A Northern California couple, 72-year-old McKinley Nelson and his wife, were headed out for a mere pizza supper that changed their lives in a most surprising way. They had started out when they wanted pizza and needed to break a $100 bill so that they could leave a tip. It was this routine gesture that made them buy lottery tickets, one of which proved to be a $1 million winner.
How it happened: Breaking a $100 bill and spending on lottery tickets
The pair made a stop at a liquor stand as well as a Round Table Pizza in Winters, California, roughly 40 miles west of the state capital city of Sacramento. McKinley Nelson had an idea to spend his $100 bill on two lotto tickets so he could receive change to tip the pizza delivery person. He scratched one of them and believed it could be a huge winner and was not sure until he pulled out the California Lottery app that validated their $1 million jackpot.
Nelson, a 40-year-old retired lotto player, had a joking remark that it had taken long enough to finally win. His wife, initially craving pizza, was credited by Nelson as being the reason for their fortune, stating, “It was all because of her; she’s the one who likes the pizza”.
Plans for the winnings
With the surprise money, the couple will spend on paying for their house, purchasing a camper van, and hitting the road to see family. Not only does the surprise relieve financial burdens, but it also presents opportunities for adventure and family ties.
Winning $1 million on a lottery ticket is an unusual thing, and that makes their tale great. The couple’s fortune is a reminder that perfect seconds and small things, such as dividing a bill to leave a tip, can alter our lives.
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