Powerball’s $1.7 Billion Prize: What One Winner Did Right After Winning

As the holiday season rolls in, Powerball excitement is doing the opposite. Wednesday night’s jackpot has surged to a staggering $1.7 billion, officially ranking as the sixth-largest Powerball prize ever. It sounds like a Christmas miracle—but past winners say smart planning matters just as much as luck.

One of them is Timothy Shultz, who knows firsthand how fast lottery money can disappear. Back in 1999, Shultz won $28 million while working at a gas station and retired at just 21 years old. Overnight, his life changed—but he didn’t take chances with his fortune.

Smart moves that helped protect his winnings

Before cashing his ticket, Shultz did something many winners skip: he called in the pros.

• He consulted financial and tax experts early

• Set clear limits on spending and giving

• Focused on long-term stability, not flashy purchases

“I didn’t want to become another story about a winner who lost everything,” he later explained.

Playing it safe with investments

With guidance from advisors, Shultz invested conservatively, mostly in:

• Stocks

• Bonds

• Mutual funds

This approach helped him build steady income that could last a lifetime. Financial experts agree this kind of planning is critical, especially for massive jackpots like today’s.

Enjoying life—without losing control

Shultz did enjoy his win. His first purchase? A brand-new video game system—something he couldn’t afford before. After that, he:

• Helped his family

• Bought vehicles

• Traveled

• Returned to college to study film and broadcast journalism

Still, the pressure was real. Friends and relatives often expected him to pay for trips, meals, and experiences. “People act like the money isn’t really yours,” he said, adding that some felt he should keep giving simply because he won.

One regret, but no major mistakes

Today, Shultz lives comfortably off his investments, spends time exercising, and works on his podcast and YouTube channel focused on lottery winners’ stories. While he’s proud of how he handled his money, he admits one small regret: not investing in bitcoin earlier.