General Discussion

If I had won, I would be paid $68,000 a year.

When I told people that, their response was "wow. That is a lot of money."

It is only about twice what I make now, an extra $35,000 a year. Call it $25,000 after taxes. After 8 years at that pay, I would have extra income of $200,000 - in just 8 years.

What could I buy with an extra $200,000?

5 houses like the one I own now - with no mortgages, or
50 cars like the one I drive now - with no car payments, or
250 fancy bicycles like the one I just bought

and that would be on top of my current income where I am already saving about $10,000 a year

But that wouldn't make me rich?

It would not make me Bill Gates or even 1/1000th of Bill Gates, but that is what most people mean by "rich" - being able to buy things and do things and live a lifestyle that other, poorer people simply cannot afford.