Man Hits $1 Million Jackpot With $20 He Found in a Parking Lot
If you’ve ever found a $1 bill on the ground, you know the little thrill that comes with it. But turning a lost $20 bill into $1 million? That’s on a whole other level.
That exact scenario is what happened when one lucky North Carolina man used a $20 bill he found in a parking lot to purchase a winning lottery ticket. Here’s how it all went down.
What Happened?
On October 22, Jerry Hicks found a $20 bill in a Speedway parking lot. The master carpenter from Banner Elk, North Carolina, used that $20 to buy an Extreme Cash scratch-off ticket inside the convenience store.
“They actually didn’t have the ticket I was looking for so I bought that one instead,” Hicks said in a press release.
It turned out to be the golden ticket.
How Much Did He Win?
That unexpected ticket won Hicks $1 million. He claimed his prize on Friday, October 25, at the North Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters. Hicks chose to take the lump sum of $600,000; after taxes, he went home with $429,007 — not too shabby for $20!
What Is He Going To Do With the Money?
Hicks said he plans on retiring from his 56-year career as a carpenter, and is going to use the money to help out his children. But he also has more immediate — and delicious — plans.
“We are going to head straight to Golden Corral and eat everything they’ve got,” he said.
Sounds like a solid way to celebrate a lotto win.
What Are the Odds?
So what are the odds of winning the $1 million prize on an Extreme Cash scratch-off ticket? According to the North Carolina Education Lottery, it’s around one in 2,017,650. Hicks, you are one lucky man indeed.
Where Can You Buy an Extreme Cash Scratch-Off Ticket?
Find them in gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores. Tickets are occasionally sold in airports as well. And if you happen to pay for a ticket with some found money, even better.