What Would You Do?

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Lifestyle

Ponder this. In an attempt to assist the continuing quest to fund your child’s college education, a friend gives your graduating high school senior a lottery ticket as a gift. So, what if you hit the jackpot? Would you share the proceeds with your friend? Would you buy your friend a lavish gift? Conversely, would you do anything at all to acknowledge the gift and the winnings? If you had given the gift, would you accept part of the winnings or the lavish gift?

This set of events actually transpired in our house this past weekend – well not the jackpot part, but we did win two dollars! This gift prompted a let’s say energetic conversation around how we would have handled a big win.

I don’t want to sway your opinion so I won’t tell you yet where we came out. What would you do?

[And by the way, thanks Laurel both for the gift and the blog topic which also counts as a gift to me!]

Comments

Rona Gura

We always receive and give for Mother's Day and Father's Day lottery tickets from my brother-in-law and sister-in-law. We have that discussion on every occasion. The majority has been the same as Fred's opinion, a gift is a gift. Although, we always said a treat at Ben and Jerry's would go to the loser.

Great blog topic.

Submitted by NULL (not verified) on Tue, 06/24/2014 - 01:01

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I think a token gift as a way of thank you is appropriate. I would say more lavish if you hit big (maybe a new car). As the giver of the ticket, I would gladly accept said gift.
David Abeshouse

Whether the giver of the winning ticket might receive a gift or a share of the winnings from the winner -- and what the nature of that gift or share might be -- depends at least in part upon who the giver is: closeness of relationship and the giver's financial circumstances (in addition to the benevolence of the winner).
Laurel Scarr-Konel

It was my pleasure! I was hoping it would have helped towards tuition but a cup of coffee is nice too! And - no - I would never have expected to share in the winnings although if they exceeded anyone's expectation I would have accepted a trip to Carvel :)
Corey Bearak

Probably the first person after Shelly that I call.
I would include that person in the celebratory dinner with spouse or applicable SO.
Phyllis Dubrow

Laurel expressed what I'd have expected: She'd love to make an extraordinary gift to your graduating senior (and you, no doubt) beyond her wildest dreams. If the ticket were a winner and Laurel could make that much of a difference, that'd be a huge gift back -- beyond HER wildest dreams. No need to diminish it by wondering whether she really meant to be that generous. I suspect she did. And a token of appreciation is fine, too.
Nancy Schess

Wow -- in my house we were sharing or at a minimum buying Laurel a lavish gift. Not because we thought she would have expected it at all but just because it felt right.

Submitted by Liz_Saldana on Tue, 06/24/2014 - 23:15

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Liz Saldana

I agree with Phyllis! Laurel's gift back to her would have been the difference she made by her gift to your graduating senior. I would have bought her a lavish gift and, now that I know she likes Carvel, would have added a trip there as well. :)

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