Lynda Moore warns that wealth without wellbeing often doesn't end well. Sudden monetary wealth can be incredibly destabilising. Here are five things to help you navigate the stresses you will face

I don’t know about you, but I have certainly had the daydream — what would I do if I won big on Lotto? A house right on the beach, one next door for visitors, and of course a mansion to live in, complete with housekeeper.  I’d probably splash out on a new car as well.  You can quit your job, travel the world, pay off all the bills… and then some, the list goes on and on.

Over the weekend, I was chilling out with a cuppa after a walk with Jett, and I came across a story that made me pause. It was about a young man named Josh Winslet. In 2017, he won $22 million playing Lotto while working in Alexandra, Central Otago. At the time, he was living week to week and had just spent his last $19 on a ticket.

That last $19 changed his life. But not in the way you’d hope. We have all heard the stories of disaster after winning a lottery, but as this was close to home, I carried on reading.

Just a few years later, Josh died from complications related to drug use. He’d been in and out of court, struggled with addiction, and lost any sense of structure or direction in his life. He’d bought property and set up a trust with his parents — but it wasn’t enough to protect him from what followed.

It’s a heartbreaking story, not just because of the loss, but because it shines a light on something that’s often left out of the “I won the Lotto!” headlines: what really happens when you suddenly come into a lot of money?

And more importantly — what happens to you?

One of the most powerful things I’ve learned over the years of working on my own and my clients' money stories is that money isn’t a magic wand. It doesn’t instantly make life easier, happier, or more meaningful — at least, not on its own.

My mentor, and friend Dr. David Krueger puts it well: money doesn’t change who you are — it amplifies who you already are. If you’re naturally generous, you’ll be even more generous with more money. If you’re a spender, you’ll find more ways to spend. If you’re a bit of a risk taker, chances are those risks will get bigger.

And if you’re carrying emotional wounds or trauma, as Josh was, having battled lifelong health issues and a tough childhood, money won’t heal those wounds. It might even make them louder.

It’s easy to assume that more money will equate to fewer problems. But sudden wealth can be incredibly destabilising, especially when it happens overnight. People start treating you differently.  You might feel pressure to “do the right thing” with your money, or you suddenly become the person everyone turns to for help. Do your friends like you for you, or is it your money that suddenly makes you more attractive? It’s not just your routines, it’s your whole life that has shifted.

For someone like Josh, who may not have had the support or tools to manage that kind of shift, it’s no wonder it all got a bit too much.

Even his former boss tried to help by connecting him with financial advisers and encouraging him to stay grounded. But after the win, Josh disappeared. The plan was to take a long weekend and be back at work on Monday. He never returned.

There’s also something that happens when we no longer have to work. We dream of freedom, but often forget that work (or some kind of structure) gives us purpose, routine, connection, and even identity.

In court, the judge said it plainly: Josh had no motivation to do anything “other than enjoy himself.” And when enjoyment is defined by parties, spending, and a growing drug habit, it becomes a recipe for disaster.

It wasn’t just about poor decisions, it was also about the absence of meaningful direction. When no one expects anything from you anymore, it’s surprisingly easy to drift.

What does this mean for the rest of us?

Most of us won’t win big on Lotto.  Maybe a decent inheritance or business sale isn’t out of the question. Whether it’s $22 million or $200,000, a financial windfall still has the power to shake up your life in unexpected ways.

Here are a few things I recommend:

1. Pause before you act
You don’t have to decide anything straight away. It’s tempting to celebrate big, nothing wrong with that, but take a breather before making major financial or life decisions.

2. Build your support team
Good advice is priceless, especially from people who don’t just focus on the numbers but also understand the emotional and psychological side of money. You need more than just a good financial adviser; you need a sounding board.

3. Keep some structure
You don’t need to stay in your old job, but having some kind of purpose, like volunteering, mentoring, or even pursuing a passion project can help keep your feet on the ground.

4. Get clear on your values
What do you want your money to do for you? Not just buy things, but create the kind of life you value. Aligning money with purpose is one of the best ways to make it meaningful.

5. Know that money is a magnifier
It’s not about becoming someone new, which is what we think more money can do, it’s about being more of who you already are. Get to know yourself, the good and the messy bits, and work on those before chasing the millions.

Money is an incredible tool. It can bring comfort, choices, opportunities, and yes, a bit of fun too. But it’s not a fix-all.

If we’ve learned anything from stories like Josh’s, it’s that wealth without wellbeing doesn’t end well.

So, if the day ever comes that you win Lotto or receive a surprise inheritance, enjoy it. But also, be ready for the emotional rollercoaster that may come with it.

And maybe still buy that beach house… just with your feet planted firmly on the ground.