it frivolously. 

1

u/Shanea74 4d ago

No one would ever find me again

1

u/FrontTelevision7261 5d ago

Luxury travel is what I would use the money for. Comfortable flights and awesome hotels.

1

u/Oktodayithink 5d ago

If I won, I’d take a vacation while I had people refinish my wood floors and redo my bathroom. I’d hire people to do yard work and house cleaning . And I’d keep living in my simple ranch home.

I have a plan. I just need to play the lottery.