REVEALED: How past mega lottery winners have used their fortunes – and it’s not just on multi-million dollar mansions in Los Angeles

Lottery winners in the US can collect millions – and even billions – of dollars if they’re lucky, but have you ever wondered what they do after they’ve racked up all that money?

While there are endless possibilities, many people will spend the money on new homes, vacations, or even flashy cars.

Dozens of others, however, have used their newfound wealth to pay their bills or give back to the community.

From one person who bought a mega-mansion to another who used their money for good, FEMAIL has exposed how past lottery winners used their winnings.

Stick to your routine! Tamara Laughinghouse played the same songs for over two decades until she won $200,000 and now uses the money to go to Italy

Last week, Tamara Laughinghouse of North Carolina took home $200,000.

She told the North Carolina Education Lottery, “I’ve been playing the same numbers for over 20 years.

“Those are the different birthdays in my family.”

Tamara initially won $50,000, but increased to $200,000 thanks to the 4X multiplier.

She revealed that she was going to use the money to go to Italy because her great great grandfather is from there and she always wanted to go.

Tamara donates the rest of the money to her high school.

‘It’s a relief’: Megan Balmer used her $2 million Powerball prize to pay off her mortgage and credit card debt

Last month, Iowa’s Megan Balmer won $2 million after buying a lottery ticket.

And the life-changing decision helped her gain financial freedom.

She revealed that she would use the money to pay off her student loans, her credit card debt, and her mortgage.

“That’s huge,” she said at the time.

She added, “It’s such a relief to be able to say I’ve done those things. And I will save some for my retirement and my children for their studies.

“It’s around the corner, I blink and it’s there.”

Time for a Jacuzzi! Tammy Gordy used her $2 million prize to renovate her home

In June, Tammy Gordy won the $2 million Powerball prize.

The Iowa resident revealed that she was going to use the money to renovate her new home.

It came at the perfect time for Tammy and her family, having recently lost their home when a tornado swept through it.

She told the lottery, “It’s about more details!

“I’m talking about a walk-in closet and a Jacuzzi tub, that’s what I’m talking about.”

Dreams can come true! Quinnella Lemelle and Monique Coward won $19,000 together and used it to support their businesses

Lottery winners don’t always walk away with millions, sometimes they get much less.

But Quinella Lemelle, from Louisiana, was still happy to have claimed a $14,000 prize pool in May.

Monique Coward, also from Louisiana, took home her own $5,000 winnings.

Both women said they would use the money to help their businesses thrive.

“Is this a joke?” Earl Lape thought he was being tricked when he was told he had won over $40 MILLION, which he then donated to children with medical problems

Earl Lape bought his lottery ticket on April 1, and when he was told he had won, he thought it was a joke.

However, the retired Iowa mechanic won a whopping $40,030,000.

‘I laughed. I thought it was April 1st,” he said after claiming his prize.

He chose to take his money in cash, which totaled $2.28 million. And instead, the $40 million prize went to those who chose to have their winnings paid out to them over 29 years.

Earl revealed that he would use the money to help his family and donate a large portion to children with medical problems.

The second time is the charm! Juan Scornelius won $75,000 after not getting any money from his first ticket

Juan Scornelius won $75,000 by buying a $10 Scratch-it.

The Oregon native bought one ticket and had no luck – but on his second try, he won big.

He visited the lottery office during his lunch break and revealed that he had big plans for his winnings.

Juan said he was going to buy a house, which would be a dream come true for him.

Living big! Edwin Castro splashed his lottery winnings on two multi-million dollar California mansions and a vintage Porsche

Edwin Castro has been living big since winning the $2.04 billion Powerball, taking home $997.6 million.

The California native used his money to buy two multi-million dollar homes in the sunny state, as well as a vintage Porsche.

Before he won the lottery, he lived in a one-bedroom house.

Now one of his mega mansions spans over 14,000 square feet and features an infinity pool, five bedrooms and seven bathrooms. It cost a whopping $25 million.

His other home is a $4 million Los Angeles mansion that goes with it his own home theater, private office and expensive works of art.

Time to go to Disney! Teanna T. Payton used the money to pay her bills and take her children on a family trip

Teanna T. Payton won the lottery in 2022 and used the money for a dream vacation with her kids.

The Colorado resident, who is a mother of three, had recently packed up and moved to care for her ailing mother.

When she won the $3 million lottery, she made plans to take her young children to Disney World.

She also said that she considered buying a ranch as it had always been a dream of hers.

A lavish wedding! Carol Ann Moran used her $100,000 prize to pay for her wedding

When Carol Ann Moran of Connecticut won the $100,000 prize, she cried “happy tears.”

She was due to tie the knot in May 2022 and planned to use the money to help her do so.

Carol bought the winning ticket to Coffee’s Country Market in Old Lyme.

Christmas came early! Crystal Dunn bought $2,000 in gift cards and gave them to everyone at the grocery store after winning $146,000

Crystal Dunn, a native of Kentucky, won $146,000 playing the lottery online.

After picking up her check, she went straight to the grocery store.

While there, she bought $2,000 in gift cards and handed them out to everyone in the store in an effort to do a good deed.

‘This is a blessing’: Sharita Stevenson won $60,000 and used it to pay her bills and buy a car for her husband

Sharita Johnson won $60,000 in 2019 and called it a “blessing.”

She revealed that she would buy her husband a car because they both shared one.

The lucky winner once told the lottery, “This is a blessing to me and my family right now.

‘I’m going to buy my husband a new truck for his birthday – we now share one car – so this will help my family immensely. The rest pay the bills and the holidays.’