Five Fast Ways to Blow a Windfall

There's a dark side to having a pile of money land in your lap.

Retired iron worker Robert Harris and his wife, Toyna, made the news this week when they won $275 million (if they take the money over the next 26 years or $167 million if they take it all right now) in the Georgia Lottery's megamillions jackpot.

The jackpot's sheer size will probably ensure they will be financially set for at least the next few years. But history shows that not all multimillion-dollar lottery winners go the rest of their lives without another financial worry.

In fact, some have quickly squandered their fortunes and ended up in worse financial shape than they were before getting the windfall. ...