Suppose Catherine has won a lottery prize that gives her the following options:

I) Receive $1500, tax free, every month for 15 years (starting today)

II) Receive $140,000, tax free, today

Assume that there is no inflation, no risk to either option, and Catherine has no immediate need for the funds. All else equal, what option should she choose?

• A.

  Choose option 1 because the total amount of payments is much higher than the lump sum.

• B.

  Choose option 2 because she can invest and start earning returns on the entire higher amount right away.

• C.

  Catherines decision depends on her expected rate of return on both options.

• D.

  If Catherine can earn the same rate of return on either option, then she should prefer to receive the money now (option 2).