A woman who won the lottery plans to buy her family a home. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard
A woman who became an instant millionaire after winning the lottery plans to buy a home for her family despite keeping the cash stash a secret from everyone for the last six months.
The woman, who grew up poor, said she’s been living a secret life since the massive win, all while keeping up appearances to everyone, including her family, as if nothing had ever changed.
The part-time Uber driver said no-one suspects she has become a millionaire because she is still picking up extra shifts even though she hates her job.
“I came from a poor family and we used to stress about money constantly. I still haven’t told anyone, and everyone thinks my life changed because I started working really hard,’ the woman said on social media.
The woman has continued driving Ubers to mask her new wealth.
“I started picking up more shifts and working harder, and I bought a car for my family and myself. They’re worried I’ll have to pay it monthly, but I actually bought a small Hyundai for $30,000 and paid it all at once.”
The woman’s salary as an Uber driver is about $2850 a month but, other than her new car and paying groceries and rent for her family, nothing has changed.
“Nothing in my life really has changed that much. I still buy my shampoo from the dollar store,” she said.
Despite keeping her new millionaire status under wraps, the woman said she had plans for the money – including a new home for her family and plenty of travel.
“I also want my mum to be able to retire. I want us to stop living in government housing and just have a decent, comfortable life,” she said.
“I don’t want to stress so much about work anymore. These are just the things I’ve been writing down and they’re not necessarily very practical, but I know I need to start investing my money more wisely.”
At the heart of the woman’s hesitance to share news of the win with her family is their history of poor financial decisions.
The woman received plenty of advice online, with most people telling her to keep the secret forever. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift
“I was so scared when I won. I still don’t really know what to do with it. I think I’m just in denial because I haven’t told anyone, so I keep catching myself thinking it’s not even real,” she said.
The woman’s story attracted plenty of interest online, with many urging the woman to keep her lottery secret forever.
“Not even your mother. Do not tell anyone. Make s**t up. Tell them you have been investing and one of your stocks went crazy. Tell them anything that isn’t you winning the lottery,” one person said.
“It’s your money. Don’t tell a soul. Be generous when and where you want to be and can be without hurting your own future. People are leeches. Once word gets out, you will not have peace until you are broke,” another said.
“For the love of all that is holy DON’T TELL ANYONE! Never ever, not a soul… not even your shadow. Do not tell anyone… ever,” another person warned.
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