North Carolina man Stanley Thompson said he almost talked himself out of buying the lottery ticket that wound up earning him a $150,000 Powerball prize. Photo courtesy of the North Carolina Education Lottery

Jan. 12 (UPI) — A North Carolina man revealed he almost talked himself out of buying the Powerball ticket that wound up earning him a $150,000 prize.

Wingate resident Stanley Thompson told North Carolina Education officials he went back and forth on whether to buy a ticket for the Dec. 10 Powerball drawing online.

“I almost didn’t buy it but I decided to at the last minute,” he said.

The $3 ticket ended up matching four white balls and the Powerball for a $50,000 prize that was tripled to $150,000 when the 3X multiplier hit.

“I’m glad I played the multiplier,” Thompson said. “I like to play when the jackpot starts growing and getting big.”

He said it took some time for the reality of the situation to set in.

“It’s starting to sink in more now,” Thompson said. “It’s very satisfying.”

The winner said his prize money will go toward paying bills and investing.