“Peaches” of Bladensburg will be paying for some home repairs and easing into retirement, thanks to a $50,000 win on the scratch-off game Stacks of Ca$h. |
$50,000 prize will allow easy transition into retirement
When it comes to waiting for a Maryland Lottery game’s drawing, “Peaches” of Bladensburg would rather not. She prefers the instant thrill of playing scratch-offs, which is what she got when a $5 Stacks of Ca$h instant ticket delivered its $50,000 top prize.
“Peaches” and her husband traveled to Maryland Lottery headquarters in Baltimore this week to claim the big score. The windfall will enable the new retiree to delay collecting Social Security until she turns 66 years and 2 months so she qualifies for maximum benefits. She also has some home repairs to make after the Lottery winnings check clears her bank. Once that cash is in hand, she’ll plan a celebratory meal, too.
“We’re the kind who don’t spend money until it gets in your hand,” she said.
Although no-nonsense about plans for her winnings, “Peaches” is all in when it comes to having fun while playing. She bought the hot Stacks of Cash scratch-off at Greenway Liquors in Greenbelt and then stopped to visit her mother. “I was sitting at mom’s house scratching and I said, ‘Mom, I think I’ve got something!’ ” she said.
As for tickets that require waiting for a drawing date, “Peaches” says she’ll pick up a Mega Millions or Powerball ticket when the jackpot is high. She recently purchased a Cash4Life ticket after the game went from twice a week to daily. She plays scratch-offs regularly.
Also having reason to celebrate her lucky win is Greenway Liquors at 7533 Greenbelt Road in Prince George’s County. For selling a top-prize winning scratch-off, the store receives a bonus of $500 from the Lottery. The bonus is equal to 1 percent of the prize.