Powerball Jackpot Tops $550 Million; Ticket Buyers Dream Of Winning

Central Ohioans are among people nationwide hoping to cash in on the biggest Powerball drawing in its history.

The jackpot for Wednesday night's drawing is $550 million, or half a billion dollars.

Kelly Smith was buying a ticket even though her husband usually scolds her when she buys tickets. She said he is not this time.

"He said here take this, and while I'm out I'll get $15 worth. I said 'ok,'" said Smith.

The clerk at a West Broad Street Marathon Gas Station said customers were lining up for a chance to buy tickets.

"That's a lot of money.  And you wonder what you would do with it? To win that kind of money, that's a lot!" said ticket buyer Gil Rummell.

Past winners of mega-lottery drawings and financial planners have some more sound advice: stick to a budget, invest wisely, learn to say no and be prepared to lose friends while riding an emotional roller-coaster.

The Powerball lottery is played in 42 states, Washington DC, and the Virgin Islands.

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