My friend Ken and I went for supper last night. As we walked into the restaurant, there was an ATM right by the front door. Now since Ken is 6'9" tall and I am ... well ... not, I am able to see things closer to the ground. Out of the corner of my eye I saw something that caught my attention: a $20 bill in the tray of the ATM.
I picked up the bill, held it up to Ken and the two of us immediately looked around. No one was even near the ATM nor did anyone look like they had visited it recently. What was I to do with the $20 bill. Ken wouldn't even let me buy part of supper with it.
This morning as I awoke, I saw the $20 bill and brought it with me into the office. I asked some of the staff in the office if they knew what to do with a found $20 bill, superstitions or otherwise. No one seemed to have an answer. No let me re-phrase that: many had an answer that simply said, "give it to me" or a variation thereof.
I went on-line looking for the "protocol" of found money. There is nothing on-line. So what I have come up with is to give a portion of it to a charity and spend a portion on a lottery ticket or something like that.
What is your suggestion? I will hang onto the $20 for the time being and wait to hear your suggestions. Spend it as you wish. What should I do?
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61 comments:
Kevin, it's your daughter. For the last time, just give me the money. I'd gladly take the $20 off your hands for you. You think about it...
Pkck you favorite charity...donate it (with a little extra if you can spare it).
Kevin -
I'd take the family (including my 4 legged friends) to Dairy Queen for ice cream.
I would pass it on to a local soup kitchen!
Heather
Winnipeg
You should return the $20.00 to the company that operates the ATM. Someone will be by there claiming they got ripped off by the ATM. If no one makes a claim for the $20.00 in the next week...they should give it back to you and then you can give it to your daughter. Randy
donate it to a worthwhile charity
Give it to your favorite charity.
I agree, I'd give it back to the ATM company. If no one claims it, I'd donate it to the local food bank.
Thanks for the support, Randy. I 100% agree.
Found money should always be given away to someone less fortunate, which is probably not your daughter, sorry Meghan.
Kevin, May I suggest that you find a homeless person and give the $20.00 to him/her or donate it to a soup kitchen. I was fortunate enough to see your presentation at BTT a few years back, and now enjoy receiving your online messages. Thanks
Hey Kevin
You know the little charity boxes you see at different establishments....send a kid to camp, spca, etc. Well, everytime you see one of those, contribute one dollar until the twenty is spent.
Rhonda
I think since you found it in a restaurant you should give it to the local Food Bank. They can help feed someone less fortunate who can't afford to eat in a restaruant.
Kevin,
We have a rule in our house with our kids who have found $5, $10 and $20 this past year. They take the money to the closest location they found it and let them know they found it, what the amount is and how to contact them. In most cases they leave it with the establishment. If it appears the place/person is not necessarily trust worthy and would tell a person who lost the money that it was found,then we take it home with us and wait. If no one claims the money after 30 days, then our kids get to keep 1/2 and give the other 1/2 to a charity of their choice.
George-
I definately think you should donate the full $20 to charity. If you buy a lottery ticket it might be tempting to keep that money - plus the odds of winning are not that high.
Kevin,
you do NOT NEED a lottery ticket, since you have the ability to work for a living and, I am sure, a good one at that. Pass the $20.00 around to those in need, i.e. the charities.
Lotti
Pay it forward ---- pass it on to an organization helping underprivileged children - they are the future and should get all the help we can give them!
Cathy
Hi Kevin,
I agree - give the $ to someone less fortunate - just keep it in your pocket and your heart will tell you when the right person comes along.
Donate to a charity of your choice, or Meghan's.
The $20.00 should be donated to a charity......In fact that donation should be match by all of your readers....
Hey Kevin
Why don't you take it back and put it in the tray of the ATM where you found it - problem solved
:>)
Is it yours? Then don't spend it - try to return it to its rightful owner. Ask the proprietor of the resturant if anyone has asked about loosing money (and how much - to verify the loss [the trust but verify approach]).
Beyond that contact the ATM owner - they should be able to identify the owner from the transaction record... if you remember the date/time you found the money.
If you make a sincere and genuine attempt to return it to its rightful owner, but cannot identify them - then keep it.
As far as Meghan is concerned, teach her the value of money by getting her a job and letting her earn money - that's the way the world works. Help her learn to save, give, and spend wisely.
Keep It!
I just wanted to be different.
original
Kevin, I would take it to Tim Hortons, the drive through and buy coffee only for the drive threw line until it was spent, with the message, have a good day and pass it on.
I do this frequently here in Saskatoon and it is kinda neat to see some peoples reactions and of course some of them chase you down to say thank you. it gives you a great feeling.
Well, I once found a $10.00 bill, was very excited. Before I got on the bus that night, a "destitute" looking person was just standing there, I bent over, pretended that I picked up the $10.00 bill and said, " I believe you dropped this!" He looked at me, popped a smile and actually blurred up a bit. I got on the bus, and I am the one with the smile on my face!
I would do either of the following:
1) buy $20 worth of lottery tickets;
2) give it to charity or the Cancer or Heart Fund.
You could donate it to a society that deals with the homeless
You could donate it to the Church with the stipulation that it goes to the Music department or the Youth
Kevin, obviously there are so many charities and worthwhile organizations, and sorry Meghan, but while Randy's comments were great and fun, the money should go to a charity or a worthwhile cause - the trick will be to pick which one. So, halfway between the two options would be a compromise - give the money to Meghan to have her choose the charity (not herself or her friends). Meghan, if it is the first beggar you see on the street so be it - it will be what the universe intended the money for, and your energy will have increased dramatically - you will both have won, and so will the recipient!
Kevin, a similar situation happened to me but only I was the one that left $60.00 in the tray by mistake. I walked 20 feet to the confectionaire in the same building, went into my purse for a $20.00 and then realized what I had done. I had only put the cashier slip and my card back in my wallet.
To say I was ticked at myself for such a stupid mistake is an understatement. It only took me two second to realize my mistake and run back to the machine....no such luck. (A total of maybe 1 minute in total with the walk to the confectionaire and run back to the ATM).
With numerous people coming in and out of the building, walking past the ATM and then past a security guard, you would think that someone would contact the security guard about the money but NO, that was not to be the case and I was out $60.00 more than I wanted to be that pay period.
It was only a week later when I mentioned it to a friend that they suggested I should have called the Bank that operates the ATM to review the camera video to see if I could recognize the person that grabbed the money right after I left the machine. I felt it was too late to do that so did nothing but next time (hopefully there is no next time)I will do just that.
Maybe this information will help you decide. Thanks.
Simply call the appropriate bank, let them know what time you were at the bank / restaurant ... and they can track down the last person to visit the ATM through their transaction record.
Donate it to a children's charity - my favorites are Kidsport or Stollery Children's Hospital. Food banks are always a good choice also. As someone who has, over the years of life experience, had to use these organizations, I now feel the need to encourage others to donate to these worthwhile causes.
Pay it forward! The next time your in the Tim Hortons drivetru pay for the people's orders behind you. Being 20 bucks you may pay for 2-3 cars. Hopefully you will start the ball rolling...pay it forward!!!
Hi Kevin,
I second the 2:56 pm suggestion that the $20 bill should be matched by all the readers and the total amount given to a charity for people less fortunate. If it's too much time consuming, just give it to a charity of your choice. Désolée Meghan.
I agree with "pay it forward" - however you choose to do that - if you are standing in line for coffee, offer to pay someone's coffee and make their day just because .. pay someone's parking meter - whatever - something will come to you and you will have someone or several someones' day a little brighter
HI kevin,
Interesting question! It got me curious enough to respond.
Donate it to a homeless person and see the reaction on their face when you tell them that you're passing it on.
Ask him or her what he'll spend it on and you can tell us the story in one of your upcoming ezines.
Lynn, Edmonton
Hi Kevin
I concur - donate the money to a street person, a charity or "pay it forward" as indicated above. There is nothing more rare these days than a random act of kindness, it's good for the soul to give and the soul who recieves. A Win-Win all the way around.
Hi Kevin,
Found money is an unexpected blessing. If you do not "need" the money - use it to bless someone else. Keep it in your pocket and wait for the opportunity to arise. You will know it when you see it!
Kevin,you need 7$ in lotto or quickpic,a drink for your friend and you,lets have some fun!
I am on the Dragon Boat team for the Ronald McDonald House Alberta South and I am currently collecting donations for our race. You could always pledge part of or all of it to myself or my team.
my e-mail is phydough@telusplanet.net
Jessica Williams
Do something good with it. Someone probably needs the $20 more than you (or me).
Hey Kevin,
I've heard that when you find money an angel is thinking about you. You must have a few angels hanging around to find a 20. Why not do something crazy like getting 20 loonies and "lose" them in a part of town where "found money" would be considered a gift. You could watch people's reaction to finding the loonies - and that would be your pay back.
Faye
Kevin, give it to your daughter Meghan. She sounds like a very nice girl and is probably underpaid. Besides, she owes me $20.
I believe that all things happen for a reason and perhaps you were might to find that $20 bill and then bring it to our attention so we could ponder what we would do if placed in your shoes. I can tell you it has happened to me but I spent the money (can't remember on what) and now your quest is making me think I should have considered other options rather than just myself. I do believe I am going to take and donate the $10. I found last year to a charity today. I didn't need it then but I spent anyway. Thanks for making us and especially me, think outside the box. Best of luck on your quest of what to do with your found money.
Verna
If you have any doubts, put it back where you found it and let someone else deal with that ethical conundrum.
I would find and challenge some entrepenurial kid and ask him/her what they would do to turn the $20 into a business opportunity. If it is a viable idea. I would leave it their hands and see what they can do over the summer to make it work for them. My kids learned alot when they were young about handling and making money. One created a juice stand where swimming lessons were in progress and more than tripled her money. She paid me back for the inventory.
The other sold pop on the roadside out of her wagon and kept reinvesting the profits. They are both self supporting young people now. One is 18 and earned enough to go to Australia for a year in her grad year whild achieving honours in her grades.
Hey Kevin;
In "The Peg" there is a place called Winnipeg Harvest. It supplies food for those that are less fortunate. I am sure there is a place like that where you live. I think you should donate it to them.
Mr.T
Just hand it to someone on the street who look like she/he could use it. Tell them the story of how it came to you and then suggest they pay it forward one day. Just think where that could go!
Keep it in a frame on your office wall as a celebration of the human condition known as the state of flux.
You should call the bank, explain the situation and return it. Hopefully the person who left it notified them.
Where I work we actually get found money turned in all the time - we take the finders name and address put the money in an envelop and tell them we will phone them in 2 weeks if the money isnt claimed - we then give the option to the finder to keep the Unclamed money or we can put in our local food bank jar. - I think it is fair as it gives everyone a chance to A)notice the missing money B)the finder to make a decision of what to do with it.
Cynthia
I love all the Pay it forward ideas but also think you should let the place know you found the money at the ATM, put a sign on the machine and let the person know that it went to a worthwhile cause..the "pay it forward" principle...
Deb
Hi Kevin
If you like, I will also add $20.00 to your $20.00 - let's see how much money the original $20.00 can generate! It might actually make a difference. How many people out there reading your blog can afford to donate $20.00 - I think a few. Forget about the $20.00, think BIG!!! Then we might be able to make a difference. Let me know - I have my $20.00 ready to send you!
Hi Kevin - here is my suggestion. When I thought of it - this is what I feel really certain I would like to have happen.... If I lost that 20 bucks and it was founf by another person I would realize that there is no way for the finder to know it was mine and so I know they could not return it to me. What I would want that person to do is to thoroughly enjoy it! Spend it on goodness - happiness - cake! Whatever. Treat it as one of lifes unexpected and uncontrollable joys. Then that 20 bucks would have gone to the best ends of all. And I will know (probably won't know at all!!!) But I could then know if I EVER lost money that it contributed to some good somewhere!!
Have a great day!
Wendy Massey
The money came to you not as a result of anything you
did, but as a result of someone's misfortune. Now the
money has been entrusted to you. You could give it in
charity but personally I would buy a few gorcery items
and a Tim Horton's ice capp and thank the creator for
my good fortune. Gratitude is so important in one's
life. Ingratitude would be to spend the money on
something that would harm others.
Kevin - Tomorrow is Friday. Buy Beer and enjoy the weekend!!
With all of the positive comments on this page, I hate to be the only "not so trusting" one. As far as charities are concerned, not all can be trusted, and not all of your money goes to the people in need, but to pay for administrative needs etc. Spending it on the lottery, is not a "negative" thing. You could end up winning tons of money and use that to help more and more people *yourself*, without counting on someone else to do it. And, spending the money on yourself isn't a "negative" thing either. You already spend your life helping others, what if this lottery win could allow you to do some pro-bono work?
So in the end, I say keep the money. This could have been God's gift to you, or who knows, maybe that person left it there hoping someone searching for money might find it. Whatever happened to Everything Happens for a Reason?
The journey is the destination.
Hi Kev, I love the blog..This is very cool. I believe, like Bobbi, everything happens for a reason. Money is one of those things that is never really "owned" it just passes through our hands and bank accounts allowing all of us to do what we do. Keep the 20.00 for now, but soon you will know what it was for, then give it up. Be a caretaker of it, knowing that in the future you will be called upon to surrender it. You will know when and for what purpose. We are all divinely guided and even though we do not see the plan, there is one. After all look at the comments your situation has generated so far... I am sure you will be using this as a valuable tool too!!!! Best 20.00 bucks you ever found!! Good on you!
I think that you would agree that we all work very hard for what we earn. I would do what ever it takes to track down the owner. I once found a wallet gentle tumbling down the bottom of the Bow river while I was rafting. I was able to contact the owner by the calling card in the wallet. He showed up later that night with a nice reward which he insisted I take. You never know what rewards life has in store for you until you earn them.
Wayne Mc
I think you should call the Sick Children's Hospital or the equivelant where you live and ask what the children would really like that they don't get everyday. Knowing that you made a terminally ill children smile for a day with balloons or something small like that would put a smile on your face as well as theirs (not that you don't already have one!) and just maybe inspire others to do the same! A little goes a long way!
Just keep it for when you need it.
You never know when you need to wash your vehicle and need some spare change for instance.
Kevin,
Suppose you were the person who left that $20 in the ATM. What would you want the finder to do with the money? Return it? Spend it? Give it to charity? The answer to this question is the same as the answer to your question.
Jim
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