Good luck beating this birthday present!
Ervin Smolinski celebrated turning 94 last Friday with a $300,000 win on the Michigan Lottery, on an instant ticket his daughter-in-law had gifted him.
Despite scooping such a large amount of money with the Double Bonus Cashword scratch card, the World War II Navy veteran from South Branch said he’d managed to stay calm.
“I’ve seen a lot in my time, and I don’t get worked up too easily,” he said, via a statement. “I think my son-in-law was more worked up than I was.”
Smolinski said he regularly sends instant tickets to relatives for their birthdays, and that it had become “a bit of a tradition” in the family.
He doesn’t plan to blow all of his winnings, however, and said he’ll probably invest it in a new shed and a newer but still used car.
“I’m pretty frugal, I always shop sales and take care of my money and that won’t change,” said Smolinski. “The only thing that will change is I won’t have as much stress in my life worrying about money.”
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