If I had a million dollars, well I’d buy you a green dress. But not a real green dress, that’s cruel. … If I had a million dollars, well I’d buy you a monkey. Haven’t you always wanted a monkey?

– The Barenaked Ladies

For a moment, let’s take a break from all the gloom and doom and daydream a little. The Mega Millions lottery is at $50 million, and I’m convinced I’m going to win.

First, a little disclaimer: As a general rule, playing the lottery is not the most sensible plan to get rich. Trust me. There are far better ways to make piles of cash, like being the ex-mayor of Detroit and having friends like Peter Karmanos, Dan Gilbert, James Nicholson and Roger Penske.

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