Five Apples

 

In 2002, nineteen-year-old Michael Carroll, a part-time binman (garbage collector) from Norfolk won £9,736,131 in the National Lottery. He tried opening a bank account, but was refused because of a teenage shoplifting conviction. He set up a £3.9 million investment bond, and was meant to live off the interest it generated. But that would have taken more self-restraint than Michael possessed. He began using the principle within a year, and huge penalty fees were deducted. Michael gave lavish gifts to friends and family, bought new homes, drugs, parties, jewelry and cars. When bored, he staged amateur demolition derbies or launched steel balls from a catapult at nearby cars and businesses. In no time at all, the money was gone. In 2010, he reapplied for his old job as a binman. He has no regrets about the way he spent his winnings. These days, Michael bikes everywhere (he’s banned from driving) and works in a cookie factory.