Winning the lottery might spark daydreams of yachts, mansions, and champagne fountains, but let’s be honest—some purchases are just ridiculous, no matter how fat your bank account is. There’s a fine line between luxury and waste, and plenty of so-called “status buys” fall squarely into the latter. Having money doesn’t mean you need to torch it on things that don’t make life better. Here are 14 absurd purchases we’d all happily skip—even with endless zeros in the bank.
1. Diamond-Encrusted Cell Phones
A smartphone already costs plenty, but encrusting it with diamonds? That’s just asking for trouble. It’s bulky, impractical, and loses value the second the next model comes out. Plus, who actually wants to carry around a robbery magnet in their pocket?
Luxury tech is rarely about functionality; it’s about showing off. But no matter how many zeros are in your bank account, a diamond phone still drops and cracks like any other. The only difference is you’ll cry harder when it shatters. Better to buy a solid case and keep your millions safe.
2. Lavish Pet Hotels
Sure, we adore our pets, but booking them into a “five-star resort” with gourmet meals and doggy massages is a step too far. Animals are happiest with love, care, and attention—not a spa day with cucumber slices on their eyes. It’s money that’s more about owner guilt than actual pet happiness. Your cat doesn’t need a private suite to nap all day.
Even if you’re loaded, lavishing pets with unnecessary luxuries feels hollow. Most animals would rather play fetch or curl up next to you than have a $300 steak dinner. Spend on their health and well-being instead. Trust us—they’ll love you more for belly rubs than for a luxury concierge.
3. Private Submarines
A yacht might be questionable, but at least you can host friends on it. A private submarine, though? That’s just loneliness under the sea with a hefty price tag. It’s dangerous, impractical, and reeks of “too much money, not enough imagination.”
Even explorers don’t need personal submarines to feel fulfilled. The maintenance alone could drain your lottery winnings faster than you think. Unless you’re secretly training to be James Bond, skip this one. Better to stick to snorkeling trips that don’t require an emergency evacuation plan.
4. $100,000 Handbags
Yes, fashion is an art, but spending six figures on something to toss your keys in? That’s absurd. Handbags are meant to be carried, not locked in a vault for bragging rights. It’s the kind of purchase that says more about insecurity than style.
Luxury doesn’t always equal taste. True elegance comes from how you wear something, not the number of diamonds on it. A simple, timeless bag can carry you further than any status symbol. Save the $100,000 for memories, not leather.
5. Heated Driveways
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Shoveling snow isn’t fun, but installing a heated driveway for thousands of dollars is overkill. The electricity costs alone could keep your wallet weeping year-round. For most of us, a shovel—or paying a neighborhood kid—gets the job done just fine. Heated pavement is a brag, not a need.
Even in colder climates, this is more about laziness than luxury. Snow removal services already exist for a fraction of the price. The lottery doesn’t erase practicality, and this is a purchase where convenience comes at a laughable cost. Keep your cash and buy a sturdy snowblower instead.
6. Solid Gold Cars
Cars are already expensive, but coating one in solid gold takes it to clown-level excess. They’re heavy, impractical, and far too flashy for any road. You’ll attract attention, sure—but not the kind you want. It’s basically driving a moving target.
Worse yet, gold cars are useless investments. Unlike classic or rare cars, they don’t appreciate in value—they just scream insecurity. The smarter move? Buy a solid ride that makes you happy and stash the rest of your millions for adventures. Flash fades; practicality lasts.
7. Custom Ice Sculptures
Nothing melts away money faster than dropping thousands on ice that disappears in a few hours. Custom ice sculptures may look cool (literally), but they’re the epitome of pointless spending. Guests barely notice them after the first drink, and by the end of the night, it’s just a puddle. You’re paying for temporary bragging rights that nobody cares about.
Even with lottery money, these sculptures feel dated and wasteful. Imagine how far that money could go toward creating memories that actually last. A live band, unique food, or travel experiences outshine ice every time. Keep the cool cash in your account, not on your table.
8. Gold-Plated Office Supplies
Turning ordinary objects into luxury items is a classic way rich people waste money. A gold-plated stapler won’t hold your papers together any better than a $5 one from Target. In fact, it’s so impractical you’d probably never use it. Office bling is one of those absurd purchases that shows wealth, not wisdom.
Even billionaires need functional basics. Dropping thousands on everyday items just makes you look disconnected from reality. Lottery or not, practicality trumps flash in the workplace. Keep your cash, and buy nice experiences instead.
9. Personal Zoos
Building a private zoo might sound exotic, but it’s cruel, costly, and a logistical nightmare. Exotic animals require expert care, endless space, and constant monitoring. Owning them is less about love for wildlife and more about ego. Nobody needs tigers pacing in their backyard.
Beyond the moral issues, maintaining a zoo is outrageously expensive. Feeding and housing exotic animals costs millions each year. Even the wealthy often regret this purchase once the novelty wears off. Better to support conservation efforts than play zookeeper.
10. Personalized Islands Shaped Like Your Face
Yes, some people have actually tried this. Buying an island is one thing, but reshaping it to look like your face? That’s the height of absurd vanity. It’s an ego trip that literally changes geography for no reason. And it costs a small fortune just to stroke your pride.
Imagine the upkeep and environmental damage such a stunt would cause. Locals and conservationists would hate you instantly, and for what? An aerial selfie of your face-shaped island? Lottery money or not, this is one purchase that belongs in a parody skit, not real life.
11. Velvet-Roped Home Theaters
Home theaters are great, but adding velvet ropes, ushers, and $20 “theater popcorn” is taking things too far. Spending millions to recreate a public cinema in your basement misses the point of private luxury. Why mimic an overpriced experience you probably complain about already? Comfort should come first, not theater cosplay.
Lottery winners sometimes forget that wealth should enhance life, not imitate it. A cozy, tech-savvy media room beats a velvet-roped replica any day. No one brags about waiting in line for their own movie. Keep it simple and save your cash for things that bring real joy.
12. Space Tourism Tickets
Sure, blasting into orbit sounds exciting, but shelling out millions for a few minutes of weightlessness is a terrible deal. Once the thrill wears off, you’re left with an empty wallet and bragging rights that fade fast. Space travel is still risky and experimental, making it more ego trip than adventure. For most of us, it’s not worth the gamble.
Vacations on Earth already offer endless wonders at a fraction of the price. Why pay millions to float when you can explore cultures, landscapes, and cuisines here? Even if you won the lottery, space tourism feels more like a stunt than an experience. Some dreams are better left to astronauts.
13. Ultra-Limited Sneakers You’ll Never Wear
Sneaker culture is fun, but paying tens of thousands for a pair of shoes you’re too scared to scuff? That’s absurd. They’ll sit in a glass case collecting dust while you brag about owning them. What’s the point of footwear if you can’t actually put your foot in it?
Collecting for investment is one thing, but most of these kicks lose hype within months. They become trophies rather than functional fashion. Even with lottery money, it’s smarter to buy shoes you love—and actually use. Walking around barefoot on your solid gold floor isn’t a flex.
14. Overpriced Smart Appliances
A fridge that texts you when you’re out of milk might sound cool, but dropping $20,000 for one is ridiculous. Most of the time, these “smart” features break faster than the regular stuff. Suddenly, your luxury fridge is just a giant, overpriced paperweight. Spending big on gadgets that don’t last is the ultimate waste.
We’ve all seen it—friends who buy the latest high-tech appliance only to complain a year later when it glitches. Even lottery winners would be annoyed by constant repairs. Reliable basics often beat “futuristic” gimmicks. Save your sanity (and your cash) for something more lasting.
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. Consult a financial professional before making investment or other financial decisions. The author and publisher make no warranties of any kind.
