Entitled family demands a share of woman's $2 million lottery winnings despite exclusing her from family vacations, she refuses: "That was different, this is family money"

Author image for Ely Bulnes
Ely Bulnes • Writer and Editor
Jan 21, 2025 3:00 PM EST

Hola, internet chicas. Do you ever dream of winning the lottery? The chances are incredibly slim, but millions of people a year end up guessing the right combination of numbers or scratching off the right pattern on a ticket to take home a jackpot. The kind of money offered by winning the lottery is often life-changing. Sure, nowadays a couple millions isn't quite what it used to be, but it can be used to pay off debts, loans, and mortgages. It can also be invested to ensure a better future for you and your loved ones. However, winning big can oftentimes be more trouble than it seems.

In our story today, the self-proclaimed "black sheep" daughter of a family wins 2 million bucks after buying a lottery ticket on a whim. She invests the money wisely but keeps it a secret from her family, who never seemed to care much about her. Turns out she was right to keep her mouth closed; as soon as they caught a whiff of the green, they began hounding her for a share. Scroll down and get all the details of this crazy tale. 

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  • 01

    AITA for refusing to give my lottery winnings to my family after they excluded me from a family trip?

    IN-PLA LOTTERY nraw: 18/01/2022 n0012-346 - I ended up winning a life-changing amount over $2 million. I didn't tell my family right away because I didn't want them to treat me differently. Well, word got out, and now they're furious I didn't offer to "share the wealth."
    via Mehaniq

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    I (28F) come from a family of five-my parents, my two siblings (30M, 25F), and me. Growing up, I was always the "black sheep." My siblings were the golden children, and while I wasn't outright ignored, I definitely got the short end of the stick.
    via u/TooGiftid
  • 03
    A few months ago, my family planned a big overseas trip. I found out through my sister's Instagram posts, not from them directly. When I asked why I wasn't included, my mom said, "We didn't think you'd want to come, and besides, we're tight on budget." It hurt, but I let it go.
    via u/TooGiftid

  • It's so upsetting that they didn't even ask if she wanted to go. They clearly didn't want her there. That kind of treatment is really hard to forgive.

  • 04
    Cheezburger Image 10457442560
    via Kontrec

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 05
    Fast forward to a month ago: I bought a lottery ticket on a whim and ended up winning a life- changing amount-over $2 million. I decided to use the money wisely: paid off debts, invested, and set aside some for fun. I didn't tell my family right away because I didn't want them to treat me differently.
    via u/TooGiftid
  • 06
    Well, word got out after I bought a new car, and now they're furious I didn't offer to "share the wealth." My mom said it's selfish to keep all that money to myself when they're struggling (news to me, given the vacation). My sister hinted that I should pay for her student loans, and my brother outright asked me to buy him a house.
    via u/TooGiftid
  • 07
    Cheezburger Image 10457442304
    via Sergey Nivens

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 08
    I calmly explained that I wasn't obligated to share just because we're related, especially given how they've treated me in the past. I mentioned the trip as an example of how I've been excluded. My dad said, "That was different; this is family money."
    via u/TooGiftid

  • So, why wasn't it “family money” when they went on vacations without her that she couldn't afford? Couldn't they have contributed financially to help her join in on the family fun? 

  • 09
    Now they're all calling me an ungrateful brat and saying I'm ruining the family dynamic. AITA for standing my ground and not giving them any money?
    via u/TooGiftid
  • 10
    Fearless-Fennel4929 NTA this is not "family money" it's your money. I'd suggest cutting them off they'll probably just keep harassing you for money. They're just here to use you.
    via u/Fearless-Fennel4929
  • 11
    oberoimuskaan Exactly, your family sounds like real opportunists, I think cutting them off is really the way to go, its your money not theirs, NTA in any way
    via u/oberoimuskaan
  • 12
    butterfly-garden Agreed! OP already had plenty of reasons to cut them off. Their attitudes about OP's money is just the last straw.
    via u/butterfly-garden
  • 13
    kingjoshua28 Its your money and your decision, NTA on how you want to spend it, its obvious they never respected you to start with, they don't deserve anything from you
    via u/kingjoshua28
  • 14
    Specific_Disk_1233 Exactly. Family money would something you worked together to earn, your own personal salary or lottery winnings are not family money.
    via u/Specific_Disk_1233
  • 15
    Simple_Carpet_9946 The irony that they wouldn't give her a cent if they won it. ETA id book a month long vacation and then say I spent it all.
    via u/Simple_Carpet_9946
  • 16
    GroundbreakingPhoto4 Yeah it's "family money" when it's OP's. You can guarantee if the shoe was on the other foot OP wouldn't get a cent.
    via u/GroundbreakingPhoto4
  • 17
    KinkyPresident NTA. You won the money it's yours to do with as you please. Full stop. Even without the mistreatment they aren't entitled to your winnings
    via u/KinkyPresident
  • 18
    Carissa_Charm Not gonna lie, the audacity here is wild. They didn't even bother to invite you on their trip, but now that you're stacking cash, suddenly it's a family reunion? Nah. You're not a walking ATM.
    via u/Carissa_Charm
  • 19
    You've clearly worked out how to handle your money responsibly, and sharing it with people who've made you feel like the black sheep doesn't exactly scream good vibes. Funny how they're talking about "family money" now, but when it came to a budget vacation, you were an afterthought.
    via u/Carissa_Charm
  • 20
    Stand your ground, invest in your peace, and maybe consider a solo trip to wherever they went-except way better.
    via u/Carissa_Charm
  • 21
    Sammakko660 2million doesn't go as far as some people might think. Especially if you are talking houses and student debt, which is the US can be quite high. OP can't go on a family trip because that's family money. So not for OP, the lottery is family money? Logic needs to be taught in school more.
    via u/Sammakko660
  • 22
    Exciting Tabletop 2 million is enough to buy or pay off a house, clear debt and have a comfy safety margin. Outside of a very LCOL area, it's not retirement money. That said, with two or three decades of growth, it definitely is.
    via u/ExcitingTabletop
  • 23
    Family knows they're not entitled to her money and they treat her like garbage. They just don't care enough about her to be happy for her, and are fine with continuing to treat her badly. OP needs distance.
    via u/ExcitingTabletop
  • 24
    Hobo_Renegade I used to work at a casino and one of the women who came on to play regularly had won 36 mil in the lottery years before I met her, and she was telling me about how suddenly she had all this "family" she had never met, and most of her
    via u/Hobo_Renegade
  • 25
    relationships fell apart because everyone she knew thought they were somehow entitled to a piece of the pie, and her fiance left when she wouldn't bend on a prenup. She basically had to start over.... she said at the time it was pretty awful but at least now she knows who she could really trust.
    via u/Hobo_Renegade
  • 26
    rrspmmn230 NTA. 'Family money'? Last I checked, that ticket had your name on it. They can't exclude you when it's convenient and then show up with open hands when they think you've got something to give. Enjoy your winnings and the peace that comes with keeping boundaries.
    via u/rrspmmn230

Tags

family drama entitled parents toxic sibling rivalry Female Empowerment lottery siblings reddit story relationships parenting couples love entitled reddit thread Reddit money
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