Jayme is an artist and freelance writer who trained in the medical field, and has worked as caregiver, farmer, mom and DIY'er.

Pick up that penny! Every bit of loose change you find makes you a little bit richer. Get some tips on finding free lost change. Jayme Kinsey

Can Found Money Make You Rich?

Are you short on pocket money? Are you wondering where you can find some extra change?

Everyone has picked up a nickel they found under a bench or a dollar bill they found dropped in a restroom, right? Doesn't it make you just a little bit excited? Or do you just walk past that small change on the floor because it isn't worthwhile to bend down?

It Won't Make You Rich, But It Does Add Up!

Unless you happen across a substantial chunk of money with no identification attached, then no, found change probably won't make you rich. It can, however, add up over time. One year, I was able to find over $200 in just loose change found around parking lots and soda machines.

When I lived at home, finding change was a family sporting event. If you didn't call dibs on that found dime before someone else, then you were ten cents poorer. We all had little banks and cans designated just for money we found.

With more people using debit cards these days, change is becoming rare. However, there are still a lot of places where people use cash. And people who use cash are not always willing to retrieve any money they drop. If you take the time to look in some of these places, you will soon find money adding up.

My Found Money for This Year

Area Amount Average denomination Newspaper machines $7.50 Quarters Soda machines $5.47 Quarters Gutters and debris piles $8.32 Dollar bills Parking lots $2.77 Pennies Store floors $3.01 Nickels

Find lost change in parking lots. sharkye11, photo by author

Outdoors? Always Look Down

People are often so busy when they go shopping or when they run errands that they don't bother to glance down. But change can show up in all sorts of strange places.

When you take a walk, whether that is around the block for exercise, along a hiking trail, or just across the parking lot, remember to look down occasionally. Change can appear:

In parking lots. The best parking lots are those belonging to stores and fast food restaurants, where people are so busy they just leave their dropped change on the ground.

Sidewalks. If someone pulls their phone out of their pocket while walking, they might not notice any dislodged change.

Gutters. It is a little gross sometimes, but loose change can wash down into gutters during hard rains. Keep an eye out for paper money, too.

Around carwashes. For some reason, people who wash their cars are often in a hurry or in a bad mood. They don't want to retrieve lost quarters or whatever change fell out of the car when they shook the floor mats.

Money-Hunting Equipment

Never get caught off guard! Use these items to help you be ready to pick up money anywhere:

Hand sanitizer or wipes

Separate coin purse, pocket, bag or container on the go to keep found money from mixing with regular change

Pair of disposable gloves (you might see a $50 bill in a gutter)

Pair of shades if you don't want to be recognized digging money from the gutter

Some handy quips for when people ask what you are doing

Find Money When You're Shopping

You can easily add a few cents to your "found fund" just by occasionally looking around when shopping. The most obvious place to find money is near the check-out aisles. However, you can find change just about anywhere in the store.

Under Displays

When people rummage in their pockets or purses, loose change has a habit of falling out. Usually it rolls. So look ahead of where you are walking because you may see change lying under shelf displays. You might have to get on hands and knees to get some of it.

Restrooms and Dressing Rooms

Also check restrooms and dressing rooms when you go in. A lot of people won't pick change up off of a bathroom floor. (I recommend carrying Germ-X and a sandwich bag if you are going to be a die-hard money hunter.)

"Splurge" Areas

Check the floors in areas where people are more likely to dig in their pockets or wallets to see if they have enough money to splurge on a little something special. These areas of the store include:

Clothing department

Shoe department

Toy aisles

Around music, games, and DVDs

Snack aisles

Near arcade games or similar machines in lobbies

You can find lost money in vending machines. sharkye11, photo by author

Money Machines

The best places to look for money are also the places where people spend money. Vending machines are one of the top choices. Not only do people drop coins under these machines, they often forget to retrieve their change from the dispenser.

You will often find more money in soda and snack machines than you will near a machine designed for games. Someone in a hurry might walk off from their quarters after buying a candy bar.

If that person is trying to win a prize, though, they will probably keep using their change until it is gone. This doesn't mean you shouldn't check around these machines though. Sometimes people may not bother picking up any dropped coins that can't be used in the machine.

Another great place to find change is in the laundromat. Always check in the machines before using them. Someone may have left coins in the slot, or you may find a handful of change in the washer or dryer after the previous user is long gone.

Find lost change in chair and sofa cushions. sharkye11

Check the Cushions for Change

We all know that our own sofas and chairs tend to hoard our pocket change, right? Well, furniture in public places can yield a few nickels and dimes too.

Anytime a person sits down they risk losing something out of their pocket. Change has a magical way of burrowing under cushions very fast. You might be surprised at what you find if you take the time to run your hand under seating in:

Bank or hotel lobbies

Waiting rooms

Airports

Offices

Restaurants

Aim for seats that have both seat and back cushions. That crack where these two meet is a great hidey-hole for change. You will probably find stuff like pens, food, candy, and worthless paper scraps too. It is up to you whether or not you want to save these "treasures" as well.

Strange Places to Find Free Money

Although the places listed above are the obvious hot-spots for dropped money, you should never let your guard down. Here are some places that I have found money on more than one occasion:

Storm drains. Bills can blow in there. Change gets dropped when people decide to play in the water after a rain.

Tampon and condom machines in restrooms. I'm not sure if they just forgot their coins in the slots, or if they got embarrassed when someone walked in or knocked and abandoned their whole effort. Either way, I have found money stuck in those machines quite often.

Dried up puddles. I guess some people are desperate for wishes and will toss coins into any standing water.

Pools and lakes. There is always that guy that jumps in with his pockets full, I suppose.

Secondhand items. Remember those cushions? I once bought a $5 dollar couch and found $11 worth of change in the cushions! If you buy secondhand items, always shake them out to see if they contain some lost change.

Where richer-than-you people hang out. Some people are just so well-off they don't bother to stoop to pick up a few measly cents from the floor. Note this phenomenon in shopping malls around crowds that are pretending to be well-off.

Toilets. Yes, I once saw a dollar bill in a public toilet. And no, I didn't get it.

You will pretty much find money wherever there are humans. Some places will be more likely to produce money, but if you are really interested in finding some free dollars, you will make it a habit to be vigilant no matter how unlikely the area is.

Check machines at laundromats for loose change. sharkye11

Even More Places to Find Free Money

Check out these additional places to look for change. (You may even find a bill or two!)

Drive through lanes

Pay phones

Alleys

Pages of used books

Under restaurant tables

Between cushions in dining booths

Near change machines

Gas stations with slot machines

Swim beaches

Outside of casinos (most people are in it for the big cash and may discard or disregard small bills and change.)

Places where people have partied or had events (reunion spots, 4th of July picnic areas, festival grounds, etc.)

Money That You Shouldn't Pocket

Picking up free money should have it's own code of ethics. There is some money that you should absolutely not take.

Tips lying on tables

Money from donation cups

Money from fountains or other public structures.

Money dropped by someone standing near. (always return money to the person who dropped it if they are there.

Money that children have laid down while they look at something. (I've seen this. It is just mean!)

Money in a wallet or purse with identification.

A large amount of money.

Suspicious money. You know...the briefcase full of stacks of thousand dollar bills we see in movies? In real life, that might not be such a great find.

It can be very hard to determine when money with no identification should be returned. Although it is most ethical to return large sums, sometimes you do wonder whether or not stores or business make any effort to see that it gets back to it's rightful owner.

Use your best judgement here, but if it seems like a LOT of money, you might try the police station rather than handing it over to a cashier or clerk. If you find larger bills that are lost out and about, you just have to go with your instincts. Once, someone I knew found a $10 bill stuck in her fence after a storm. How would you even begin to find the real owner?

Save Your Money for That Rainy Day

Finding and saving found money can be fun. It can also be really tempting to spend it once it starts adding up to $10 and beyond.

Look at found money for what it is, FREE money. You didn't work for it and it isn't in your budget. Therefore, there is no need to spend it. You are used to living without it, right? Naturally, you can pull it out in the case of an emergency, but hopefully that will never happen.

Make saving found money a challenging adventure. Designate a special container just for found money, no matter how mediocre your findings. Let it add up.

When it reaches a goal amount, $10, $20, or even $100...take it to the bank and open a high yield savings account. Once you get enough, roll the money into a CD or invest it to make it earn a little extra. Or you can just leave it in the account and add more free money every time your coin jar gets full.

You don't necessarily have to leave it in there for the rest of your life. You can always aim for certain amount to purchase a much needed or wanted item. You can even use spare change to pay off a small debt.

The best thing you can do is to keep tossing that change into a container and forgetting it. If you spend a lot of time keeping up with how much you have, you are going to get pretty depressed, especially when the money-hunting is slow. Forgotten money tends to multiply faster than counted money, and is less likely to be spent on a whim.

Don't let a great opportunity to earn an extra few dollars a year pass you by. Pick up those pennies and nickels. Dig out that crumpled dollar from the gutter. Any money is good money, and you might as well put it to some good use!

Make It a Game

Encourage children to (safely) accumulate money they find, too.

Decorate a separate container or bank for found money and make a contest to see who can fill their's up faster. (no spending!)

Pool all found money for one big family treat, such as a day-trip.

Have each child choose a charity and help them save and donate their found money once their bank is filled.

Free Money

Moriah on February 03, 2020:

Thanks! You inspired me to do this too! And I’ve already found lots of change! Oh, plus, if you go into your grocery store, you’ll have a 99 % chance you’ll find money. I ALWAYS find money in my Kroger.

a non e mous on August 26, 2019:

i have been collecting change since i was 5 years old, and i reccomend jeans for the little pocket just in case. also, if you go on your hands and knees in something gross, it will protect your legs from that

Three Gun Fish on August 10, 2019:

I walk my dogs everyday and find loose change all the time on the sidewalk. I guess people in my neighborhood just don't care about coins. I'm not complaining though, more money for me! YAY!

Mike on May 08, 2019:

My usual money-finding places include vending machine coin returns, the floor near grocery checkouts, drive-thru lanes of closed fast food restaurants, and bus stops. Crowd-events ( festivals, fairgrounds, etc. )are great places for finding big items like $20 bills

Mike on May 04, 2019:

I have enjoyed walking and looking so much on the ground finding change that I'm feeling my hard work relating to focus is really paying off dividends.

Just yesterday, I found a $5 bill, and four months ago, I found $45 in a parking lot. For the parking lot, I noticed the $5 bill first and could have just walked away happy, but I quickly looked around for any other bills and found a pair of $20 bills a couple of feet away.

I find several coins all the time, and sometimes I find 2-5 coins a day! I just love it!

Clayton Moore on May 02, 2019:

Hi Jayme,

This seems a little gross. Have you heard of Geocaching? I feel like it would scratch this kind of hunting itch without being as gross.

https://www.geocaching.com/play

Linda on April 24, 2019:

My mom always used to tell me to look down and around while I walk because you never know what you'll find.

Regina on April 07, 2019:

Thx so much! Ive been hunting down change for a phone. $6.01 strong amirite? Haha jokes aside, my goal is $40-$45.. HELPPPP... I really need an upgrade..

Doneta Wrate from Michigan on April 05, 2019:

I don't look down very much when I walk or shop so I rarely find money on the ground or elsewhere.

Jessica on January 05, 2019:

I had a friend find $300 in a book at a thrift store and i also found $20 in a book at a different thrift store, they most the time just throw the books on the shelf because they get to many in to check them all.

dantheman1 on August 19, 2018:

The pay phone thing is definitely true. When I was little my parents dragged me to a convention and let me roam the huge convention center while they were busy (it was the 80's an 11 year old had more freedom then) and I explored and came across a huge room with what seemed like 50 pay phones and no one in there. Having nothing else to do I checked every coin return and by the time I was done I had about 2.75 I think it was. Now obviously today those pay phones are long gone, but betting anyplace with a lot of machines with coin returns would have that happen. Especially given that now a days a quarter is even more disposable then it was in the 80's.

Ella on July 10, 2018:

And you Can put all your change\coins in a coin star and get a bunch of bills for them!!!!I got over 20 dollars in 2 weeks because I would find a bunch of lost change!!!!this is a great way to get some pocket money!!

Anonomus on April 05, 2018:

The bag carousels are also great places to find coins at air ports another way is to return the airport rental carts people leave them everywhere and you get a quarter for returning one

gremlina on October 27, 2017:

Hi, my hubby and I are retired and I used to dream about finding tons of change just walking along the street. Such a great dream!

My hubby repairs and resells washers and dryers and many times has found coins and even bills! He still gets excited whenever that happens! Love your site!!!!!

Ladybugs777 on October 01, 2017:

I've also been able to find change at fast-food line-ups, on buses (as if people are too rushed to bother), and I currently work in a shop, where I'm responsible for closing procedures so I make sure I sweep everywhere, especially under the seats. Unfortunately, I haven't had any luck with the latter, but it's worth a try. Change is becoming scarce so I also do bottles. I know that sounds gross, but I make sure I bring some hand sanitizer while picking them up discretely. Great time for that is around shopping mall parking lots when most of the stores are closed, and out at night before garbage day.

Lisa on August 27, 2017:

Movie theater parking lots can be good too. Found a folded $20 with a torn ticket stub, probably from a teenager's pocket. He was apparently long gone.

Don A. Hoglund from Wisconsin Rapids on August 06, 2017:

I don't find much money but I walk my dog two or three miles a days and occasionally see pennies, nickle or dimes on the groung. Yes, I do pick them Up.

Frank Rolas on July 27, 2017:

I once found a $100 bill on the road, I took it after looking for its owner.

Carl Hubble on July 06, 2017:

What a great article! Keep up the good work

Maci on April 22, 2017:

Thank you this is really interesting and useful, seen as I'm a preteen I'm always looking for loose change (even though I have not used you're techniques yet. One time me and my brother were walking and found and abandoned vending machine and decided to look i n the change slot, AND THERE WAS A QUARTER, I was so exited and I used it to buy my brother a sour jaw breaker from one of the vending machines at stores!

Liz Elias from Oakley, CA on April 22, 2017:

Yet another story...regarding "lucky" pennies, etc. My ex-mother-in-law used to always pick up any money she found. However, rather that put it in a jar and save it to bank, or for a treat, she would tape the coin(s) to an index card, and write on it, "lucky penny, found (date and place). Then, it went in a shoebox.

When she passed, and the grown kids were cleaning out the house, they found the shoebox, overflowing with "lucky" coins, all taped to the cards. I don't know if it was mostly pennies, or what; I was not there.

But sadly, they decided it was just too much trouble to bother trying to remove the coins from the cards, and then 'unsticky' the coins...so, they tossed the entire box into the dumpster!!!

:-O If I'd been there, I'd have said that if they were going to just throw it away, I'd take it! I couldn't believe it when my ex told me that!

pop1950 on March 03, 2017:

We have a car wash with 10 free vacs: I make a point to go every day & look , Week-end is best cause folks like a clean car then, I always find change .. I go at night when no one is there , that,s when I find the most .. Then drive thru eating places , then drug stores , I keep it in a change bag that I also found , I just love it ,

Danny on August 05, 2016:

If I ever find a wallet, I walways take all the cash and leave behind cards.

anonumous l on June 28, 2016:

the absolute best place to find cash is tree lawns and right next to the curb in the street.

i literally had a heart attack once i found a roll of dirty bills all hundreds it added to $500 dollars.

see people in densly packed neighborhoods park on the side streets for stores and lose money or are messed up and lose it.

Andrea Parker from Florida on March 10, 2016:

This is quite an interesting idea for a hub. I love looking for money and in fact some people have those money detection machines that they use on the beach and such. My daughter and I have a saying, "See a penny pick it up all day long you'll have good luck!"

Jayme Kinsey (author) from Oklahoma on October 16, 2015:

@jacobb9205 -- I usually just make a short notation in my journal at the end of the day if I am trying to track found money. I'm not very strict about it unless I am challenging myself.

Silva Hayes from Spicewood, Texas on February 14, 2015:

It would be fun to keep a log. If I went out looking with a metal detector, I would definitely keep a log of the date, location, and amount. What fun.

Jacobb9205 on February 14, 2015:

Wow great tips! 1 question though, how do you know exactly where and how much you found for the year? Do you log your earnings?

Alvinet on December 07, 2014:

Interesting article. I have never thought about looking those pennies :).

Silva Hayes from Spicewood, Texas on December 06, 2014:

Last week I found $11 on the floor in a dressing room!

John Hansen from Queensland Australia on December 06, 2014:

Very interesting and useful hub Sharkye11, it gives a lot of good ideas about where to look for loose change that would otherwise just go to waste. I'll be walking around with my eyes down today. I once bought a second hand book and found a $20 bill inside being used as a bookmark..jackpot! Another time I found an unmarked envelope on the ground in a car park..it had $100 inside, but usually it is only small change.

Silva Hayes from Spicewood, Texas on November 17, 2014:

Just today I found a quarter as I walked into a convenience store. On the way back to my car I found a dime! So exciting.

Marion Reads from Canada on November 17, 2014:

I often find money. Outside liquor stores or pubs, I find ten-dollar bills. A week ago I found a fifty-dollar bill! Being a pensioner, I sure needed it. I spent it on health supplements. Marion Reads

Liz Elias from Oakley, CA on June 04, 2014:

LOL--and I just picked up 31 cents off the floor in front of some toy/game machines on my way out of the grocery store yesterday!

Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on June 03, 2014:

Here goes your 100th comment. Congratulations on your many HOTD accolades! This article is interesting, creative, practical, fun, useful and more. I usually look for coins during my walk. Now, you'll have me looking everywhere. Thanks!

Suzie from Carson City on February 16, 2014:

Sharkye11.....Reading this delightful hub made me begin to think you may be the daughter I never had.

Paula's my name....Penny pinchin-dollar stretchin's my game!......and I'm talking about being hugely, continually frugal. Not my fault, it's in my DNA.

I love the way your family made a game of this money hunting. While so many people see this as bizarre and a waste of time, I say, "fine," all the better for people like you and me to discover!

One more thing. You are an incredibly talented writer!......Peace.

Up+++ tweeted and pinned

Rohan Rinaldo Felix from Chennai, India on November 09, 2013:

Fascinating article! I never knew people could think up such things for an article. kudos!

Jason Smith from Bastrop, Texas on October 28, 2013:

Great hub, I find the bulk of lose change in our washer and dryer. I have found several hundred dollars in there over time I'm sure.

Jayme Kinsey (author) from Oklahoma on October 25, 2013:

@errorantes--Thank you for reading. Yes, there are many great places, and I have learned some new ones from readers too!

Jayme Kinsey (author) from Oklahoma on October 16, 2013:

@audreyhowitt--Thank you very much for reading!

@teaches12345--The toilet bowl was the strangest place so far...and I am glad I only saw that once! Thanks for reading!

Jayme Kinsey (author) from Oklahoma on October 03, 2013:

@Denise Handlon--Thanks for the hug and the congrats! I LOVE the idea you had for the found money. I could see that being a major project though, but definitely something you could chronicle as you went along. A project like that might even make the news.

Strangely, since I wrote this, I haven't found more than a penny or two! But then, found money usually comes in cycles. Hope you find plenty along your journeys, and thanks again!

christryon on September 26, 2013:

I LOVE this article! My husband has a metal detector and on his days off work, that is how he spends his time. You might also want to look under the bleachers at your neighborhood pick up games along with playgrounds. They are a perpetual gold mine.

Jayme Kinsey (author) from Oklahoma on September 25, 2013:

@DzyMsLizzy--Wow. Sounds like your mother really had the gift! The fact that she had dreams about it even though she didn't actively look for money just proves she was a very lucky lady!

About finding coins in stores, I have asked at stores before. I don't know if all stores agree, but the ones here say that if it was not paid to them, then it is not their money. Because they are a business, the only money that really belongs to them is what goes into the cash register. Of course, money left on the counter in those penny dishes to be used by anyone who needs a couple of cents, or the money in charity jars is not free to take, but if it is on the floor, it pretty much belongs to whoever finds it. Hope that helps! If it still bothers you, you could always pick it up and add it to whatever collection jar is on the counter or nearby.

And that is very awesome about finding the quarter. Maybe now that you are thinking of it more, you will have some of your mother's luck more often.

Thanks for reading and sharing your experiences with all of us!

Liz Elias from Oakley, CA on September 17, 2013:

P.S. I was at a local festival last weekend, and almost as soon as I got out of my car, found a quarter in the grass. Perhaps my mother was looking down on me, and sharing her "dream" sequence. LOL

Jayme Kinsey (author) from Oklahoma on September 17, 2013:

@Thelma Alberts--I am glad you pick up dropped coins. I do indeed believe that they are lucky! Happy money hunting and thanks for reading!

Jayme Kinsey (author) from Oklahoma on September 16, 2013:

@rose-the-planner Thank you! I am glad you enjoyed and I hope it helps you find some extra money!

Jayme Kinsey (author) from Oklahoma on September 15, 2013:

@Chris in VA--Wow! Someone definitely had a hole in their pocket. I don't think I have ever found more than a few pennies at the bank. The closest gas station to us has a casino next door. You would think those people would hold onto their money, but I find lots of cash on that parking lot. Mostly ones and fives. I guess the big winners can't be bothered with chasing down small bills!

Jayme Kinsey (author) from Oklahoma on September 11, 2013:

@Vinaya--Sorry to hear about that. I always believe in returning large amounts of money, or any money found in an area where it is likely that the owner is still there. Usually, they won't even take small change if you try to give it back to them though. I still think it was nice that you used your found money to do something nice for others. Thank you for reading!

Silva Hayes from Spicewood, Texas on September 10, 2013:

Funny how finding money can change a person's attitude. Once my friend and I went "rock-hunting" and she made her 13-year-old girl go with us. Well, the girl was bored and extremely unhappy; she dragged her feet and pouted along behind us. It had rained recently and we crossed a creek that had swift-flowing water. Along came a dollar bill being carried downstream. Quick as a flash, the girl grabbed the money and smiled and completely changed her attitude for the rest of the morning. So cute! (This was years ago when a dollar went much further than it does today.)

Jayme Kinsey (author) from Oklahoma on September 09, 2013:

@dahoglund--That still sounds practical! Thanks for reading!

Jayme Kinsey (author) from Oklahoma on September 08, 2013:

@Majidsiko--laundry is always a hot-spot for lost change. So are the small spaces between automobile seats! Good luck with your money-hunting!

Christy Birmingham from British Columbia, Canada on September 08, 2013:

How interesting! I had not thought of looking around arcades but you're right that people may drop change or forget to pick it up. Now where to look today... :)

Jayme Kinsey (author) from Oklahoma on September 08, 2013:

@mary615--Aww, never give up! It can show up in strange places! Thanks for reading!

Jayme Kinsey (author) from Oklahoma on September 02, 2013:

@Windclimber--Wow! That is a great story! Like you, I am not sure that he did more than break even unless the coffee was pretty cheap, lol! But still...saved money is saved money! He got to enjoy his coffee and still had a LOT of money to for a rainy day. Thanks for reading, commenting and sharing!

Jayme Kinsey (author) from Oklahoma on August 31, 2013:

@Silva Hayes--Oh yeah! Sounds like you have found plenty of good reasons to keep looking for money! It is fun too, isn't it? Thanks so much for reading and commenting!

Jayme Kinsey (author) from Oklahoma on August 28, 2013:

@drpennypincher--Yep, sounds like you have a gift for finding money. Not only is it a great way to find extra change, it is also free entertainment!

pat098@yahoo.com on August 28, 2013:

It's time to start looking!

Jatinder Joshi from Whitby, Ontario, Canada on August 27, 2013:

Nice style and 'eyes down'.

Jayme Kinsey (author) from Oklahoma on August 25, 2013:

@Dreamer Meg--Charity is always a good place for found money. You could keep the coins found coins in a container until the added up, then donate the whole jar. That is strange about people physically throwing the coins away. They don't go that far here, but I have seen a lot of people (especially middle-class and up) glance down if they drop coins. If it isn't the highest denomination coin, they won't bend down for it. Sometimes they leave those too, and any low bills as well.

Like you, I have no qualms about picking up money like that!

And I do the same with my own laundry. I keep a large plastic container on the laundry shelf. Every washday, all the money found in the laundry goes in that container. Of course, usually it comes from my pockets, because I am very bad about forgetting it! But that money goes back for things for the house, so I lose my spending money for being thoughtless, just like everyone else, lol.

Jayme Kinsey (author) from Oklahoma on August 25, 2013:

@rebeccamealy--thank you! Hope you have great luck finding money!

@starbright--Thank you for reading! I hope it helps!

Jayme Kinsey (author) from Oklahoma on August 25, 2013:

@Michelle--absolutely! Pennies are very lucky! Thank you! :)

Better Yourself from North Carolina on August 25, 2013:

Very interesting hub, and congrats on HOTD! I will have my eyes open more for dropped change, it really can add up.

Jayme Kinsey (author) from Oklahoma on August 24, 2013:

@lovedoctor926--Thank you! Glad you read and commented, and I hope you have good luck finding some extra $$!

Lena Kovadlo from Staten Island, NY on August 24, 2013:

Interesting hub. Many of us don't really think of bending down to the ground when we see a shiny penny or nickel or dime... because we deem it dirty and not worth our efforts. But even small change can add up overtime. I have over $23 in pennies in a shoe box that I have to deposit to the bank and I had a lot of pennies I had already deposited to the bank worth over $20...While pennies may seem like they are worthless they do add up!

Mary Craig from New York on August 24, 2013:

Creative idea fo r a hub and of course congratulations are due for HOTD status! It is often the little things in life we overlook.

I imagine there will be a lot of people running into walls as they watch the sidewalk for found money! Great job Sharkye.

Voted up, useful, and interesting.

Jayme Kinsey (author) from Oklahoma on August 23, 2013:

@Nell Rose--Wow! Lucky gal! Thanks for the tip! I hope it helps other readers! :)

Jayme Kinsey (author) from Oklahoma on August 23, 2013:

@Resident Weevil--I won't say I wasn't tempted...but the toilet didn't look like it had been flushed before the dollar was implanted. I just exited the stall and sobbed at my misfortune. Both in seeing an unattainable dollar, and at not being able to find a clean toilet. Woe to me! :)

Jayme Kinsey (author) from Oklahoma on August 23, 2013:

@Pamela Mae--Definitely! It is important to keep our own change rounded up too, and the washing machine is ideal for finding our own lost personal pennies. Which is why laundromats are profitable too! Thanks so much fro reading!

C E Clark from North Texas on August 23, 2013:

Congratulations on Hub of the Day!

Jayme Kinsey (author) from Oklahoma on August 23, 2013:

@MJennifer--Wow, that sounds like a profitable little business you had going on there. Good for the planet and for your pocket! That is why I don't feel guilty about pocketing found money, most of the time it seems like it is lost irresponsibly. Coins are found because people don't want to pick them up. Twenties? Um...you kinda have to be irresponsible to lose a twenty! Lol! Thanks for reading and sharing your money finding story with me and other readers!

Suzanne Ridgeway from Dublin, Ireland on August 23, 2013:

Hi Sharkye,

What an original and well put together hub! So deserving of HOTD and sorry I missed first time round! Love your creative ideas and it can certainly mount up. I have always had jars for big coins and then one for the bronze 1c and 2c but most are from loose change in my wallet, handbag or found around the house. Must start opening my eyes while out and about! My brother used to collect 1 euro and 2 euro coins and boy did they mount up as he never counted or bagged up until his large container was full. Great ideas, fun read and lovely pics and layout!

Voted up, useful, interesting!

Jayme Kinsey (author) from Oklahoma on August 23, 2013:

@Gratitude journal--it takes a highly complex scientific mind to profit from other's laziness, lol. I wouldn't advise you to quit your day job though, with frugal living being a hot trend right now, less people are likely to leave their dropped pennies on the ground. :)

Jayme Kinsey (author) from Oklahoma on August 23, 2013:

@Victoria Lynne--I've been finding more since writing the hub. I think I reminded myself to take my own advice and look down (in, around,up etc. ) more often! Thanks for reading!

Ana Maria Orantes from Miami Florida on August 23, 2013:

Hello Ms.Sharkye11. I like your article. It is a fact. There are a lot of places.Where people can find money. Thanks for the tip.

Dianna Mendez on August 23, 2013:

You gave me a smile reading this post. I have found money in the oddest places.

Audrey Howitt from California on August 23, 2013:

Congrats--both on the HOTD and on a great article!

Denise Handlon from North Carolina on August 23, 2013:

Oh, Sharkye11-I LOVED this hub because I actually am one of those people who is constantly on the watch for coins left behind! lol In fact, I've been 'collecting' coins of all sorts for the past 10 years. Believe it or not, it began as a project to collect odd change for homeless people. I was tracking the coin, its location where found, and the date. I eventually gave up on that as I ended up moving around so much. My bags of coins kept getting larger and heavier. I had visions of weaving them into some sort of tapestry that showed off the locations, etc. Then, I was going to 'auction' the item off and donate the money to a homeless shelter. Ahh, to my dismay, I never did finish up that project...maybe bit off more than I could chew. However, I haven't kicked the money search and just recently caught myself looking down in the parking lot wondering how many people do what I do. What a timely hub! At least I know I am not alone in doing this. :)

Sending you a huge hug for a great hub and a congratulations on your HOTD! Cheers. Up/I/U and sharing.

Liz Elias from Oakley, CA on August 23, 2013:

Congrats on HOTD!!

I had to laugh. My mother used to find change all the time. She did keep it in a separate 'found money' coin bank that was a miniature world globe. It would hold about $10 worth, depending on the denominations.

She didn't even really look for it; this was all coins lying on the ground, and she didn't walk around 'looking down.' It sort of seemed to find her! Funny, as she had a recurring dream ever since her childhood, in which she would be digging a hole in the garden, presumably to plant something, and would find the hole lined with all sorts of coins. (Though that particular dream never came true, it did seem to show that she would be lucky in finding coins.)

I haven't had that kind of luck. Once in a great while, I see the odd penny in a parking lot or near a store register..but the latter, I always feel 'weird' about picking up--after all, does it "belong" to the store????

I think if I had collected ALL the odd coins I've ever found in my life, that by now (age 65), I might be lucky to have five bucks. I'll have to add checking vending machines to my "out and about" activities... LOL

Voted up, interesting and useful.

Thelma Alberts from Germany and Philippines on August 23, 2013:

Congrats on the HOTD! This is a very interesting hub. I´m always happy finding coins in the street as I think it brings luck. Thanks for sharing this useful and informative hub. Happy weekend!

rose-the planner from Toronto, Ontario-Canada on August 23, 2013:

Congratulations on HOTD! It is always nice to find money and now you have offered some very interesting tips. Thank you for sharing. (Voted Up) -Rose

Chris in VA from Virginia on August 23, 2013:

Honestly, the one place I never expected to find money was in the parking lot of my bank.

I was looking down, deep in some philosophical thought about a football game, when I saw a couple of dollar bills on the ground. I looked around and followed the trail to a grand total of $132 with no one having entered or leaving the parking lot while I was there.

Best treasure hunting day I ever had.

Vinaya Ghimire from Nepal on August 23, 2013:

When I was in highschool, I found money in the school yard. And I gave a treat to my friends.However, the other day I came to know the money belonged to my classmate. This made me terribly sad.

Congrats for the HOTD.

Don A. Hoglund from Wisconsin Rapids on August 23, 2013:

I don't really search for lost money, but if I run across it I do pick it up. Even pennies.

Majidsiko from Kenya on August 23, 2013:

I usually become more aware when I'm broke. The best place to look is in the car and sofa. Another place is in my jeans there is always money there, especially my weekend clothes and my work bag.

Mary Hyatt from Florida on August 23, 2013:

I'm just not lucky, I guess. I never find any money! Congrats on HOTD!

I'll be looking closer at the ground from now on.

Voted UP and shared.

Windclimber from my boat somewhere on the Chesapeake Bay on August 23, 2013:

I sometimes work with a 72 year old man (who outworks me, btw), and several times he's told me the story of a friend of his who picked up change outside the 7-11 every morning when he stopped there for his morning coffee. He put the collected change in bigger and bigger containers in the garage, and after about 20 years, he had his grandkids help him sort it out and count it. It totaled $18,000! That's a new car, a year of college, etc.! And it was a great lesson for the grandkids! (Note: just you never mind how much he spent on coffee every work day for 20 years.)

Silva Hayes from Spicewood, Texas on August 23, 2013:

I've always been lucky with finding money, so I tend to watch the ground when I walk in public places. I've found money in grocery store, thrift shop, and restaurant parking lots, on the floors of grocery stores and restaurants, in airplane seats and washing machines, and I would never pass up a penny, especially one that was heads-up! Great hub!

Dr Penny Pincher from Iowa, USA on August 23, 2013:

I have found enough money that I can't stop looking around for it when I am walking. I found a $5, a $20 bill and several small bills at different times- that was enough to train me to pay attention to the ground when I am walking. Congrats on Hub of the Day!

DreamerMeg from Northern Ireland on August 23, 2013:

I have noticed a trend in the UK over the past number of years for young people to throw money away - literally! They will pick through the change they have received after buying something and toss away the low value coins. Right enough, this habit has tapered off recently, while the economic situation is bad. I was walking through Belfast one day, while a lunchtime shopper was going through their change and tossing out the pennies. A few paces behind, there was a nun, picking up all those coins.

If I find a coin just lying in the street, I have to admit that I don't feel "right" about keeping it, so I usually drop it in the nearest charity box but if I see someone throwing money away, I feel quite happy keeping it.

My favourite place for finding money - laundry. I ALWAYS check the pockets of all garments I put in the wash, because coins can damage the drum of the washing machine. I have told everyone in the house that I KEEP anything I find - it's a good incentive for them to check their pockets before putting clothes in the laundry basket.

Lucy Jones from Scandinavia on August 23, 2013:

Nicely done Sharkeye. Thanks for sharing your money finding guide. Shared and voted.

Rebecca Mealey from Northeastern Georgia, USA on August 23, 2013:

Thanks for the good money-finding tips! I must look down more often!

Michelle Liew from Singapore on August 22, 2013:

As they say, "see a penny, pick it up, and all day long you'll have good luck!" Sharing, Sharkeye.

Jayme Kinsey (author) from Oklahoma on August 21, 2013:

@amethystraven--Glad to hear it. And yes they do add up. I found eleven pennies yesterday, and that is better than a dime! Always useful to find money!

Jayme Kinsey (author) from Oklahoma on August 20, 2013:

@retromellie--Way to go! That is definitely a positive example of why we should take the time to save dropped change! Thanks for sharing!

Jayme Kinsey (author) from Oklahoma on August 19, 2013:

@RobinBull I hear you! As a WAHM I can use money, period! Lol! It really can't help any of us get richer, (unless we are super lucky!) but it does add up enough to buy a treat every now and then. Thanks for reading, and I hope you find lots of dropped change.

Jayme Kinsey (author) from Oklahoma on August 19, 2013:

@teb0---Oh no! I have had that happen before. It is so sad. Lol. I used to be a lot luckier in finding paper money, but too many people use debit cards now. So less change and paper money dropped. Still, it never hurts to luck because sometimes we really can get lucky!

lovedoctor926 on August 19, 2013:

These are very clever places to find loose change. I will keep these ideas in mind and start looking down more whenever I am at a department store.

Nell Rose from England on August 19, 2013:

I always go for swimming pool lockers, we have to put the pound coin in so that we can use the locker, and so many people forget to take it back out! lol! I walked over with five pounds the other day! approx 8 dollars!

Jayme Kinsey (author) from Oklahoma on August 18, 2013:

@Linda---Oh yes. Payphones used to be great little money-makers. I remember a truck stop in SE Oklahoma that ALWAYS had quarters in the slot. They are gone too now. So sad. I just hope vending machines never switch to being only for debit cards!

Resident Weevil on August 17, 2013:

Why didn't you grab the dollar in the public toilet? Good grief, a dollar's a dollar!