Christmas Eve Game With Family Scores A Big Lottery Win For This North Carolina Man
A lot of us enjoy playing games when we get together with family over the holidays. And some of the popular ones are the ‘white elephant’ gag gift exchange or…
A lot of us enjoy playing games when we get together with family over the holidays. And some of the popular ones are the 'white elephant' gag gift exchange or maybe the 'Dirty Santa' game. Well, it was no joke when a Christmas Eve game with family scored a big lottery win for this North Carolina man.
According to ABC 11, the Raleigh man scratched his way to $200,000 on Christmas Eve during a gathering with family. Edisson Garcia Vargas played the $5 'More Money' ticket during the holiday game with family. He explained that family members picked gifts from a big bowl and took turns opening. However, the only thing Vargas got was the lottery ticket. But, that was enough!
The Raleigh man indicated his girlfriend kissed him for luck just before he scratched the winning lottery ticket. And, that must have been some kiss. Most of us never found a gift or stocking stuffer that carried that much value. But, Vargas now pockets just over $140,000 after taxes. I can't imagine a better way to end one year and ring in another.
And, this story reminded me of my dear friend who loves to play games with her family on Christmas Eve. She is always trying to find ways to prank her adult boys. There's 4 of them. And, they are a handful even as adults. But, one year she found a website where she ordered lottery tickets. They looked just like legit tickets...winning tickets, in fact. However, her sons' excitement was short-lived, along with their 'wealth.' And, much to her sons' dismay the 'winning' tickets were purposely fake.
So, my friend got a huge laugh out of it! However, her sons were not as happy with the joke. Now, I for one would never be able to disappoint my child on purpose. But, it was funny in this case.
Anyway, congrats to this North Carolina man and his big lottery win on Christmas Eve. To read more about the win and where he bought the ticket see the full story.
These 6 Cities Are The Best Places To Retire In North Carolina
If you're looking for a great place to retire look no further than North Carolina. The state offers affordable homes with mild winter temperatures. Additionally, easy access to the coast and mountains makes the state attractive to retirees. Retiring in North Carolina gives you the option of choosing a coastal area, bustling metro area, or college town. The experts over at US News and World Report ranked the top 5 cities to retire in North Carolina. This has me asking how can I be one of those people who retire in their 30s? #goals.
If your 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, relax on the beach, revel in small-town living, or be closer to the city you won’t be bored in these cities and towns! Some offer various activities perfect for the retiree who wants an active lifestyle. Others are ideal for those looking to fully kick back and relax.
Read the full US News article here or keep reading to see where the top 5 cities to retire in North Carolina are.
6. Greensboro, NC
Greensboro, North Carolina skyline from the west. (Photo: Raynor Garey/Getty Images)
Median monthly mortgage cost: $1,195
Median monthly rent: $846
Greensboro is much more affordable than the other large metro areas of the state but it's still a short drive from all those cities have to offer.
5. Charlotte
Median monthly mortgage cost: $1,419
Median monthly rent: $1,073
The largest city in the state has a lot to offer retirees and many others. And while the cost of living is higher than other areas of the state it's cheaper than many parts of the country.
4. Hickory
Median monthly mortgage cost: $1,048
Median monthly rent: $708
Hickory keeps popping up on lists among the top cities in North Carolina, and in this case placing higher than Charlotte. It's lower cost of living is a large factor in those rankings.
3. Winston-Salem
Median monthly mortgage cost: $1,178
Median monthly rent: $790
A quieter city in the Triad and with easy access to the popular Yadkin Valley, Charlotte, lakes, and other resources makes Winston a fantastic place to retire.
2. Raleigh and Durham
Raleigh, North Carolina, USA downtown skyline.
Median monthly mortgage cost: $1,602
Median monthly rent: $1,162
The triangle gives residents all the benefits of a large city and a metro of the state's most prominent college towns.
1. Asheville
Asheville, North Carolina, USA at twilight.
Median monthly mortgage cost: $1,357
Median monthly rent: $953
While it has a significant cost of living, if you can afford to retire in Asheville then its money well spent to spend your time in the beautiful mountains.
