World War II veteran Ervin Smolinski won $300,000 in the Michigan Lottery on a ticket bought for him by his family to celebrate his 94th birthday.
Smolinski developed the tradition of sending lottery tickets to family and friends for their birthdays, and they had begun to reciprocate on his birthday for the last few years, according to Fox News.
“Every month, I buy some instant tickets and send them as gifts to family members who have birthdays that month,” Smolinski said in a statement, CNN reported. “It’s turned into a bit of a tradtion, and now everyone sends me scratch-offs and chocolate for my birthday.”
The veteran’s daughter-in-law bought the winning ticket, one of four Double Bonus Cashword tickets Smolinski got to celebrate turning 94 this year on March 17.
“I’ve seen a lot,” Smolinski said, Fox reported, “and I don’t get worked up easily. I think my son-in-law was more worked up than I was.”
Smolinski doesn’t expect winning $300,000 to change his lifestyle much.
“I’m pretty frugal, I always shop sales and take care of my money and that won’t change,” he said, accoridng to Fox. “The only thing that will change is I won’t have as much stress in my life worrying about money.”
On the Michigan Lottery website, Smolinski said he planned to buy a new shed and a newer used car, then invest the rest.
The $300,000 win was the most Smolinski could have won from the lottery, CNN reported.
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