Shopper Turns Orange Juice Return into $315 Million Payday

Life has a funny way of turning everyday chores into life-changing moments. One minute you’re running errands, the next you’re holding the winning lottery ticket for hundreds of millions of dollars. That happened to New Jersey accountant Tayeb Souami in May 2018.

Souami and his wife were feeling the pinch. They had just refinanced their home so their two children could attend college; every dollar mattered.

When his wife spotted an orange juice carton on sale for $5, she declared it “too expensive” and sent him right back to the store for a refund. Little did they know that a small act of thrift would lead to a $315 million Powerball jackpot (about £236 million).

After driving from his home in Little Ferry to the ShopRite in Hackensack, Souami waited in line to return the juice. While he was there, an advertisement for Powerball caught his eye. On a whim, perhaps thinking the odds were horribly against him, he used his refund to buy two tickets. He didn’t expect much and forgot all about it when leaving the store.

The next day, Souami went about his usual routine, stopping at a car wash and then spotting a 7-Eleven. That’s when he remembered the lottery tickets. He scanned the first one and saw it was a loser. But when he tried the second, the screen flashed: “Must be seen by the retailer.”

Tayeb Souami won a $315 million jackpot by returning a carton of orange juice.

Assuming the machine was broken, Souami asked the clerk to scan it again. When she did, her eyes went wide. “Oh my god, oh my god,” she repeated, then told him he’d won something “very big.” He had hit the nine-figure prize.

At the press conference, the 56-year-old father of two spoke calmly about how he planned to use the money. His son was 20 and his daughter 17 at the time, and supporting their education was his top priority.

When he first hit the store, college costs were looming, and he was determined to ease that burden. His plans didn’t include flashy purchases or extravagant gifts for himself and his wife, just the security of a college education for their son and daughter.

Perhaps the sweetest part of the story is that orange juice became a running joke. After all, a carton of juice set everything in motion. Souami’s closing quip, “I love orange juice now,” brings the tale full circle, celebrating both frugality and fortune.

CBS New York

Powerball Winner Has 315 Million Reasons To Smile

We all have errands to run and chores to complete. Souami’s leap from returning a juice carton to winning a nearly quarter-billion-dollar jackpot shows us that ordinary days can hide extraordinary surprises.

It’s a story about seizing opportunity, even when it seems unlikely, and keeping priorities straight, including family and education. Ultimately, Tayeb Souami’s win wasn’t just about incredible luck.

It was sparked by a decision many of us make every day: looking for a better deal. And while most of us won’t end up with a Powerball fortune, his story shows that life’s biggest twists can start with the smallest actions.

Financial Wisdom from Unexpected Wins

Financial advisors often emphasize the importance of prudent money management, especially in unexpected circumstances like winning a large sum. Suze Orman, a renowned financial expert, advises that individuals should prioritize paying off debt and establishing an emergency fund after sudden financial windfalls.

She suggests allocating a portion of the funds towards long-term investments, which can set up future financial security. An unexpected win can trigger impulsive spending, so a well-structured plan is crucial for sustainable wealth management.

In situations like Tayeb Souami's, where a small purchase leads to immense financial gain, it’s vital to manage the emotional highs that come with sudden wealth. Dr. Brad Klontz, a financial psychologist, highlights that emotional responses to money can lead to irrational decisions.

He explains that understanding one’s money scripts—deeply ingrained beliefs about wealth—can help mitigate poor financial choices in the wake of unexpected gains. To improve decision-making, he recommends financial education and working with a financial planner to create a balanced approach to spending and saving.

Psychological Insights & Implications

Ultimately, stories like that of Tayeb Souami remind us that life can change in an instant. Financial experts stress the importance of having a strategy in place to manage sudden wealth effectively. Research from the National Endowment for Financial Education indicates that those who take proactive steps—like consulting with financial planners or investing in education—experience better outcomes than those who act impulsively.

Establishing a solid financial foundation, setting goals, and understanding one’s emotional relationship with money can lead to lasting success and well-being. It's about making informed choices that align with long-term aspirations.