Mega Millions players think about how to spend a record $ 1.6 billion

Arkansas is one of the 44 states where the Mega Millions is played. It has also been performed in Washington, DC and the US Virgin Islands.

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Nathan Harrell was in downtown Chicago for work Saturday when he stopped at a 7-Eleven and handed the clerk two $ 20 tickets – one for 10 $ 2 Powerball tickets each and the other for 10 Mega Millions at $ 2 each. It's been a few years since he spent nothing on the lottery.

"I have to think in the news," said the 36-year-old, who works in finance and lives in the northern part of the city.

He said that he and his wife had discussed over the years what they would do if they won and she would continue to work. "So she probably would not want me to leave my job," he said.

Harrell said that by taking the train to get to work, he had thought about what he could do about it. He believes he has created a trust fund for his two children.

"We will not sweat the little things anymore," he said. "Nothing crazy, but who knows."

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In Phoenix, Tim Masterson, a 41-year-old scientist, met Kings Beer & Wine, a high-end convenience store and beer bar, to buy seven Mega Million tickets while his family was waiting in front of the car.

Masterson paused when he was asked what he would make money if he won. After examining the wide variety of beers and beers on the shelves, he said, "I would like to buy a brewery."

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Nebraska's mother, Michelle Connaghan, said she had conjured Mega Millions' huge jackpot to her kids, which had led to a discussion about what the family would do with all that money.

"In addition to paying the bills and taking care of my family, I think it would be very fun to do good deeds for people," said Connaghan, 48, while she was picking up a pizza for her family and a Mega Millions lottery. ticket in a convenience store in Omaha. "I think it would be wonderful to be able to help someone who really needs it.

"And I'm sure we'd take a pretty awesome holiday while we're doing good surprise actions."

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In the financial district of New York City, Juan Ramirez, 69, has announced that he will retire from at least one of his jobs. He works as a school maintenance attendant and cook at shorter orders.

"I would spend it carefully. I would be ready to cash in, go see a financial advisor, "he said, saying he would invest the money.

"I have two jobs. I would retire after one, maybe two. When I make $ 1 billion, I'll decide which one to give up.

"I would give money to a charity, I would think of the homeless, people with less than me. I would help somebody.

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Guillermo Carrillo, 42, of San Diego, works as a roofer and dishwasher in a restaurant.

Carrillo, who was buying tickets in the suburbs of National City, dreams of buying a home for his mother in his native Guatemala. Then he would give money to each of his five sisters – also in Guatemala – to spend as they please. His five brothers would have nothing, he said.

For his part, he would buy a home in the San Diego area and replace his old pickup with a new one in his favorite color, red. He would travel too. At the top of the list are Paris, Spain, the ruins of Machu Pichu, Peru and, of course, Guatemala.

"It's a lot of money and I hope we win," he said.

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Dan Higgins is not typically a lottery player, but he decided to try his luck by having a coffee in a 7-Eleven in the Brighton area of ​​Boston on Sunday.

"When the figure reaches more than a billion dollars, it becomes imperative. As a result, a $ 1.6 billion investment could be a very good return on investment, "said Higgins, 51, who lives near Brookline.

First of all on his agenda, should he win: give his two weeks' notice to his job as a salesman. Apart from that, he says that he would take care of the education of his two children, who will soon be entering college.

"It's obviously a lot of money, so I'd really like to help my family in any way possible and probably buy a big house by the ocean somewhere."

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At an Exxon store in Nashville, Tenn., Secretary Quin Newsom said almost everyone who came in was buying a Mega Million ticket – including herself.

When asked what she would do if she won, the 22-year-old said, "I would share this with my colleagues. We will retire from here. And then I would go to the Bahamas. "

Beyond that: "I would invest in something, so that the money continues to flow. … you have to think about it. "

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Earl Howard, a long-time New Yorker, said he played the lottery "at any time, even if it was big," even though he had never won anything. Chances of winning the Mega Millions Grand Prize are about one in 302 million.

"I will always do it. It does not matter the chances. You have to be there to win, and if you do not try, you will not succeed, "said Howard purchasing a 7-Eleven in Brooklyn.

When asked what he would do with that money, Howard replied, "Quit New York. Take care of my mother, my children and my wife. That's all. Save the rest. Nobody will know that I won. "

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Hannah Grabenstein (Little Rock, Arkansas), Sara Burnett (Chicago), Anita Snow (Phoenix), Margery Beck (Omaha, Nebr.), Ron DePasquale and Julie Walker (New York), Elliot Spagat (San Diego, Alanna) contributed to the completion of this report. Durkin Richer in Boston and Travis Loller in Nashville, Tennessee.