Lotto winners: We won $4 million and won't spend a cent

This modest Perth couple are still renting, and have yet to dent the bank balance.

With failing family businesses and mounting debt, Vicki Edwards used to fantasise about how she’d spend the money if she ever won Lotto. “It was easier dreaming about it than actually doing it,” laughs the 49-year-old, who won $4 million with her then fiance, Peter Taplin, in 2009.

At their lowest point, the struggling couple, who share custody of six children, had to sell their home. “After winning, we devoted ourselves to learning about money management,” says Peter, 53, whose mother-in-law bought him the Oz Lotto ticket as a 50th birthday gift. “And I’m really proud that we’ve been able to travel and buy new cars and gadgets without denting the bank account.”

The humble millionaires, who still rent, estimate their living costs to be $200,000 a year, far less than their invested money earns. “Almost every day I wake up happy, with incredible choices in front of me,” Peter says. “We’re travelling to Europe for most of next year, and I don’t think I’ll ever work again.”Vicki recalls the day they learned of their win.

“We didn’t check our ticket for three days after the draw, then I got a call from Dad urging me to validate it, because he’d heard the place they bought it at was the winning newsagency. “When it was confirmed, Peter turned pale. Then we were in suspended belief until the money was transferred. Even then, we raced straight to the ATM and did a balance check.” Peter and Vicki gifted a portion of their winnings to family.