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Persistence Paid Off As Charlotte Man Won Nearly $1 Million Lottery Game

Everyone has lottery fever these days.  In fact, we bought our Powerball ticket tonight after dinner.  But, for one lucky person from North Carolina persistence paid off big time.  And,…

winning powerball ticket in North Carolina expires soon
Debbie Nance

Everyone has lottery fever these days.  In fact, we bought our Powerball ticket tonight after dinner.  But, for one lucky person from North Carolina persistence paid off big time.  And, a Charlotte man won nearly $1 million lottery game this week.

Charlotte Man Won Nearly $1 Million Lottery Game And Here's Where

According to WCNC, Benjamin Simmons is no stranger to the North Carolina Education Lottery's Fast Play.  And, he plays the game so often at the same store, he became friends with the store owner.  Simmons said, "I can't wait to tell him."  His store of choice is the Raceway Amoco on Lyles Lane in Concord, North Carolina.

Charlotte Man Won Nearly $1 Million Lottery Game And Here's His Payout

So, he won the instant prize on a $20 Max Win ticket Friday and promptly collected his winnings from lottery headquarters.  The more than $992,000 jackpot prize amounted to $709, 696 after all taxes and withholdings.

Charlotte Man Won Nearly $1 Million Lottery Game And Here's What His Plans Are

And, what's next after the Charlotte man won nearly $1 million lottery game?  He has plans to help a family member who's going through a medical issue.  But, what about the rest of us?

Well, as I write this I have high hopes we are holding the winning ticket for the $1.3 billion jackpot.  After all, we used the very scientific and unproven method of playing numbers from the back of our fortune cookies from tonight's dinner.  So, whether they win or lose, at least the Kung Pao was delicious!

How People Pick Their Numbers

So, how do most people pick their lottery numbers?  Many choose to play numbers that hold personal meaning like birthdays, anniversaries or significant dates.  In a recent $25,000 a year for life winner in North Carolina, the woman chose a mash up of personal digits, son's birthday and his football jersey number.

However, strategists point out random numbers are just as effective.  And, picking your own doesn't really change your odds. But, good luck to us all.  And, may the odds be every in our favor!

For more on the story about how the Charlotte man won nearly $1 million lottery game, see the full article from WCNC.

List: The Top 11 Places To Retire In North Carolina

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!

11. Bermuda Run

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!

10. Southport

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.

9. Flat Rock

Population: 3,354

Flat Rock is a historic residential mountain community with forested landscapes and scenic vistas along winding byways. Flat Rock prides itself on being rich is history, tradition, and beauty. It's ho to the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, a National Park Service property, and the Flat Rock Playhouse. Additionally, you'll find that many spots in the village are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. If you are looking to retire in the mountains this is a perfect option!

8. Emerald Isle

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.

7. Sea Breeze

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.

6. Southern Shores

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.

5. Sunset Beach

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.

4. Pinehurst

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.

3. Carolina Shores

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.

2. St. James

Population: 5,889

St. James is a town located along the southeast coast of North Carolina just a few miles from Southport, NC about 30 miles south of Wilmington. It's nestled in some of the most unique wetlands in the country. It's attractive to active retirees with golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools, a marina, and a beach club.

1. Pine Knoll Shores

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.

Debbie Nance is the afternoon co-host along with her husband on "The Charlie and Debbie Show" at WSOC, Country 1037 in Charlotte, North Carolina. She has been with the station for 18 years. Debbie is a CMA Award winner for Radio Personality of the Year. And, she has worked in radio for 40 years. Before her current afternoon position, Debbie spent more than a decade as co-host on morning shows in several markets across the Southeast. As a content creator for Country 1037, Debbie writes articles about food, new restaurants in the Carolinas and travel experiences.