This 20-year-old lotto winner refused $1M in cash and chose $1,000/week for life. Now she's getting slammed for it

When most people win the lottery, they'd do just about anything to get their hands on that big check. But not Emily Luckett. The 20-year-old woman from North Carolina recently won a whopping $5 million in a local lottery drawing and made an unexpected choice: she opted for a guaranteed income of $1,000 per week for life, rather than taking the full amount in cash.

At first glance, this decision might seem like a smart one - after all, who wouldn't want to have their financial worries taken care of for the rest of their lives? But not everyone is on board with Luckett's choice. Many are calling her "irresponsible" and saying she should have cashed out while she was young.

But what do experts think about Luckett's decision? We spoke to a financial advisor who pointed out that taking the lump sum might not be as straightforward as it seems: "While it might seem like more money upfront, taxes would take a big bite of that. Plus, you'd have to invest it wisely to make it grow over time." He added that the annuity option can provide a steady income stream and reduce financial stress - exactly what Luckett was going for.

Of course, there's also the matter of personal preference: some people might just not be comfortable with having that much money all at once. But still, it's hard not to wonder if Luckett is making a mistake by turning down the cash.

Will she regret her decision?

We'll have to wait and see how this plays out for Luckett - only time will tell if she's made the right choice. In the meantime, what do you think about her decision? Share your thoughts in the comments!

• Do you think Emily Luckett was smart to opt for a guaranteed income stream?
• Would you rather have $1M upfront or $1,000/week for life?

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