As the excitement heats up for the record $340 million Powerball jackpot, we urge people to remember the odds of winning the jackpot will always be a long shot.

It’s always fun to dream about what we’d do if we win. Would we move to Hawaii? Would we build a new home? Would we travel &045; see exotic lands? What organizations and charities would we help? Would we sit and eat truffles? Would our lifestyles change drastically, or would we be virtually unfazed by a sudden windfall?

People’s dreams are as diverse as the dreamer.

Whatever our dreams, we remind people that the odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 146 million. Those are tremendous odds. Therefore, spending more than you can afford is not a good bet.

If you must get in on the action, then spend only what you can afford &045; a dollar or two may not break you.

But don’t spend your rent, your house payment or your family’s grocery money on lottery tickets. The odds simply are not in your favor.

It only takes one ticket to win.

Please play responsibly.