Winning the lottery is something most people dream of. Even those who scoff and dismiss it will look wistfully at the jackpot, or secretly pick up a ticket when they think no one's looking. And who can blame them? We could all use more money, and this Powerball is going to provide some serious cash to those lucky enough to have the right numbers. At this time, the jackpot is recorded at an astounding $1.5 billion. That's a staggering amount of money, even for those that are well-off. So let's say you do win: what comes next? If you want to hang onto your money (and your sanity), you'll follow these tips on what not to do when you win the Powerball jackpot.

DON'T Blow It On Luxuries

There's a difference between indulging in a few fun items to celebrate your massive winnings (hey, you're only human), and going completely off the rails on an insane shopping spree. Many lottery winners, overwhelmed by the numbers now living in their bank accounts, have a bad habit of going overboard. David Edwards won $27 million in the Florida lottery and blew it on an opulent mansion, racehorses, luxury cars, and even a Lear Jet. Plagued by drug problems and bad investments, Edwards ultimately died penniless at 58. The moral? Spend a little of your winnings on something fun--but keep most of it in the bank.

DON'T Brag About It

It might seem like the best idea you've had since you entered the lottery: brag. Tell your family, your friends, your neighbors, everyone who was mean to you in high school. After all, the best revenge is a life well lived... right? Not in the case of lottery winners. Sure, it's fun to bask in the spotlight--for a while. But things can take a sour turn when all those people start coming out of the woodwork, asking for money and favors and loans. And if you're not careful, winning the lottery could result in you losing your life to one of those so-called friends.

DON'T Go It Alone

Did you know that 70% of lottery winners end up bankrupt, no matter how big the payoff? That's because they either don't bother investing, or don't know how to make their money work for the long-term. Don't make the same mistake: instead, hire a reputable and qualified financial planner (and maybe even a lawyer) to help you manage your money and make smart investments. It's not as glamorous as buying a yacht, but wise savings decisions could lead you to live comfortably for years to come.

DON'T Dump Your Spouse

At least, not right after you win the lottery. Denise Rossi learned this lesson the hard way when she filed for divorce from her husband of 25 years mere days after winning big. She decided not to disclose her winnings to her soon-to-be-ex spouse. Unfortunately, the state of California had a big problem with this: it's illegal to withhold assets during divorce proceedings. The judge was not amused by Rossi's attempt at deception, and awarded all of her lottery winnings to her ex-husband.

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