Warnings should come with this kid's sudden good fortune

News out today tells of a 26-year old Southeast Missouri man who just won $200,00.00 a year for the rest of his life.

It seems one Aaron Cantrell of Advance, Missouri (I've never heard of it) put $20.00 down on a "scratchers" game and made his big win.

Good for him.

If I knew him, I'd certainly congratulate him.

But since I don't know him and can't congratulate him, I would give him the following warnings and words of unsolicited advice:

First, you probably shouldn't have released your name, if that was an option. You've probably already been accosted for all kinds of money from family and friends. You also should have disconnected your phone and got a new, unlisted number. If you didn't, that could still be a good idea.

Second, stay grounded. Stay focused. Don't lose touch with what's important in life and in the world. You're still just a schlub, like the rest of us. You've won a fortune, really, but you aren't any more important now, after the win, than you were before. Stay with good family and friends. Don't lose touch of them or, again, of what's important in life and the world.

Third, when/if you can, help people but let that be a bit later, after the wonderment and shock of this has subsided. If you go crazy giving things or money away now a few bad things could happen: 1) More people might hear about it and head your way with requests and 2) you could end up bankrupt, unbelievably. But believe it.

Fourth, if you do want to keep your job, as the article I read says, good for you. It could help you stay grounded. But be careful and wary of co-workers, even your boss. Your win could go to their heads. Be careful.

Fifth, don't give half away to a girlfriend. Seriously. A guy did that in Wisconsin and she ended up taking it and leaving him, shortly thereafter. Good people are good but money can change things.

Finally, you were wise in taking this $200,000 series of payments over your entire lifetime, rather than a lump sum payment. You're much less likely to get or be screwed-up by this large amount, spread over your lifetime, rather than one big payout of some millions of dollars. Again, good for you. It shows wisdom on your part. A lot of people don't show such intelligence.

Now, if you can just get through and past this current rush of attention from your family, friends, strangers and some media, and through the first year without any big problems, you could likely be headed for a far easier and wonderful life with a lot less stress and difficulties than if you hadn't won it.

But this first year--and right now--are crucial. You'll need more good luck getting through this.