See, it irritates ME that people insist on basically calling you moronic for playing the lottery
I know how slim the chances are, I'm actually NOT stupid, by labelling it 'a tax for people who are bad at maths' you discount the fact that there are people who HAVE done the maths...and still choose to play.

For years I never did the lottery, pretty much because I knew the most likely outcome would be a big fat waste of money. But last year I had a revelation, that argument only works if that money is significant:
If you play once a week it's £1.
£4 a month.
£52 a year.

Now I don't know about you, but I've spent that much on taking a friend or loved one out for a nice meal. Hell, I've spent that much on a few hours down the pub! To me, that money would be easy to misplace and so insignificant, in the scheme of things that amount of money is worth it to me to be 'in the game', for it to be possible that I could suddenly find myself with a significant amount of money...even though I know the odds are very, very stacked against me.

Well done on doing the most sensible thing to your mind, but please don't blanket group those who play as stupid just because they have a different perspective to you.
( Jessie © needs pirate name suggestions, Fri 8 May 2009, 10:58, 1 reply)

I hear you.
And apologies that you've taken it personally - that wasn't my aim. Yes, it's a slight, and yes, it's probably unfair. But it's rather tongue-in-cheek. Sorry if that wasn't clear.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Fri 8 May 2009, 11:04, closed)

I would have to be pretty dumb to take this site seriously
so MY apologies for writing that quite so seriously, I didn't really take it personally I just wanted to put the other side across :)

There are a lot of people who never stop to think about the odds, and many of those really can't afford what they're pouring into the game, especially since most people don't limit themselves to just one ticket- just as £52 a year isn't significant to me; twice, three times, four times that very soon builds up into VERY significant amounts!

You are right in what you say, I just don't like blanket statements because there's nearly always another side.
( Jessie © needs pirate name suggestions, Fri 8 May 2009, 15:34, closed)

I'm normally very careful
because a closed mouth gathers no foot, and all that. This was just a blip :)
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Fri 8 May 2009, 16:37, closed)