Winning the lottery is usually the stuff of office water-cooler daydreams. You know the drill: you’re sitting at your desk, looking at the clock, and wondering what it would be like to just... walk out. For one Long Beach resident, that daydream turned into a very sudden, very real Tuesday afternoon. California lottery winner Julie Bass didn't just win a chunk of change; she basically bought herself two years of her life back.
Most people think winning a million dollars involves some elaborate strategy or a specific "lucky" store. Honestly? Julie's story is way more down-to-earth than that. It happened on a random Saturday in February, right around her 25th work anniversary. She wasn’t looking for a miracle. She was just hanging out with a friend, scratching a few five-dollar tickets, and—kinda hilariously—complaining about how she wasn't winning anything.
We’ve all been there, right? You scratch a few losers and feel like the universe is personally picking on you. Julie even told her neighbor, "I'm not winning!" Luckily, her friend pointed out she had two more tickets left in the pile. One of those was a Triple Red 777 Scratcher. That little piece of cardboard was about to change everything.
The Triple Red 777 Jackpot That Nobody Saw Coming
Julie’s win wasn't an instant "Aha!" moment. In fact, she almost missed it entirely. When she first uncovered the matching numbers, she thought she’d just won a free ticket. Hey, a free ticket is better than nothing, right? Then she took a second look and thought, "Oh, wait, maybe it’s $1,000." Still a great day!
But her friend looked closer. When you’re staring at those tiny numbers, it’s easy for your eyes to play tricks on you. Her neighbor was the one who shouted it out: "Girl, you hit the jackpot!"
The ticket Julie bought at the Golden Moon convenience store on East Anaheim Street in Long Beach was actually worth $1,000,000. It’s funny how a few extra zeros can turn a "good day" into a "my life is totally different now" day.
👉 See also: Sleeping With Your Neighbor: Why It Is More Complicated Than You Think
Why Julie Bass Calls It a Blessing, Not Luck
If you ask Julie, she’ll tell you she isn’t "lucky." She’s very specific about that. She uses the word "blessed." Having spent 25 years working her way up from a clerk to a manager, she felt like her seven promotions over the years were her reward for hard work. But this? This felt like a gift from a higher power.
She was actually planning to retire in two years. That was the timeline. She had it all mapped out. But the California lottery winner Julie Bass story is a perfect example of how life doesn't always care about your five-year plan. When the win was confirmed, she felt like she was being told, "Go ahead and leave now."
So, she did. She retired immediately. No two-year wait, no more morning commutes, no more manager meetings. Just a straight-up exit into the next chapter of her life.
Where Does the Money Go? (Besides Julie’s Bank Account)
A lot of people get salty about lottery winners, but there’s a side to this that most folks forget. Julie herself was quick to point out that she’s been a supporter of the California Lottery since it started. Why? Because of where the money goes.
Since voters passed Proposition 37 in 1984, the lottery has funneled over $48 billion into California’s public education system. We're talking about:
✨ Don't miss: At Home French Manicure: Why Yours Looks Cheap and How to Fix It
- Training for firefighters.
- Funding for arts and music programs that usually get the axe first.
- Better gear for high school athletics.
- Career-focused vocational training.
When someone like Julie wins, the schools in her neighborhood are technically winning a little bit, too. It’s a nice way to look at it, especially when you realize that every ticket sold contributes to that pot.
Practical Realities: Buying a Home Near Family
One of the first things Julie planned to do with her $1 million (before taxes, of course) was buy a house near her only daughter. This is actually a super common trend among "smaller" jackpot winners. While we hear about the $2 billion Powerball winners buying hillside mansions with infinity pools, the million-dollar winners usually do something way more relatable. They pay off the mortgage, help their kids, or move closer to family.
Winning $1 million in California is life-changing, but it’s not "buy a private island" money. After the federal and state tax bite (which can be significant), you're left with a very comfortable safety net, but you still have to be smart. Julie’s decision to focus on family and a modest home move is probably why she’ll keep that money a lot longer than some of the more "extravagant" winners we see on the news.
What You Should Do If You Win Like Julie
If you find yourself holding a winning Triple Red 777 or any other Scratcher, don't just run to the nearest TV station. Take a breath. Julie had her friend there to keep her grounded, but most experts suggest a few specific steps:
- Sign the back of that ticket immediately. It’s a bearer instrument. If you lose it and haven't signed it, anyone who finds it can claim it.
- Take a photo of both sides. Store it in a secure cloud drive or a physical safe.
- Keep it quiet. Julie’s story went public because she shared it with the lottery, but you have a small window to get your ducks in a row before the world knows your name.
- Talk to a pro. Not your "guy who knows stocks," but a certified financial planner and a tax attorney. California doesn't tax lottery winnings at the state level, but the IRS is definitely going to take their 24% to 37% cut right off the top.
The Long Beach Connection
The Golden Moon store where Julie bought her ticket is just a regular local spot. That’s the "magic" of the scratcher games. You don't have to go to a special high-volume retailer in Los Angeles or San Francisco to hit it big.
🔗 Read more: Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Menu: Why You’re Probably Ordering Wrong
Long Beach has actually been pretty "lucky" lately. We see winners popping up at gas stations and corner markets all the time. It’s a reminder that these wins are truly random. There's no secret code or "hot" machine—just being in the right place at the right time with five dollars in your pocket.
Why We Love Stories Like Julie's
Honestly, I think we like the California lottery winner Julie Bass story because she’s one of us. She worked for 25 years. She was a manager who dealt with the same stresses we all do. She wasn't some billionaire trying to get richer; she was a mom wanting to be closer to her daughter.
It makes the dream feel reachable. Even if the odds are technically millions to one, seeing a regular person retire two years early because of a "Triple Red 7" match makes you want to check your pockets for loose change.
Actionable Next Steps for Hopeful Players
If you're looking to try your luck (or looking for your "blessing"), here is the smart way to play the California Lottery:
- Check the "Remaining Prizes" list: The California Lottery website actually lists how many top prizes are left for every single Scratcher game. Don't buy a ticket if all the $1 million prizes are already claimed.
- Use the 2nd Chance program: If your ticket is a loser, don't throw it away. You can scan the code on the CA Lottery app to enter weekly drawings. People win thousands of dollars every month on "trash" tickets.
- Set a "Fun Budget": Julie was playing $5 tickets. She wasn't betting her rent money. The best way to play is to treat it like a $5 latte—if you get a buzz, great; if not, you haven't ruined your week.
- Verify the "Winning" Match: Do what Julie’s friend did—double-check. Look for the "winning numbers" at the top and match them to "your numbers" below. Sometimes the prize amount is hidden under a symbol like a "2X" or "10X."
Julie Bass is currently enjoying a retirement she earned through 25 years of service and one very lucky Saturday. Whether it was luck or a blessing, it’s a reminder that sometimes, the "two more years" you think you have left can disappear in an instant—in the best way possible.
To make the most of your own lottery experience, you can download the official California Lottery app to scan tickets and see if any "2nd Chance" opportunities are available for your non-winning Scratchers. It's the most effective way to ensure you aren't leaving money on the table.
Check the California Lottery website regularly for the "Scratchers Remaining Top Prizes" report to see which games still have $1 million payouts available before you buy your next ticket.