$223 is laying on the floor in the middle of the mall.
There's no one around you, no one to notice you pick up the wad of cash and stuff it in your purse.
What do you do?
G and I found ourselves (LOL, I say "ourselves", as if G was an active part of this situation; if it had been up to her, she probably would have tried to put it in her mouth like she does with everything else; seriously, people, when is the "everything I see goes into my mouth" stage going to end?) in this predicament Saturday.
We'd just left Gymboree (where, I should add, I only shop when my mom sends me a GymBucks coupon; otherwise, I can't afford to shop there) when we made a sharp right turn to head into Dillard's and back to our car. Then, right there in front of the jewelry store, I saw something on the ground. At first, I thought it was just trash. As I moved closer to pick it up and throw it away, I noticed it wasn't trash, but cash-- $223, to be exact.
I picked up the month. I saw there was a crisp $100 bill on the very top of the fold... no name, nothing to identify who the money belonged to, or from where it had come.
I looked to my left. Nobody.
I looked to my right. Nobody.
I clenched the money in my hands and started walking...
Right into the jewelry store.
There were two workers on duty. I told them I'd found this money in front of their store, and waited as they called mall security to pick it up. On the way out of the store, the man behind the counter said something I didn't expect to hear.
"Bless you," he said.
I turned around. "For what?" I asked.
"For doing the right thing," he replied. "Most people would have pocketed the money and wouldn't have thought twice."
I paused. "Well," I began, "the person who lost that money probably needs it more than I do."
And then I left.
I got to my car, put G into her carseat, dropped my head onto the steering wheel, and balled like a baby.
The truth is, we do need that money. We have debt. We have bills. We have plans. And while $223 isn't winning the lottery, it's certainly enough cash to make a difference in our monthly budget.
Then I remembered the man's kind words as I'd left the store. I thought about the example I'd set for my daughter. I remembered the countless lessons from the Bible, that teach us that we reap what we sow.
I still can't believe I gave up that money. Free money. But I know I did the right thing...
*****************************
UPDATE! I just got off the phone with my local police department; the money was actually turned into THEM, not into mall security. So, good news, it has found its owner! I feel like the Good Samaritan I set out to be.
I would have turned it in, just as you did. :)
Congrats...I know it was hard, but it WAS the right thing to do. I would most likely do the same thing because if it were my money, I would hope someone would return it to me! You just have to know that you have set a good example for your daughter and the person who lost the money will be thankful that you returned it!
Oh man, that's hard.
You DID do the right thing. And I'll second what that man said.
Bless you.
I like to think I'd have done the same. The temptation to keep it would probably be there, but I know I feel bad when I forget to pay for sticker books my daughters' are holding that cost $.74 each. And then there's the thought, "What if it had been myself to lose that $223?" That's not just another drop in the bucket for my family. Not at all.
So, Bless you. Again.
I would have done the very exact thing you did. I have found money in stores before - much, much less that what you found today - and did the same thing, turned it in.
It really is a hard thing to do in the moment - especially when you could really use it. However, I feel that living with myself if I took it - would be much harder!
:-)
Ooo that's a tough one, but I think I would have done the exact same thing. The guilt over wondering if someone was unable to buy food because I pocked the money would be too overwhelming despite how tempted I would be. Plus you're right you did sent a wonderful example for G!
Yes yes...bless you.
I too would have given it back. I would have had a hard time as we have ridiculous debt and it would have helped us out as well. But...it's not mine to begin with.
You have a good heart..and you set such a good example for your daughter.
You absolutely did the right thing, and although that person that lost that money may never be able to tell you thank you, hopefully they will "pay it forward" and do a good deed for someone else.
When I was in high school and worked in a grocery store, I found $50 on the ground. I picked it up and turned it in. We had a policy whereby the money that was found when into the safe, with all the info surrounding the situation on it. If no one claimed that money within 30 days, it belonged to whomever found it. No one ever claimed it and it was given to me, which was nice.
Honestly, HONESTLY, if I randomly found it on the floor of the mall I don't know what I would do. I know that at my waitressing job in college, I found significant money twice. Once was $60 on the floor, and I turned it in and actually was given it back a month later when no one called to claim it. Another time I found 5k in an envelope. I put it in my apron and had to think very hard, but I live in a college town and I just knew that was someone's refund check. As someone who lived off of refund checks, I knew I had to turn it in. So I did, and I was right... the student called later on in a panic saying, "I know no one turned it in but just in case??" I felt good about it, but it was really really hard not to just keep it in my apron and act like nothing happened.
I would've given it back also for several reasons. First, while I am extremely motivated by guilt (and would've felt guilty if I hadn't), I'm even more motivated by the kind words and recognition of others. I once had a man behind me in line at the grocery store commend me for giving money to the weekly charity you could donate to at the checkout, and I have donated every single week since.
Second, for one of the reasons you did as well, I want to teach my daughter the right thing.
I commend you, friend :) It IS hard doing the right thing, but karma will come back around :)
PS I have a button now!
I once found $100 on the floor in Publix. I turned it in and actually got a call to pick-it-up a month later. No one came back to claim it. Probably because they figured all of the world would just take it and run. You are a wonderful person and mom!
i honestly would have hedged and then turned it in
in the end it feels better to do the right thing
i'm proud of you! you did set a good example...and i believe when people do the right thing, good things come their way
karma or whatever you call it...you've got a lot more than $200 lurking down the road for being a good person
i bet the person who got their money back cried with joy--and who knows how much they needed it
bless you indeed :)
As much I would love to say that OF COURSE I would have taken the cash into the store...I can't say it. Like you said- $223 isn't winning the lottery, but it would have an impact on our budget. But you did the right thing, I'm proud of you!!
You did the right thing.. I would have done it also, but as you were, would have also felt a little sense of loss. $233 is a nice amount of money to just find. One the other hand, think of the pereson who lost it. That person could have REALLY needed that money and may be completely devestated to have lost it. It could have been the only money a single mom had for her childs birthday, or fall clothes, etc.. You did a great thing Elizabeth!
I have turned in wallets with large sums of money because I knew someone lost it. If you are dumb enough to leave your cash balled up in a wad, im keeping it. Although I wouldnt spend it right away I would check craigslist often to see if anyone had lost it...
If I turned that money in, whos to say the security gaurd isnt pocketing it??
I've done it before and I would do it again, turned the money in. I probably wouldn't bother with a dollar, or even $5, but $10 or more, definitely.
I don't usually ever find cash, but I do catch transactions being done incorrectly, I usually tell them (even if the error is for my benefit). For instance, this past week I got Z a new book at the bookstore and I only had $2 on me, so instead of debit-ing $6 I chose another book to throw in at the last minute. I knew the cashier didn't scan it in when she handed it to Z. I told her that I was buying it and it needed to be scanned so I could pay for it and she said "No, its okay" so I assumed she had scanned it. When I got home however, I noticed my receipt only showed a charge for 1 book.
Since I was already at home, and I did tell the cashier very clearly that I was buying it I didn't feel guilty about it at all.
What can you do?
Once, my husband and I took our kids to the movies. And under the seat of my 6 year old was a crisp clean $20 bill.
She picked it up and showed it to us. Then she asked what she should do with it.
So we asked her, what do you think you should do with it?
And she promptly took it to the front ticket counter and turned it in.
Yes, we are awesome parents. Now if only I can get her to replace the toilet paper roll I'll know I've done my job.
I had to come back and give all of you an update on this...
I called the mall today to see if the money had found its way to its rightful owner. Turns out, the schmucks I turned it into never turned the cash into mall security!!! I am now in the process of speaking with the manager of that store to let him know what happened.
Stay tuned...
~Elizabeth
OH MY GOODNESS! I can't believe they didn't even turn it in to mall security. That's AWFUL! Glad to hear you're speaking with their manager!!!
Oooooooh that just makes me so mad that they didn't turn it in! How shady! Girl, DEFINITELY pursue that with the store manager and I hope those employees are severely punished. I would have done exactly what you did - who knows what role that money played in its owners life? It could be someone with a far worse situation than what you and I are in. Good job, girl! You made the right choice. You're storing up treasures in Heaven!
Ug, I wondered when you said you gave it to them instead of security. Most people aren't very honest.
Doesn't that just make you turn green with anger? :-p Boo.
To be honest, I'd have kept it. Yep. I said it. Kept it. If it was in a roll, it's probably drug money, anyway. Probably some dumb teenager stole it, and it fell off his baggy very loose pants.
I need to pay off some bills and $223 would have helped. It's not the right thing, but you know what? What if it was God leaving that money for me?
What if it was Karma leaving that roll right there as payback for something good that I did before?
I just read your update on the comment section.
OMG!
wow...
Now I'm not feeling so guilty about thinking about keeping the money had I found it.
I would have done the same because you never know if maybe that person needs the money even more than you do.
When I worked in retail, a long time ago, I was a teenager. I found a purse in the dressing rooms that was loaded with cash. I could not find her contact information and she did not return to the store to look for it that day. So I called her insurance company to ask them to contact her. She came back the next day with a homemade Christmas gift as a thank you, that I kept in my home for years after that. It felt good to have been honest.
You did the right thing :-)
I don't know what I would have done. but you are awesome for doing it!
wow, i cant believe they didn't turn it in!! let us know what happens...
This happened to me indirectly years ago. My (now-ex) husband found a wallet containing $1200 in cash. He was outside of a business that was closed. He brought it home, literally shaking like a leaf. We needed that money more than I can even explain, but I was raised right...you just don't keep what's not yours. We looked at the ID, and found the man's number in the phone book, and called him. He came and picked it up and was so very grateful to us. He gave us $50 and said he wished he could give us more.
BUT...right after that, the now-ex found a second job which helped us so much with our finances. God was watching over us...I know He was. And I believe something good will happen to you now, too!
Ohmygosh... I'm PO'd for you.
Def. looking forward to the update.
As for you, I'm proud of you... I'm not sure I would have done the same thing, but I sure hope I would have...
You are certainly deserving of blessings. Sending some your way now.
That's a pretty awesome thing you did. Too bad the guys at the store were such toolbags. I would have brought it to the police myself, because then if no one claimed it they would probably let you have it.
Good for you, for not even thinking twice.
I would have wanted to keep it but would have turned it in.
I would have too much guilt to keep it.
Oh and I feel you with the "everything in the mouth," its a lovely stage isn't it?
Good job! I'm not sure I would have been as honest...lol It's true what "they" say about Karma. You'll get your reward for your good deed. :)
HONestly... would've given it back. now if i was in the woods and no one was around, probably would've kept it myself. but when you know the person couldn't be far and is probably somewhere nearby, they DO need it. I would be devastated if i lost that money and would be so delighted to go back to that store to find someone turned it in. you DID the right thing. And you will be blessed!
I know you don't need me to say this, but you absolutely did the right thing. Even if it sucks.
I've been faced with a situation like this before, and I did turn it back it. But I was ashamed of how tempted I was to keep it. Maybe these difficult times are here to help us grow to be better people.
Please update us when you are able.
I'd have to say I'm with the select few that would have kept it. In my mind, I would assume the people I turned it in to would have just kept it anyway. From your update it looks like that was case.
You did do the right thing though - I hope you get some answers!
You are a better person than i am. Few months ago, T, the C's and I went to the Nascar Race in Atlanta and we were looking for a place to sit and eat and the outer grounds were empty since everyone was in the speedway for the race and I saw a $20 bill laying there, then another and another and another etc... Ended up find over a $100 and we did keep it, not going to lie about it. No one was around to ask or turn it into. but I am not sure I would have done that anyways? Guess I am a bad person. Who knows
How awesome that it found it's owner.
I once found a purse in the bathroom at the airport. I didn't even hesitate and turned it into security (and this was pre-9/11). I didn't even look for a name or anything just in case something went missing.
So, I would have turned it in, too. You did the right thing.
You hit the nail on the head with the example you set for your daughter, and how cool is that?!?
Plus, I can only imagine how pumped the original owner was! They probably thought that money was lost for good, and I don't know about you, but I would be heartbroken if I thought I lost that much money.
You did a good thing lady.
If I were in your position, I would have done the exact same thing. I have a really guilty conscience and I just couldn't keep it. I'm a big believer in karma though, and I would bet some good things are coming your way after your good deed! :)
I would've turned it in. I'm happy it got back to it's owner. Budgets are tight for most people these days... could've been their rent or grocery money.
Last year I was shopping at Target and I bought a mirror that was 10 percent off... the checkout chick only charged me 10 percent for the mirror, when I got out of the store I realised what she'd done. I went to the returns counter saying I wanted to pay the extra $70... the staff thought I was crazy and couldn't believe that I came back. But I wouldn've been able to enjoy the mirror knowing that I didn't pay the proper price.
So, you are to be congratulated for your honesty... I believe you will be rewarded in other ways.
Great to find you from fellow working mom. Please let me know if you would be willing to review my book & do a give away on your site -- it just came out -- Chasing Superman: A Working Mom's Adventures In Life And Faith. God bless!
Congrats on doing the right thing! That would be hard. $223 is a lot...
I want to say I'd do exactly what you did. I really want to say that...
God, would I have?
I know when I've found $20 on the street, I've just kept it. I figure if you lose that, you don't expect to find it again. It stings but what are the chances? Where would you even follow up? $223 isn't quite the same. But man, it would help the budget, wouldn't it?
Just read all the comments of people who said they'd turn it in and am feeling like a dirtbag that I'm not sure...
Hmm, wait! My friend and I found $200 once and we turned it in. Oh... maybe that was more her...
I read this article in my local news this morning and thought of you and this post...
http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/article_cca764aa-c7d3-11df-8e9c-001cc4c002e0.html
Did you ever find out about the money???
That is an unselfish act and you did rge right thing plus you set an example for your daughter and i hope that would make an impression on her. This world lacks morals, mannerism,values, ethics,and honesty. You showed an example of that lesson, continue instilling these in your daughter and it will be instilled in you.
Always do the right thing without expecting a reward, God will reward you.