What would you spend a lottery win on?

A favourite pastime in our house is the "what would you buy if you won the lottery?" game. I don't think we are very original or imaginative - my personal wish list generally consists of new bigger house (in the same village), a spa trip, a newer sportier car, a luxury holiday, a second home in Cyprus and a slap-up meal to celebrate our win.

madmumof7 with champagne
Champagne spa day anyone?

My children usually include the latest games consoles in their dream lottery-win shopping trip. All of us would love a trip somewhere sunny with sandy beaches and warm sea. I fancy staying in one of those cabins on stilts over clear seas - you know, the sort you see on travel programmes and in the Sunday supplements.

We'd all like a trip to see Mickey Mouse - a moderate win would get us to Paris while a big win would enable our perfect trip to the US. I would love to see our Disney-mad little ones meet their on-screen heroes in real life.

Mickey Mouse
Not the real Mickey Mouse!

Fabulous holidays and cars aside, I think what I would like most about a lottery win would be the relief from worrying about money, bills, car breakdowns etc. They say money can't buy you happiness but I'm fairly sure I would be a lot happier if I didn't have to worry about my bank balance!

For most people life is a cycle of work, chores and sleep interspersed with occasional fun and holidays which have to be budgeted for. Most people can only dream of financial freedom which is why lotteries are so popular.

I'm a great believer in the phrase:"You've got to be in it to win it." and every week I open my email in the hope of finding one from an online lottery site which starts with the magic word - CONGRATULATIONS!

You'll notice I don't mention checking my numbers. I prefer to buy lottery tickets online - it is quick and easy and I don't have to worry about losing that precious scrap of paper. I don't even have to worry about my number-blind brain missing a winning line-up as my ticket is checked for me.

cocktails at Cyprus beachbar
Some websites even offer lottery lovers the chance to play big games abroad - one of their agents will physically walk to the store, buy your ticket, scan it in so you can see it online and call you if you win! Amazing!

Of course playing the lottery is a type of gambling but it's easy to set yourself limits- be sensible and only pay out what you can afford. I play with a friend - we share the cost of the tickets, pay half each a month at a time and obviously have an agreement  about sharing any winnings. I think so far we have won about £16 which we splurged on extra tickets when the British National lottery had special Christmas games or big rollover weeks.

You could set up a syndicate with friends, neighbours or work colleagues. There are so many games around the world to choose from all you have to do is decide whether you are going to play the same set of lucky numbers or choose a random set each time you play.

Every week somewhere in the world has their life changed by winning the lottery. If you want a chance to make your dream shopping trip a reality just remember -you are only a few keyboard clicks away from the chance to win big.