Why you should take a pen with you when you check your lottery tickets at the store

Each time I visit my local lottery store to check my tickets, I slip a pen into my pocket.

It's an important part of my ritual, and offers me protection and peace of mind. How so?

I do it so I can fill in my name and address on every winning ticket over $1,000. And I do that to make sure that if the ticket was misplaced I'm named as the legal recipient of the prize.

There's always a chance that if after winning you have to ask for a pen at the store, in the excitement you may lose sight of the ticket, or misplace it.

This way, pen in pocket, you'll always be ready. 

READ MORE: 5 Essential Steps To Keep Your Valuable Winning Lottery Tickets Safe