What would you do if you won the lottery? It's a question we all like to think about, but only a select few get to answer for real. Here are the stories of 23 people who won the lottery, as told by their acquaintances, friends, and family. 

Winning a million dollars sounds like a life-changing event, and it is, but not if you're going to quit your job and live like a celebrity. One couple here won twice that amount and used it responsibly to pay off their debts. But soon, charities, family, and the church came calling, and the money dried up quickly with the help of a few lavish purchases. Now accustomed to their new lifestyle, the couple was caught stealing money from one of their charities. In the end, 2 million bucks became worse than nothing at all. 

On a more positive note, a little cash is all some people need. "Girl that was jumping from one [bad] job to another," one person wrote. "Did not win a massive amount, but enough to study 2-3 years without having to work." After those years, she was able to land a high-paying job she would never have found otherwise. It's amazing what just a bit of spare cash can do to help a capable person out.