The last big win in date was on Friday 15th October 2021 as a ticket holder in France won the Euromillions jackpot of €220 million (approximately £184 million). Since the start of the Euromillions, lucky players have landed life-changing prizes worth between €10 million and €220 million across all nine participating countries, including the UK. As of today, five British-bought tickets have won some of the biggest jackpots between 2004 and 2021. Yet, the next big draw could see the sixth historic win going to a British ticket holder.
The Bayfords in Suffolk, who won an incredible €190 million jackpot in 2012 before divorcing 15 months later, remain as proof as some big wins can drive even bigger losses. With countless stories of big wins turned sour, it’s worth wondering what Britons would do if they matched all seven numbers correctly.
Splash out on dream vehicles
Undoubtedly, Britons have learned an important lesson during the pandemic. A reliable vehicle can beat cabin fever anytime. Unfortunately, the global lockdown affected repair centres, forcing many cars off the road due to a lack of parts. Scroll forward a year, and fuel shortage also highlighted an important issue with our cars. Therefore, it makes sense that the British population would name electric cars as one of their first purchases if they won the Euromillions.
Yet, practical thinking also includes holiday travels, such as considering the best services for yacht delivery UK based for their first luxury trip to the French Riviera or comparing the best sports car for the weekend.
Take a sabbatical year
Does every winner want to quit their job? The answer is a lot more complex than a simple yes or no. After almost two years of pandemic anxiety, Britons are more cautious when it comes to the household income. Quitting a stressful job is one of the most commonly quoted responses. However, most individuals admit willingly that they don’t want to stop working forever. They recognise the need for a mental break, away from the office stress. But they hope they can maintain some form of professional engagement. Indeed, Britons are concerned about the mental health impact of a luxury lifestyle. Doing nothing without worrying about money has been a common source of depression and self-esteem issues during the pandemic for individuals who were stuck at home on full furlough pay. Therefore, they are not ready to live through the same situation after quitting their jobs.
So, potential winners would prefer to arrange for a sabbatical year with their business, ensuring they can enjoy some more deserved holidays, including long road trips where they can enjoy their favourite snacks in breathtaking landscapes and relaxing luxury spa stays.
Buy a family home
Britain’s dream home is nothing like the supersized manor house we expect. Britons have simple dreams, and most would gladly move to a detached house in a coastal village in the vicinity of a supermarket. According to research by Rightmove, the national dream home is a four-bedroom property that includes two bathrooms, two living rooms, a utility room, and a decent-sized garden. This is a million miles away from the expected castle home with a butler, horse stables, and a swimming pool. Admittedly, once faced with a big win, Britons might change their minds. However, everything seems to imply that most people, if they won, would carry on to make their dream of a quiet and unassuming coastal property come true.
Help friends and relatives
Britons have a long history of generous charity donations and support for those in need. So it comes as no surprise that most people plan to help a friend or a relative with money-related problems if they land the big Euromillions jackpot. Paying off debts is a priority after lockdown challenges. Whether they think of reaching out to a sibling who’s struggled through furlough, a parent who’s hardly making ends meet on their retirement pension, or a friend who’s trying to manage in the aftermath of a tragic loss, Britons have other people’s best interests at heart.
Physical improvements
Last but not least, the Latin saying “mens sana in corpore sano”, a healthy mind in a healthy body, comes to mind when we refer to the desire to invest in physical and mental self-improvement. Men and women in Britain share the self-esteem issues they have regarding their bodies. From cosmetic surgery to regain their youthful appearance to non-invasive treatments for weight loss, Britons want to improve their looks to feel better in their skin. It’s all about making peace with the person in the mirror.
A healthy mixture of luxury purchases, practical dreams, feel-good investments, and generosity define the post-pandemic Euromillions winner. Will we keep the promises made to ourselves if we really win? It’s a question for another time.