It seems so basic, but in all of my years I had never bought a lottery ticket. In fact, when asked to do so few years back by Mama Offender, it ended in embarrassment as apparently, you cannot just ask for "a lottery ticket". The language barrier between the cashier and me did not help the matter.
A coworker relented with me, insisting that a ticket be purchased for yesterday's drawing. Not wishing further embarassment for myself, specific instructions to the process. "I'd like four Quick Picks," I proudly requested, and a lottery ticket was in my hand. Then came the matter of finding out if I had won anything. Again, my coworker walked me through the simple, yet poorly explained, instructions at the New York Lottery website.
My four dollar investment netted me five dollars, a 25% return. So look out world; I am so spending that dollar tonight!