North Carolina Woman Spends $30 And Wins $5 Million Lottery

It's a dream we all have.  It starts when a huge pile of cash falls from the sky making all our wishes possible.  Then, we usually wake up.  However, a Wake Forest North Carolina woman is still living the dream.  Elizabeth Jarvis stopped off at Rose Mart in Wake Forest and spent $30 on a North Carolina lottery scratch off ticket.  And, it turned out to bring a $5 million win according to the NC Lottery website.

In case you wonder which North Carolina lottery ticket was lucky for the North Carolina woman, it was the 200X The Cash Ticket.  This game first started in North Carolina in March of 2022.  It makes available six top prizes like Elizabeth's.  Lesser prizes include 18 for $100,000.  As of this week, three top prizes and seven $100,000 rewards are still unclaimed.

So, next came the choice of how the North Carolina woman would take her payout.  She went to the lottery headquarters Monday and ultimately chose the lump sum.  And, the lump amounts to $3 million.  So, that equates to just over $2.1 million after all state and federal taxes.  I'd say that's a pretty good return on a $30 investment and a couple of seconds scratching a ticket.

I haven't heard what this North Carolina woman's plans are for the windfall.  Nor do I know if she has a career she wants to continue or leave.  My husband and I are firmly in agreement that a big enough win would guarantee we punched a clock for the last time ever.  Now, what that magical number is all depends.  But, I feel like Elizabeth's number is pretty close!  LOL.

It's never too early to dream about retiring. How can I be one of those people who retire in their 30s? #goals. And if you're retirement dreams include moving to a quaint town full of relaxation, amenities, and activities then you're in luck. There are some fantastic places to retire in North Carolina. Whether you want to golf, the beach, the mountains, or a slightly more suburban feel you won't be bored in these places!

Niche.com compiled a list of the best places to retire in North Carolina. The list was calculated "based on the number of retirees, weather, and access to healthcare and entertainment. Ranking based on data from the U.S. Census, FBI, CDC, and other data sources. Read more on how this ranking was calculated. "

It shouldn't come as a surprise that most of these locations are on the water. Some are all small-town vibes, while others are close enough to larger metros if that's what you need! Now I just figure out how to grow my retirement fund by 100x or maybe just hit the lottery. I could handle working a fun part-time job while enjoying all these towns have to offer. Oh well, at this point I'll just dream!

Population: 2,688

Bermuda Run is a small suburb of Winston-Salem. The Town of Bermuda Run was incorporated in 1999 and Kinderton Village was annexed into the Town in 2012. It is comprised of numerous residential developments (Bermuda Run East, Bermuda Village, Bermuda Run West, and Kinderton Village), paired with a thriving business community, a medical center, diverse shopping, and restaurant options, walking trails, country clubs, and more!

Population: Southport

You've almost certainly seen Southport on your TV screen. Where you know it as "Tree Hill" or have seen it in Safe Haven," " A Walk To Remember," "The Secret Life of Bees" or "Under The Dome." This historic maritime town is south of Wilmington at the mouth of the Cape Fear River. It's close enough to the amenities of a larger city, but you get to live in a picturesque small town.

Population: 3,354

Population: 3,691

Emerald Isle is a North Carolina beach town located on the Crystal Coast at the western end of Bogue Banks. The town features 12 miles of pristine shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean and Bogue Inlet.  You'll find a disc golf course, dock, shoreline, and forest trails, and part of the North Carolina Birding Trail.

Population: 1,646

Sea Breeze is a census-designated suburb of Wilmington, NC. It's part of the Wilmington metro area giving you all the benefits of Wilmington paired with a small town feel.

Population: 2,931

Southern Shores is a residential community located on North Carolina's Outer Banks. Southern Shores is known for its great weather, beautiful homes, and community pride. Here you'll find secluded charm with walking-distance access to the central Outer Banks. This gives you access to restaurants, shops and attractions. The landscapes features rich maritime forests and residential beaches.

Population: 3,994

Sunset Beach is the southernmost Brunswick Islands beach and was even included on National Geographic's list of 21 Best Beaches In The World. Here you won't find boardwalks or high-rises. Instead, enjoy the wide beaches are marshes.  One unique feature of Sunset is that you can actually watch the sun rise and set over the beach due it's unique location.

Population: 16,382

Best known for golfing and the Pinehurst Resort, the Town of Pinehurst has even more to offer. It's rich in history as one of two National Historic Landmark Districts in North Carolina. The  Tufts Archives detail this history. The Village at Pinehurst is home to delightful shops and restaurants. And the Village Arboretum features a large open lawn area, a Pergola Garden, and 3 miles of natural walking trails.

Population: 4,391

Carolina shores is just across the state line from North Myrtle Beach. You're close to the fantastic seafood in Calabash, NC. It's a short drive to the beach making this a convenient location for retirees.

Population: 5,889

Population: 1,284

West of Atlantic Beach is Pine Knoll Shores. This beach community is nestled on the ocean side and Bogue Sound side of the sandspit, combining for a secluded beach experience.  The Crystal Coast Country Club is a golfers paradise, and there is easy public beach access through a series of designated walkways.