What would you do if you had all that money as a kid? I think I would just travel and never even go to college -_-
Just days before his graduation, a very lucky high school senior got the surprise of a lifetime. He won a lottery prize that will give him $1,000 a week for the rest of his life. At just 18 years old, Robert Salo likely has a lot of $1,000 weeks to look forward to.
But huge news like this needs time to settle in. Salo told ABC News he couldn't sleep the first night he knew he was the winner.
"I was up all night. Walking the halls, I couldn't eat, I couldn't drink, I was just really excited."
He's remaining humble about the entire experience, though. Still keeping his day job, Salo was actually at work when ABC News tried to reach him. He only had a minute to chat with us.
A Brooklyn resident, Salo doesn't often buy lottery tickets, but said he had a feeling about it this time.
"Something drew me to it," he told the New York Lottery. "It was like I was in the right place at the right time."
He bought the $2 scratch-off ticket May 14 at a convenience store in Coney Island. This week, he was presented with a $1,000,000 check at the same store - the first of many checks he's set to get.
The 18-year-old is the youngest person to win this lottery prize. He could end up collecting as much as $3 million if he lives into his 80s.
"It feels like I'm living in a dream," Salo said. "One minute, I'm driving around with my mom and uncle, and the next I'm yelling at them to pull over because I won a million dollars."
The prize guarantees Salo a minimum payment of $1,000,000 over the next 20 years, and an annual check for $52,000 (net $32,398) a year for the rest of his life.
The high school senior says he'll use the money to pay for college and help him pursue a career in electrical engineering. He does, however, have his eyes set on at least one new toy for himself.
"A BMW, of course, I gotta get around," he laughed.
The prize comes as a big relief for Salo's mother, who told the New York Daily News she wasn't sure how she would pay for her son's college education.
"We were kind of worried about paying for college," she told the Daily News. "I said if I had to work two jobs, I would do it, but he's going to the school he wants."
As any proud mother would, Salo says his mom was delighted to learn about his winnings.
"She was very happy for me, just in disbelief, she gave me a hug and a kiss right away."
Well it makes him sound like a good kid and it seem like he deserves it, so good for him.
"I think bringing a toddler to a movie theater is a terrible idea. They are too young to understand what is happening it would be like giving your toddler acid. Bad idea." - Sinensis
That's actually first success story I've seen in awhile where somebody with actual sense wins a lottery. Honestly happy for the guy if his description is true
billy5000 United States. June 15 2012 06:20. Posts 610
I'm really curious to find out how he'll turn out to be in a decade. If I were in his shoes, I'd probably be demotivated to do much of anything, especially school. Either that or be extremely serious about studying business. But congrats nonetheless. He seems like he's got the work ethics to put his money to good use.
Tiger got to hunt, bird got to fly; Man got to sit and wonder, 'Why, why, why?' Tiger got to sleep, bird got to land; Man got to tell himself he understand. Vonnegut
Oh WOW. It's surprisingly cool how he could actually use this money to get through college and how this just dropped on him. Nice story
"It has always been in my observation of human nature, that a man who has any good reason to believe in himself never flourishes himself before the faces of other people in order that they may believe in him."
Silidons United States. June 15 2012 06:31. Posts 2785
Also, never attend school (except maybe for business on how to invest better)... as you don't need a job
he actually isnt getting that much money and inflation will take a lot of it. i am curious whether the amount is before taxes also. he'll need a job if he wants to live a comfortable life.
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FinestHour United States. June 15 2012 06:36. Posts 6702
On June 15 2012 06:24 dAPhREAk wrote: hope he doesnt end up like the majority of people who win the lottery and it totally jacks up their life.
Well the good thing for him is its in smaller amounts so you can't just go blow it all at once so I think this would be great. To be honest if this was me I'd probably just work at a restaurant or something part time for the rest of my life 35k plus part time job is not bad money he'll its really good if you don't have a family to feed.
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Silidons United States. June 15 2012 06:31. Posts 2785
