Ali Velshi on winning the lottery

MegaMillions. What else. No, I don't have a ticket, so you'll see me here tomorrow.

But you bought a ticket. I know you did. So what happens if it's THE ticket? The big one?

First, a lottery ticket is called a bearer instrument, so whoever has the winning ticket can claim it. So SIGN IT, then photograph it, photocopy it or scan it, and put it in a Ziploc bag so it doesn't get wet, and stick it in a safe, at home or at a bank.

You have, at a minimum, six months to claim your prize, so chill out and keep your mouth shut. Seriously. Your first call should be to a reputable lawyer. Have him or her guide you through the claims process. 

Don't try to claim hundreds of millions without help.  

Your first question is whether, in your state, you can claim the prize but remain anonymous. 

The next thing you need to do is make a will that is suitable for a very rich person.

Your next call is to an accountant to decide whether to take the whole thing at once, or in 30 annual payments with each one a little larger than the last. There are serious tax implications to this. And if you are the kind of person who's likely to buy a brewery or a cruise ship with the dough, take the annual payments to reduce your remarkably high odds of doing something stupid.

Next - and do this before you claim the prize - get a financial advisor. Actually, with this kind of money. you may need a team of them. Tweet me @AliVelshi and I'll give you some names.

Finally, find the last business that treated you badly, and buy it. Then fire the boss.

Watch "Real Money" Monday-Friday at 7PM ET/4PM PT on Al Jazeera America.