What to Do With Found Money?

So, you find yourself walking down into the store, and you find a crisp twenty on the ground in front of you. Many questions pop up in your head. Should I give it to someone? How do I find out who dropped it? Am I a bad person if I keep it? Could I get in trouble? Knowing what to do with found money can be tough, because it can seem a little rude to just pick it up and pocket it. So, what do you do?

Finding Out Who Dropped it Isn’t Easy

If you didn’t see anyone drop it, then you probably shouldn’t search for who did. There are a lot of opportunistic people out there, and they may just say “yes” because a free twenty doesn’t seem like a bad deal. So, it becomes really difficult to track the person down, but you can still do it if you don’t mind it ending up with someone who didn’t drop it. Keep an eye and ear out for somebody looking for lost cash, and if you’re going into the store, be especially watchful near the registers where they would go to pay.

Pocketing it Right Away Is an Option

If you do find money that isn’t yours, at least make a good faith effort to check if anyone is looking for it. You never know what that cash could mean to somebody, and they may have needed it for whatever they were buying in the store.

Although it can be tempting just take the money because nobody was in possession of it when you saw it, just mind the area you’re in. If you’re in a public space with a lot of people, hold onto it and see if you catch anybody searching for money they were supposed to have. If you don’t, then keep it. Now, if you’re in a place where nobody is around, then you’re probably in the clear to keep it. Odds are, the owner of the cash isn’t going to make it back to it before another person finds it. You did find it first, after all.

Pay it Forward

If you find an inconsequential amount of money lying around, and you don’t need it, you can always pay that luck forward! Use it to cover someone else’s lunch, whether it is a stranger or a friend. Maybe hold onto it until you see somebody struggling to pay for groceries, and you help them out. Much of the time, helping others feels much better than getting something for yourself. It is always nice to take your own luck, and pass it on to another person in hopes to spread the love. Especially in times like these, a little help from a stranger can really make somebody’s day.

Read More:

• How Long Will Mortgage Rates Stay This Low?
• Saving Money: Learning From Parental Mistakes
• How to Stop Paying Money for Others

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Trey LaRocca

Trey LaRocca is a freelance writer, financial sales worker, and tech guy. When he isn’t out and about or at work, he’s usually at home enjoying some video games and a beer. Currently residing in Newport Beach, this California Kid can be found at the beach on any given weekend. Trey has years of experience in day/swing trading, financial analytics, and sales.