So I was running in the morning on Saturday (breakfast time) and found a Tiffany's heart bracelet. That may be my biggest find so far. The clasp is a little broken, but it's still pretty cool. Once we fix it, I have to decide if I'm going to keep it or sell it. Hmmm.
Other than that, I found $2.18 and $.50 in Canadian cash. It doesn't really hold a candle to the Tiffany's.
Only a couple more updates for the year, so until next week, have a great one!
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Brrrrr
This was the week that the weather turned down big time. On Saturday morning it was 17 degrees and I wasn't quite prepared for it. Now I have all my gear ready and am set to get out there for another winter.
In addition to the $3.17 I found this week, there were a few other fun things. Let's see, on Tuesday I saw four full cupcakes, and they didn't look grocery store bought, they looked fancy. I felt kinda bad.
This morning was interesting. Close to the beginning, I found 2 candles still in their wrappers and two candle stands. I tried hiding them to pick them up later, but someone found the candles. I was able to grab the stands during my cool-down though. I also saw three full cans of Coors Light, which I always laugh at. Lastly, I found some $5.00 off coupons to a restaurant that we like, so that's cool.
Until next week, have a great one!
In addition to the $3.17 I found this week, there were a few other fun things. Let's see, on Tuesday I saw four full cupcakes, and they didn't look grocery store bought, they looked fancy. I felt kinda bad.
This morning was interesting. Close to the beginning, I found 2 candles still in their wrappers and two candle stands. I tried hiding them to pick them up later, but someone found the candles. I was able to grab the stands during my cool-down though. I also saw three full cans of Coors Light, which I always laugh at. Lastly, I found some $5.00 off coupons to a restaurant that we like, so that's cool.
Until next week, have a great one!
Sunday, December 4, 2011
The Smell of Pine in the Air
I love running in December in Chicago because there are Christmas tree lots all over the place, and I love smelling them as I run by. I also like running in December when its over 40 degrees as it has been so far. I want some snow soon, but I'll take this right now.
Before we talk too much December, we have to talk November. My total for the month was $17.86, by far not my best, but a good month nonetheless. I can't believe there is only one more month to go in 2011.
This week, I found $4.27, so I'm pleased with that. I came across some change when cleaning out some common areas, so it was like a mini gold mine.
I hope everyone has a great week!
Before we talk too much December, we have to talk November. My total for the month was $17.86, by far not my best, but a good month nonetheless. I can't believe there is only one more month to go in 2011.
This week, I found $4.27, so I'm pleased with that. I came across some change when cleaning out some common areas, so it was like a mini gold mine.
I hope everyone has a great week!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving Weekend
Happy Sunday everyone, I hope a good Thanksgiving was had by all. It was nice to have a couple of extra days off, but I could use one more to fully reload for the week. I was able to get an extra running day in, but I also ate enough for four people. I need this week to get back to normal.
I found $3.35 this week, so I'm pretty happy with that. Thanksgiving morning was fun because I found $1.15, 1.20 in euros (not sure how to write that) and the Jack of Clubs - a card that I needed for my collection. This morning was a little odd because it was raining when I got up to run so I ended up sleeping in until about 9:45. That hasn't happened in an extremely long time, but when I got up I went for a little walk and ended up finding $1.22. It makes me wonder what I would have found earlier in the morning! Oh well.
I'm excited to count up my monthly total next week and looking forward to a fun December and last month to the year. Have a great week!
I found $3.35 this week, so I'm pretty happy with that. Thanksgiving morning was fun because I found $1.15, 1.20 in euros (not sure how to write that) and the Jack of Clubs - a card that I needed for my collection. This morning was a little odd because it was raining when I got up to run so I ended up sleeping in until about 9:45. That hasn't happened in an extremely long time, but when I got up I went for a little walk and ended up finding $1.22. It makes me wonder what I would have found earlier in the morning! Oh well.
I'm excited to count up my monthly total next week and looking forward to a fun December and last month to the year. Have a great week!
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Biting the Dust
Good evening! So, I took a bit of a spill yesterday, got a bruised knee and elbow, but otherwise I'm good. I tried to make it graceful as a tripped over some uneven concrete, but there was no one around to see it to verify my gracefulness.
Other than that, I had a pretty good week. I found $5.41, a Trader Joe's gift card with $1.39 on it, a Visa gift card with $.95 on it and $.75 in Canadian cash. I've found a lot of change this month, so my little cup is already overflowing a bit.
I'm looking forward to this week because people say that the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is one of the busiest nights out of the year. Go out and drink people...and drop your money outside the bar for me to find!
Until next week, Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Other than that, I had a pretty good week. I found $5.41, a Trader Joe's gift card with $1.39 on it, a Visa gift card with $.95 on it and $.75 in Canadian cash. I've found a lot of change this month, so my little cup is already overflowing a bit.
I'm looking forward to this week because people say that the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is one of the busiest nights out of the year. Go out and drink people...and drop your money outside the bar for me to find!
Until next week, Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Sunday, November 13, 2011
November Cool
Good evening everyone! The Bears just crushed the Lions, so things are good tonight. My money finding this week was nothing special - $3.90 - but nothing to sneeze at either. I found close to $2.00 this morning on my run, including 48 pennies. I think that may be a new record. Good times.
I was also thinking this week how it had been a while since I found any foreign coins, and the foreign money Gods must have heard me. I found a $2.00 Canadian coin and a 5 cent Canadian coin. The "toonie," as I've been told it is called, is a cool looking coin. It has silver and gold and it kinda big. It was a fun find today.
Other than that, nothing to exciting. Looking forward to another good week. Until next time, have a great week!
I was also thinking this week how it had been a while since I found any foreign coins, and the foreign money Gods must have heard me. I found a $2.00 Canadian coin and a 5 cent Canadian coin. The "toonie," as I've been told it is called, is a cool looking coin. It has silver and gold and it kinda big. It was a fun find today.
Other than that, nothing to exciting. Looking forward to another good week. Until next time, have a great week!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
I Heart October
October is always one of my favorite months of the year. I love wearing sweaters and sweatshirts and just being comfortable. This was a good October because I found 42.94 during the month, which is pretty damn good. Finding a $20 bill always helps, but even without it, it would have been a good month.
As I mentioned earlier I also like October because of Monopoly at McDonalds. While I didn't win anything bug, I think I ended up with about 150 Coke Rewards points, a few free Redbox movies and some free pictures from Snapfish. I always like free stuff, so I'll take it.
This week was also pretty good. I found $5.08, including another winning lottery ticket. I seriously don't understand how people scratch of winning tickets and then leave them on the ground. I'm not complaining though. I also found a $.50 coupon to Walgreens, not too exciting, but still pretty good.
Until next week, have a great second week of November!
As I mentioned earlier I also like October because of Monopoly at McDonalds. While I didn't win anything bug, I think I ended up with about 150 Coke Rewards points, a few free Redbox movies and some free pictures from Snapfish. I always like free stuff, so I'll take it.
This week was also pretty good. I found $5.08, including another winning lottery ticket. I seriously don't understand how people scratch of winning tickets and then leave them on the ground. I'm not complaining though. I also found a $.50 coupon to Walgreens, not too exciting, but still pretty good.
Until next week, have a great second week of November!
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Happy Halloween!
$20.00 bill this week!! It really helped because I was on vacation during the Halloween weekend here in Chicago, which is usually a good money weekend, not to mention how fun it is to see parts of people's costumes all over the place.
My total was $20.62, so without the $20 bill, the week would have been a big bust.
I'll be out tomorrow morning to perhaps get some Sunday night Halloween cash leftovers. Plus, I need to run after all the food I ate this weekend.
Happy Halloween everyone!
My total was $20.62, so without the $20 bill, the week would have been a big bust.
I'll be out tomorrow morning to perhaps get some Sunday night Halloween cash leftovers. Plus, I need to run after all the food I ate this weekend.
Happy Halloween everyone!
Sunday, October 23, 2011
A ho-hum $5.00 (close to it)
$4.81 in a week is nothing to sneeze at, so I'm pretty happy with my finds this week. This morning I found $1.84, including 39 pennies. This week had pretty crappy weather too, so another reason to be pleased with my total.
Even though the Bears had a nice win today, I'm still depressed from the Badger loss last night. Heartbreaking. I'm gonna go be sad some more, so this will be short.
I'm on vacation next weekend, so I probably won't have a high find total this week. I'll be back by Sunday evening, so until then, have a great week!
Even though the Bears had a nice win today, I'm still depressed from the Badger loss last night. Heartbreaking. I'm gonna go be sad some more, so this will be short.
I'm on vacation next weekend, so I probably won't have a high find total this week. I'll be back by Sunday evening, so until then, have a great week!
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Hit the Lotto Again
Hey everyone! The Bears are actually playing well right now (knock on wood), so I'm pretty excited. This week was also a good week for finding money, so I'm also excited about that.
On Monday I found an unused lottery ticket, and it was one of the $5.00 ones that has multiple chances to win. It was just on the sidewalk with none of it scratched off. I took it home and scratched it off and won $5.00! So not only did I win $5.00, I got to have the fun of actually scratching off the ticket. Such a joy.
Then today I found $2.80 on my run - all in change (the pic below). I was again carrying around some weight underneath my wristband. That definitely makes my runs more fun and interesting. I found multiple coins in a lot of spots this morning. Good times.
My total for the week was $10.36, a good total. Have a great week and go Bears!
On Monday I found an unused lottery ticket, and it was one of the $5.00 ones that has multiple chances to win. It was just on the sidewalk with none of it scratched off. I took it home and scratched it off and won $5.00! So not only did I win $5.00, I got to have the fun of actually scratching off the ticket. Such a joy.
Then today I found $2.80 on my run - all in change (the pic below). I was again carrying around some weight underneath my wristband. That definitely makes my runs more fun and interesting. I found multiple coins in a lot of spots this morning. Good times.
My total for the week was $10.36, a good total. Have a great week and go Bears!
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Fun October
Happy Sunday everyone! A Sunday in October and I was able to lay out on my deck...it was a good day. A few weeks ago I was running in pants and long sleeves, and this weekend I was out in shorts and t-shirt. By the way, congrats to the Chicago Marathon finishers today. I watched a bit of it because they run pretty close to my house. Inspiring...but I can't do it.
This week I found lots more McDonald's Monopoly codes, but I've only won 30 more Coke points and a free Red Box movie rental. I can only enter 10 codes per day, so I still have some to go. Hopefully I have some better luck with those.
On another note, those Ray Ban sunglasses I found a few weeks back? I got $50 for them on Ebay, so I am super excited! This week, I found $5.18, including another winning lottery ticket. The ticket was only for $1.00, but it's still a bit of a thrill when I find one of those. I also found 1 Canadian cent, so still adding to that total.
We got Bears and Lions on Monday night this week, so we'll see what Tuesday morning brings. Until next week, have a great one!
This week I found lots more McDonald's Monopoly codes, but I've only won 30 more Coke points and a free Red Box movie rental. I can only enter 10 codes per day, so I still have some to go. Hopefully I have some better luck with those.
On another note, those Ray Ban sunglasses I found a few weeks back? I got $50 for them on Ebay, so I am super excited! This week, I found $5.18, including another winning lottery ticket. The ticket was only for $1.00, but it's still a bit of a thrill when I find one of those. I also found 1 Canadian cent, so still adding to that total.
We got Bears and Lions on Monday night this week, so we'll see what Tuesday morning brings. Until next week, have a great one!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
October - I'm Lovin' It
Happy Sunday! It was a good sports weekend for me as the Badgers crushed Nebraska and the Bears beat the Panthers. Yes and yes!
Every year when the calendar turns to October I'm excited for the nice, cool weather, the middle of the college and pro football season, eating lots of fresh apples and of course, Monopoly at McDonald's. Four years and 40 pounds ago, my now husband and I would get McDonald's at least every Sunday to pile up the codes. We ended up winning a $200 American Express gift card, so I was officially hooked. I had played it before, but winning that put me over the edge.
Fast forward to the last two years and 40 pounds less, I hardly ever eat McDonald's. But that doesn't stop me from playing Monopoly - I find codes when I'm running! So far, I've found more than 20 of them and it's only been a week. The only thing I've won so far is 30 Coke Rewards points, but I'm hoping for more. Plus. it adds another fun aspect to my runs. I'll keep you updated on anything else I win.
Since my last update, there have been some milestones - week, month of September and the 3/4 mark of the year. Here's the rundown:
Week: $2.33
Month: $14.04
Year to date: $279.79
I have officially topped my total for all of 2010, so I hope to continue that momentum through these last three months of the year. Until next week, have a good one!
Every year when the calendar turns to October I'm excited for the nice, cool weather, the middle of the college and pro football season, eating lots of fresh apples and of course, Monopoly at McDonald's. Four years and 40 pounds ago, my now husband and I would get McDonald's at least every Sunday to pile up the codes. We ended up winning a $200 American Express gift card, so I was officially hooked. I had played it before, but winning that put me over the edge.
Fast forward to the last two years and 40 pounds less, I hardly ever eat McDonald's. But that doesn't stop me from playing Monopoly - I find codes when I'm running! So far, I've found more than 20 of them and it's only been a week. The only thing I've won so far is 30 Coke Rewards points, but I'm hoping for more. Plus. it adds another fun aspect to my runs. I'll keep you updated on anything else I win.
Since my last update, there have been some milestones - week, month of September and the 3/4 mark of the year. Here's the rundown:
Week: $2.33
Month: $14.04
Year to date: $279.79
I have officially topped my total for all of 2010, so I hope to continue that momentum through these last three months of the year. Until next week, have a good one!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Back from Vaca
Hello again! I'm back from spending the week out in Maine, with a day in Boston and part of a day in New Hampshire. Good times. I didn't find anything fun to write about, but I did find $.27 during my trip without really trying. I had some great lobster, tooled around Boston and got a break from the daily grind, so I can't complain.
In the week before I left, I found $2.46, 10 Canadian cents and a winning lottery ticket that got me a free ticket. Unfortunately, my free ticket wasn't a winner. It was fun buying it though! I also turned the big 31 that week, so I guess I really am an adult.
This morning I was back in Chicago and had a nice run, finding $2.10. That included a dollar bill, so that was nice. My Bears lost to the evil Packers here today, so hopefully there are people out drowning their sorrows and dropping their cash. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's run.
Until next week, have a great one!
In the week before I left, I found $2.46, 10 Canadian cents and a winning lottery ticket that got me a free ticket. Unfortunately, my free ticket wasn't a winner. It was fun buying it though! I also turned the big 31 that week, so I guess I really am an adult.
This morning I was back in Chicago and had a nice run, finding $2.10. That included a dollar bill, so that was nice. My Bears lost to the evil Packers here today, so hopefully there are people out drowning their sorrows and dropping their cash. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's run.
Until next week, have a great one!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Waiting on Some Karma
Good evening folks. This week had a little excitement to it. In addition to the $6.11 I found, I came across a stamp (yay!), the 4 of diamonds (which I needed!), a pair of Ray Ban sunglasses (which I just did a quick eBay search for and it looks like they are worth something!) and a Blackberry phone.
I found the phone on Friday morning on the street in Wrigleyville. I checked out the text messages to see if I could get in contact with the owner, and he had, in fact, texted himself with a contact number to reach him at if you found the phone. Good tip to everyone - do this, it's easy to find the info if someone does want to return your phone.
In the text, he said he would give $200 to return the phone. I called and spoke to him and just said I wanted him to get his phone back. We met up at a Starbucks and I gave it to him for nothing in return - he did offer to buy me Starbucks though. I didn't need anything from him because I wasn't that inconvenienced, but now I am looking for some nice karma - perhaps in the form of some nice paper money finds... We shall see.
Next week I will be on vacation, so I won't have an update next Sunday. Hopefully I will have some good finds to share the following week. Have a great week everyone!
I found the phone on Friday morning on the street in Wrigleyville. I checked out the text messages to see if I could get in contact with the owner, and he had, in fact, texted himself with a contact number to reach him at if you found the phone. Good tip to everyone - do this, it's easy to find the info if someone does want to return your phone.
In the text, he said he would give $200 to return the phone. I called and spoke to him and just said I wanted him to get his phone back. We met up at a Starbucks and I gave it to him for nothing in return - he did offer to buy me Starbucks though. I didn't need anything from him because I wasn't that inconvenienced, but now I am looking for some nice karma - perhaps in the form of some nice paper money finds... We shall see.
Next week I will be on vacation, so I won't have an update next Sunday. Hopefully I will have some good finds to share the following week. Have a great week everyone!
Monday, September 5, 2011
Happy Labor Day
Happy Labor Day and happy Monday - I know I'm a day late but today is the end of my weekend, so I figured I'd post tonight. I won't include today's finds in the week's totals though.
So this week was pretty fun. I found $7.35, which is the highest I've had in a little while. What made it really fun though was finding a $50 gift certificate to a restaurant in Wrigleyville called The Stretch. The beauty is that this is a bar that we have been to a few times and definitely will go to again. It's like finding $50 - even though I'm not counting it that way. Super excited.
I also found a coin, or token, that has "Recuerda Matrimonial" on it, which apparently is part of a Mexican wedding tradition. I am wondering how there was just one out on the street and I kinda feel bad that someone lost it. Maybe they will read this blog and I can return it to them, hehe.
I also have my August total: $23.75. I only found $10.06 last August, so a vast improvement. I'm looking forward to some cooler weather and some nice fall runs and walks this month. Have a great week!
So this week was pretty fun. I found $7.35, which is the highest I've had in a little while. What made it really fun though was finding a $50 gift certificate to a restaurant in Wrigleyville called The Stretch. The beauty is that this is a bar that we have been to a few times and definitely will go to again. It's like finding $50 - even though I'm not counting it that way. Super excited.
I also found a coin, or token, that has "Recuerda Matrimonial" on it, which apparently is part of a Mexican wedding tradition. I am wondering how there was just one out on the street and I kinda feel bad that someone lost it. Maybe they will read this blog and I can return it to them, hehe.
I also have my August total: $23.75. I only found $10.06 last August, so a vast improvement. I'm looking forward to some cooler weather and some nice fall runs and walks this month. Have a great week!
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Walking for $
This week I was extra happy that I live in Chicago and had nice weather. Some pretty rough stuff out there on the East coast. My thoughts are with everyone effected by the storm.
So I started walking some more this week, and I'm really enjoying it. Plus, it gives me more chances to find money and other fun stuff. This week it didn't translate into any fun stuff, but I did find a little more money than I would have. One of these times I'm going to take my camera so hopefully I can add some nice visuals to my blog.
I found $3.92 this week, all in change. It was just a little bit every morning on my runs and a little more every night on my walks. Next week I'll have my August totals, so that's always fun for me. Have a great week everyone!
So I started walking some more this week, and I'm really enjoying it. Plus, it gives me more chances to find money and other fun stuff. This week it didn't translate into any fun stuff, but I did find a little more money than I would have. One of these times I'm going to take my camera so hopefully I can add some nice visuals to my blog.
I found $3.92 this week, all in change. It was just a little bit every morning on my runs and a little more every night on my walks. Next week I'll have my August totals, so that's always fun for me. Have a great week everyone!
Monday, August 22, 2011
Biggest Coin Ever
Hey friends, sorry I'm a night late on this. I was out west in Washington this weekend and had a flight delay and a dead laptop battery, so I wasn't able to post last night.
So this week's total doesn't include any weekend running finds - a shame because it was Cubs and Cardinals at Wrigley, so there was probably some money to be found. Oh well, I had some good food and good wine on my trip.
That doesn't mean I didn't find anything good this week. My total was $2.78, so not too bad. I did find a $1.00 bill on Thursday, so that was helpful. I also found a British pound coin. It is the biggest coin I've ever seen. It's huge, but basically irrelevant. I also found a book of stamps that had three stamps still in it and a $5.00 coupon to Seamless.com, which is an online food-ordering site. Can't complain.
So until next week, have a great one!
So this week's total doesn't include any weekend running finds - a shame because it was Cubs and Cardinals at Wrigley, so there was probably some money to be found. Oh well, I had some good food and good wine on my trip.
That doesn't mean I didn't find anything good this week. My total was $2.78, so not too bad. I did find a $1.00 bill on Thursday, so that was helpful. I also found a British pound coin. It is the biggest coin I've ever seen. It's huge, but basically irrelevant. I also found a book of stamps that had three stamps still in it and a $5.00 coupon to Seamless.com, which is an online food-ordering site. Can't complain.
So until next week, have a great one!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
A Regular Week
I have to say that this week wasn't too exciting for money finding. I was out of town for most of the week, so that didn' help things. I did find $2.05 this morning, all in change, so I was carrying around a lot of coins. I also found a Canadian penny to add to my foreign finds. I did come across three full cans of Coke, which was kind of random. Even though they were closed, I would be nervous drinking them. I was running so it's not like I would have picked them up anyway. All in all, my total for the week was $3.64 - not too bad.
There is a street festival going on right now in my neighborhood, so I'm looking forward to getting out there tomorrow morning. Hopefully I get a good haul for a Monday.
I'm out of town again next weekend, so we'll see what this week brings. Until next time, have a great week!
There is a street festival going on right now in my neighborhood, so I'm looking forward to getting out there tomorrow morning. Hopefully I get a good haul for a Monday.
I'm out of town again next weekend, so we'll see what this week brings. Until next time, have a great week!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Different Kind of Cash
Happy August everyone! It's been nice and hot here, but it's supposed to cool off a bit this week. I think it's been a while since I talked about the weather, so I figured I would start off this post with some small talk.
So this week was kinda fun. I found $9.26 which is great but I also found $20 in Kohls cash, which I have found is basically a gift certificate. It isn't a store I normally shop at, but I went to the website and bought a fun little something. You can't beat free, especially when it's $20 worth of free. In the foreign money department, I found 5 euro cents and 2 grosze, which is the second time I have found Polish money.
This coming week's total may be a little low because I will be out of town for most of the week for work and a mini vacation. Maybe I'll just hit the jackpot in one day (knock on wood). I'll be back next Sunday though, so until then, have a great week.
So this week was kinda fun. I found $9.26 which is great but I also found $20 in Kohls cash, which I have found is basically a gift certificate. It isn't a store I normally shop at, but I went to the website and bought a fun little something. You can't beat free, especially when it's $20 worth of free. In the foreign money department, I found 5 euro cents and 2 grosze, which is the second time I have found Polish money.
This coming week's total may be a little low because I will be out of town for most of the week for work and a mini vacation. Maybe I'll just hit the jackpot in one day (knock on wood). I'll be back next Sunday though, so until then, have a great week.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
A Nice July
If last week was "naked guy" week, this week was "seemingly well put together guy sleeping outside" week. Two separate times I saw young men in nice clothes and nice shoes sleeping outside. One guy was on a bench in a bank entry way and another was on a front step. When I saw the guy on the front step, I also heard music playing, which I assume was his cell phone - either a call coming in or his alarm going off. Not that it mattered, he was passed out and couldn't hear it. I'd love to hear these guys' stories the next day.
I had another good week - or at least a good day. This morning I found $8.74, including a $5.00 bill and two $1.00 bills. They were in three different spots again, which is now only the second time in my life that's happened. My weekly total was $9.84, so you can see that it really was just one big day.
Being July 31, I did have the fun time of counting up all my money for the month this evening. Drum roll... $60.35! I am pretty excited, didn't think it was that much. That included 385 pennies and more than $10.00 in quarters. Both of those are records. In July 2010, I only found $10.85, so this just adds to me being way ahead of my 2010 totals.
Hopefully this coming week will be good as well - Paul McCartney is playing Wrigley Field tonight and tomorrow so I am looking forward to running this week. I hope I didn't jinx it. Knock on wood and have a great week.
I had another good week - or at least a good day. This morning I found $8.74, including a $5.00 bill and two $1.00 bills. They were in three different spots again, which is now only the second time in my life that's happened. My weekly total was $9.84, so you can see that it really was just one big day.
Being July 31, I did have the fun time of counting up all my money for the month this evening. Drum roll... $60.35! I am pretty excited, didn't think it was that much. That included 385 pennies and more than $10.00 in quarters. Both of those are records. In July 2010, I only found $10.85, so this just adds to me being way ahead of my 2010 totals.
Hopefully this coming week will be good as well - Paul McCartney is playing Wrigley Field tonight and tomorrow so I am looking forward to running this week. I hope I didn't jinx it. Knock on wood and have a great week.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Surpise!
So this week got started with a bang as I saw a naked man on my way out to go running on Monday morning. He was sleeping peacefully, so I decided to go a slightly different direction as to not wake him from his naked slumber. How I love this city. One of my friends said that it was Henry from "The Time Traveler's Wife," so that's what I'm going with.
Other than that, lots of change this week. I found $8.27 all in coins, which makes for fun runs. I also found $.26 in Canadian money and the Ace of Clubs - which I didn't have so that's exciting. I'm getting closer and closer to the full deck. For all of you Jackyl fans out there, I came across a guitar pick of Jeff Worley's. I'm keeping it for when they get really big.
I guess this will be a short update this week. Next week I'll have my July totals, which I'm definitely looking forward to counting. Have a great week!
Other than that, lots of change this week. I found $8.27 all in coins, which makes for fun runs. I also found $.26 in Canadian money and the Ace of Clubs - which I didn't have so that's exciting. I'm getting closer and closer to the full deck. For all of you Jackyl fans out there, I came across a guitar pick of Jeff Worley's. I'm keeping it for when they get really big.
I guess this will be a short update this week. Next week I'll have my July totals, which I'm definitely looking forward to counting. Have a great week!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Cash and More
A good week was capped off by a brilliant day this morning. I found a $10.00 bill, $5.00 bill and $1.00 bill all in different spots. That's a first for me. I've found paper money twice in one run but never in three different spots. I also found $1.58 in change, including 43 pennies. Yeah, I was carrying quite the load today. I love it, though!
A couple of other high notes this week include $5.00 in Cubs cash, which is good at Wrigley Field for pretty much anything I want. Since I'm going to the Cubs game next Saturday, that will come in handy. It's like finding cash, but I'm not counting it that way. I also found a $1.00 McDonald's certificate, so that's kinda cool. I don't go there too often, but I perhaps see some McDonald's ice cream in my future because it's supposed to be super hot this week. Speaking of ice cream, I also found a Buy One Get One Free coupon for a concrete mixer at Culver's. I love me some Culver's, but too bad there isn't one anywhere near me.
On the odd side of things, I also found two neckties this week. I debated picking them up because I don't really have a need for them and I didn't really feel like carrying them. I ended up grabbing them and they actually fit pretty nicely in my shorts pockets. I am keeping an eye on the ebay to see if there ends being a market for them.
My total for the week was $21.99, so July has been very successful so far. I hope everyone has a great week and I hope to have another great total to share next Sunday!
A couple of other high notes this week include $5.00 in Cubs cash, which is good at Wrigley Field for pretty much anything I want. Since I'm going to the Cubs game next Saturday, that will come in handy. It's like finding cash, but I'm not counting it that way. I also found a $1.00 McDonald's certificate, so that's kinda cool. I don't go there too often, but I perhaps see some McDonald's ice cream in my future because it's supposed to be super hot this week. Speaking of ice cream, I also found a Buy One Get One Free coupon for a concrete mixer at Culver's. I love me some Culver's, but too bad there isn't one anywhere near me.
On the odd side of things, I also found two neckties this week. I debated picking them up because I don't really have a need for them and I didn't really feel like carrying them. I ended up grabbing them and they actually fit pretty nicely in my shorts pockets. I am keeping an eye on the ebay to see if there ends being a market for them.
My total for the week was $21.99, so July has been very successful so far. I hope everyone has a great week and I hope to have another great total to share next Sunday!
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Cash, Police and Lotto
I'm no stranger to seeing parked police cars when I'm out running, but today the were busy at work. Right when I was running by a few police cars (and from what I could see, nothing was going on), I heard "Please exit the building with your arms in the air. I want to see your hands." I put a little extra giddy-up in my step at that point to get past that situation. I saw them walk in to a diner and I didn't hear anything else. I didn't see anything in the news either. I guess I'll never know.
The other exciting thing that happened this week was finding a $10.00 bill on my way back from the grocery store on Monday. I was walking on some random side street and there it was, smiling at me on the road. Good times.
This morning I found my second winning lottery ticket. It was only a dollar, but I'll take it. It was one of those automatic winners where you get the cash symbol and you win no matter what. I mean, it doesn't get any easier than that. Now I have to start looking at more lottery tickets because who knows how many winners are out there. This could become troublesome though because there are a LOT of lottery tickets out there. I'll have to be strategic about it.
My total for the week was $14.29, so pretty damn good. Talk to you next Sunday!
The other exciting thing that happened this week was finding a $10.00 bill on my way back from the grocery store on Monday. I was walking on some random side street and there it was, smiling at me on the road. Good times.
This morning I found my second winning lottery ticket. It was only a dollar, but I'll take it. It was one of those automatic winners where you get the cash symbol and you win no matter what. I mean, it doesn't get any easier than that. Now I have to start looking at more lottery tickets because who knows how many winners are out there. This could become troublesome though because there are a LOT of lottery tickets out there. I'll have to be strategic about it.
My total for the week was $14.29, so pretty damn good. Talk to you next Sunday!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Happy 4th of July
Well, I can't believe that we are halfway through 2011. It's been a fun six months chronicling my street finds, not to mention a lucrative six months. I've got three updates for you this week so let's get right to it.
This week I found $7.99, so that's pretty good. I found my first dollar coin, which was exciting. Usually when I see a gold coin it's either foreign money, a car wash token or some type of gaming token. So when I saw that it was actually cash, I was kinda stoked. In addition to the money, I found coupons for free Ball Park hot dogs, a free Jimmy Dean product and a free case of water from the Jewel. Between the three, they are valued at up to $16.00, so that's almost better than finding the money...especially when we had a barbecue with some friends last night and needed to buy hot dogs and water. It doesn't get better than free.
My June monthly total was $32.35, so that is also exciting. The cool thing is that it is only my third highest monthly total of the year. I kinda hope that ranking falls over the rest of the year. I'll take $32 every month.
Lastly, my total for the first six months of the year is $181.65. I'm thrilled with that because my total for all of 2010 was $260. I don't want to jinx anything, but hopefully I can keep up that pace.
I hope you all had a great 4th of July weekend. Talk to you next week!
This week I found $7.99, so that's pretty good. I found my first dollar coin, which was exciting. Usually when I see a gold coin it's either foreign money, a car wash token or some type of gaming token. So when I saw that it was actually cash, I was kinda stoked. In addition to the money, I found coupons for free Ball Park hot dogs, a free Jimmy Dean product and a free case of water from the Jewel. Between the three, they are valued at up to $16.00, so that's almost better than finding the money...especially when we had a barbecue with some friends last night and needed to buy hot dogs and water. It doesn't get better than free.
My June monthly total was $32.35, so that is also exciting. The cool thing is that it is only my third highest monthly total of the year. I kinda hope that ranking falls over the rest of the year. I'll take $32 every month.
Lastly, my total for the first six months of the year is $181.65. I'm thrilled with that because my total for all of 2010 was $260. I don't want to jinx anything, but hopefully I can keep up that pace.
I hope you all had a great 4th of July weekend. Talk to you next week!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Money and More
It was fun times this week as I found paper money on three different days...a $5.00 bill on Wednesday, a $1.00 bill on Thursday and it was capped with a $10.00 bill today. Fun times indeed.
It wasn't just cash this week though. I found my first winning lottery ticket! It was only $1.00, but I get excited about finding an actual $1.00 bill. I walked into my local 7-11 and cashed that baby in, and I counted it in my total this week. I also found a Visa gift card that has $.55 on it, which isn't that exciting but still kinda fun.
Then today I found two coupons for completely free food. I can get a free package of Ball Park hot dogs for up to $4.99, and a free Jimmy Dean product up to $6.99. That's $12.00 in free food, and with it being grilling season, both of those will come in handy. I love me some coupons.
In the foreign money finding category, I found a Canadian nickel, 5 Euro cents and 10 Groszy, which apparently is Polish money.
So my total for the week was $20.61, which is the best I've had in a while. Next week I'll have my June total as well as a half-year total. I'm looking forward to counting up my finds at the halfway point. Until next time, have a great week!
It wasn't just cash this week though. I found my first winning lottery ticket! It was only $1.00, but I get excited about finding an actual $1.00 bill. I walked into my local 7-11 and cashed that baby in, and I counted it in my total this week. I also found a Visa gift card that has $.55 on it, which isn't that exciting but still kinda fun.
Then today I found two coupons for completely free food. I can get a free package of Ball Park hot dogs for up to $4.99, and a free Jimmy Dean product up to $6.99. That's $12.00 in free food, and with it being grilling season, both of those will come in handy. I love me some coupons.
In the foreign money finding category, I found a Canadian nickel, 5 Euro cents and 10 Groszy, which apparently is Polish money.
So my total for the week was $20.61, which is the best I've had in a while. Next week I'll have my June total as well as a half-year total. I'm looking forward to counting up my finds at the halfway point. Until next time, have a great week!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
More Randomness
I saw some random stuff this week in addition to a nice cash haul. $4.61 is my best week of the month so far, and it was spread throughout the week. No big bills or anything, just nice daily totals.
Some of the other things I came across:
Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there. Have a great week everyone!
Some of the other things I came across:
- A flask that felt pretty full. I didn't take it, but it looked like a pretty nice one.
- A box of shot glasses. I'm sure there's a bar somewhere wondering where they are.
- 1 Euro cent. Another addition to my foreign money collection.
- A CB radio. It was the microphone part and the cord. looked someone ripped it out from a truck. Pretty random I'd say.
- A free lemonade coupon from McDonald's.
- The regular stuff like lighters, chapstick, lipstick and keys. I saw a lot of keys this week. Don't people miss those when they drop them?
Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there. Have a great week everyone!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Money I Can't Have
There was another story making news in Chicago this week about a guy who found $17,000 and turned it in. Like I've said before, that is the dream for someone like me. The guy said he never thought about keeping it and has a clear conscience. In this case, I have to agree with him. He found a clear plastic bag (like a Brinks bag), next to an ATM in a bank parking lot. It's pretty clear where the money was from. I would turn it in too...after some hesitation, I'm sure. Now, if it had been in a brown paper bag on the sidewalk with no businesses around, it may be a different story. I do have to say that if I did find $17,000, I probably wouldn't blog about it, so sorry, you wouldn't hear the tale. I can assure you that the most money I've found at one time was $50, so I'm not keeping anything from you....yet.
In other news of money I can't have, I was running on Wednesday along my normal route and saw 2 quarters and a penny on the sidewalk. Of course I got excited and bent down to pick it up. To my surprise, it was glued to the ground. And glued with some pretty strong stuff. Being me, I tried to pick them up for about 10 seconds and then moved on, laughing. I started singing (in my head) "I always feel like somebody's watching me," because I did feel like somewhere someone was staring out their window laughing at me trying to pick it up. Otherwise, why in the hell would you glue money to the ground?
It did take me back a couple of years to when I was a manager at a retail store and my associates would glue money to ground in front of the store just to watch me try and pick it up. They found this hilarious, as did I, when I found out they did it. It also provided entertainment for me when I was in the store watching other people try to pick it up. You would be surprised what people will go to for some change. I remember one guy went back to his car and got a tool and was able to pry it off the concrete. Another lady worked to pry it up for at least a minute. I haven't gone that far yet, but the $.51 glued down along my route will torment me every time I run by it.
Despite that, I found $3.73 this week, including two $1.00 bills yesterday. I also found a Canadian penny and a 10% off coupon to a popular bar in Wrigleyville. It was a pretty good week. Until next time, have a great one!
In other news of money I can't have, I was running on Wednesday along my normal route and saw 2 quarters and a penny on the sidewalk. Of course I got excited and bent down to pick it up. To my surprise, it was glued to the ground. And glued with some pretty strong stuff. Being me, I tried to pick them up for about 10 seconds and then moved on, laughing. I started singing (in my head) "I always feel like somebody's watching me," because I did feel like somewhere someone was staring out their window laughing at me trying to pick it up. Otherwise, why in the hell would you glue money to the ground?
It did take me back a couple of years to when I was a manager at a retail store and my associates would glue money to ground in front of the store just to watch me try and pick it up. They found this hilarious, as did I, when I found out they did it. It also provided entertainment for me when I was in the store watching other people try to pick it up. You would be surprised what people will go to for some change. I remember one guy went back to his car and got a tool and was able to pry it off the concrete. Another lady worked to pry it up for at least a minute. I haven't gone that far yet, but the $.51 glued down along my route will torment me every time I run by it.
Despite that, I found $3.73 this week, including two $1.00 bills yesterday. I also found a Canadian penny and a 10% off coupon to a popular bar in Wrigleyville. It was a pretty good week. Until next time, have a great one!
Monday, June 6, 2011
June in the City
So is the nice weather finally here? It sure feels like it (knock on wood). I don't like going from shorts and a sleeveless shirt on Tuesday and pants, long sleeves and gloves on Thursday. It doesn't get much better than summer in Chicago, so I hope it's here to stay.
I do want to look back on May one more time for my monthly total...$19.50. I'll take it considering I missed a weekend on vacation. Speaking of vacation, I was out of town this past weekend for a wedding and a short trip to Pittsburgh. Great friends and great times.
Being gone this weekend brought down my weekly total to $1.33. It was only that good because I walked to the bank before we left on Saturday morning and found $.54. Gotta love walking a few blocks down and finding more than I sometimes find when I cover 8 miles. Last week I also found a Cheap Trick guitar pick. I don't know if it was actually used by them, in fact I'm pretty sure it isn't because their tour schedule didn't say they were here last week, but I may tell people it's real...
Well until next week, have a good one and happy first week of June!
I do want to look back on May one more time for my monthly total...$19.50. I'll take it considering I missed a weekend on vacation. Speaking of vacation, I was out of town this past weekend for a wedding and a short trip to Pittsburgh. Great friends and great times.
Being gone this weekend brought down my weekly total to $1.33. It was only that good because I walked to the bank before we left on Saturday morning and found $.54. Gotta love walking a few blocks down and finding more than I sometimes find when I cover 8 miles. Last week I also found a Cheap Trick guitar pick. I don't know if it was actually used by them, in fact I'm pretty sure it isn't because their tour schedule didn't say they were here last week, but I may tell people it's real...
Well until next week, have a good one and happy first week of June!
Monday, May 30, 2011
The Highs and the Lows
Wow, was it nice today. This would be the high....a high of 90 I'm pretty sure. The color of my skin has definitely gone from pale to a shade of red that will soon become tan. I expect this weather on weekends for the next three months. When people say they love Chicago in summer, this is what they are talking about.
The lows...the Bulls got knocked out of the playoffs this week. I actually wanted them to keep winning. I normally hate the NBA, but this Bulls team drew me in and then let me down. I have to admit, I have selfish reasons for being upset they lost as well. You see, local teams in the playoffs leads to people being excited, which leads to bars having parties and people being out at these bars watching these games, and the farther these teams get, these bar parties spill over to the street and people get really excited...you see where I'm going. More people out and about celebrating, means more drunk people dropping money, which more opportunities for me. Oh, well, we always have the Cubs crowds...even though that's becoming a bit of a joke as well. Don't get me started.
Well as you've noticed I waited until Monday to write this week because of the holiday. I figured I'd have a good day today, and I was half right. Lots of coins...majority pennies. I don't mind it though, it's always fun seeing the cash. This week, I found $4.71, which isn't bad. I also found a coupon for a free coffee at Einstein Bagels that I will give away because I don't drink coffee. Maybe I'll sell it... hehe. Other than that, I saw a full cupcake and a textbook on environmental alternatives. Nothing else overly exciting.
I am taking next Sunday off again as I will be in Pittsburgh and West Virginia for a wedding. I'll be back on Monday and will update you on my May totals. Have a great week everyone!
The lows...the Bulls got knocked out of the playoffs this week. I actually wanted them to keep winning. I normally hate the NBA, but this Bulls team drew me in and then let me down. I have to admit, I have selfish reasons for being upset they lost as well. You see, local teams in the playoffs leads to people being excited, which leads to bars having parties and people being out at these bars watching these games, and the farther these teams get, these bar parties spill over to the street and people get really excited...you see where I'm going. More people out and about celebrating, means more drunk people dropping money, which more opportunities for me. Oh, well, we always have the Cubs crowds...even though that's becoming a bit of a joke as well. Don't get me started.
Well as you've noticed I waited until Monday to write this week because of the holiday. I figured I'd have a good day today, and I was half right. Lots of coins...majority pennies. I don't mind it though, it's always fun seeing the cash. This week, I found $4.71, which isn't bad. I also found a coupon for a free coffee at Einstein Bagels that I will give away because I don't drink coffee. Maybe I'll sell it... hehe. Other than that, I saw a full cupcake and a textbook on environmental alternatives. Nothing else overly exciting.
I am taking next Sunday off again as I will be in Pittsburgh and West Virginia for a wedding. I'll be back on Monday and will update you on my May totals. Have a great week everyone!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Back to the Grind
Hello again everyone! It's good to be back after a week off of sharing my finds. I know I mentioned that I would write something last week if I felt moved enough, but on my NYC vacation I found only $.28...and $.10 of that was in the St. Louis airport (return direct flight cancelled, rebooked with a three hour layover at St. Louis airport, lovely). I was pretty surprised that was all I found considering we walked quite a bit in New York. Good thing I had lots of other things to distract me. Great trip.
Back in the Chi, I saw some pretty random things since I last posted, including a couple of shot glasses, a pair of actual glasses, someone's metal mailbox (that is usually attached to buildings) and some business signs on the street that said "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year." I don't know where they were hiding all if this time, but it did make me laugh to see them laying on the street. This morning, I actually found someone's $100 savings bond. I'm mailing it to them tomorrow, but you'd thing people would be a little more careful!
So, with the $.28 from vacation, I found $4.82 over the past two weeks, including $2.22 this morning all in change. You can see today's haul in the picture. It was a pretty fun run this morning. Until next time, everyone have a great week!
Back in the Chi, I saw some pretty random things since I last posted, including a couple of shot glasses, a pair of actual glasses, someone's metal mailbox (that is usually attached to buildings) and some business signs on the street that said "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year." I don't know where they were hiding all if this time, but it did make me laugh to see them laying on the street. This morning, I actually found someone's $100 savings bond. I'm mailing it to them tomorrow, but you'd thing people would be a little more careful!
So, with the $.28 from vacation, I found $4.82 over the past two weeks, including $2.22 this morning all in change. You can see today's haul in the picture. It was a pretty fun run this morning. Until next time, everyone have a great week!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
NYC Here I Come
It was a pleasant Sunday in Chicago today, sunny and 60 degrees. It was nice to not have to bundle up for my run this morning and also nice to be able to walk around during the day without 4 layers of clothing. I hope it's this nice next weekend in New York City, because I'm heading there on Thursday. I can't wait. So I know it will be heartbreaking for you, but I won't have a blog post next Sunday. Well, I guess I could find something in NYC that moves me to write something, so there's a chance I'll put something up.
This week I found $3.58, so nothing too crazy. I found a $1.00 bill this morning along with a Dooney & Bourke ID/business card case. Too bad there isn't a bigger eBay audience for that...believe me I checked. If anyone wants it, I'll sell it to the highest bidder.
Earlier this week I found the 7 of clubs, which is one I didn't already have, so that was exciting. I also think it's funny that it was from a deck that looks like hundred dollar bills. There was a split-second when I first saw the card when I thought I hit the jackpot. Oh well. Someday it will happen for real. Knock on wood.
Talk to everyone soon, I hope the moms had a great Mother's Day!
This week I found $3.58, so nothing too crazy. I found a $1.00 bill this morning along with a Dooney & Bourke ID/business card case. Too bad there isn't a bigger eBay audience for that...believe me I checked. If anyone wants it, I'll sell it to the highest bidder.
Earlier this week I found the 7 of clubs, which is one I didn't already have, so that was exciting. I also think it's funny that it was from a deck that looks like hundred dollar bills. There was a split-second when I first saw the card when I thought I hit the jackpot. Oh well. Someday it will happen for real. Knock on wood.
Talk to everyone soon, I hope the moms had a great Mother's Day!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Happy May Day!
The month was good, the week was good and the new month is off to a good start.
The end of the month is always exciting for me as I get to count up my monthly windfalls...especially when I know it was a good one. This April didn't disappoint as I found $35.83. That doesn't match April 2010 because that was the glorious month that I found a $50. I reminisced about that today as I was counting up my cash. Good times. I will take $35 anytime though.
In a shorter term, I found $10.30 this week. I found over $1.00 on Wednesday, which is good for a weekday. I'm sure it helped that the night before the Bulls and Blackhawks both had pivotal playoff games and people were out at the bars. I'm not ashamed I kinda planned my running week that way. Plus, the weather was much better on Wednesday than Tuesday. I also found a $5.00 bill this morning not far from my house. Not having to go far for cash is always nice, plus it gets the run off to a good start.
Speaking of good starts, that $5.00 does kick May off well. Hopefully the good finds keep on coming. Also this week, I found a Canadian penny to add to my foreign totals. This morning I saw the book, "Something Borrowed" right on the sidewalk. I do read, so I was intrigued. If I'd been walking, I probably would have grabbed it, but I feel like I say that about a lot of things. I will not be seeing that movie, by the way. I do love Ginnifer Goodwin from her time on "Ed," though. One of these days it will be released on DVD, and I will be a happy gal. But I digress.
I hope everyone has a great first week of May. Talk to you next weekend!
The end of the month is always exciting for me as I get to count up my monthly windfalls...especially when I know it was a good one. This April didn't disappoint as I found $35.83. That doesn't match April 2010 because that was the glorious month that I found a $50. I reminisced about that today as I was counting up my cash. Good times. I will take $35 anytime though.
In a shorter term, I found $10.30 this week. I found over $1.00 on Wednesday, which is good for a weekday. I'm sure it helped that the night before the Bulls and Blackhawks both had pivotal playoff games and people were out at the bars. I'm not ashamed I kinda planned my running week that way. Plus, the weather was much better on Wednesday than Tuesday. I also found a $5.00 bill this morning not far from my house. Not having to go far for cash is always nice, plus it gets the run off to a good start.
Speaking of good starts, that $5.00 does kick May off well. Hopefully the good finds keep on coming. Also this week, I found a Canadian penny to add to my foreign totals. This morning I saw the book, "Something Borrowed" right on the sidewalk. I do read, so I was intrigued. If I'd been walking, I probably would have grabbed it, but I feel like I say that about a lot of things. I will not be seeing that movie, by the way. I do love Ginnifer Goodwin from her time on "Ed," though. One of these days it will be released on DVD, and I will be a happy gal. But I digress.
I hope everyone has a great first week of May. Talk to you next weekend!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Finding Money and Saving Money
Happy Sunday everyone! I hope everyone had a good week. This week turned out to be a pretty good money-finding week as well as some other fun stuff.
I found $11.05 this week, including $7.14 on Saturday with a $5.00 bill and $1.00 bill sitting right there for the taking on a main road. I love it. Also on Saturday, I saw a few sets of bunny ears and a My Little Pony doll. There must have been some Easter bar parties on Friday night and perhaps a little girl's play date as well. I hadn't seen a My Little Pony in years, didn't know they were still out there. None of those things were still there this morning so hopefully someone else is getting some use out of them. To add to my foreign money totals, I found another full euro coin.
This week was also a mini gold mine for coupons. I'm a big coupon clipper - nowhere near the people on TV- but I do enjoy getting the coupons from the Sunday paper and online websites. This probably doesn't come as much as a surprise as this blog is all about finding money. So when I can save money while running as well, I'll take it. On Thursday, I found two free drink coupons on any Southwest Airlines flight, which will come in quite handy as I am flying Southwest to a wedding in June. On Saturday, I found a $2.00 off coupon to Jewel, which also came in handy as I was planning on shopping there this weekend. Lastly, today I found a $25 off coupon to Sports Authority. To be fair, I saw about 10 of them because they are a giveaway at Cubs games, but I do need a few things from there, so that will also come in handy. Finding coupons isn't as fun as cold, hard cash, but it is a nice change of pace!
I look forward to sharing my monthyl total next week. Until then, have a great last week of April!
I found $11.05 this week, including $7.14 on Saturday with a $5.00 bill and $1.00 bill sitting right there for the taking on a main road. I love it. Also on Saturday, I saw a few sets of bunny ears and a My Little Pony doll. There must have been some Easter bar parties on Friday night and perhaps a little girl's play date as well. I hadn't seen a My Little Pony in years, didn't know they were still out there. None of those things were still there this morning so hopefully someone else is getting some use out of them. To add to my foreign money totals, I found another full euro coin.
This week was also a mini gold mine for coupons. I'm a big coupon clipper - nowhere near the people on TV- but I do enjoy getting the coupons from the Sunday paper and online websites. This probably doesn't come as much as a surprise as this blog is all about finding money. So when I can save money while running as well, I'll take it. On Thursday, I found two free drink coupons on any Southwest Airlines flight, which will come in quite handy as I am flying Southwest to a wedding in June. On Saturday, I found a $2.00 off coupon to Jewel, which also came in handy as I was planning on shopping there this weekend. Lastly, today I found a $25 off coupon to Sports Authority. To be fair, I saw about 10 of them because they are a giveaway at Cubs games, but I do need a few things from there, so that will also come in handy. Finding coupons isn't as fun as cold, hard cash, but it is a nice change of pace!
I look forward to sharing my monthyl total next week. Until then, have a great last week of April!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
First Race of the Season
Yesterday I kicked off my "summer" racing season with a 10 mile race along the lakefront. It was pretty awesome with the 20 mph winds and cold rain for the first 5 miles. The rain stopped after the first half, but the wind did not. Oh well, I finished the race at a pretty easy pace and felt good afterwards. One thing I love about races is all of the sponsors set up afterwards giving away free stuff. I took home quite the stash of water, energy drinks, fruit and chips. Since I sacrificed a lucrative Saturday morning normal run, I guess I can't complain with what I got.
Since I did miss my Saturday run, my weekly total was $1.81. Not bad but not great either. This week I saw a fun big, fancy wig that I hope was part of a costume, a motorcycle kickstand just by itself and a book of CD's. The CD book had about 15 CD's in it including Missy Elliot Under Construction, Bob Marley's Greatest Hits, Alicia Keys Unplugged among others. If I had been walking I may have picked it up, but hopefully its owner was able to go back and find it.
Other than that, nothing too exciting this week. Have a great one!
Since I did miss my Saturday run, my weekly total was $1.81. Not bad but not great either. This week I saw a fun big, fancy wig that I hope was part of a costume, a motorcycle kickstand just by itself and a book of CD's. The CD book had about 15 CD's in it including Missy Elliot Under Construction, Bob Marley's Greatest Hits, Alicia Keys Unplugged among others. If I had been walking I may have picked it up, but hopefully its owner was able to go back and find it.
Other than that, nothing too exciting this week. Have a great one!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Vodka Neat...on the Street
So I always see a lot of empty beer bottles, cans, liquor bottles and sometimes even wine bottles when I'm out running. Every once in a while one gives me pause and I wonder how it got there. This week, I saw a bottle of Grey Goose on the sidewalk. It was a big bottle and it wasn't near someone's porch, it was just randomly sitting on the sidewalk. So I have to wonder...someone spent some good money on a bottle of a vodka and then felt compelled to drink it on the sidewalk straight out of the bottle? If I splurge for the Grey Goose, I'm going to fake being classy and have some nice drinks in my house.
Now that may not be what happened, but that's the best I could come up with so I'm sticking with it. And, it's fun for me to picture someone drinking straight Grey Goose from the bottle, walking down the sidewalk, finishing it, setting it down and then continuing down the street. These may be the same people that drop their change on the ground.
Speaking of change on the ground...I found $7.97 this week, including a $5.00 bill. In the foreign money-finding department, I also found a Canadian penny, 20 Euro cents and what I'm assuming is some type of coin from Switzerland because it says Helvetica on it. All in all, another good week.
Until next time, have a great week!
Now that may not be what happened, but that's the best I could come up with so I'm sticking with it. And, it's fun for me to picture someone drinking straight Grey Goose from the bottle, walking down the sidewalk, finishing it, setting it down and then continuing down the street. These may be the same people that drop their change on the ground.
Speaking of change on the ground...I found $7.97 this week, including a $5.00 bill. In the foreign money-finding department, I also found a Canadian penny, 20 Euro cents and what I'm assuming is some type of coin from Switzerland because it says Helvetica on it. All in all, another good week.
Until next time, have a great week!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
A Quarter Down
I kinda can't believe that it's April already, a quarter of 2011 is over. It's been a great three months of finding money, and I've enjoyed sharing my findings on this blog. March was a great month for me with a total of $58.35 in found cash. Finding two twenties lead to that, but I'll take $18.35 by itself any month. I found 285 pennies in March, which is at least 100 more than I've ever found in a month before. Through the first quarter of the year I have $93.97. At this point last year I had $36.06, so I'll say it's been a good three months.
April is off to a good start as well. This week I found $11.76, including $8.05 today with a $5.00 bill and a $1.00 bill. With baseball beginning again, I love running by Wrigley Field the mornings after games. I don't always find money at that time, but my chances go way up.
I also saw some strange things this week, including an eyelash curler, two tubes of toothpaste (both about half full), the two of hearts (yay!), another full sheet cake and a package of brand new rain ponchos. I even found someone's paycheck. Luckily the person's address was on there so I mailed it to him.
Until next time, I hope everyone has a great week!
April is off to a good start as well. This week I found $11.76, including $8.05 today with a $5.00 bill and a $1.00 bill. With baseball beginning again, I love running by Wrigley Field the mornings after games. I don't always find money at that time, but my chances go way up.
I also saw some strange things this week, including an eyelash curler, two tubes of toothpaste (both about half full), the two of hearts (yay!), another full sheet cake and a package of brand new rain ponchos. I even found someone's paycheck. Luckily the person's address was on there so I mailed it to him.
Until next time, I hope everyone has a great week!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
All About the Benjamins
Again, let me just kick it off with the big news: I found another $20 bill this week! Last week I was thinking that I jinxed myself talking about all the change and then Tuesday morning I head out and find $20. Thanks to everyone that knocked on wood for me.
When I left the house Tuesday morning it wasn't raining. It started about 10 minutes later and the thunder and lightning made me think it wasn't going to stop anytime soon. I told myself to get to a certain spot and then I would turn around. I cut back a different way that I don't normally run...and that's where I found the $20. Thank you rain storm. It was meant to be.
This was also the week of finding piles of change all in one spot. Yesterday, I finished up my run and was walking almost right in front of my house and I saw three quarters, four dimes and two pennies all sitting together on the street. I was super excited about that one. It's funny because it's light out, there are people walking on the sidewalk (not a lot because it is kinda early, but there are some people out there), so do they see it and just keep walking? Do they not see it? It was on the street and not the sidewalk, but still. People usually tell me that they will stop to pick up a quarter, but not a penny. In this case, it looked like a little treasure on the street. Oh well, I'm not complaining. Thanks to everyone who let it sit there for me to find.
Then this morning, I'm in the middle of my run and see an even larger pile of change. Unfortunately in this case, it was almost all pennies, but there were a hell of a lot of them. It looked like someone just took all of the change from their car and just set it on the street. It was 37 pennies and one nickel. I had a small dilemma deciding on how to carry it all home, but I figured it out. I ended up with $1.81 this morning with 51 pennies. Good times.
My total for the week was $23.93, so this month is looking good. I will have my total next week, so until then, have a good one everyone!
When I left the house Tuesday morning it wasn't raining. It started about 10 minutes later and the thunder and lightning made me think it wasn't going to stop anytime soon. I told myself to get to a certain spot and then I would turn around. I cut back a different way that I don't normally run...and that's where I found the $20. Thank you rain storm. It was meant to be.
This was also the week of finding piles of change all in one spot. Yesterday, I finished up my run and was walking almost right in front of my house and I saw three quarters, four dimes and two pennies all sitting together on the street. I was super excited about that one. It's funny because it's light out, there are people walking on the sidewalk (not a lot because it is kinda early, but there are some people out there), so do they see it and just keep walking? Do they not see it? It was on the street and not the sidewalk, but still. People usually tell me that they will stop to pick up a quarter, but not a penny. In this case, it looked like a little treasure on the street. Oh well, I'm not complaining. Thanks to everyone who let it sit there for me to find.
Then this morning, I'm in the middle of my run and see an even larger pile of change. Unfortunately in this case, it was almost all pennies, but there were a hell of a lot of them. It looked like someone just took all of the change from their car and just set it on the street. It was 37 pennies and one nickel. I had a small dilemma deciding on how to carry it all home, but I figured it out. I ended up with $1.81 this morning with 51 pennies. Good times.
My total for the week was $23.93, so this month is looking good. I will have my total next week, so until then, have a good one everyone!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Dry and Nice
As we approach the beginning of Spring (yay!), the weather has been a little nicer. I have to say I enjoy that very much. As much as I loved running this winter in single degree and teen weather, it's super great that I could break out my thinner running pants this week. Plus, this was the first week in a long while where I wasn't running through rain puddles or melted snow. It was nice to be able to wear my shoes into the house and not take them off in the hall when I return from my run. It's supposed to be pretty nice at the beginning of this week, but then back in the 30's at the end. Still, I'm not complaining...too much.
This week, we saw the actual St. Patrick's Day holiday, so I was stoked to get out on Friday morning to see what I could find. I was slightly disappointed in my money finding, only $.58. There sure was some trash out there though. I think I saw about a dozen broken green plastic hats. I saw plenty of those the weekend prior as well. I also saw several shirts and jackets on the street. I usually see some article of clothing about once a week, but there had to be 5 or 6 shirts out there on Friday. It was warmer than usual Thursday night, so I guess some people decided to strip down on the road and then leave it behind.
I had a pretty good money total this week of $3.21, including $1.34 this morning. I also found a King of Hearts playing card which I actually didn't already have. That's very exciting and two weeks in a row of finding a card. This month is shaping up to be pretty lucrative. I have so much change that the little bowl I keep it all in is almost full and there is still 11 days left. Of course, I'm sure I just jinxed the rest of the month for myself. Knock on wood for me.
Have a great week everyone!
This week, we saw the actual St. Patrick's Day holiday, so I was stoked to get out on Friday morning to see what I could find. I was slightly disappointed in my money finding, only $.58. There sure was some trash out there though. I think I saw about a dozen broken green plastic hats. I saw plenty of those the weekend prior as well. I also saw several shirts and jackets on the street. I usually see some article of clothing about once a week, but there had to be 5 or 6 shirts out there on Friday. It was warmer than usual Thursday night, so I guess some people decided to strip down on the road and then leave it behind.
I had a pretty good money total this week of $3.21, including $1.34 this morning. I also found a King of Hearts playing card which I actually didn't already have. That's very exciting and two weeks in a row of finding a card. This month is shaping up to be pretty lucrative. I have so much change that the little bowl I keep it all in is almost full and there is still 11 days left. Of course, I'm sure I just jinxed the rest of the month for myself. Knock on wood for me.
Have a great week everyone!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Rad St. Patrick's Day
Well it would have been pretty hard to top last week's big find, but I still had a pretty good week. Of course it helps that Chicago celebrated St. Patrick's Day yesterday and there were people out and drinking all day. Finding money that drunk people dropped was my only motivation to get out there this morning because I was not feeling the greatest. Good times, good times. Now, I don't know if I would call what I did this morning running. It was a mixture of a slow jog and walking, but I was not disappointed with my windfall, finding $2.67, including a dollar bill and 37 pennies. Yes, 37 pennies. They were everywhere.
Also this week I found something that reminded me of another thing I pick up when I see it. I found an Ace of Diamonds playing card to add to the deck I'm creating of cards I've found. I have to admit I got the idea from Sex and the City, but a friend and I have been picking them up ever since. In more than 5 years of finding cards, we have a little over half a deck. There are more than 52 cards because there are several repeats, but it may take another 5 years to get the whole deck. That will be an awesome day.
My total for the week ended up being $5.11, so I am pretty happy with that. I also found a rad pin, it says so right on it. Ooh, and a 100 peso coin from Columbia. I don't know how much that's worth, but it looks cool.
Until next time, have a great week!
Also this week I found something that reminded me of another thing I pick up when I see it. I found an Ace of Diamonds playing card to add to the deck I'm creating of cards I've found. I have to admit I got the idea from Sex and the City, but a friend and I have been picking them up ever since. In more than 5 years of finding cards, we have a little over half a deck. There are more than 52 cards because there are several repeats, but it may take another 5 years to get the whole deck. That will be an awesome day.
My total for the week ended up being $5.11, so I am pretty happy with that. I also found a rad pin, it says so right on it. Ooh, and a 100 peso coin from Columbia. I don't know how much that's worth, but it looks cool.
Until next time, have a great week!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
First Big Find of 2011
So rather than bury the lead this week, I will just kick it off with the news that I found a $20 bill this morning. Yes and yes! It was my first big find of 2011, and I am pretty stoked about it. I was already excited because I found a $1.00 bill earlier in the run, so the $20 was extra icing on the cake.
Before the big find this morning I was having a pretty good week. I found good money on my weekday runs and then found $2.13 yesterday, all in change. I was laughing because it was 4 quarters, 8 dimes, 1 nickel and 28 pennies. Yes, I was carrying quite the haul running yesterday, maybe I shed an extra calorie or two.
So with all that, my weekly total was $25.43. I can't complain about that, especially because my February total was $16.33. I was excited to share that news tonight, but it has been overshadowed by the big bill.
I will keep this short because I didn't see or find too much else of interest this week. But when I find $20, it doesn't get much better than that. Have a great week everyone!
Before the big find this morning I was having a pretty good week. I found good money on my weekday runs and then found $2.13 yesterday, all in change. I was laughing because it was 4 quarters, 8 dimes, 1 nickel and 28 pennies. Yes, I was carrying quite the haul running yesterday, maybe I shed an extra calorie or two.
So with all that, my weekly total was $25.43. I can't complain about that, especially because my February total was $16.33. I was excited to share that news tonight, but it has been overshadowed by the big bill.
I will keep this short because I didn't see or find too much else of interest this week. But when I find $20, it doesn't get much better than that. Have a great week everyone!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Some Fun Finds
Here are some of the fun things I found/saw this week:
- American Express prepaid card with...wait for it...$.64 on it. I see gift cards every once in a while, and I always pick them up. I love the anticipation of getting home and calling the number to see what the balance is. One of these days I'll hit the jackpot and find one with a good amount on it! On that note...
- Jason's Deli gift card with $1.46 on it! Yeah, not quite the jackpot, but it is the first one I've found with more than $1.00 on it. I was intrigued and a little more excited about this one because there isn't a Jason's Deli anywhere near where I run, so I was thinking someone couldn't have used it up and just threw it on the ground. But apparently, that's just about what happened. The funny thing is that finding a gift card with $1.46 on it doesn't sound like much, but if I found $1.46 in change, that would be super exciting.
- A cooler, and a nice looking one too. It was just laying open next to the sidewalk not that far from where I live. If I hadn't been running, I probably would have picked it up and brought it back home. I'm not really in the market for a cooler, but it could come in handy some time.
- A sausage, egg and cheese croissant from 7-11. It was still wrapped up nicely in its package and just sitting on the sidewalk. It almost looked like someone just set it down there. I mean I see slices of pizza and other random food all of the time, but I'd never seen food still in its original package seemingly untouched.
- Half of a Jock Jams CD. If it hadn't been broken, I would have had a tough decision on whether or not to pick it up. I got a little nostalgic thinking about that CD playing before my high school basketball games. Ah, good times.
- $4.55. It was a good week for money finding. I found $2.25 this morning on my run, all in change. I felt like I was finding change every 50 feet. That's what makes it fun! See the picture below of my treasure from today. There is only one more day in the month, and I look forward to counting up and reporting out my February total next week. Now, it's time for the Oscars! Have a great one!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Hidden Treasure (if you like it dirty)
Well just about all 80 inches of snow (hey, it felt like it) are gone and my runs were very fun this week. First off, I found $7.65 so I am pretty excited about that. I do have to say that after change sits under snow, dirt and water for a couple weeks, it can be pretty dirty. Most of the money I found this week has some layers of grime on it. Believe me, I'm not complaining. Cash is cash.
As the snow was melting slowly over the week, I did find myself digging in it a little bit. I saw a dime and a few pennies seemlingly sitting on top of some snow as I was jogging along on Tuesday. But trying to pick it up was more difficult than I thought. It became a little bit of a vendetta with that change and I worked at if for about 20 seconds before getting the dime and one penny. I had to leave one of the pennies there, much to my heartbreak. As I stood back up to get going again, there was a guy right there apparently watching me the whole time while waiting for the bus. I just had to laugh and run on by. I'm 11 cents richer and you're not! (and I'll probably never see you again..)
The warmer weather seems to also have brought back out the walking singers. I love it when I run by someone who is singing with along with their ipod. They are having a blast and don't care what anyone else thinks. I talk to myself on occasion when I run (mainly in celeration of a good $ find), but I don't sing. Maybe I should start. If someone gives me an odd look, in two seconds I have passed them by. I'm pretty sure that if I started singing and running, one of the two would suffer greatly.
Other that that, I saw more gloves, tons of lighters, pens, chapstick, a notebook, a shovel broken into about 10 pieces and many other random stuff. Good times. Until next time folks, have a great week!
As the snow was melting slowly over the week, I did find myself digging in it a little bit. I saw a dime and a few pennies seemlingly sitting on top of some snow as I was jogging along on Tuesday. But trying to pick it up was more difficult than I thought. It became a little bit of a vendetta with that change and I worked at if for about 20 seconds before getting the dime and one penny. I had to leave one of the pennies there, much to my heartbreak. As I stood back up to get going again, there was a guy right there apparently watching me the whole time while waiting for the bus. I just had to laugh and run on by. I'm 11 cents richer and you're not! (and I'll probably never see you again..)
The warmer weather seems to also have brought back out the walking singers. I love it when I run by someone who is singing with along with their ipod. They are having a blast and don't care what anyone else thinks. I talk to myself on occasion when I run (mainly in celeration of a good $ find), but I don't sing. Maybe I should start. If someone gives me an odd look, in two seconds I have passed them by. I'm pretty sure that if I started singing and running, one of the two would suffer greatly.
Other that that, I saw more gloves, tons of lighters, pens, chapstick, a notebook, a shovel broken into about 10 pieces and many other random stuff. Good times. Until next time folks, have a great week!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Who Needs Office Max?
Well this week was pretty uneventful except for the negative 50 degree temperatures that we had here. Yes I do exaggerate but it was pretty damn cold here. It did interfere with my running routine, so I was only able to get out there this weekend.
So usually I don't make a habit of running and working at the same time, but during my run this morning I could have done both. I came across a desk chair on the side of the road, and then a little bit later I came across a stapler. I am on my way to having a new home office. I see pens and markers all of the time, so all I need a computer and desk and I'm set. I'm on the lookout.
Along with the office supplies, I found some good money today. I found a dollar bill, which again, is always a big thrill. My total for the week was $2.90, so I can't complain. I am super excited for the possibility of 50 degree temps this week and the snow melting to reveal what's underneath. With any luck, lots of cash!
Hopefully I have a good update next week. Have a great week!
So usually I don't make a habit of running and working at the same time, but during my run this morning I could have done both. I came across a desk chair on the side of the road, and then a little bit later I came across a stapler. I am on my way to having a new home office. I see pens and markers all of the time, so all I need a computer and desk and I'm set. I'm on the lookout.
Along with the office supplies, I found some good money today. I found a dollar bill, which again, is always a big thrill. My total for the week was $2.90, so I can't complain. I am super excited for the possibility of 50 degree temps this week and the snow melting to reveal what's underneath. With any luck, lots of cash!
Hopefully I have a good update next week. Have a great week!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Let it Snow
So I guess I have to mention that is snowed this week here in Chicago. A lot. Apparently it is the third snowiest blizzard the city has ever had. I have to admit that it was kinda crazy, and it seems people are still having trouble getting around. Seriously, the streets can be plowed all they want but if people can't get their cars out of their garages in the alley, clear streets don't do much good. This week was another reason to embrace the public transportation...not that it didn't have its problems.
I also have to mention the snow because it affected my running. Good thing I made it out on Monday morning because I was only able to go again yesterday. It is humorous to see how some of the sidewalks and intersections are plowed. There is a sort of maze one has to go through to cross the streets in some areas. What made them pick that particular spot 20 feet away from the intersection as the best spot to get back on the sidewalk is unknown to me. In addition, having two feet of snow on the ground kinda forces businesses to shovel their sidwalks. Otherwise people literally couldn't get in their front door. When there is 3 inches on the ground, many don't bother shoveling, but that little bit of snow still affects people running. Ugh.
Plus, after the big snow of the week, it snowed a couple more inches today! I was quite frustrated to wake up to that today, especially knowing how much I'm going to eat tonight, with it being the Super Bowl and all. (Go Steelers by the way. I despise the Packers.) Maybe I can get out tomorrow morning...there could be some good finds because people will be out and about this evening. Of course, I just jinxed that.
Anyways, I promised you my January money-finding total this week, and I am quite pleased with it. $19.29 for the month is a good way to kick off the new year. Hopefully that pace keeps up, but I doubt that. I was still able to find $1.10 this week, but some of that was just walking around. I can't wait for this snow to melt because I am looking forward to finding some buried treasure underneath it all. At this rate, that will probably be some time in May because I don't see any above freezing temps coming anytime soon.
And now I look out the window and it's snowing again. I love it...just not when I'm trying to run around in it. Until we chat again, have a great week.
I also have to mention the snow because it affected my running. Good thing I made it out on Monday morning because I was only able to go again yesterday. It is humorous to see how some of the sidewalks and intersections are plowed. There is a sort of maze one has to go through to cross the streets in some areas. What made them pick that particular spot 20 feet away from the intersection as the best spot to get back on the sidewalk is unknown to me. In addition, having two feet of snow on the ground kinda forces businesses to shovel their sidwalks. Otherwise people literally couldn't get in their front door. When there is 3 inches on the ground, many don't bother shoveling, but that little bit of snow still affects people running. Ugh.
Plus, after the big snow of the week, it snowed a couple more inches today! I was quite frustrated to wake up to that today, especially knowing how much I'm going to eat tonight, with it being the Super Bowl and all. (Go Steelers by the way. I despise the Packers.) Maybe I can get out tomorrow morning...there could be some good finds because people will be out and about this evening. Of course, I just jinxed that.
Anyways, I promised you my January money-finding total this week, and I am quite pleased with it. $19.29 for the month is a good way to kick off the new year. Hopefully that pace keeps up, but I doubt that. I was still able to find $1.10 this week, but some of that was just walking around. I can't wait for this snow to melt because I am looking forward to finding some buried treasure underneath it all. At this rate, that will probably be some time in May because I don't see any above freezing temps coming anytime soon.
And now I look out the window and it's snowing again. I love it...just not when I'm trying to run around in it. Until we chat again, have a great week.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Random
Let me kick this post off with some good news. I had a great week, finding $8.74! $7.50 in one day makes for fun running....plus the whole being and shape and healthy thing. It makes the homemade girl scout peanut butter pattie cookies I made today go down that much easier. Boy, they are yummy.
Anyways, the weather went up a few degrees this week. It hit 30 degrees over the weekend, so that was a pleasant surprise. I just read that Chicago is supposed to get its worst blizzard since 1999 this week, so my running may go on a little hiatus. Running in a blizzard or 15 inches of snow is not my idea of a good time. We shall see.
Seeing all of those gloves and such last week made me actually want to count them. On Tuesday morning, I saw nine gloves. I may be the only person who finds that fascinating, but that is just crazy to me. Some of them look pretty nice too!
I also found a Canadian penny this week, which always makes me smile. Of course, I would love all of the money I find to be useful right here in Chicago, but finding foreign cash is nice too. I probably have close to $5.00 in Canadian coins, a good amount of euros and a few other random ones. Hopefully some day I make it to Europe, and I will have to buy myself something pretty...small, but pretty.
I hope everyone has a great week. Next Sunday I will have my January total, and I can't wait to count it up!
Anyways, the weather went up a few degrees this week. It hit 30 degrees over the weekend, so that was a pleasant surprise. I just read that Chicago is supposed to get its worst blizzard since 1999 this week, so my running may go on a little hiatus. Running in a blizzard or 15 inches of snow is not my idea of a good time. We shall see.
Seeing all of those gloves and such last week made me actually want to count them. On Tuesday morning, I saw nine gloves. I may be the only person who finds that fascinating, but that is just crazy to me. Some of them look pretty nice too!
I also found a Canadian penny this week, which always makes me smile. Of course, I would love all of the money I find to be useful right here in Chicago, but finding foreign cash is nice too. I probably have close to $5.00 in Canadian coins, a good amount of euros and a few other random ones. Hopefully some day I make it to Europe, and I will have to buy myself something pretty...small, but pretty.
I hope everyone has a great week. Next Sunday I will have my January total, and I can't wait to count it up!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Brrr
So we got some frigid weather in Chicago this week. I woke up this morning to 8 degrees and 4 inches of snow on the ground. I was ready to brave the cold, but I must have missed the weather report that said that much snow. Second running day I missed this week. On Thursday morning I think it was 5 degrees. When the sun isn’t out yet, that is pretty damn cold.
I did pick up a balaclava this week or “ninja head gear” as I like to call it. It is the greatest thing ever for running in the cold. On Saturday, I set a new personal degree record of 9 degrees when I headed out the door. I wasn’t cold at all, so I that was pretty awesome. My ninja head gear keeps my face warm which was always the biggest deterrent to running in the cold. Plus, now no one should mess with me because I look badass.
I have the proper gear for running in this kind of weather, but people just out walking don’t have the same stuff, especially when they are down some garments. I can’t tell you how many gloves, hats and scarves I see when I’m running. It’s crazy. How does one lose a glove when it is 0 degrees outside? Did you not notice? I feel bad because it is fricking cold out and I know if my hands are cold, I am miserable. I especially feel bad when I see a kid’s glove or hat. That kid has to be freezing.
This week alone, and I only was able to run twice, I saw at least 10 gloves, 2 scarves and 3 hats. There are some cold and ticked off people out there. Money wise, I found $1.97 even though I wasn’t out there as much. I had the joy of finding a dollar bill on Saturday morning, which always raises my spirits.
In cold weather, it's a toss-up on whether there is money to be found or not. On one hand, there are less people out and about, so there are less opportunities. On the other hand, the people that do drop their money are so cold that they just want to get to their destination and don't bother to stop and pick it up. Of course, the snow covers it all so it screws everything up.
The weather is supposed to get a little warmer this week, so hopefully I have some fun finds for you next week. Maybe I can get out there tomorrow morning.... you know there was a lot of people out this afternoon for the football games... good days for finding money. Have a good one!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
What would you do?
There have been a couple of recent articles in the Chicago Tribune about a family that found an envelope with $1,000 in it right before Christmas very close to a shopping mall. It was a bank envelope, but there was no name on it and no way of knowing who the money belonged to. They tried to find the owners by checking the stores in the area and local banks to see of anyone reported or remembered anything. They then wrote to the newspaper in hope that the owners could be found. They parents and kids are determined to find the owners and return the money.
I commend them. If I found $1,000 and had no idea who it belonged to, I don't know what I'd do. That is kinda the dream for someone like me who looks for money all of the time. I did find a wallet once when I when I was running. It was pretty early on a Sunday morning outside a restaurant close to my house. Since I am not a scam artist and would be scared out of mind to ever use someone else's credit card, I found the guy on facebook, sent him a message, and my husband met up with him to return it. So, there is a positive thing about the facebook and the help it can provide in a situation like that. I am still waiting for the good karma to pay me back on that one...
Well, this week I found $2.00 exactly. It was pretty cold this week and it did snow. The snow covers up precious money-finding space, so it was a little slow during the week. In fact, the only change I found on Tuesday were 2 pennies encased in some sort of plastic thing. I have yet to take them out because I can't quite figure it out. I saw a full set of Disney Princess building blocks (sorry to the kid who lost that), a few pairs of shoes and a drunk young couple trying to find their car at about 6:15 on Friday morning - that was pretty hilarious. The girl was walking and looked into an obviously open 24 hour diner (lights on and people eating) and said, "they're not even open anyway." She then took about 5 more steps and said, "So where do you think we could have parked?" Ahh, good times.
Until next week, have a good one!
I commend them. If I found $1,000 and had no idea who it belonged to, I don't know what I'd do. That is kinda the dream for someone like me who looks for money all of the time. I did find a wallet once when I when I was running. It was pretty early on a Sunday morning outside a restaurant close to my house. Since I am not a scam artist and would be scared out of mind to ever use someone else's credit card, I found the guy on facebook, sent him a message, and my husband met up with him to return it. So, there is a positive thing about the facebook and the help it can provide in a situation like that. I am still waiting for the good karma to pay me back on that one...
Well, this week I found $2.00 exactly. It was pretty cold this week and it did snow. The snow covers up precious money-finding space, so it was a little slow during the week. In fact, the only change I found on Tuesday were 2 pennies encased in some sort of plastic thing. I have yet to take them out because I can't quite figure it out. I saw a full set of Disney Princess building blocks (sorry to the kid who lost that), a few pairs of shoes and a drunk young couple trying to find their car at about 6:15 on Friday morning - that was pretty hilarious. The girl was walking and looked into an obviously open 24 hour diner (lights on and people eating) and said, "they're not even open anyway." She then took about 5 more steps and said, "So where do you think we could have parked?" Ahh, good times.
Until next week, have a good one!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Natural Enemies
As someone who runs on the sidewalks in the city, I have a few enemies, pet peeves, etc. Below are a few, and I am sure that they apply to non-runners as well. Enjoy and let me know if you have any to add.
The wind: Yeah, it blows. I know this is the windy city, but give us a break. My route is pretty much north and south and I swear that it is in my face when I run south and it is in my face when I run north. Even when it isn’t that bad, I never feel the same gusts at my back that I do in my face. Give us a break! Give me a boost in the back every once in a while. I believe we like to call them swirling winds; well I call them sucky.
Snow and ice: Since it is winter, this is fresh on my mind. Ice is an obvious one because I would rather run and not slide down the street. I have taken a spill or two and I am sure it was pretty funny for those who witnessed it. Snow is trickier because if it on the ground, I can’t see what’s under it and it could be ice. Boo. It if is currently snowing, it is a hassle because depending on what kind of snow it is, it can hurt when it hits your face or get in your eyes. Boo.
Other people: Let me start by saying that no matter who you are, you can’t text/talk on your cell phone and walk in a straight line or maintain a normal speed. No. You. Can’t. You would be surprised how many people don’t walk in a straight line even when there is no reason for distraction. Maybe it’s a fun game people play in their heads to wander to each side of the sidewalk as they get to their destination. I don’t know, but I do know that if I am coming up behind you, I need to pick a side to pass you on. Please pick a side right now. Numerous times have I committed to a side because people seem to be leaning a certain way only to have them pull a switch as I am right behind them. Near catastrophe ensues. I guess I’m aware enough that I’ve never crashed in to someone but I sense that one day it will happen, and it won’t be pretty.
Along those same lines…swinging doors and fences: I run on the street side of the sidewalk. This can mean I am on the right or left side depending on what side of the street I am on. I will always move to the right side when people are coming, but this is a safety issue. The last thing I need is to have someone walk out of business or apartment and have the door nail me in the face. I have come within inches of this and it was enough to have me move to the other side of the sidewalk. I really don’t want to crash into a glass door or cast-iron fence, let alone crash in to the person who came out.
Traffic: Honestly this is the least of my worries. I don’t listen to music so I can hear my surroundings. I slow down at stop signs and stop at lights. Plus, during the week I am out at 5:00 a.m. and on weekends it is about 7:00 a.m. – neither of these are peak driving times. But cars are bigger than me and could present a problem. One thing that bothers me is cabs that slow down because they assume that because I am on the corner waiting for traffic, I must need a cab. Is my hand raised? Does my running attire scream, “I need a cab?” Please don’t slow down when I am trying to cross the street and make me wait and wonder what you’re going to do. If I need you to pick me up, you’ll know.
I am sure there are others I will think of throughout the year, but those are the key ones for now. As for my week, it was a good one to kick off the year - finding $6.27. That does include an extra weekend because my last post was the total for 2010, so it is a little high for one week. I love finding paper money and I found two $1.00 bills this week. I saw some interesting stuff that I will have to tell you about another time. I have rambled enough. Until next time, have a good week and check back next Sunday!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Welcome to Fun Street Finds
Well, how to kick off my first posting? I am guessing it should be somewhere in between Dear Diary and Hello World! Why don't we go with...
Hello half-dozen or so people I ask to read this,
Welcome to the Fun Street Finds blog!
During my runs on the north side of Chicago I see and hear some interesting stuff. From the everyday lighters and chapstick to the slightly rare shoes and hats to the unique sights of undergarments (thongs and boxers) and full sheet cakes. Plus everything in between.
Now, I don't pick up these things. I sometimes stop, look, laugh and wonder how they end up there, but then I get back to my jog. The one thing I always pick up, however, is money. I grab everything from pennies to $50 bills (I found one in plain sight on the street) and I keep track of this treasure. In 2010, I found $260.19 on the lovely streets of Chicago. Let me tell you, it makes my runs much more entertaining and fun.
So this blog will chronicle my findings of cash and other fun sights. I hope you enjoy it, and I welcome any comments or questions.
My plan is to post on a weekly basis, usually on Sundays, so please check back often. Oh, and if you see me running on the street, please don't try and mug me. 99% of the time I don't have more 25 cents on me.
Enjoy and thanks for checking it out!
Hello half-dozen or so people I ask to read this,
Welcome to the Fun Street Finds blog!
During my runs on the north side of Chicago I see and hear some interesting stuff. From the everyday lighters and chapstick to the slightly rare shoes and hats to the unique sights of undergarments (thongs and boxers) and full sheet cakes. Plus everything in between.
Now, I don't pick up these things. I sometimes stop, look, laugh and wonder how they end up there, but then I get back to my jog. The one thing I always pick up, however, is money. I grab everything from pennies to $50 bills (I found one in plain sight on the street) and I keep track of this treasure. In 2010, I found $260.19 on the lovely streets of Chicago. Let me tell you, it makes my runs much more entertaining and fun.
So this blog will chronicle my findings of cash and other fun sights. I hope you enjoy it, and I welcome any comments or questions.
My plan is to post on a weekly basis, usually on Sundays, so please check back often. Oh, and if you see me running on the street, please don't try and mug me. 99% of the time I don't have more 25 cents on me.
Enjoy and thanks for checking it out!
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