Former Lottery Winner Says Powerball Winners Are 'In for the Ride of Their Life'
Loyal Davis of Ohio won $207 million dollars with his co-workers 7 years ago.
— -- Last night's lucky Powerball winners will split a whopping $990 million dollars in cash. After taxes, each will take home around $200 million.
Some may splurge on the world's fanciest hotel rooms, or even a Rolls-Royce, but living large like that could cause you to see that money disappear fast. The secrets to some of the most successful lottery winners are simple: save, and enrich the lives of others.
"It was a wonderful experience, it was like a dream come true in a way," former lottery winner Loyal Davis of Ohio told ABC News' "Good Morning America" co-anchor Amy Robach today. "How do I say this -- they're in for a ride of their life."
Davis, who bought a Cadillac Escalade and invested the remainder of his $207 million winnings, said money hasn't changed him at all -- even returning to his job for six years after winning the cash.
"You can say what you want [about going back to work], but you won't know until you win it," he said.
Sandra Hayes was living on less than $26,000 a year as a St. Louis social worker when she hit it big winning a $224 million Powerball jackpot along with her co-workers in 2006.
"When I really realized that I won the lottery, I became a little nervous," Hayes said today on "Good Morning America." "There's been times in my life I didn't have enough money to buy groceries."
The single mother of three decided to retire, pay off her debt and put the rest of her winnings into savings.
And even after willing millions, Hayes said she still splurges on her occasional lotto ticket.
"Do I still play it? Yes, I'm going to take my chances and see if lightening will strike twice," she said.