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Mega Millions Live Drawing Video For Feb. 5: Winning Numbers, Jackpot At $71 Million

By Charisse Van Horn
Published on: 12:24 PST, Feb 5, 2016

It’s February 5, and that means it’s time for the next Mega Millions drawing. The jackpot has rolled to $71 million and excitement is high to see if there will be a Mega Millions grand prize winner, or if the jackpot will keep growing. As it’s Super Bowl weekend, hopes are high, not only for the Panthers and the Broncos, but also to those hoping to become millionaires. Will the jackpot roll or will someone be a lucky winner this Super Bowl weekend? You can watch the Mega Millions drawing live as it kicks off at 11:00 p.m. in the video below. Until tonight’s drawing, you can watch the last drawing from Feb. 2, where the jackpot was $63 million. The winning numbers for Feb. 2, were 7, 13, 25, 51, 70 and the gold Mega Ball was 9. The Megaplier was 4x. The winning numbers and live video will be updated as soon as the draw takes place in Atlanta, Georgia.

Update: The Mega Millions winning numbers were drawn at 11:00 p.m. ET for Feb. 5. They are as follows: 4, 6, 23, 55, 75 and the Mega ball is 2. The Megaplier is 3x. The video has been updated!

Many people aren’t prepared for a huge jackpot win, like the type common with the Mega Millions. From the time you purchase your ticket until you compare your numbers with the winning numbers drawn, you need to ensure you are prepared, just in case you are the winner.

First, sign the back of your ticket and keep it safe. Do not let your ticket become damaged otherwise you run the risk of it becoming null and void. Some choose to keep their ticket in a water proof container or sealed in plastic to keep it well protected from natural elements. Not only do you need to keep your winning Mega Millions ticket safe from damage, but you don’t want to lose it. Keep it safe and protected and in a place where you won’t lose it.

If you do have a winning Mega Millions ticket, do not tell people. No matter how shocked, excited or tempted you are to call your best college friend who lives halfway across the country, and tell them you won the Mega Millions jackpot, don’t do it. You might not even want to tell many in your immediate family. Word spreads fast and the news that you have just won Mega Millions (whether it is the jackpot or a non-jackpot prize) will travel quickly. Before you even have a verified winning ticket, you might find yourself dealing with family and friends who are trying to get loans.

Before you tell anyone about your Mega Millions win, you need to assemble a financial team. You will need an accountant (CPA), a lawyer experienced with lottery wins like the Mega Millions jackpot, and a financial planner. You must be prepared to pay the IRS the taxes required and understand how to satisfy your requirements to the Federal and State government. Once word spreads that you are a new Mega Millions millionaire or even billionaire, scam artists will come out of the woodwork to try and take advantage of you. This is another reason why assembling a financial team of experts is absolutely vital. They will help ensure that you invest your money wisely and only deal with reputable people while keeping you away from scam artists.

Lawyer and financial expert Andrew Stoltmann recommends Mega Millions winners and other lottery winners take the annuity rather than a lump sum payment. He points out in the video below that many lottery winners are broke within five years. He discusses how those who have never managed large sums of money who opt for an annuity can make financial mistakes without needing to fear they will blow all the winnings. It might take several years to truly understand how to deal with your new wealth, but if you make a devastating financial mistake with a lump sum payment, you will lose everything quickly. If you win the Mega Millions, even if it is for $1 million, consider taking the cash annuity option that consists of 29 yearly payments.

Are you going to play Mega Millions tonight? Time is running out to get your tickets. Stay tuned as the Mega Millions drawing takes place tonight at 11:00 p.m. ET. Good luck!’

Here is a very nice picture provided by the California Lottery for those playing Mega Millions tonight.

[Photo by Andi Berger/Shutterstock]

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