John Lewis rarely indulges in spontaneous purchases – but after running to the store to get mushrooms for his pasta sauce, he got a sudden urge to play the lottery.
It is a good thing he did, too. Upon listening to his strange desire to buy a Set For Life scratch-off, the 56-year-old bartender won the top prize of $5 million.
“I ran to the store before work to get mushrooms for my spaghetti sauce,” said Lewis. “It’s a two-day sauce my dad used to make.”
After receiving $10 in change, Lewis stopped by the vending machine at the end of the checkout aisle and bought a ticket.
“I never put money in those things,” Lewis told the New York lottery commission. “What possessed me to be in that store at that time with just the right amount of money in my hand for that machine I will never know. I have been asking myself that question over and over for days. In the end, though, I’m just glad it was me.”
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Instead of opting for the lump sum, Lewis chose to receive $172,000 every year for the rest of his life.
Lewis says that he plans on using his most recent payment to help out a family member with some medical bills, as well as treating himself to a well-deserved skiing trip.
“I was planning on working at something till the day I died. This may open a few more doors, but we’re happy with the life we have. It’s a good life.”
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