A retired New Jersey security guard saw a news story about an expiring lottery ticket and decided to go through some old tickets he had in a shirt pocket, according to nj.com. Whadda you know, Jimmie Smith found in the stack the ticket that made him $24 million richer, just two days before the ticket would have expired and the jackpot would have gone unclaimed.

The 68 year old took the annuity from the New York Lottery, meaning he’ll get his money over the course of 26 years. I have so many losing tickets from when the Mega Millions or Power Ball get outrageous, but I can never bring myself to throw them away, just in case something like this happens. I hope Mr. Smith gets to live long enough to enjoy his jackpot.

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