Erlinda Bodden, a health worker for the homeless communities in Cambridge, couldn’t believe her eyes when she scratched the remaining numbers on her lottery ticket, revealing that she had won the million dollar prize. dollars. Now she hopes to win the VaxMillions.

The first deadline for the VaxMillions giveaway is this week, and vaccinated Massachusetts residents could win $ 1 million, or a $ 300,000 scholarship for those under 18.

Registration for VaxMillions opened July 1 and vaccinated residents are encouraged to register through August 19. There are five draws and the first deadline is Thursday, July 22.

We asked Boston.com readers what they would do if they won a prize and if they had any strategies for hitting the jackpot.

Over 50 respondents wrote in detail about spending money with loved ones, retiring, quitting jobs, investing, and paying off student loans and mortgages. “I would save enough for my son’s college education and put a lot of it for retirement. Then I would probably make one or two purchases that I never would have made if I hadn’t won and then put the rest in, ”Al wrote to Norwood. “I know it sounds boring, but these are things that need to be done.”

Some readers wanted to have fun. Justin of Bridgewater, an apparent Star Wars fan, said he would order a “bespoke Jar Jar Binks costume”. Others said they would donate the money to relief funds, food banks and initiatives to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Readers’ winning strategies for playing the lottery varied widely. Jay in Andover said he was strictly playing $ 2 tickets which could represent prizes in excess of $ 300 million. Paul at Jamaica Plain prefers to spend $ 40 per week on just one type of ticket, like the $ 4 million scratch ticket. Perhaps the best strategy comes from Jesse in Somerville who said to enjoy the fantasy of playing the lottery and ignore the odds.

Below is a sample of how some readers would spend their lottery winnings.

Some answers have been edited slightly for clarity and grammar.

Pay off the debt

“Pay off my school loans, then use the remaining $ 20 to buy pizza. “- Leanne, Allston

“I would pay off my student loans and my mortgage, then I would maximize our HSAs and 401 (k) s. After that? My husband and I will think long and hard about how to make it last while treating each other from time to time. We came of age during the 2008 recession and know the value of living small with a safety net. “- Amanda, Lakeville

“I would spend 20% on fun stuff and pay for my house. If there is anything left, it goes to the bank! – Paul, Jamaica Plain

“I would pay off my student loans, then I would contribute the $ 1,000 that usually goes to the US Department of Education each month to our local economy. I would donate the rest of the VaxMillions to mutual aid funds in the greater Boston area. I only buy a lottery ticket if I first have a psychic view of it. I won $ 100 this way. – Brianne, Groveland

“My husband and I would pay off our student loan debt and our mortgage. It would be incredibly liberating! We would invest whatever is left in our children’s savings accounts. – Brittany, Leominster

“Pay my debts, renovate my house, buy an electric car. If there is money left, travel. – Jesse, Somerville

“Pay my debts. I’m so sick of worrying about money. – Leslie, Quincy

Share it with your family and close

“Give half to the tax authorities. Half still to the woman. Half still to friends and family. Half still to charities, church, land conservation. Leaves me about $ 62,000 after tax. I guess I’ll buy a car and / or save money for a new roof. – Jay, Andover

“I would give a third of the money to my son, a third to my daughter, and I would keep the other third for myself and my wife. Sounds fair to me! “- Joe, Mattapoisett

“I would receive the best possible care for my mother. Her terminal illness has progressed to the point where she needs professional care. Then I would make a substantial donation to the Waltham House at Home for Little Wanderers. Then pay off my condo and my debt. – Jay, Malden

“I would receive Uber / Lyft gift cards to give to my girlfriend so that she could come visit me more often. I would also order an authentic, bespoke Jar Jar Binks costume that I would make for myself and wear to the next Boston Comic Con. If there was any money left over after that (and taxes), I’d throw a big barbecue for all of my discord friends. – Justin, East Bridgewater

To buy a house

“Move out of Boston and buy a house in the suburbs. “- Chris, Dorchester

“Easy: buy a condo. I’m not currently able to put a 20 percent down payment on a condo, but it would get me there and more! – Alex, Cambridge

“I would try to buy a house. But after the combination of Massachusetts taxes and Boston real estate prices, my earnings would probably turn out to be little more than a down payment. “- Conor, Boston

Make a donation

“I would give it to the COVAX initiative. We must eliminate this pandemic worldwide! I need it more than my family needs anything else. – Charlotte, Hudson

“Donate to anyone who comes forward against a cardholder in Massachusetts. “- Mike G, Watertown

“I would bank half of it or invest half of it and the other half I would give to homeless charities, food banks and small landlords and tenants who have been waiting for months for federal assistance that does not exist. has still not been provided. These people can lose their homes and property while waiting for government money. “- Amanda, Melrose

Quit ‘my miserable job’

“I would quit my current job and find a part-time job doing something I enjoy stress-free that allows me to go out in the morning and give myself time off in the afternoon. Most likely something to help people in person or through a hotline. I am good at dealing with people and finding solutions. – Dave, Woburn

“I would quit my miserable job and find something else without having to worry about expenses while looking for a job. This is real freedom. – Meghan, Braintree