He Gave His Cousin a Winning Scratch Off Lottery Ticket at a Family Gathering, But When His Wife Insisted on Reclaiming the $50,000 Prize the Family Celebration Took a Turn.

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In a tradition of playful holiday gambling, the Original Poster (OP) gifts a winning lottery ticket worth $50,000 to his cousin during a family Christmas gathering, triggering an unforeseen family conflict. The joyous celebration abruptly turns sour when OP’s wife insists on reclaiming the ticket, citing it as their own. Amid the escalating tension, a shocking revelation about their financial status threatens to tilt the balance of their decision, leaving the reader in suspense about the fate of the family and the winning ticket.

The Christmas Gathering

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OP joins his extended family for a belated Christmas gathering. A customary exchange of “stocking stuffers,” not exceeding $10 in value, usually involves scratch-off lottery tickets given to all adults. This annual event usually presents a few minor wins, the most significant being $50 from OP’s uncle, which sparked excitement.

A Big Win

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At this year’s gathering, OP’s 23-year-old cousin draws attention by exclaiming he’s won the lottery’s maximum jackpot of $50,000. After verification from a few uncles, the joyous reality sets in. The entire room fills with ecstatic cries.

The Secret Meeting

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Amid the celebration, OP’s phone vibrates, revealing a text message from his wife instructing him to meet her at the car. Excusing himself from the ongoing festivities, OP follows his wife’s instructions. Upon arriving at the car, he notes his wife’s angry body language.

Reclaiming the Funds

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OP’s wife argues that they should not be giving away $50,000 to his cousin and criticizes the lottery tradition. OP acknowledges the significance of $50,000 but asserts it’s not life-changing money for them.

Financial Situations

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The couple’s late-model cars are paid off, retirements and children’s college funds are fully funded, and their only debt is their house. They have secure professional careers and stable financial status.

The Struggling Graduate

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The $50,000 prize, however, would indeed change the life of OP’s recent college graduate cousin. He was raised by a single mother who worked extra jobs to support him and held down two jobs himself while being a full-time student.

The Cousin’s Obstacles

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Burdened with significant student loans, the cousin secured a job after graduation, but the lack of a car and a long commute are significant hindrances. In addition, he’s also trying to save for an engagement ring so that he can propose to his girlfriend.

The Argument

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OP attempts to rationalize the situation with his wife, explaining that he merely gifted a $5 ticket, not $50,000. But she refuses to accept this explanation and demands the ticket be reclaimed.

The Rationale

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OP’s wife asserts they should retain some of the money but fails to articulate her reasons beyond a claim of ownership. OP fires back that she is being selfish and greedy. The dispute escalates into a full-blown argument.

The Standoff

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Neither party agrees with the other’s viewpoint. OP’s wife remains adamant about reclaiming the lottery winnings. The disagreement persists all the way home, ending with an uncomfortable silence.

Full Disclosure

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OP’s wife confesses to some undisclosed financial struggles. She reveals that she recently made risky investments using their savings and just found out that those investments have failed, leading to significant losses.

The Financial Predicament

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OP feels betrayed, not just due to the lost savings but because his wife hid her actions. He struggles with the newfound information and her deception. The lottery winnings now appear as a potential bailout from their financial predicament.

A Tough Decision

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OP is torn between the desperate need to recover the lost savings and his cousin’s dreams hinging on the lottery win. He struggles with the moral implications of his potential decision. His mind is in turmoil, with no immediate resolution in sight.

Was The Man’s Behavior Appropriate?

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OP posts his story online for feedback. The readers in the forum had a lot of mixed views on the matter. Here are some of their responses:

Forum Responds

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One reader said, “Your wife is completely in the wrong. You are right; you have not given away $50,000, you gave him a gift that could have been worth $0 at the end of the day for a bit of a laugh, and the guy got lucky.”

Another Commenter Thinks

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Another responder wrote, “You have witnesses that you gave these lottery tickets and witnesses that your cousin scratched off the winner. She will not win any lawsuit because it was a gift.”

A Third View on The Story

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A different person stated, “Sounds like you have a good relationship with your family. Do not let your wife shatter it.”

A Final Perspective on the Matter

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Another reader commented, “You were correct; you gave him a $5 scratch-off. He won $50,000. Good for you for being so thoughtful about how much more this money means for him.”