NJ residents dream of Powerball fortune

Lottery fever has returned to the Garden State as the Powerball drawing boasts its third-largest jackpot in the history of the game.

New Jersey residents are hoping to cash in on Wednesday night's $500 million prize. While the odds of matching all six numbers are extremely slim - 1 in 175 million, according to the New Jersey Lottery web site - residents still like to dream.

"I would pay off all my debt and then take a nice, long vacation," said Deborah Solazzo of Seaside Park.

With a baby in tow and another on a way, Solazzo said she'd also use a big chunk of the money for their future college educations.

Ocean resident Julie Smith said if she won the top prize, her first move would be retirement.

"I would do some charity work," she added. "I'd live a little."

A number of residents expressed a desire to escape New Jersey for a while, or for good, and get a break from the nasty winter weather.

Jean Doyle of Long Branch had extremely specific plans for the money if it comes her way. She's had her eyes set on the town's Stella Maris Retreat Center that's now up for sale.

"I would buy it," she said. "I'd reconvert it for kids transitioning from foster care into a college or training area."

Dreaming of the big bucks, Allenhurst resident David Levy said he'd be fine with "doing nothing" for the rest of his life.

"I'd take care of everybody that I know and care about," he said. "I'm going to spend plenty on myself but take care of a lot of people."

The Powerball has not offered a jackpot this large since May 2013 when a winning ticket was worth a record $590 million. Six months prior, $587 was the top prize.

The six numbers have gone unmatched since Nov. 29, 2014.