Still Finding Money During the Pandemic

I don't know about you, but I'm still going out during this self-isolation that we all are supposed to be doing. Of course I am trying to be careful by wearing a cloth face mask I made, going into stores to get what I need and getting out quickly, using hand sanitizer or a wipe when I leave stores, washing my hands when I get home.

That sort of thing. But I'm also taking lots of walks, mostly alone or with Mister Tom, just to get out of the house.

In fact, my life hasn't changed that much since this is what I was mostly doing before. I do miss hitting thrift stores since they're now closed, but other than that, not that much is all that different. I do miss getting together with family and friends though.

How about you? Are you going stir crazy or holding up okay? I hope everyone's doing just fine. And staying healthy, of course.

I am still finding money. In fact since my last blog post I've found $7.47. Not too bad.

Here's a photo of the money I've found. I even found three Mexican coins. In Mexico! I went to Mexico a few times to the dentist, and on two visits there I found the coins.

It was pretty cool to know that the locals there drop coins just like we do here.

Have you had good luck finding everything you need right now?

As for me, I've done okay. I had a good supply of toilet paper on hand thanks to running out about 2 weeks before the scramble began. I'd gone to Costco and bought one of their mega packs, which I still have some of. And while at Fry's (Kroger) a few weeks ago I was in the store  when they restocked so I grabbed a big package.

One thing I haven't been able to find is hand sanitizer but that's not something I've ever been a big user of. I would buy some if I found it.



In case you want to try your hand at making your own, here's a book to check out if you want. I have a ton of aloe vera plants so just need to track down some alcohol (the rubbing kind, not the drinking kind).

Well, guess that's it for now. Stay safe and take care.

Facts About This Found Money

Denomination:  87 pennies, 8 nickels, 27 dimes, 10 quarters, 1 $1 bill, 3 Mexican coins

Year:  too many to mess with

U.S. Mint:  same

Condition:  shiny to tarnished

Total Found Money in 2020 to Date:  $16.91

It's Beginning to Look a Little Bit Like Christmas

Living in the desert means it really doesn't look much like Christmas. Ever. Oh well. A few pluses:

• Mister Tom and I can take a daily walk this time of year (as opposed to during the blistering summers). 

• The sky is blue, the air is warm, I can hang my sheets and clothes out to air dry (all year round).

But people still decorate for the holidays so it is sort of looking like Christmas, I guess.

What about where you live? Does look like December or does it look like an arid wasteland?

But seriously, while I've been out enjoying the lovely weather, I've been finding quite a bit of money. Since my last post (2 months ago, oops!), I've found one dollar bill and a bunch of coins.

I've found $8.51 in coins, in fact, which means I've found $9.51. Yay! I found 4 Sacagawea dollar coins, which was a fun find! I also found 7 random tokens. 

These were all in a change tray of coin machine, just left there by someone, which always amazes me. 

 

What about you? Have you found any money recently? Please let us know!

Facts About This Found Money

Denomination:  41 pennies, 5 nickels, 11 dimes, 11 quarters, 4 dollar coins, 1 dollar bill

Year:  too many to mess with

U.S. Mint:  same

Condition:  shiny to tarnished

Total Found Money in 2019 to Date:  $60.72

Finding Money Here, There, and Most Everywhere

So, this past week has been a busy one. I didn't get out and about much, at least not in places where I could find money, I guess. But when I did I found $1.48! Not bad!

And guess what? I found another dollar bill! It was in an aisle at the grocery store so I snapped it up. This makes two so far in 2018 so woo hoo to that!

This makes my found money total so far this year at an even $6.00. I couldn't do that again if I tried!

We finally got some snow here. This is our first snowfall this winter (including the fall of 2017, since we barely even got any rain). We really need the moisture so I'm thrilled with it. But it's supposed to warm up to the 40s today and the 50s tomorrow so it'll soon be gone.

I could really use one of these:
  

But instead I used one of these:


What about you? How's the weather where you are? Are you finding some money?

Facts About This Found Money

Denomination:  8 pennies, 1 nickel, 1 dime, 1 quarter, 1 dollar bill

Year:  too many to mess with

U.S. Mint:  same

Condition:  shiny to tarnished

Total Found Money in 2018 to Date:  $6.00

2018 is Looking Up ~ See What I Found!

Well, you know how I spent most of 2017 griping about not finding any paper money (till late December that is). I won't be guilty of that this year! 

I found a dollar bill on the floor of the dollar store last week! It was just lying there next to the little candy vending machines. No one was around so I walked over and at first thought it was a piece of paper crumpled up. But when I got closer I saw it was a dollar. Woo to the hoo!!

Here's a photo of Mister Tom checking out the found money for the week.

And in addition to the dollar bill, this week I also found my first foreign money of the year. I found a coin from Tanzania!

PLUS I found another dollar and 42 cents in change! So that makes this found money total $2.42 (plus the Tanzania coin, which I don't count in my found money total).

I looked up the Tanzania money and found this info: 

100 Shilingi
1993-2015
Brass plated Steel – 9 g – ø 24.5 mm
KM# 32, Schön# 35

I checked this website and the coin is worth... wait for it... 4 cents US. But that's okay because I'll probably give it to my grandson who collects foreign coins. He can add it to his collection.

So, I was thinking about the money I've found so far this year. More than $2 each week. That means if this keeps up I'm on track to find $100 (or more) this year. Woo hoo! We'll see how long the two dollars a week holds up.

Have you found any money lately? Please let us know.

Facts About This Found Money

Denomination:  22 pennies, 2 nickels, 6 dimes, 2 quarters, 1 dollar bill, 1 coin from Tanzania

Year:  too many to mess with

U.S. Mint:  same

Condition:  shiny to tarnished

Total Found Money in 2018 to Date:  $4.52

Last Found Money of 2017: I Did It! I Did It!

What did I do? Well, what have I been griping about this year? 

Anyone?

Give up?

I found paper money! The other day I was at the grocery store and while walking back to my car I spotted a dollar bill lying in an empty parking space! Woo hoo! Then I walked through a drive-through lane of a fast food place and spotted another one! In one day! Within 5 minutes of each other. 

I was shocked. 

But here's a photo to prove it! I also found 68 cents in change. Woo hoo!

So with this $2.68 that brings my 2017 found money total to $54.58. This is my second best yearly total, so I'm happy.

How about you? Did you keep track of your found money this year? If so, how much did you find?

I'd like to wish you and yours a happy new year. I am hopeful that 2018 will be less stressful. Don't forget to eat your black eyed peas tomorrow for good luck!

Facts About This Found Money

Denomination:  8 pennies, 1 nickel, 3 dimes, 1 quarter, 2 dollar bills

Year:  too many to mess with

U.S. Mint:  same

Condition:  shiny to tarnished

Total Found Money in 2017 to Date:  $54.58

Found Three Dollars, on the money!

Since I last posted, I have found $3.00 even. Two separate days I found over a dollar, which is rare, so this has been an exciting few days! (It doesn't take much, does it?)

Today was doubly exciting because I found a dollar bill! I think this is the first paper money I've found in 2016. 

I walked to Wal-Mart and spotted the dollar shown here next to the curb in the parking lot. It was folded over just sitting there. It's been really windy the past few days so maybe this bill flew from someone's hand and landed there. I don't know. I'm just happy happy happy I found it! 

Other places I found money (the rest was a bunch of coins) was on the floor at Wal-Mart, on the floor at the grocery store, in drive through lanes, in the street, in parking lots, and on top of a newspaper vending machine and in the change tray of another.

Facts About This Found Money
Denomination:  15 pennies, 3 nickels, 7 dimes, 4 quarters, 1 dollar bill
Year:  too many to mess with
U.S. Mint:  same
Condition:  shiny to tarnished 

Total Found Money in 2016 to Date:  $11.16

A Week's Worth of Found Money: $3.48

This past week I found $3.48. Yay! I found the coins (and one dollar bill!) in these places:

• a candy box at an auto parts store
• in parking lots
• in drive through lanes
• in change trays of cash registers
• floor of stores

Have you found any money lately? Please let us know.

Facts About This Found Money
Denomination:  68 pennies, 2 nickels, 7 dimes, 4 quarter, 1 dollar bill
Year:  too many to mess with
U.S. Mint:  same
Condition:  shiny to tarnished
Total Found Money in 2015 to Date:  $92.61

Five Days of Finding Money: $3.21

In the past five days I've found a nice little chunk of change:  $3.21!

Here's what and when:

• Tuesday, August 18:  37 cents (12 pennies, 1 quarter)
• Wednesday, August 19:  33 cents (3 pennies, 3 dimes)
• Thursday, August 20:  $1.63 (8 pennies, 3 dimes, 1 quarter, a dollar bill!)
• Friday, August 21:  23 cents (3 pennies, 2 dimes)
• Saturday, August 22:  66 cents (5 pennies, 1 dime, 2 quarters)

I found this money all over the place:  in the street, on the floor of stores, in parking lots and at gas stations, in change trays at the grocery store, in pay phone change trays, and more.

I love finding money! I can't believe I've found more than $65 so far this year. How about you?

Facts About This Found Money
Denomination:  31 pennies, 9 dimes, 4 quarters, 1 dollar bill
Year:  too many to mess with
U.S. Mint:  same
Condition:  shiny to tarnished, several are dinged up
Total Found Money in 2015 to Date:  $65.31

2 Days of Found Money Total $1.13

In  case you hadn't noticed, I've started lumping a few days of found money together sometimes. Today is one of those times. I just get busy and even though it only takes me a few minutes to add a blog post, well, some days I'm lazy or busy or whatever.

So, two days ago I found 2 pennies while out running errands. I can't remember where now but I found them and they're shown in the photo.

Yesterday I didn't find any money. *sad face*

Today I found a penny on the pavement beside my car at the library parking lot then later I went to the store and on my way back to my car, I found a dollar bill!!!!! and 5 pennies and a nickel! Yee haw!

So, that makes $1.13 found over the course of 2 days (or 3 days if you're counting the dud day). Yay!

Facts About This Found Money
Denomination:  8 pennies, 1 nickel, 1 dollar bill
Year:  too many to mess with
U.S. Mint:  same
Condition:  shiny to tarnished
Total Found Money in 2015 to Date:  $49.09

Found $1.25 Today

This evening I took a walk to the grocery store. On the way there and home, I found $1.25. Here's what and where:

• 4 pennies in a bank drive through lane
• 1 penny in the street
• 1 dime on the sidewalk
• 1 penny on the sidewalk a few steps later
• a $1 bill on the sidewalk in front of a laundromat
• 1 penny on the store of the floor
• 1 penny in the street
• 1 penny in a drive through lane
• 1 nickel in a parking space
• and I don't remember where I found the other 3 pennies, but I did!

I so rarely find paper money, I was thrilled!

Facts About This Found Money
Denomination:  10 pennies, 1 nickel, 1 dime, 1 $1 bill
Year:  too many to mess with
U.S. Mint:  ditto
Condition:  range from shiny to tarnished and a few are scratched
Total Found Money in 2015 to Date:  $23.19

I Found a Dollar Bill Plus Some!

Today I went out to the post office and while walking back to my car across the street I found a penny in the street. Then I spotted something shiny in a parking lot:  two dimes and another penny! 

I was thrilled but then later this afternoon I went to the grocery store and I found a dollar bill in the change tray of a self checkout register! I kept it! Would you?

I finished those hamburger ornaments and promised I'd show you a picture. Here goes. I listed them in my Etsy shop in case you want to check out these fun food ornaments there.

Facts About This Found Money
Denomination:  2 pennies, 2 dimes, a dollar bill
Year:  pennies:  1979, 2005; dimes:  1998, 2004; dollar:  Series 2006
U.S. Mint:  a dime is P, the rest D
Condition:  shiny, tarnished
Total Found Money in 2014 to Date:  $37.53

Found a Dollar and Change

Today I felt really antsy so drove to the Safeway shopping center near me, which I never go to any more. I roamed around the parking lot and sidewalks in front of the stores a little looking for change. I didn't find any coins. I did find this dollar bill on the sidewalk in front of the Dry Bar. 

I was thrilled about the dollar, but curious about just who goes somewhere to get their hair blown dry. For $35. Crazy people, I'm guessing! Or at least people with more money than me!

Haven't they heard of these things? Conair 225NP Comfort Touch Tourmaline Ceramic  1875-Watt Hair Dryer, Black - packaging may vary or this:  Remington Ac2015 Tstudio Salon Collection Pearl Ceramic Hair Dryer ?

No offense to crazy rich people, but I imagine you don't go around looking for money, so it's all good. Different strokes for different folks, and all that.

Then I went into Safeway and got a few things. I found the two pennies in the pharmacy area. Yippee!

This Found Money Facts:
Denomination:  2 pennies, 1 dollar bill
Year:   pennies:  2012, ?; dollar:  2006
U.S. Mint:  pennies:  D, ?
Condition:  pennies:  one is shiny, one is dinged and dented; dollar bill:  nice and soft
Total Found Money to Date in 2013:  $20.52

My Lucky Streak! I Found Another Dollar Bill!

Okay, I don't know what's happening but I did it again. I found another dollar bill today! I went to volunteer at Learning Ally today since the studio will be closed to recording the rest of the week because they're doing some construction. 

So, as I pulled into a parking space, I saw something on the ground. It looked like money. Could it be money? It was money! It was this dollar bill! I was shocked!

I stopped my car all catty wompus and scooped it up. Then I backed up and parked properly. 

This proves that to find money, like many other things in life, you have to be at the right place at the right time. If I'd volunteered on Wednesday as usual, I guarantee that dollar would have been long gone. It also proves it pays to volunteer. (Well, you know what I mean.)

This dollar pushes me over the total amount I found in all of last year! Yay! (My yearly found money totals are over there, on the right.)

This Found Money Facts:
Denomination:  1 dollar bill!!!
Year:  Series 2003A
U.S. Mint:  ?
Condition:  well worn, nice and soft
Total Found Money to Date for 2012:  $5.76

Hold the Phone! I Found a Dollar Bill!

Today I did it! I found a dollar bill!

Here's what happened:  I was running errands (what else do I do?).

First, the library to return an overdue DVD and some books.

Then to Papago Park in Tempe to check it out then review it for ParkGrades.

Then to Penzey's to buy some bay leaves and vanilla (I had a coupon for $5 off $10 or more).

Then to Michael's (had another coupon).

Then to Fresh and Easy in Scottsdale (not my normal one). Walking in I spotted a dollar bill on the sidewalk right in front of the doors. I think someone leaving must have dropped in. They probably got money back and didn't realize they'd dropped it. Or someone left it there for me. I don't know but it's mine now! 

Oh! I also found a nickle in the parking lot when I went to Penzey's and Michael's. I parked in the middle and walked to each store. AND at Fresh and Easy as I was using the self-checkout lane, I spotted a dime in the change dealie bob! I found the button somewhere along the line.

What about you? Have you found any money lately?

This Found Money Facts:
Denomination: 1 nickel, 1 dime, 1 dollar bill!!!
Year:  1983, 2004, series 2006
U.S. Mint:  P, P, ?
Condition:  silver coins are a tad dirty, dollar bill was nice and flat and lovely when found
Total Found Money to Date for 2012:  $4.76