When I was a kid I used to find money a lot. Possibly because I was short, looking down a lot, constantly on a treasure hunt, or a blend of all three. Luck seemed to be on my side as I would often catch a glimpse of a shiny silver quarter or dime and stash it away. My biggest find happened in 1988. I was in the 5th grade and desperately wanted a pair of Guess jeans. White, tapered skinny jeans with zippers down the sides. They were $40 at Bullock's and I tried desperately to convince my mom that they were well worth the investment. Unfortunately, she did not agree. She said if I could pay for half, than I could have those "designer" jeans. The whole way home for the mall I schemed on how I could save up enough to get the jeans. Quite possibly the coolest wardrobe item an 11-year-old could own. Given that I was not of babysitting age yet, the dream of coolness was quickly fading away.
Before heading home we had to make one stop at Clark Drugs to pick up a prescription. I am sure I sulked in disappointment through the entire store visit, since that is what preteens do and how I eventually earned my knick name of "snit' a mere two years later. Anyhow, on the walk through the parking lot to the van I caught a glimpse of a crumpled green and white paper discarded between two cars. It was almost as if ole' Andrew Jackson was winking at me. He knew I needed those jeans. Needless to say, I was able to come up with my half of the bargain within an hour of leaving the mall. Lucky ducky.
I haven't always been lucky though. I remember having my purse stolen from the Hard Rock Orlando at a work event in 2008. The thief took off with at least $100 of my cash, even though I eventually got the purse back. Net/net...in the long run I have probably broke even, but it doesn't take away from the down-right, awesome feeling of happening upon some free cash.
