Powerball Winning Numbers March 18: Jackpot Drops To $40 Million, Still Enough For Early Retirement

If you have the winning Powerball numbers on March 18, you will become an instant multi-millionaire. While the $40 million jackpot isn’t as big as some of the most recent jackpots that have been given away, it’s still enough to give you a jump-start on an early retirement.

A lucky ticket holder from New York won the most recent Powerball jackpot on March 14 for a whopping $136 million, so the grand prize went back down to the minimum payout of $40 million.

The Powerball Numbers for March 18 are: 14-25-30-33-47 PB 8

According to NBC New York, a $136 million winning Powerball ticket was sold at the 7-Eleven in Richmond Valley. The ticket holder matched the winning numbers (8, 14, 39, 46, 47, PB 18) and will be awarded a check for a lump sum payment of $88.53 million before taxes.

If someone has a ticket that matches all six numbers drawn on Wednesday night, the Multi-State Lottery Association states that the winner will get a lump sum payout of $26 million before taxes. Powerball numbers are drawn at 11 p.m. ET every Wednesday and Saturday, with ticket sales closing approximately one hour before the drawing at lottery retailers in 44 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The numbers are posted to Powerball.com shortly after 11 p.m. ET. If you can’t wait to find out if you have the winning ticket, watch the drawing live online or on one of these local TV channels.

What should you do if you win the Powerball jackpot? After you’re done screaming, make sure you put your ticket in a safe place. You don’t want to end up like the man from California who recently lost his winning $1 million Powerball ticket. Instead of cashing in, his winnings ended up being donated to the state’s school system.

Before you buy a new car, house or book an exotic vacation, CNBC suggests that winners contact a financial planner and an attorney to discuss investment options and protect your new-found riches.

“Just look at the history of lottery winners. Many ended up in debt—or worse, went broke because they mismanaged their newfound riches… rather than being prudent, many of the suddenly super-rich feel obligated to make that big purchase…. the first thing anyone lucky enough to win a lottery jackpot should do is to find a trusted, qualified financial planner.”

Feeling lucky? Grab your Powerball ticket and cross your fingers — maybe you will match all six of tonight’s winning numbers.

[Image: Scott Olson/Getty Images]