'Am I reading this right?' Man turns $1 ticket into $273,520 jackpot
William Evans had a good feeling about playing Multiplier Mania, a digital jackpot game with tickets starting at 50 cents, according to a press release from NC Education Lottery.
A player must match several digital "symbols" to win the top prize, state lottery officials said.
With hopes of turning his good feeling into cash, Evans played for $1 on July 23 and won the top level "Gold Jackpot," which has a 1 in 40 million chance of being won.
"Something just told me to play that one," Evans told the lottery. "I'm stoked."
Evans, who was relaxing at home in his recliner, learned his gut instinct was spot on, because he had just won $273,520.
"I was like, 'Am I reading this right," Evans said. "It was kind of nerve-racking."
Jackpot winner plans to buy a home with winnings
Evans, who claimed his prize July 25, took home $196, 251 after state and federal taxes were deducted. He plans to use the prize money to buy himself a piece of property.
'I want to have my own place,' Evans told state lottery officials.
Digital instant games, like the one Evans won, are played exclusively on the lottery's website, or on the NC Lottery Official Mobile app.
Where to buy lottery tickets
Lottery tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050(MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: North Carolina lottery winner's 'gut feeling' nets $273,520 jackpot
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Mark Cuban's Secret To Launching Successful Business: 'It Doesn't Matter How Many Times You Fail, You Only Have To Be Right One Time'
Billionaire investor Mark Cuban shared his wisdom on starting a thriving business without any initial capital, drawing from his own early entrepreneurial journey. What Happened: Cuban has shared his initial business venture prior to his triumph with MicroSolutions. At the age of 24, he tried to market powdered milk, a venture that lasted a mere 30 days due to consumer disinterest. Despite the setback, Cuban gleaned a crucial lesson about perseverance in the business world. 'It doesn't matter how many times you fail. You only have to be right one time. Just one time,' he shared with Emma Grede on her 'Aspire' podcast. "I remember taking samples to people, mixing it up like, 'Look, milk's expensive. We're broke, right? This will save you money. And just seeing the look on their face. point taken," he said. Subsequently, he launched MicroSolutions, which he sold for $6 million at the age of 32. His next venture, was sold for a whopping $6 billion. As per Forbes, Cuban's estimated net worth today stands at $6 billion. Also Read: Mark Cuban Says His Children Struggle With the Downsides of His Wealth: 'Not That They Want To Be Poor, But It Sets An Expectation' Talking about how to start the business if one doesn't have the money, Cuban said, 'First, you've got to find the right product or service. If you don't have any money, most likely [your business] is going to be a service." 'Think of something you do well, and a need that other people have, and combine the two. This could include tutoring, freelance writing or graphic design, dog walking or social media management, for example,' Cuban added during the podcast. Why It Matters: Cuban's advice for budding entrepreneurs without capital is to exploit sweat equity. He recommends identifying a service that aligns with one's abilities and market demands. He also underscored the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), asserting that if he were to start a business today without any money, his focus would be on AI. This insight is particularly relevant in today's rapidly evolving technology landscape, where AI is increasingly becoming a cornerstone of innovation. Cuban's emphasis on persistence and adaptability, coupled with his endorsement of AI, provides a valuable roadmap for aspiring entrepreneurs navigating the complex world of business. Read Next Mark Cuban Reveals What He'd Do As A Gen Zer to Get Ahead—Even While Sleeping: 'If I Was 16, 18, 20, 21 Starting Today, I Would Spend Every Waking Minute Learning It' Shutterstock: Kathy Hutchins UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Mark Cuban's Secret To Launching Successful Business: 'It Doesn't Matter How Many Times You Fail, You Only Have To Be Right One Time' originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
3 Top REIT Dividend Stocks to Buy in August for Passive Income
Key Points Mid-America Apartment Communities has increased its dividend for 15 years in a row. Invitation Homes has raised its payment every year since it went public. Realty Income has one of the best dividend growth streaks in the REIT sector. 10 stocks we like better than Realty Income › Investing in real estate investment trusts (REITs) is a great way to generate passive dividend income. Most REITs own large portfolios of income-generating real estate, which provide them with the cash flow to pay attractive dividends. Mid-America Apartment Communities (NYSE: MAA), Invitation Homes (NYSE: INVH), and Realty Income (NYSE: O) are three top REITs due to their consistent dividend growth, strong financial profiles, and high-quality portfolios. Those features make them great stocks to buy for passive income this August. Capitalizing on growing apartment demand Mid-America Apartment Communities has an excellent record of paying dividends. The landlord recently declared its 126th consecutive quarterly dividend. It pays $6.06 per share each year, giving it a more than 4% yield at its recent share price. Mid-America has never reduced or suspended its dividend in its more than 30 years as a public company and has raised the payout for 15 years in a row. Shop Top Mortgage Rates Personalized rates in minutes Your Path to Homeownership A quicker path to financial freedom The REIT should have no trouble continuing to increase its dividend. Demand for apartments in the Sun Belt region where it operates is strong and growing, while new supplies should be limited in the future. That should keep occupancy levels high across its portfolio and drive steady rent growth. Meanwhile, Mid-America Apartment Communities currently has nearly $1 billion of apartment development projects underway that it expects to complete over the next few years. It also recently completed four projects and acquired two new communities in the lease-up phase for nearly $575 million. "The strengthening demand/supply dynamic coupled with our growing development pipeline, which is nearing $1 billion, should support robust revenue and earnings performance and enhance long-term value creation," stated CEO Brad Hill in the REIT's recent second-quarter earnings report. Cashing in on demand for rental housing Invitation Homes stands out for its consistent dividend record. Since its initial public offering in 2017, this REIT, which specializes in single-family rental homes, has increased its payout each year. The current dividend is $0.29 per share quarterly ($1.16 annually), giving it a yield approaching 4% at the most recent share price. The REIT owns and manages single-family rental properties in high-demand housing markets. That drives healthy rent growth (4% in the second quarter). Additionally, Invitation Homes steadily invests capital to grow its rental property portfolio. It spent $350 million to buy over 1,000 homes in the second quarter. The REIT also provided a developer with $33 million in funding to build a 156-home community that it can acquire in the future. These investments are providing it with incremental sources of income to support its steadily rising dividend. The name says it all Realty Income has one of the best dividend track records in the REIT sector. The company has increased its monthly dividend 131 times since its public market listing in 1994, including the past 111 straight quarters. At the REIT's current payment level ($0.269 per share a month and $3.228 annually), it has a yield approaching 6%. The diversified REIT backs that payout with very stable rental income. It leases its retail, industrial, gaming, and other properties to many of the world's leading companies under long-term triple-net (NNN) agreements. Those leases require that tenants cover all property operating costs, including routine maintenance, real estate taxes, and building insurance. Realty Income also has a very strong financial profile. That gives it the flexibility to continue acquiring properties secured by long-term net leases. It currently expects to invest about $4 billion this year to expand its portfolio. These new investments will enable the REIT to continue increasing its high-yielding monthly dividend. High-quality, high-yielding REITs Mid-America Apartment Communities, Invitation Homes, and Realty Income pay high-yielding and steadily rising dividends. With more growth ahead, they're great REITs to buy this month to collect a rising stream of passive dividend income. Should you buy stock in Realty Income right now? Before you buy stock in Realty Income, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Realty Income wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $624,823!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,064,820!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,019% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 178% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 29, 2025 Matt DiLallo has positions in Invitation Homes, Mid-America Apartment Communities, and Realty Income. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Invitation Homes, Mid-America Apartment Communities, and Realty Income. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 3 Top REIT Dividend Stocks to Buy in August for Passive Income was originally published by The Motley Fool
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
3 Ways a Luxury Gym Membership Can Actually Save You Money
A luxury gym membership might seem like a splurge, but it can be a surprisingly smart financial move. Many high-end gyms include perks that would cost extra elsewhere — and if you take full advantage, you could end up saving money overall. Read Next: Check Out: Here are the luxury gym membership perks that can end up saving you money. On-Site Child Care Many luxury gyms provide on-site child care for members at no additional charge. For example, Life Time gyms have on-site Kids Academies where parents can drop off kids while they work out. Children ages 3 months and up can receive up to 2 1/2 hours of child care, while infants can receive up to two hours. Babysitters typically charge around $20 per hour, so those cost savings can add up if you utilize these services multiple times a week. Explore More: Built-In Co-Working Spaces As traditional office life evolves, many workers now work remotely at least part of the time. Buying access to a co-working space can be pricey — for example, a WeWork membership costs $160 or more a month — but some gyms offer access to these spaces as part of its membership. Life Time is one gym that offers this perk. 'Life Time Work Club Lounges are open plan work, community-style areas inside Life Time athletic country clubs that are complimentary for all Life Time members to use,' its site states. 'No specific Life Time Work membership required.' Boutique Classes and Spa Access There's no need to pay for individual classes or spa access when you join a high-end gym. Almost all of the premium chains include unlimited group exercise classes, as well providing on-site saunas. At Equinox, members can take classes that include boxing, Pilates and HIIT — classes that can cost up to $50 each when booked at a boutique fitness studio. More From GOBankingRates Mark Cuban Tells Americans To Stock Up on Consumables as Trump's Tariffs Hit -- Here's What To Buy This article originally appeared on 3 Ways a Luxury Gym Membership Can Actually Save You Money Solve the daily Crossword
