LOTTO LUCK
I won £1million on a scratchcard… nothing changed & we still budget – but our neighbours are rude to us
While the humble millionaires tried to stay grounded - they did admit to splurging on a few luxuries
A COUPLE who scooped £1million on a scratchcard claim they still budget and their life hasn't changed - except for batting away rude comments.
Emma and Phil Wildin, from Cinderford, in Gloucestershire, were stunned when they discovered their massive windfall, but didn't splash the cash how many expected.
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Mum-of-two Emma used to buy the scratchcards as a "little treat" amid her routine of baby classes and household chores.
She told the : "I always scratch off the winning panel before I scratch off the prize, so I immediately saw I'd won something.
"Then of course I scratched off the prize panel and saw, 'MILL'. This became 'MILLION'.
"I just threw everything on to the floor and ran into the house screaming and jumping up and down."
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Happy tots Oscar and Darcie started joining in with celebrations and shouted: "Mummy, we've won a million pounds", added Emma.
After telling hubby Phil over the phone, the ecstatic winner waited for Camelot to confirm their jackpot.
An employee delivered the life-changing news in July 2013 and said: "Congratulations. You've won a million pounds."
However, the lucky pair decided to invest £900,000 out of the windfall, and only keep back £100,000 for spending.
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And, Emma admitted she is "still the same person" even if it doesn't feel real at times.
She explained: "We've been able to buy two small houses to rent out, so that gives me a monthly income and a bit more confidence."
While the mum-of-two described the fortune as "life-changing", she insisted they "don't intend to change the way we live".
Phil didn't retire, and Emma still shops in the local Co-op where she bagged the winning ticket - while sticking to a tight budget.
"Our dream has always been to build our own house, but really we're just happy to be able to give the kids a nice life until they're old enough to go out and make their own," she added.
However, while the humble millionaires tried to stay grounded - they did admit to splurging on a few luxuries.
Emma bagged herself a premium Range Rover and underwent laser eye surgery.
The family also went on a three-day shopping spree before booking a holiday to Disneyland.
But, Phil is still banned from purchasing his dream Aston Martin, according to sensible saver Emma.
"I have spoiled him for Christmas though. He's got 23 presents. I told him not to expect that next year," she confessed.
However, despite investing most of the lump sum, the mum-of-two claimed they have had "the odd negative comment" from people.
"We had debts before, with a car on finance, but we weren't deprived, so you hear of people who think: 'Oh, they don't need the money,' which is understandable," she explained.
"I have also had people in my life who maybe thought they were going to get something, but didn't," Emma added.
"It is difficult, because you have to draw a line somewhere, and it probably has harmed some of my relationships."
This comes as another lucky couple who scooped £142,000 in the People's Postcode Lottery also revealed their 'boring' first purchase.
Sue Lamb, in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, was "overwhelmed" when she discovered the massive windfall just after Christmas - saying "it’s like having my children all over again".
The Royal Mail catering assistant, 62, and hubby Mark were over the moon after their life-changing jackpot was announced on Saturday, January 6.
But, the pair aren't planning to splash the cash on luxury cars or expensive designer clothes first.
They are in fact planning on re-vamping their crumbling garden fence, after years of playful battering from three grandchildren.
Meanwhile, another winning dad on the street told how he bagged the same £142,000 lotto jackpot - and spent the money on his daughter.
Kevin McCann, 67, received a frantic call from his girl after she cracked a back molar the night before he landed the whopping sum.
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Now kind-hearted Kevin has vowed to spend hundreds from his winnings on a crown for daughter Donna Hardwick, 45.
Plus, one fortunate resident who won an entire £388k Postcode Lottery prize due to a quirk.
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