Building a Powerball Calculator: When Math Meets Dreams (and Reality)

Blake Everett — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 15:22:50 +0000

Last weekend, I found myself in line at a gas station, watching someone ahead of me carefully fill out their Powerball ticket. The jackpot was sitting pretty at $400 million, and I couldn't help but wonder: "What would that actually look like after taxes?"

That's when it hit me – most people have no clue what they'd actually take home from a big lottery win. Sure, everyone knows about taxes, but the reality is way more complex than just "the government takes some."

So I did what any developer would do: I built a tool to figure it out.

The Problem Nobody Talks About

Here's the thing about lottery winnings – they're not just "income." They're taxed at the highest federal rates (we're talking 37% for the big wins), plus state taxes that vary wildly depending on where you live. And then there's the choice between lump sum and annuity payments, which completely changes the math.

I realized there wasn't a straightforward, user-friendly calculator out there that handled all these variables properly. Most tools either oversimplify or overwhelm you with financial jargon.

Building Something Actually Useful

The calculator I built handles the real-world complexity:

Federal tax calculations at current rates
State-by-state tax variations (because winning in Texas hits different than winning in California)
Lump sum vs. annuity comparisons
Clear breakdowns of what you actually pocket But here's what I'm most proud of: it's genuinely easy to use. No financial background required. Just plug in the jackpot amount, select your state, choose your payment preference, and boom – you know exactly what you're working with.

The Technical Side

Built with Next.js and TypeScript for that smooth, responsive experience. The tax calculations are based on current IRS guidelines and state tax codes, updated regularly to stay accurate. I spent way too much time making sure the mobile experience was perfect because, let's be honest, most people are checking lottery numbers on their phones.

The UI focuses on clarity over flashiness. When someone's trying to understand potentially life-changing numbers, the last thing they need is confusion.

Why This Matters

Look, I'm not encouraging anyone to spend their rent money on lottery tickets. But if you're going to play, you should understand what you're actually playing for. Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to financial decisions.

Plus, building this taught me a ton about tax law complexity and user experience design. Win-win, even if I never hit the jackpot myself.

The calculator is live and free to use. Because everyone deserves to dream with accurate math.

From Code to Cosmos: How I Built a Tarot Web App with Next.js and a Touch of Magic

Blake Everett — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 15:26:31 +0000

As developers, we often find ourselves immersed in logic, frameworks, and APIs. But what happens when you blend that structured world with something as mystical as Tarot? You get a passion project that’s both a technical challenge and a journey of self-discovery. Today, I want to share the story behind my latest creation, the Arcana Calculator .

It all started with a personal fascination. I've always been intrigued by the archetypes and stories within a Tarot deck. At the same time, my professional life revolves around data science and web development. I saw an opportunity to merge these two worlds: to use technology to make the ancient wisdom of Tarot more accessible to everyone, regardless of their background. The goal wasn't to replace the magic, but to provide a new gateway to it.

The Tech Stack: Next.js, TypeScript, and Web Workers

I chose Next.js for its powerful features like server-side rendering and static site generation, which are perfect for a content-rich and SEO-friendly application. Using TypeScript was a no-brainer for ensuring type safety and maintainability as the project grew.

One of the first challenges I tackled was internationalization (i18n). Tarot is a universal language, so the app needed to be, too. I implemented a routing system that supports multiple languages (from English and Spanish to Turkish and Chinese), using JSON files to manage translations. This allows users from different parts of the world to experience the app in their native language, which was a crucial goal for me.

But the real technical fun began when I needed to handle the numerological calculations. The core feature of the app calculates a user's "Major Arcana" card based on their name and birth date. These calculations, while not overly complex, could potentially block the main thread and lead to a sluggish UI. To ensure a smooth and responsive experience, I offloaded these computations to a Web Worker . This keeps the UI snappy, allowing animations and interactions to run without a hitch while the numbers are being crunched in the background. It’s a small detail, but it makes a huge difference in user experience.

Discover Your Own Path

The result of this journey is the Arcana Calculator. It’s a simple tool where you can enter your details to discover your Major Arcana card, get your "Card of the Year," and even explore a "One Arcana Reading." It’s designed to be a starting point for anyone curious about Tarot, offering a glimpse into the energies that might be influencing their life path.

Building this project has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It taught me how to blend different passions and how technology can serve as a bridge to ancient practices. It’s a reminder that the most fulfilling projects are often the ones that come from the heart.

I invite you to check it out, find your card, and let me know what you think. Have you ever worked on a project that combines your personal interests with your technical skills? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

Forem: Blake Everett