OFF-TOPIC: CNN interview and responses

My family and I would like to personally thank all of the wonderful people that have taken the time out to check out the blog and share some wonderful stories about finding change (the jingling and the metaphorical kind) in their lives. Over the next few days, I will post some of the delightful and inspiring stories as I recieve them!

Here is one interesting email I received along with a cute photo of where they place found change :

I just wanted to say that it's wonderful to see someone out doing this - and blogging it! I just wanted to let you know that I started something last year called "The Karma Kart" that is along the same lines as you. I was given a small shopping cart as a gift and I started using it to hold coins that I found. Soon my brother and a couple friends just started donating what they found on the ground.

I've included a picture of my "Karma Kart" for you to see.



I just thought you'd enjoy knowing that your blog put a smile on my face - 2,800 miles away in BC, Canada! Cheers! Tony.


Thank you so much.. and please feel free to send your stories so I post them on here along with my change totals :)

No finds

No finds today- guess all of New York is picking up the pennies today ;)

$0.12

Found two nickels and two pennies today. I'm trying to keep up with the finds by photographing at least one coin a day but the days are flying by!



Here is one of the nickels lying in wait for delivery to the changepot Jar :)



Total today: $0.12
Total thus far: $55.21

$0.32

Today we found a total of 32 cents- three dimes and two pennies in spite of the freak snowstorm that crippled our post-workout plans this evening. Aside from that, the Humphery family spent a quiet chilly night at home :)



Total today: $0.32
Total thus far: $55.09

$0.25

Today we found a total of 25 cents- two dimes and five pennies. It looks as though snow is coming back yet again... so much for the Staten Island groundhog and his early spring prediction!

Here is a pic of a mall dime found while we shopped for some items earlier today. My husband needs a new pair of sneakers, don't you think? lol



Total today: $0.25
Total thus far: $54.77

$0.14

Found a total of 14 cents in the form of a dime and four pennies on SuperBowl Sunday. My previous entry disappeared so I'll update this post when I have time tomorrow morning along with a photo for illustrative purposes :)

Total today: $0.14
Total thus far: $54.52

$0.13

Today we found a total of thirteen cents- a dime and three pennies. Penny number one is pictured here. The dime was found at a supermarket but I didn't have time to whip out the cam phone lol. So far the changepot has had double digit coin finds (perhaps the fox news change stirred more luck in our pot!)




Total today: $0.13
Total thus far: $54.38

$0.15

So far we've found fifteen cents and it's not even 10:30am! Here is a picture of the nickel found in the parking lot of Dunkin' Donuts- hubby picked it up. Today we have a camera crew coming over to film us in action :) More details to come later!



Update: Found an extra fourteen cents while hanging out with Terence Burke and his crew. We are so excited that the world is curious about our experiment! And to think.. it all started with seven cents!


Total today: $0.29
Total thus far: $54.25

$0.09

Found a total of nine cents today- a nickel and four pennies- all in Fort Hamilton. The picture above was of a lonely penny by a freshly mopped floor that made its way into today's total. The nickel and remaining pennies were found in one specific parking space (perhaps the change fell out of someone's pocket as they sat down). Today's finds made us feel alot better since yesterday's snowy slushy climate kept change hidden for the day :)

Total today: $0.09
Total thus far: $53.96

No Finds.

Today's weather made it impossible to find any change- and so there's none to report today.

$0.26

Today hubby found a total of 26 cents in the form of two dimes, a nickel, and a penny. I am trying to convince him to take phone pictures of the finds prior to picking it up but he made a valid point of how difficult it would be to do that for EVERY coin found. Sometimes the pick ups have to be smooth and calculated- especially when walking in Manhattan or other crowded metropolitan areas. I didn't find any change in my limited outing to the gym but I did find MOTIVATION in the following photo:


The RX: 100 Crunches daily x 100 days= no more cravings for cigarettes?

We shall find out soon enough!


Total today: $0.26
Total thus far: $53.87

$0.06

Found a total of six cents- two in a parking lot, one at the entrance at dunkin' donuts, one at CVS, and the remaining two were found on the sidewalk as I power walked from my favorite bagel place back to my nice little pad :) I totally agree with Mame over at Found moolah in saying that the cold temperatures restricts the free money efforts. Six pennies is better than nothing, right? :)


(the pre-Clayton change from the Fox set yesterday)

Total today: $0.06
Total thus far: $53.61

$1.21 (the Fox News entry!)

Today we were interviewed on Fox News Channel here in New York City about this blog. Our children had an amazing time and we got to see live television in action- wow! The change today was picked up by Clayton Morris (co-host) during a teaser segment with co-host Alisyn Camerota.
Here are a few pictures we took en route :) It was SOOO EXCITING!! In all our excitement, we forgot to mention the name of our blog lol. Hubby did a search and found multiple links under 'Family Collects $1,000 Worth of Spare Change'.


















(Update! Found more change after the show! In Manhattan of all places :) Found a dime, a nickel, and nine pennies in various places. If you get a chance, check out the Divine Performing Arts Chinese New Year Splendor 2009! P.S.S--> While on my way to RCMH, I noticed an older gentleman bend over with great effort to pick up a penny at a crosswalk off 7th avenue. I caught myself staring because I'd never witnessed someone brave the elements (it was FREEZING) in order to pick up a lone penny! Hubby went out of his way to rescue coins in the subway, the ferry, the street, and Dunkin Donuts off Times Square but he's seasoned at that kind of swoop and recover tactic. I can't wait for the weather to get warmer again :)



Total for today (so far) : $1.21
Total thus far: $53.55

$0.41

Today we found a total of 41 cents- three dimes, one nickel, six pennies- while shopping at the Mall. No dollars today though :(

Total today: $0.41
Total thus far: $52.34

Social Implications? README

Hubby and I were discussing the recent publicity generated by our family's odd little hobby and look upon it with mixed feelings. A large majority of people feel that picking up change found in the street is a sign of financial hardship, too much spare time, or simply put- a social faux pas.

Is it really a bad thing?

What started more as a social experiment has now become something considerable. Imagine finding a thousand dollars in the street. What would you do with it? Pay a bill? Splurge on something you'd otherwise not buy with your hard earned cash? We here at the changepot have not spent the money we've found nor intend to do so. Our children are very proud of their additions- their found coins in the playgrounds, on the sidewalk, etc. Also, we do not rush to pick up dropped coins nor bowl some old lady over to pick up her freshly dropped dollar. Quite simply- we bend over to pick up coins, bills, and broken gold jewelry already dropped. You'd be surprised how many people walk over money without a forethought. How many times have you walked over a folded dollar bill discarded carelessly in front of automated sliding doors at the supermarket? Last year alone, I found eleven dollars - a ten and a one - just by glancing ahead of me. Coins? They're everywhere. What sets the Changepot, Found Money, and other people who retrieve change aside from the local population? We document our change finds in blogs and share our joys in obtaining it. This is an important time in our lives - a new president ( I can't believe he's got a myspace profile!), a new way of thinking. Pay attention to your surroundings ladies and gentlemen. Perhaps Change is Good after all?

BH

$1.09

Wow! Today I found a dollar on the ground while walking to the grocery store. The rest of the find- nine pennies- were found in various locations. Interesting note: While I would never entertain opening up my door to retrieve change on an active highway, I did happen to notice three quarters while sitting in BQE traffic around five o clock today. I think i'm happy enough with the dollar find at this point to start stressing quarters on a highway :)


Total today: $1.09
Total thus far: $51.93

No finds-

We found no change today BUT I am in good spirits after watching some awesome music videos on YouTube. If only MTV would go back to putting on music videos instead of the pulp garbage they're airing nowadays (wow.. I'm starting to sound like a parent!)

Alejandro Fernandez is amazing!

My Link Archive

BMW for my 50th Birthday
what an innovative young lady :)

Pink Slips are the New Black
A blog designed to 'keep it real'- check it out!

The Frugal Pirate
Frugal: Economical, avoiding waste -- Pirate: One who hunts for treasure -- A rambling discussion of my interests in these topics, including yard sale hunting, composting, freecycling, metal detecting, sweepstaking, antique hunting, Thrift shopping, gardening, Farmers markets, Ebay, the ongoing search for passive income, and the like.

Discarded Money
Greg and Kim's tribute to retrieving the unwanted money decking the city streets. Good work guys!

$0.11

Today we found six ugly pennies and a lonely nickel while running errands. Time passes by quickly! The girls are in mid-terms and I've been looking forward to our television interview!! More details to come tomorrow!! :)


Total today: $0.11
Total thus far: $50.84

$0.21

Quick post: Found two dimes so far- one in the gym parking lot and the other in Dunkin' Donuts- both before 12pm!! Today looks like it's going to be a wonderful day for change :)

No accounting yet as the day isn't quite over.... TBC


Add another penny to the pot- and a warm hello to our good friends on this chilly Winter day!


Total today: $0.21
Total thus far: $50.73

No finds

Found nothing today BUT I did get a chance to eat some delicious Cuban cuisine at Alvarez Cafe in Elizabeth, New Jersey. It was definitely worth braving the winter elements :)

$0.45

Today we found a total of $0.45 in the form of a quarter, dime, a nickel, and five pennies even. We also found a smaller coin that turned out to be a 1982 1 cent piece from the cayman islands. All of the coins were found at the food court of the Staten Island mall- apparently the crowds are getting a little looser with change (that's always a good thing!).

Total today: $0.45
Total thus far: $50.52

P.S. Today's total reminded me of this concert footage- Wow..1987! Where were you when this came out??

$0.35 (Hello fifty dollar mark!!)

Today we took a trip around the mall and found a significant amount of change (definitely not do-able in this ourside weather). We found a total of $0.35 in the form of two dimes, a nickel, and ten pennies. The first dime was found right by the elevator in the underground parking area (great start!). Dime #2 was found under a bench in the food court. The lone nickel was spotted under a 'dippin' dots' machine as we rode the descending escalator. Pennies were coming out of the wood work today- which is A-OKAY with us.. .times aren't that hard it seems :)

Today's find bolsters the changepot over the fifty dollar hump- here's to our next challenge- the hundred dollar mark :)


Total today: $0.35
Total thus far: $50.07

$1.11

Image from: chineseshows.net


Found a dollar, a dime and a penny while running errands in this bitter cold weather! This is a very odd total of found change but hey- i'll take it! The dollar was found inside a costco shopping cart (where we did most of our grocery shopping for Sunday's football games). The dime and penny were also found during the same outing. Hubby and I bought tickets to go to a supercool event happening at RCMH at Costco (you may want to check it out) : Chinese New Year Splendor.

I can't waittt!!!!


Total today: $1.11
Total so far: $49.72

REPOST: I DARE YOU

I'm so happy that people are starting to realize just how much we tend to overlook change on the ground. This blog isn't just about the change I find- it's about how you can change your situation with a little positive thinking and alot of faith. Are you ready to make a change? Leave me a message and tell me how YOU plan on changing today?


I DARE YOU


(in case link doesn't work)


1. Start picking up change you find on the floor and put it in a jug.
2. Make a budget that takes into account all the habits you have- quit them for a month and add the money into that jug.
3. Think about your future TODAY instead of tomorrow- add a dollar in the jug everytime you say something negative.
4. Be nice to your family. They are the only people you have in the long term like it or not.
5. Recycle cans and bottles at the supermarket. Put that money into the jug.
6. Sell the junk you're stashing in the basement. Take half of your proceeds and put it into the JUG.

Your jug will thank me later.
(Hell.. make your own web blog... I'll read it :)

$0.25

Today we found a 1967 Quarter on our way to salsa class. Hubby and I are taking dance lessons as a way to spend some fun 'alone time' together. So far we're up to shine number four in a series of over one hundred steps! Looks like it's going to be a warm winter :)

Interesting.... so far we've had a decent 3/3 streak of finding silver coins as opposed to 'just pennies'. I guess people are finding it too cold to pick up dropped change- ah well, the more the merrier :)

Total today: $0.25
Total so far: $48.61

$0.12

Today we found a total of $0.12 today in the form of a dime and two pennies. The dime was found right by my car in the parking lot. The two pennies were found right on the ramp going up towards the second floor in Jersey Gardens. Sadly, a quarter got away from me today. I reached down into a patch of ice in the parking lot expecting the quarter to be stuck in the grey debris- not so! The quarter gave quickly underneath my grip and slid further underneath the car. It's okay because I'm sure someone out there will make better use of it than us at this point :)


Total today: $0.12
Total thus far: $48.36

$0.25

Today we found a 1969 Quarter at the gym. Today marks day one for Brianna's gym regiment- I am very proud of her. A reader posted a question yesterday that I have to answer :)

Q: Wow, what you're doing is so awesome. I have a question for you: What is the dirtiest coin/piece of money that you found? And would you go great lengths to pick up a horrendously dirty penny?

A: We don't pick up money that is soiled beyond repair. The dirtiest money we found was a dollar bill that was blessed with birdpoo : the post can be found by clicking on this link --->The BirdSh*t Dollar


Total today: $0.25
Total thus far: $48.24

$0.94

A warm welcome to those who are coming over from our local news articles posted today in The Daily News and NBC New York.
My family and I are very excited to see all the attention our changepot has generated in the past three and a half years! My daughter Brianna has now decided to take over the daily accounting and posting for the changepot (a habit I highly encourage). Now back to how we got here in the first place: the totals.

On Friday we found two very cold pennies in front of our house. The weekend drill at hubby's job brought us three dimes.one nickel, and two pennies. Today my daughter found fifteen cents in the form of a dime and a nickel in the school yard and hubby found a quarter, a dime, and a nickel (in that order) while getting us three copies of the Daily news today. While we haven't found a dollar yet since the new year began, I am quite optimistic though something tells me we'll have some new competition in the change finding scene with all the new hunters turned on to the idea that yes, you can accumulate quite a bit of change if you pick up that penny. I say the more the merrier!


Total today: $0.94
Total thus far: $47.99

$2.68

Happy New Year to all! Hopefully everyone is in great health and spirits despite our economic woes! The Changepot project is still in effect and despite our lack of blog postings we are still reaping the benefits of being humble by picking up spare coins and the like. Since our last posting, we've found a total of $2.68 in the form of four quarters, nine dimes, five nickels, and fifty three pennies. Tomorrow we have a special guest coming over so i will blog all about it once we're done :)

Here are some very odd finds during FY 08 that I feel I must memorialize more for personal satisfaction rather than accountability :)

5> The Godiva Pretzel nickel: Hubby's famous words: " Are we supposed to eat this chocolate or wear it?"
4> The Christmas subway finds: God Bless the creators of Purell!!
3> The Mall sink penny: One of the cleanest pennies i've found thus far. Again, purell... merci beaucoup!
2> The Quarter that got away: While we didn't get to take this quarter, it was nice while it lasted. The quarter was right next to a chic sandal wearing hippie at a bay ridge Dunkin' Donuts. The fact that the man came out in sandals during a snowstorm was crazy enough.
1> The not now penny: Ever run into someone that you don't want to talk to and they distract you enough to make you forget what you were doing in the first place? Fortunately I ditched her and grabbed the penny by her foot and made my way outside the supermarket. Sometimes it's not that easy getting away lol.

Total so far: $2.68
Total thus far: $47.05

$1.55

Wow.. I really have to keep better tabs on the money we've been finding here and there. Time is flying by so quickly!!! So far we've found $1.55 since the last post (three quarters, four dimes, two nickels, and thirty pennies). Now-- back to my work :)


Total : $1.55
Total thus far: $44.37

$20.00!!

Despite the economy being in such a state, we managed to find a twenty dollar bill on the ground at a local department store! My youngest is credited for today's find as she pointed out the folded bill and asked if that was 'ping'. I am so very thankful for this rapid upswing in change finds this fiscal year- the bill pushes us up past $40.00- a first in Changepot history :)


Total today: $20.00
Total thus far: $42.82

$11.63

We found a ten dollar bill on Saturday!!!! I haven't been able to document the findings but this is what we've found so far: two quarters, six dimes, five nickels, and twenty eight pennies. Life is good right now... i'm happy :)


Total today: $11.63
Total so far: $22.82

$6.34!!

On Saturday, hubby found the first dollars for this fiscal Changepot year!!! He found a five dollar bill and a one dollar bill right outside of Dunkin Donuts (our mecca). The family collectively found 34 cents in the form of fourteen pennies and two dimes- looks like we're finally getting somewhere :)


Total today: $6.34
Total thus far: $11.19

$2.09

What a busy couple of weeks! Despite the cold andsmall trips back and forth, we managed to find a total of $2.09- four quarters, seven dimes, two nickels, and twenty nine pennies. No traces of dollars yet folks!


Total today: $2.09
Total thus far: $4.85

$0.63

Things have been speeding up over here at the Changepot household! Although we've been finding ALOT of pennies here and there, we haven't had much time to report the finds. It looks as though we'll be checking in periodically instead of daily so bear with us :)


Total : $0.63
Total so far: $2.76

The Ketchup Post

And a glorious day to all ye out there! We've been pretty busy here the past few days! The Changepot is now THREE YEARS OLD!! Since our last posting, we've found a total of $2.13 in all change. This will be the total amount for the beginning of FY 09' (year four). The total collected in Changepot for the year 08 was : $402.72. INCREDIBLE!!!

Here's to another year of eyes on the ground and coin selling!!

Total today: $2.13
Total so far: $2.13


BTW: We also redeemed our pepsistuff caps and received a copy of the first season DVD set of HAPPY DAYS! Love those guys!!

$7.57

Ahh woe is me! I haven't been updating this blog on a daily basis even though we've found change and dollar bills. Right now we've collectively found a total of $7.57 in the form of a five dollar bill, a one dollar bill, three quarters, three dimes, five nickels, and seventeen pennies. There are more coins that are unaccounted (not to mention interest accrued from the previous changepot years) which I will tally up right on time for the Changepot's third birthday (October 9).


Total: $7.57
Total thus far: $402.72

$0.18

Today we found a total of 18 cents- a dime and eight pennies- while running errands. Not much else to report today.

Total today: $0.18
Total thus far: $395.15

$0.33

Today we found a total of 33 cents- a quarter, a nickel, and three pennies. A strange thing happened when I was out and about today. As I passed a neighborhood in the village today, someone was blasting the song "Lover Man" by Billie Holiday from their first floor walk up apartment. It was fitting as the sky looked so gloomy and the air thick with cool remembrance. Nostalgia. This is how autumn days are supposed to be.


Total today: $0.33
Total thus far: $394.97

$0.05

Today we found five pennies scattered around the mall. Happy Fall everyone!! Hopefully the colder days will incite more change dropping :) Right now it looks as though we won't be hitting the 330 mark for the changepot's October birthday but the fact that we've surpassed the 1K mark is an astounding feat in itself.

Check out this flower that bloomed in one of my household plants. Isn't it wild?



Total today: $0.05
Total thus far: $394.64

$0.09

Today we found nine cents- a nickel and four pennies- while running errands on this beautiful, crisp, pre-autumn day. I was able to watch the last game at Yankee Stadium with mixed emotions. Next year marks a new era for the New York Yankees- onward my pinstriped players! Check out the highlights here: Yankees prevail as Stadium goes dark

Total today: $0.09
Total thus far: $394.59

$0.03

Today we found three pennies while walking around the mall. I think my youngest may have found a nickel while I was on the phone but since she's sleeping over her best friend's house I don't have access to her changepot purse.


Total today: $0.03
Total thus far: $394.50

$0.53

Today we found a total of 53 cents- a quarter, a dime, a nickel, and thirteen pennies- all found by hubby at work. I passed a dime that looked retrievable so i'll try to go back for it this weekend.

Total today: $0.53
Total thus far: $394.47

$0.74

Today we found a total of $0.74- two quarters, a dime, a nickel, and nine pennies. Hubby found this change while working on the job for extended hours- poor guy! I'll be giving him a nice massage tonight for all his ping efforts :)

Total today: $0.74
Total thus far: $393.94

$0.06

Today we found $0.06- a nickel and a penny. The nickel was found in a shopping mall parking lot and the penny was found in front of Stop N Shop.

Total today: $0.06
Total thus far: $393.20

$0.27 Vacation Wrap-up

We found a total of $0.27- and a canadian penny- during our mini vacation. One of the pennies is a 1942 wheat so we didn't add it to the totals. The penny along with the canadian coin do not count toward our current total because they have been set aside for resale at a future coin show. We had so much fun despite the rain!! I will post pictures from our finds later on today when I download the files onto this computer.

Shown below: Here is a rare find- a wheat penny outside a RED SOX loving pizzeria in Cape Cod! Good pizza despite their taste for baseball teams hehehe.



Shown Below: Here is a picture of the first two pennies found in Masachusetts- the vehicle behind us got a good chuckle out of us bolting out at the stop light to grab the wayward coins!



Total found: $0.27
Total thus far: $393.14

$0.06

Today we found six cents- a nickel and a penny. While I am documenting it on here, the day isn't over yet. If I find more change I'll add it here in the form of an update. We are heading out of town for a few days (our first vacation for 2008 lol) so let's see what a change of venue will bring to the Changepot.

In commemoration of the events of 9/11, here is a moving tribute by Woody Ulmer and Kurt Bestor entitled: Prayer for the children. I remember all too clearly what happened that day. It seems like so many people live in denial that 9/11 ever happened.



Total today: $0.06
Total thus far: $392.87

$0.28

Today we found a total of 28 cents- two dimes and eight pennies- at CVS, Dunkin' Donuts, and Stop N Shop. I engaged in an interesting conversation with a police officer about found money. Apparently there is a blue law that states if you find money inside a store, it's considered store property as much as the items the store sells (even if it's a penny). What I don't understand is why employees won't pick up the change when they 'clean' the store. When I told him about my blog and how we document our change finds, he smiled. The Changepot is turning three in less than a month!!! We're all very excited here!


Total today: $0.28
Total thus far: $392.81

$0.23

Today we found a total of twenty three cents- two dimes and three pennies. I was reading an article today about a woman using dollar bill rolls to wrap gifts. I got such a kick out of it, I decided to post the link here.

Total today: $0.23
Total thus far: $392.53

$0.14

Today we found a total of 14 cents- a dime and four pennies. The dime came from my oldest and the four pennies were scattered around the neighborhood here. One penny is so badly scratched that it appears silvery and outstretched. I think this one will have to be traded in at the local bank eventually.

Total today: $0.14
Total thus far: $392.30

$0.49

Today we found a total of 49 cents- three dimes, one nickel, and fourteen pennies. The majority of the find came from hubby's business trip. Apparently people dislike random change at 7-11. The Changepot won't turn away any funds whatsoever!


Total today: $0.49
Total thus far: $392.16

$0.01

Today I found a lone penny during my morning coffee run. I'd seen a few pennies and a dime in the parking lot but since I had my hands full, I didn't get to them in time. Pity. Hubby found a few coins during his business trip but I won't add them into any totals until I have them in my hand. The rain is coming down hard over here today- perhaps it will bring up a few buried coins tomorrow ::fingers crossed:::

Total today: $0.01
Total thus far: $391.67


P.S. While I usually like discussing politics and respect what other party affiliates have to say, I deleted a comment left on this blog today that offered an opinion about my political preference. We all have our beliefs and faiths in our candidates. America is great enough to allow freedom of speech but I won't entertain bullish comments about political affiliation on this blog. There are forums specifically for that cause. This blog is about finding change and that's how it will stay.

$0.21

Found a total of 21 cents- two dimes and a lonely penny. The first dime and penny were found on the way to Dunkin Donuts and the other dime was found under the steps of the former Coast Guard exchange. Two dimes in one day... I'm feeling lucky!!

Total today: $0.21
Total thus far: $391.66

$0.07

Today we found a total of seven cents- a nickel and two pennies. Not much else to report since the kiddies are back in school, my change hunters are pretty busy now!

Total today: $0.07
Total thus far: $391.45

No Finds.

No money found today BUT I think we found a gold nugget in VP nominee Sarah Palin. She's getting my vote!!

$0.01

Today hubby found a lucky penny- while doing his rounds. I didn't get out most of the day as I was cleaning the house.


Total today: $0.01
Total thus far: $391.38

$0.01

Today I found a penny by Dunkin Donuts while I picked up my morning brew. We'll be venturing out later today but I wanted to document the find before I step out.


Total today: $0.01
Total thus far: $391.37

$0.02

Today we got our two cents worth- two pennies- at the bowling alley after an afternoon of fun, laughter, and great food with our favorite friends! Here's to another great Labor Day!!


Total today: $0.02
Total thus far: $391.36

No finds

No finds. Didn't go out. Boo hoo!

$0.19

Today we found 19 cents- a dime and nine pennies- while shopping for last minute back-to-school items for the girls. Not much else to write today.. hopefully there'll be more exciting news to report tomorrow :)

Total today: $0.19
Total thus far: $391.34

$0.25

Found a shiny new quarter at the gym today. I guess the find was reassurance that my determination to hit the gym is on the right track!

Total today: $0.25
Total so far: $391.15

No Finds

No finds today. Didn't go out even though it was a beautiful day!

$0.02

So today I found my two cents worth- literally- in front of Chuck E Cheese where I took my kids and their best friends for a farewell playdate. My daughter's newly appointed best friend goes back home to Michigan and won't be coming back until Christmas vacation... how sad.. thank goodness for the internet and unlimited long distance!

Total today: $0.02
Total thus far: $390.90


P.S. Here's a youtube video of one of my favorite songs of all time.. White Lion's Love Don't come easy- the song reminds me of my aqua net days... and my avid fascination with lead singer Mike Tramp!!

$0.04

Today we found a whopping four pennies- all conveniently scattered by the Dunkin donuts parking lot! I think i've developed a new vice.... FRENCH VANILLA coffee!!


Total today: $0.04
Total thus far: $390.88

$0.24

Today we found a total of $0.24- two dimes and four pennies. It was so beautiful today- low clouds, hazy sunshine! Dime one was found across the street from my favorite nail place. Dime two was found while walking to the bus stop. The pennies were found scattered around the Staten Island mall.

Total today: $0.24
Total this year: $390.84

$0.13

Today we found a total of thirteen cents- a nickel and eight pennies. Two pennies were found during a bowling party and the other eights were found at a Dunkin Donuts drive through. I'm so happy I actually bowled a 110!! I haven't bowled since 2004 and it was nowhere near 100 lol.


Total today: $0.13
Total thus far: $390.60

$6.82

Today we found a total of $6.82- a five dollar bill, a one dollar bill, a quarter, five dimes, and seven pennies! The paper currency was found in the basketball court over by Forest Avenue where we played a few games and felt like teenagers. Hubby was extremely excited by the find because we'd been finding nothing over a dollar. He spotted the folded up bills right by a nearby grass patch. The rest of the change was found at the Staten Island mall where we did some leftover shopping for my daughter's birthday. Time to cook!!


Total today: $6.82
Total thus far: $390.47

$0.24

Today we found a total of $0.13- a dime and three pretty beat up pennies. Hubby found the pennies during his outing and Bri found the dime in the playground close by. It's a beautiful, sunny day.. and here I am feeling rather melancholic. If we do go out and find more change later, i'll update this entry accordingly. In continuation with my current music video fascination, here is some Luther. I wonder if he wrote his own lyrics? They are pretty potent...

UPDATE: Chalk up another eleven cents for the changepot. We found a dime and a penny at Party City- where we picked up party supplies for my daughter's upcoming birthday jam.


Total today: $0.24
Total thus far: $383.65

$0.11

Today my hubby found 11 cents- a dime and a penny while at work. I spent the majority of the day listening to 80s tunes and cleaning my home office. Here's a video from my youth dedicated to my best friend and bloodsister CandyRose- wow how time flies!!! 25 years later who'da thunk girl!

Total today: $0.11
Total thus far: $383.41

$0.19

Today we found a total of $0.19- a dime and nine pennies- while picking up the last of the back-to-school items for our kiddies and running multiple pre-Labor day weekend errands. This summer came and left so quickly! Usually I have a song that reminds me of every summer that passes in my life.. I'll have to come up with one quick!
Ahh yes... Ne-Yo's 'Because of you'.




Total today: $0.19
Total thus far: $391.34

$1.47

Today was full of change surprises! My first find was a nickel as I accompanied my BFF to get a haircut. The next outing provided us two dimes and five pennies while we shopped for a new Ihome (my old one died). By the time we got back home, hubby decided to go back out for some Micky D's (drive-thru) and to grab a few things at the drug store. The outing at 7pm provided us with three quarters, three dimes, one nickel and seven pennies total! Shocking! The majority of the silver coins were uncovered at the drive through and the pennies came from outside the CVS store ( a great spot for first thing in the morning change finds)

Total today: $1.47
Total thus far: $383.30

No finds

NO finds today - didn't go out today at all (though we were tempted to!)

$0.04

Today we found $0.04- four pennies. The first two pennies were found right by the driver side door when we drove over to the gas station. $3.97 a gallon feels much better than $4.33 (the price I paid a little more than a month ago). Penny number three was discovered in the grass right by our neighborhood playground (congrats to Karen for the eagle eye find) and the last penny waited for us in front of our apartment complex. It was quite hot to the touch (guess it took some sun along the way) but that's just fine. One thing we've noticed is that our normal routines aren't producing much found change lately. Hubby wants to change course when we go out for walks to see if a different walking path will add more coinage to our jar- I believe we're doing just fine with what we've found. So far we've exceeded change find expectations by passing the $365.50 mark (surpassing year 1's total). I must say our little pot is coming of age quite nicely. After hearing our radio interview, a good friend of mine brought over an empty five gallon Poland Spring bottle 'for good measure' . As much as i'd love to change containers right now, I can't help but feel superstitious!! I'll wait until the Changepot's third birthday to start using it.


Total today: $0.04
Total this year: $381.83

$0.01

Today I found a lonely moldy penny outside Stop N Shop where we purchased some goodies for tonight's sleepover. My daughters have their friends over for a night of popcorn, laughs, and plenty of Jonas Brothers music and video mayhem. Ahh I'm not looking forward to the teen years lol...

Total today: $0.01
Total thus far: $381.79

$0.17

Today we found a whopping 17 cents- a dime and seven pennies- while picking up some things at the Mall. I was quite surprised to find a dime considering the lack of 'silver' on the ground lately. I am still in shock over the events this past weekend- I went to Atlantic City (once a changepot treasure spot) and found absolutely nothing! No penny vouchers, no renegade penny, zip. I'm thinking they knew I was around and hid all the coins lol. Congrats to Bri who found the small stack of pennies in the mall parking lot today- we would have missed it since the location was on the opposite row of cars.

P.S. Got my new Blackberry today so I'll be taking pictures of the coins in the wild and hopefully upload them on here for all to enjoy :)

Total today: $0.17
Total for FY 08: $381.78

$0.27

Today we found a total of 27 cents- a quarter outside the dentist office (my little one had a very bad cavity bout) and two pennies in front of the pharmacy where we picked up some prescriptions.


Update!!

We gathered around after dinner to listen to our Sally Herships' interview on the radio. Thank you so much for the opportunity to spread the word about collecting found change. You can catch our story here Picking up loose change and for our new visitors from the Marketplace website, please feel free to comment about your own found change stories on our blog!

Happy Hunting!


Total today: $0.27
Total thus far: $381.61

$0.31

Haven't been out much since i've been feeling under the weather but we've found a total of $0.31- two dimes, a nickel, and six cents.

Total so far: $0.31
Total thus far: $381.34

$0.25

Found a quarter today at Dunkin Donuts where I sipped on some iced coffee. Not much else to do on this lazy hazy Thursday.


Total today: $0.25
Total thus far: $381.03

$0.28

Today we found a total of $0.28 in the form of a quarter and three pennies. The quarter was found on the floor at a picnic and the three pennies were scattered in the parking lot of the event. Not much else going on... lazy summer days woohoo!

Total today : $0.28
Total thus far: $380.78

$0.28

Today we found $0.28 in the form of a quarter and three pennies. The quarter was found in front of Costco and the pennies were found by Lyons pool. I'm so happy with my yanks!!


Total today: $0.28
Total thus far: $380.50

$0.03

Since Hubby took a few days off, we decided to spend our days indoors cleaning up around here. We haven't found much since Tuesday (3 pennies) but it's still something!
Tomorrow looks like we'll be heading out early- maybe some nice change will come into the equation as well.


Total today: $0.03
Total thus far: 380.22

$0.13

Today we found a total of thirteen cents again- same form (a dime and three pennies) while running errands in the city. My oldest got to participate in an exclusive Nickelodeon activity and had a blast. I on the other hand, got to witness my youngest get a cavity fixed at the dentist ::cringe::


Total today; $0.13
Total thus far: $380.19

$0.13

Found thirteen cents today- a dime and three pennies- while running errands around Staten Island. I'm pretty disappointed in my Yanks lately... perhaps they'll wake up and smell the coffee soon.


Total today: $0.13
Total thus far: $380.06

$0.39

Today we headed over to the Bronx Zoo and found a total of 39 cents in the form of a quarter, a nickel, and nine pennies. Finding change here is always pretty hard since they dispatch cleaners regularly. I did happen to find and bring home these three animals: a Butterlfly, a Lion, and a Wolf. Gotta love daytrips!

Total today: $0.39
Total thus far: $379.93

$0.53

Today we ventured out into the city and found a total of $0.53- four dimes, a nickel, and eight pennies. We'd originally found 54 cents but one penny is a 1938 wheat so I've sifted it out for resale later at the next coin show. We also found a 1989 Canadian penny and a 2006 Bahamas penny (worth a lot less than what it's printed on lol). We were trying to get to the Central Park Zoo but with all the train service outages affecting the metro area, we settled upon Times Square where we stuffed our faces with M&M's, ate at the Olive Garden, and hung out with Geoffrey at the Toys 'R Us flagship store. Tomorrow, if the weather permits, we'll go out again.. this time to my native stomping ground Da' Bronx.


Total today: $0.53
Total thus far: $379.54

$0.15

Today we found a total of 15 cents- a dime and five pennies. I found the dime and a penny at the gym and hubby found the four pennies while running errands. We got to play some handball today and I feel completely exhausted!

P.S. I heart Celia Cruz caballeros! Azzuuuucar!





Total today: $0.15
Total thus far: $379.01

$0.06

Today we found 6 cents- pennies all - as we traversed the town. My oldest got her braces put on today... no more gummy bears for her!


Total today: $0.06
Total thus far: $378.86

No Finds

Didn't go out today- spent all day cleaning and watching the baseball games. Maybe we'll find something tomorrow.

$10.06 Double digit day!

Sometimes it pays to be firm with children! Today we headed out to the mall and I got my haircut finally. My daughters were itching for Applebees but I told them it would be better to buy cold cuts and italian bread at the supermarket. They complained but eventually acquiesced (there was no choice really lol). As we walked into the supermarket, I noticed my daughter was stepping on a folded piece of paper. When she moved I spotted a familiar number 10 on it and quickly scooped it up. The bill was cold to the touch as though it had been there for a little while. My guess is people kept stepping on it and not looking down. I was very happy since I hadn't found a bill that great since Halloween 2006 (twenty dollar bill find) and it was under similar conditions- no one looked down except me! The nickel and penny were found in the Staten Island mall.

OOpsie

A few days ago we went food shopping and bought a whole bunch of meat. Unfortunately we forgot to take out a fryer pack of Chicken Legs and well.. you can guess the rest. We're fighting the two day old stench and nothing seems to work.. ughhh...


Total today:$10.06
Total thus far: $378.80








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$0.44

Today we found a total of $0.44- three dimes and fourteen pennies. We also found a canadian penny which will go into our foreign money changepot and rest there until we can find a way to sell it or use it during a future trip. All three dimes and twelve pennies were found in the handball courts by South Beach. Most of the coins were extremely hot to the touch so we picked them up with napkins and settled them inside our stylish changepot purse. The other two pennies were found by Sandy Bri during her outing with grandma. She wanted to hunt for more change but grandma couldn't stay out in the sun too long (I can't blame her!). Hope your summer is going well!

Total today: $0.44
Total thus far: $368.74

$0.10

Today we found a dime- my oldest made the find outside while playing in the sprinklers. It is going to pour soon- guess I better bring my plants inside :)


Total today: $0.10
Total thus far: $368.30

no finds

We stayed home the entire day. No change. Nada. Rien. Zip. Nyet. Non.

$0.24

Today we found a total of $0.24- two dimes and four pennies. The first penny was found outside of CVS where we purchased goodies for our family trip to the movies. The two dimes and a penny were found at the checkout counter of a nearby grocery store. We went to go see the matinee of the long anticipated summer blockbuster The Dark Knight. It was worth every penny!
The remaining two cents were found at Wendy's where we feasted on old fashioned hamburgers and reminisced about the the film for an hour or two. Despite the immense heat, we were very happy to spend some quality time together.


Total today: $0.24
Total thus far: $368.20

Today we found two pennies- both laying under the hot sun awaiting rescue in Elizabeth, NJ (my good friend Joe made the rescue). We watched the film Hellboy 2 and had a very interesting lunch at Jimmy Buff's. After watching a spot on the Travel channel, we decided to take this special trip to try the 'italian hot dog' firsthand. It was a hit!!! If you're in Jersey, I highly recommend you take a drive over to try this sandwich!












Total today: $0.02
Total thus far: $367.96

No finds

No finds today whatsoever BUT I did receive close to $40.00 in survey checks-- today is a good day :)

$0.11

Although the day isn't over yet, I wanted to report the finds thus far. It seems way too hot to go for a quick walk around the general area so I doubt we'll be heading out anytime soon. Still, we found eleven cents- a dime and a penny- while paying our cable bill at their main office. A quick walk around KMart yielded a pepsi bottle cap- making it 34 caps total for our redemption disposal :)


Today I received a check from Surveyspot- a survey website. Woohoo! I'm going to stick these $7 in my savings account for a rainy day :)


Total today: $0.11
Total thus far: $367.94

$0.02

Found two pennies while walking around the neighborhood for an after dinner retreat. I'm hoping a dollar bill will float my way soon....


Total found: $0.02
Total thus far: $367.83

$0.11

Found a total of $0.11 today- two nickels and a penny while getting some groceries in the morning. It is hot as heck today!!! I think that will be it for going outside today.


Total today: $0.11
Total thus far: $367.81

$0.52

I found a total of $0.33- a quarter, nickel, and three pennies- while having some fun with my friends in Atlantic City. While I don't expect to strike it rich, it was more fun to see my old buds and reminisce about youth. My oldest daughter found nineteen cents while at the museum with her dad: making it a grand total of $0.52.


Total today: $0.52
Total thus far: $367.70