Locals Share their Surprising Ways to Spend a $640 Million Jackpot

The lines were long, but a 10-minute wait seemed like a small price to pay for a chance to win $640 million.

Tonight’s Mega Millions jackpot is expected to be at least $640 million --
the highest lottery jackpot ever, and optimistic crowds headed out for some last minute lottery tickets today.

At the 7-Elleven on PCH in Seal Beach, lottery sales have been spiking for days, and the store had to double it’s staffing to handle the Friday afternoon rush.

Shoppers formed lines down the isles and waited for their shot at winning.

“I don’t normally play the lottery, but I could use $600 million,” said Josh Muller. “I’d probably donate a lot to charity, and I’d travel the world with my wife and family.”

Steve Martinez probably won’t show up to his job at a cable company tomorrow if he hits it big. Instead, the Seal Beach resident says he would fulfil his dream of owning his own business.

“I’d start my own business because I won’t be around forever, and I’d like to leave a legacy for my kids,” Martinez said.

For her part, Lisa Marie Thomas knows exactly what she would do with $640 million.

“The first thing we’d do is call a financial advisor and then our church. The only thing we really need is a new car. The rest would be for fun, and there is something I have always really, really wanted to do.”

If she wins the lottery, Thomas plans to surprise strangers with unexpected generosity.

“I have always wanted to go to the grocery store, buy one item in front of someone who has a full cart and quietly tell the cashier that I am paying for the person behind me too,” said Thomas. “People have helped me during hard times before, and I would love to be able to do something like that. Imagine doing it at Christmas time for a family with a bunch of kids. It would be so much fun!”

According to the California Lottery, the cash payout for a single jackpot winner in tonight's drawing would be at least $462 million. If a winner chooses the annual payment option, it would be at leas $24.6 million a year for 26 years -- before taxes. The retailer who sells the winning ticket will receive a bonus of $1 million.

A ticket with all six numbers has not been sold since the Jan. 24 drawing, 18 drawings ago. Tickets will be sold until 7:45 p.m and the draw will be held just before 8 p.m.

The previous largest jackpot on record -- $390 million -- was won in the March 6, 2007, Mega Millions drawing.

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How would you spend $640 milliion?

-City News Service contributed to this report.