MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - It's the stuff of dreams, the chance to win more than half a billion dollars. The Mega Millions lottery jackpot now stands at $540 million, the largest payoff in American history.
It's happening at a time when people are still struggling to make it in an economy that's still shaky.
The experts love to talk about the chances of winning a lottery. There's a better chance of being hit by a bolt of lightning than winning the lottery. The Bulldog has a better chance of being elected president than winning the lottery. That's a scary thought, isn't it?
But nothing keeps a person from saying, "what if..."
What would you do if you won more than half a billion dollars?
Travis Wayne Rogers said, "I would go help my church. I would go buy the church brand new bibles for the people and help the church out first for the people."
We'll get back to Travis in just a second. We did find people who say over $500 million would put them in the spirit of giving.
Matt Goforth said he would share it with his family, because the money would be "more than I could ever use."
How much money is this? Michael Heisley will sell the Memphis Grizzlies for about $350 million. It would be enough money for any car, or fleet of cars you want, houses by the dozen, but even then there still would be more money.
But, not more money than Will Burgis could spend; he says, "Eventually I would spend it all."
Remember Travis who said he'd buy his church new bibles? He started thinking about a few other things.
"I'd buy me a home," he added. "I'd buy me a 3 bedroom home out in the country. That's what I would do."
He's thinking now, thinking about more than just buying bibles and a 3-bedroom house.
"And I would buy me a horse… I want a horse," he said. "I've never had a horse. That would be cool."
The jackpot just went up from $500 million to $540 million because of all the people buying tickets. Lottery officials say it could and probably will go up again before the drawing Friday night.
