Personal Finance

The Powerball jackpot is now $700 million — here's Mark Cuban's advice for the winner

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Mark Cuban
You don't become a smart investor when you win the lottery, says Mark Cuban.  Brian Snyder/Reuters

The Powerball jackpot has reached $700 million.

That makes it the second-largest lottery jackpot in US history. The largest was $1.6 billion in January 2016.

Back then, Business Insider reached out to the billionaire Mark Cuban to ask about his tips for lottery winners.

He shared the advice he gave his local paper, The Dallas Morning News. While he was talking specifically about the multibillion-dollar jackpot at the time, it's not a stretch to imagine his advice still applies.

Here's what he told The Dallas Morning News:

  • Hire a tax attorney first.
  • Don't take the lump sum. You don't want to blow it all in one spot.
  • If you weren't happy yesterday, you won't be happy tomorrow. It's money. It's not happiness.
  • If you were happy yesterday, you are going to be a lot happier tomorrow. It's money. Life gets easier when you don't have to worry about the bills.
  • Tell all your friends and relatives no. They will ask. Tell them no. If you are close to them, you already know who needs help and what they need. Feel free to help SOME, but talk to your accountant before you do anything and remember this, no one needs $1 million for anything. No one needs $100,000 for anything. Anyone who asks is not your friend.
  • You don't become a smart investor when you win the lottery. Don't make investments. You can put it in the bank and live comfortably. Forever. You will sleep a lot better knowing you won't lose money.

He also shared one last bonus tip with Business Insider: "Be nice. No one likes a mean billionaire. :)"

The Associated Press reports that the odds of winning this Powerball jackpot are one in 292.2 million.

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Libby Kane was a personal finance expert who has reported and edited stories about money for more than 10 years. She previously held the Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI) certification issued by the National Financial Educators Council.Experience She has written and edited articles on everything from investing tips to model budgets and has interviewed dozens of authors, financial planners, and early retirees to share their advice, experiences, and insights with a global audience. Before joining Business Insider in 2014, she was an associate editor at LearnVest, a personal finance site to help women learn about money. Her work has appeared on sites such as MSN, AOL, Forbes, Slate, and The Street.Her team at Business Insider has tackled projects including:• Women of Means, a series about women taking control of their finances• Inside the Racial Wealth Gap, an exploration of the causes, effects, and potential solutions of the racial wealth gap in the US (finalist, Drum Award, "Editorial Campaign of the Year," 2021)• Strings Attached, a series of essays from people who have left insulated communities and how that journey affected their relationship with money• Master Your Money, a year-long guide for millennials on how to take control of their finances  (first runner up, Drum Award, "Best Use of Social Media," 2022)• The Road to Home, a comprehensive guide to buying your first house (silver award winner, National Association of Real Estate Editors, "Best Multi-Platform Package or Series – Real Estate," 2022)Libby believes in one universal truth about money: Advice is never for everyone. The best strategies, tools, and products depend on your preferences, financial situation, history with money, and goals.ExpertiseHer expertise includes:• Behavioral finance• Early retirement• Budgeting• Saving moneyEducationLibby holds a bachelor's degree from Wellesley College.Outside of personal finance, Libby enjoys reading, baking, and walking her dog.