Nope. Don't gamble at all.
Do you buy scratch off lotto tickets?
- Thread starter skyactiv
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Originally Posted by d00df00d
Originally Posted by supton
Yep, that's why I don't get worked up over this. I think scratch-offs are a complete waste, and lotto isn't much better, but so is buying soda, or heck having a beer. Or buying a ticket to watch a movie. Entertainment in general is just wasting time--and usually money--but if we budget for it, is it really a waste? We buy a good time, and perhaps that has value in itself. Short term value, but still something of value.
Is throwing $20 away really comparable to spending it on food? Is all entertainment really a waste of time?
If so, doesn't that mean a change of priorities is in order?
Food as a necessity, no.
Food as a snack picked up on a whim, eating out, or even a beer, then yes.
I can't believe how much some spend on alcohol (and we won't even get into cigarettes).
I could make the same argument for alcohol as lottery sales (with a lot more proof).
It does nothing good for the person buying it, is addictive, causes harm to society, and targets those least likely able to afford it.
I am sure there is something in everyone's life that I would consider "throwing money away", but it is a matter of what value one places on things.
A few bucks here and there on the lottery is not going to break anyone.
I have entertainment expenses in my monthly budget, and it I choose to spend part of it on Lotto or scratch off's every once in a while instead of a movie, shooting, dinner out or whatever, then no biggie.
But there are those that do "waste" money with the excess that is spent on it, especially when it interferes with everyday living.
Originally Posted by supton
Yep, that's why I don't get worked up over this. I think scratch-offs are a complete waste, and lotto isn't much better, but so is buying soda, or heck having a beer. Or buying a ticket to watch a movie. Entertainment in general is just wasting time--and usually money--but if we budget for it, is it really a waste? We buy a good time, and perhaps that has value in itself. Short term value, but still something of value.
Is throwing $20 away really comparable to spending it on food? Is all entertainment really a waste of time?
If so, doesn't that mean a change of priorities is in order?
Food as a necessity, no.
Food as a snack picked up on a whim, eating out, or even a beer, then yes.
I can't believe how much some spend on alcohol (and we won't even get into cigarettes).
I could make the same argument for alcohol as lottery sales (with a lot more proof).
It does nothing good for the person buying it, is addictive, causes harm to society, and targets those least likely able to afford it.
I am sure there is something in everyone's life that I would consider "throwing money away", but it is a matter of what value one places on things.
A few bucks here and there on the lottery is not going to break anyone.
I have entertainment expenses in my monthly budget, and it I choose to spend part of it on Lotto or scratch off's every once in a while instead of a movie, shooting, dinner out or whatever, then no biggie.
But there are those that do "waste" money with the excess that is spent on it, especially when it interferes with everyday living.
Originally Posted by supton
Originally Posted by d00df00d
Is throwing $20 away really comparable to spending it on food? Is all entertainment really a waste of time?
If so, doesn't that mean a change of priorities is in order?
Is all entertainment a waste? Dunno, you tell me, what do you retain after watching an action flick? or a ballet, or listening to a concert. Or reading bit of good fiction. I do those things for enjoyment, but I don't consider it "adding" something to me. I enjoy them, so I guess it has value to me--but it doesn't increase my net worth, that's for sure. So I do them sparingly, and with the knowledge that it's money out of my wallet.
I feel like you're underestimating the value of art in your own life and the lives of others.
Purely aesthetic experiences sure are of debatable value, but to suggest that the brief spurt of fantasy from a lottery ticket might have the same merits as any other form of entertainment is reaching pretty far. Not all forms of entertainment are so potentially addictive, so narrow and transient in their supposed benefits, so efficient at breaking one's connection with reality, and so easily replicable for free.
I think the comparisons to unneeded snacks, junk food, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking are actually pretty apt. They all have essentially no function beyond tricking you into imagining your life is better while actually making your life worse. Let's not pretend that kind of thing is on all fours with going to see ballet or attending a concert.
Originally Posted by d00df00d
Is throwing $20 away really comparable to spending it on food? Is all entertainment really a waste of time?
If so, doesn't that mean a change of priorities is in order?
Is all entertainment a waste? Dunno, you tell me, what do you retain after watching an action flick? or a ballet, or listening to a concert. Or reading bit of good fiction. I do those things for enjoyment, but I don't consider it "adding" something to me. I enjoy them, so I guess it has value to me--but it doesn't increase my net worth, that's for sure. So I do them sparingly, and with the knowledge that it's money out of my wallet.
I feel like you're underestimating the value of art in your own life and the lives of others.
Purely aesthetic experiences sure are of debatable value, but to suggest that the brief spurt of fantasy from a lottery ticket might have the same merits as any other form of entertainment is reaching pretty far. Not all forms of entertainment are so potentially addictive, so narrow and transient in their supposed benefits, so efficient at breaking one's connection with reality, and so easily replicable for free.
I think the comparisons to unneeded snacks, junk food, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking are actually pretty apt. They all have essentially no function beyond tricking you into imagining your life is better while actually making your life worse. Let's not pretend that kind of thing is on all fours with going to see ballet or attending a concert.
Originally Posted by hatt
I understand basic math so no I do not buy scratch off lotto tickets.
+1...Vegas and Lotto's don't survive off winners....
I understand basic math so no I do not buy scratch off lotto tickets.
+1...Vegas and Lotto's don't survive off winners....
Originally Posted by Mad_Hatter
Originally Posted by hatt
I understand basic math so no I do not buy scratch off lotto tickets.
+1...Vegas and Lotto's don't survive off winners....
Originally Posted by Mad_Hatter
Originally Posted by hatt
I understand basic math so no I do not buy scratch off lotto tickets.
+1...Vegas and Lotto's don't survive off winners....
Vegas? Nooooo.
They build those gorgeous bazillion $$ casinos because they like us, right?
Originally Posted by hatt
I understand basic math so no I do not buy scratch off lotto tickets.
+1...Vegas and Lotto's don't survive off winners....
Originally Posted by Mad_Hatter
Originally Posted by hatt
I understand basic math so no I do not buy scratch off lotto tickets.
+1...Vegas and Lotto's don't survive off winners....
Vegas? Nooooo.
They build those gorgeous bazillion $$ casinos because they like us, right?
Originally Posted by JeffKeryk
Vegas? Nooooo.
They build those gorgeous bazillion $$ casinos because they like us, right?
...‚...‚...‚
Vegas? Nooooo.
They build those gorgeous bazillion $$ casinos because they like us, right?
...‚...‚...‚
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Very occasionally I'll buy a lotto ticket or scratcher - like when a Powerball prize gets up there. Usually, it's when avoid a potentially bad situation I'll buy one as a "good luck" thing.
Originally Posted by skyactiv
I have never bought one in my life. A co-worker however won a $1000.00 a week for life on a scratch off.
That's awesome. If I won that, I couldn't live happily on it, but I darn sure would begin looking for ways to trim my lifestyle so I could retire ASAP (not officially/"legally" or whatever, I'd just stop working). You make me want to play a scratch off.
I have never bought one in my life. A co-worker however won a $1000.00 a week for life on a scratch off.
That's awesome. If I won that, I couldn't live happily on it, but I darn sure would begin looking for ways to trim my lifestyle so I could retire ASAP (not officially/"legally" or whatever, I'd just stop working). You make me want to play a scratch off.
I find them to be a waste, but people feel the same way about my hobbies so it's all good. An old high school/ college girlfriend received 2 from her grandma when she turned 18. Not really sure how they work, but you could only scratch off 2 out of 5.
If she did it right, she would have won $3500. Not sure how often a potential winner is wasted like this, but $3500 isn't too bad. This is the closest I've ever gotten to them. Lol.
If she did it right, she would have won $3500. Not sure how often a potential winner is wasted like this, but $3500 isn't too bad. This is the closest I've ever gotten to them. Lol.
I won a $1000 off first lottery ticket in 1989. Yes occasionally I do, I am ahead
.
I understand math stats well too.
I understand math stats well too.
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