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I just invented the “Mega Millions inflation index”. It will be more accurate than what the government tells us to use.



Photo above – The hills are alive, with the sound of inflation . . .

How much would you casually drop on a lottery ticket? I’m not talking an office pool, when the jackpot reaches $500 million. Just buying a Mega Millions ticket as you gas up, fleeing an approaching category 5 hurricane? Does $5 for just one ticket cross the line? We’re about to find out. (See link below).

Do I really need to do the math here? A ticket currently costs $2. When it goes to $5, that’s an increase of . . . 150%. The Mega Millions brainiacs justify this by promising that jackpots might be larger. But for the 99.999% of the people who DON’T hit the jackpot, or even a prize of $1,000, the “end product” is the same as before. But the price is 150% higher.

If this was anyone BUT Mega Millions (an official government gambling scheme) jacking up consumer prices by 150%, congress would be holding hearings. Bernie Sanders might be ranting that he can print Mega Millions tickets for 10 cents each, and demand answers. But Mega Millions is legal gambling in places where you’re not allowed to roll the dice, or stand on 16. And most of the MM profits go to . . . well, not you and me. States variously parcel it out to old people, (who buy most of the tickets); sick children? Homeless pets? (not homeless people, for sure). Fire departments? DARE to keep your kids off drugs?

I wouldn’t be the first person to point out that the hype around lottery jackpots is a scam. The fantasy that you can win big and buy everything you want. It’s the sizzle, not the steak.

But now I would like to point out that Mega Millions tickets already doubled - from $1 to $2 - in 2017. That’s 100% inflation, too.

I’d love to win the lottery. But $2 is my wagering threshold. $5 is enough to buy a value meal. I’m not throwing away my lunch money on almost certain chance to win nothing. When mega tickets hit $5, I’ll keep buying Powerball at $2. Until PB jacks up their prices to $5 too. Which shouldn’t be that long, given how these guys with the green eyeshades operate.

Remember to keep senior citizens in your hopes and prayers. They not only buy most of the tickets, but the winner sometimes even turns out to be one. And most of them have no place to flee to, if they retired to central Florida.

I’m just sayin’ . . .

Mega Millions tickets are going to cost more next year (msn.com)
whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M
They even promote those tickets for sale here down under. Now I get that all gambling is at best taxation by stealth. What you are actually paying for is permission to dream. If the dream of a senior citizen is worth a few bucks to them, then I suppose its OK..😷
Tastyfrzz · 61-69, M
By not playing you win at least $15 a week then!
SusanInFlorida · 31-35, F
@Tastyfrzz my point exactly.

i pulled back last year from buying twice a week tickets to only once a week.

this year i only buy at the gas station, and don't purchase at any other time.

i don't feel richer though. if my next door neighbor won the jackpot, i would feel that I missed a possible shot at it.
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