REVEALED: How past mega lottery winners have used their fortunes - and it's not just on multi-million dollar mansions in Los Angeles

Lottery winners across the US can cash in millions - and even billions - of dollars if they get lucky, but have you ever wondered what they do after they rake in all that money? 

Although there are endless possibilities, many people will splash out the cash on new homes, vacations, or even flashy cars. 

However, dozens of others have used their newfound wealth to pay their bills or give back to the community. 

From one person who purchased a mega mansion to another who used their funds for good, FEMAIL has laid bare how past lottery winners used their winnings. 

Stick to your routine! Tamara Laughinghouse played the same numbers for over two decades until she won $200,000 and is now using the money to go to Italy

Tamara Laughinghouse told the North Carolina Education Lottery: 'I've been playing those same numbers for over 20 years'

Just last week, Tamara Laughinghouse, from North Carolina, took home $200,000. 

She told the North Carolina Education Lottery: 'I've been playing those same numbers for over 20 years. 

'They are the different birthdays in my family.'

Tamara initially won $50,000, but it soared to $200,000 thanks to the 4X multiplier. 

She revealed she was going to use the funds to go to Italy because her great-great-grandfather is from there and she has always wanted to go. 

Tamara will donate the rest of the money to her high school. 

'It's a relief': Megan Balmer used her $2 million Powerball prize to pay off her mortgage and credit card debt 

Last month, Megan Balmer, from Iowa, won $2 million after purchasing a lottery ticket 

Last month, Megan Balmer, from Iowa, won $2 million after purchasing a lottery ticket. 

And the life-changing decision helped her gain financial freedom. 

She revealed she would be using the money to pay off her student loans, her credit card debt, and her mortgage. 

'That's huge,' she said at the time. 

She added: 'That's such a relief to be able to say that I did those things. And I'll save some for retirement and my kids for their college. 

'That's right around the corner, I'll blink and it will be there.' 

Time for a jacuzzi! Tammy Gordy used her $2 million prize to renovate her home 

In June, Tammy Gordy won the $2 million Powerball prize and put the money towards renovating her new house

In June, Tammy Gordy won the $2 million Powerball prize. 

The Iowa native revealed she was going to put the money towards renovating her new house. 

It came at the perfect time for Tammy and her family after recently losing their home when a tornado swept through. 

She told the lottery: 'It's going to go into better details! 

'I'm talking a walk-in closet and a Jacuzzi tub, that's what I'm talking about.'

Dreams can come true! Quinnella Lemelle and Monique Coward won $19,000 combined and used it to support their businesses 

Quinella Lemelle, from Louisiana, was happy to have claimed a $14,000 prize pot in May 

Monique Coward, also from Louisiana, went home with her own $5,000 winnings 

Lottery winners don't always walk away with millions, sometimes they get much less. 

But Quinella Lemelle, from Louisiana, was still happy to have claimed a $14,000 prize pot in May. 

Monique Coward, also from Louisiana, went home with her own $5,000 winnings.  

Both women said they would be putting the money towards helping their businesses thrive.

'Is this a joke?' Earl Lape thought he was being PRANKED when he was told he won over $40 MILLION, which he then donated to children with medical issues 

Earl Lape purchased his lottery ticket on April Fools' Day, and so when he was told he won, he thought it was a joke

Earl Lape purchased his lottery ticket on April Fools' Day, and so when he was told he won, he thought it was a joke. 

However, the retired Iowa mechanic did win a whopping $40,030,000. 

'I laughed. I thought it was April Fools,' he said after he claimed his prize. 

He chose to take his money in cash, which totaled to $2.28 million. And instead, the $40 million prize went to those who opted to get their winnings paid to them over 29 years. 

Earl revealed he would be using the money to help his family as well as donating a large chunk to children with medical issues.  

Second time is the charm! Juan Scornelius won $75,000 after not getting any money from his first ticket 

Oregon native Juan Scornelius won $75,000 by purchasing a $10 Scratch-it

Juan Scornelius won $75,000 by purchasing a $10 Scratch-it. 

The Oregon native purchased one ticket and had no luck - but on his second try, he won big. 

He visited the lottery office during his lunch break and revealed he had big plans for his winnings. 

Juan said he was going to buy a house, which would be a dream come true for him. 

Living large! Edwin Castro splashed out his lottery winnings on two multi-million dollar California mansions and a vintage Porsche 

Edwin Castro has been living large since he won the on the $2.04 billion Powerball and took home $997.6 million

One of his mega mansions spans over 14,000 square feet and features an infinity pool, five bedrooms and seven bathrooms. It cost a whopping $25 million

Edwin Castro has been living large since he won the on the $2.04 billion Powerball which saw him take home $997.6 million.

The California native used his money to purchase two multi-million dollar homes in the sunny state, as well as a vintage Porsche. 

Prior to winning the lottery, he was living in a one-bedroom house. 

Now, one of his mega mansions spans over 14,000 square feet and features an infinity pool, five bedrooms and seven bathrooms. It cost a whopping $25 million. 

His other home is a $4 million mansion in Los Angeles that comes with its own home theater, private office and expensive artwork.

Time to go to Disney! Teanna T. Payton used the money to pay her bills and take her kids on a family trip

Teanna T. Payton won the lottery in 2022 and used the cash for a dream vacation with her children

Teanna T. Payton won the lottery in 2022 and used the cash for a dream vacation with her children. 

The Colorado native, who is a mom-of-three, had recently packed up and moved to take care of her sick mother. 

When she won the $3 million lottery, she made plans to take her young kids to Disney World. 

She also said she was debating buying a ranch because it had always been a dream of hers. 

A lavish wedding! Carol Ann Moran used her $100,000 prize to pay for her wedding 

When Carol Ann Moran, from Connecticut, won the $100,000 prize, she cried 'happy tears'

When Carol Ann Moran, from Connecticut, won the $100,000 prize, she cried 'happy tears.' 

She was set to tie the knot in May 2022 and was planning on using the money to help her with that. 

Carol purchased the winning ticket Coffee's Country Market in Old Lyme.

Christmas came early! Crystal Dunn bought $2,000 in gift cards and gave them to everyone in the grocery store after she won $146,000 

Kentucky native Crystal Dunn won won $146,000 by playing the lottery online before doing a good deed

Kentucky native Crystal Dunn won $146,000 by playing the lottery online. 

After picking up her check, she went straight to the grocery store. 

While there, she bought $2,000 in gift cards and handed them out to everyone in the store in a bid to do a good deed.  

'This is a blessing': Sharita Stevenson won $60,000 and used it to pay her bills and buy her husband a car

Sharita Johnson won $60,000 in 2019 and called it a 'blessing'

Sharita Johnson won $60,000 in 2019 and called it a 'blessing.'

She revealed she would be buying her husband a car because they both shared one. 

At time, the lucky winner told the lottery: 'This is a blessing for me and my family right now. 

'I'm going to buy my husband a new truck for his birthday - we share one car right now - so this will help my family a lot. The rest will pay for bills and the holidays.'