Just Pennies

Since I found a paycheck over the summer I have had less time to post about finding pennies but today was noteworthy (and a recent mention in the Coffee News in Monroe MI - thanks Yvette!) I'm inspired to post again.

We had a recent snowstorm that yielded us some pennies as the snow melted.

Today was two dimes (people don't like it pick up wet money but I think it's cleaner, right?) and six pennies from 118 Street to the 116 subway station and then back. Yesterday was the most gruesome and dirtiest find in the subway - one penny that my daughter and I had to reach through the gate to get out of a pile of grime. It was nasty and those gloves are in the laundry.

I am going to estimate we've found about $1.32 since our last post (there were three quarters in there). I think that's a conservative estimate.

Blighty Spares No Change

Mind the poverty gap, folks, a week in London yielded ZERO in the Department of Found Money. You've got a better chance of finding a Ducat in China than finding any loose Sterling lying around London.

Total this past week = $0 but a wonderful vacation as a guest at Holly's Kentish Cloud in Tower

Nickel & Dimed

People don't stop to pick up coins during a down pour. In the strong rains that have continued of late, we've swooped down and collected $1.12. And a cat whom we've named Nova. When he blinks we see cent signs in his eyes.

Total haul for the last ten days = $1.12 and a cat with orange eyes.

TOTAL to date $27.51

.37 and she's yours

Since we last checked in we have found pennies in pools, on beaches, on the subway, at the registers in grocery stores, and in the rain on the sidewalk. Same goes for nickels and dimes. Today, there were seven pennies and a dime shining up at us from our own rain-slicked stoop as we left for work/school.

Total haul for the last nine days = .37

TOTAL to date = $26.39

U-Haul Ten Cents

I found a dime near a U-Haul lot and thought this picture of a walrus on the side of one of their trucks was funny. That's a ten cent laugh for you.

Don't hate me, but I did not pickup a shiny penny and a nickel on the subway yesterday.

I was too tired from playing football and rollerblading. I haven't been that physical since I was five years old breaking rocks on a chain gang.

Please note, I'm done with the football and whiffle ball and Frisbee and rollerblading for a while because they're cutting into my riches. When catching the game-winning Hail Mary pass costs you six cents because you're too tired to bend over and pick them up - it's time to rethink your priorities.

Well, you can count on me. I'm going for sure riches over uncertain health benefits and probable injuries. To hell with Frisbee and football.

And I'll leave whiffle ball to the Beastie Boys.

Total haul for the last few days = .10 and some sore muscles

TOTAL to date = $26.02

Love for MJ in Harlem

Dry as a bone here in Harlem today but raining copper. And Nickel. We found 17 pennies and one nickel walking along 125th Street, which is one long Michael Jackson memorial. People must be so busy looking at all the Michael Jackson memorabilia that they don't care if they drop money.



The best MJ tribute was a huge tarp that had a close-up of Michael's face from the Thriller album (with tiger cheated in) airbrushed onto it and a guy with a camera charging people to have their portrait taken in front of the tarp. I may go back this weekend and get my photo taken there.

We add the whopping .22 we found today to the paltry .03 found over the weekend in Virginia and we have a nice round .25 cents.

Total haul today = .25 and some love for MJ, RIP

TOTAL to date = $25.98

Three

Three cents and three trees. Although my cents were found on cement sidewalks, I thought the three trees were better looking than the patch of cement.

Total haul for the day = .03 and some peace

TOTAL to date = A completely underwhelming $25.70

Three Cents and a Bunch of Lavendar

There's a great park in NYC that has AMAZING landscaping. It has to be seen to be believed. Even the mushrooms come up in the right place. It's so nice, I'm not going to say where it is! But I found three cents on the way there.

Total haul today = .03

TOTAL to date = $25.67

Summer Hours

We're sort of busy eating pretzels on park benches and enjoying the summer in NYC so we may not update daily for a while. Who knows.

However, we did find some change recently. Two dimes at the laundromat and a slew of pennies throughout the city this last week. Fourteen pennies, to be precise.

Total haul over last five, storm-riddled days = .34

TOTAL to date = $25.64

It's Been a Year

A slow year. The market crashed. The mortgage industry imploded. The New York Times nearly became the No York Times. The American automotive industry is in collapse. The government pledged $787 Billion for economic stimulus. What a year to start counting found money.

In the past year I found only three paper bills. In every year prior to this one I found more paper money. But I won't give up.

And on we go into Year Two of Found Money. We can do it - we can find a manila envelope with $50K in it.

Yesterday we found five pennies. Total haul for June 19, 20, 21, 22 = .05 and a whole hell of a lot of RAIN.

Total haul for today = so far, nothing

TOTAL to date = $25.30

Coin Comedy

Comedy Corner has coins, ya'll. I found a nickel and two pennies there on Wednesday night while changing my shoes before my set.

Wednesday total = .07 and a handful of crickets

Today's rain offered up two floaters (pennies in puddles).

Total since Tuesday = .09

TOTAL to date = $25.25 and some open mic sets

Dime in the Dirt

Two pennies on the sidewalk, one in Harlem and one in SoHo, and a dime in the dirt on 119th Street

Total haul today = .12

TOTAL to date = $25.16

I Think I See a Quarter!

Weekend Update
(more of that idiot dog here, by the way)

Saturday = .01 found in the "Coqui!" melee on 3rd Avenue in Spanish Harlem
Sunday/Flag Day = .04 found on the way to NJ Transit (bus, walk, subway, walk, train)

Today I saw a dime roll to a stop in the street not far from the curb where I was standing. I picked it up after it fell and it was still warm; it was fresh from someone's hand or pocket. I crossed the street and passed a bunch of school kids and I think I heard one say, "That's my dime." Not any more it's not.

Total haul for the weekend and today = .15

TOTAL to date $25.04

Singlet & The High Line

Yesterday was a one cent day. Found a penny on Lexington Avenue. Did not find anything but superior design and execution at the newly opened High Line park in west Manhattan. It is AWESOME.

I can't wait for them to finish the rest of the park because what they've created so far is so good that it will be MOBBED. By the way, no jogging up there - "it's not an exercise park." But they did let my kid haul a** around the place.

Total haul for June 11th = .01

TOTAL to date = $24.89

Ugly But True

I passed this coin in the dirt yesterday here on 118th but couldn't stop to pick it up because I was carrying my 54-pound sleeping wonder. Today I saw it again and was happy to see that it is (barely) a nickel. Also found a penny in the subway station.

At jury duty today a guy in front of me dropped a bunch of change but all the do-gooders helped him recover it. Maybe I'll find something this afternoon near the Astor case which is being held down the hall - with paparazzi and the works.

Total haul for the day = .06

TOTAL to date = $24.94

25 Cent Rain

Thunder cracked loud at 4:30 this morning and woke me up. I enjoyed the light show before falling back asleep. A blackened sky kept us at home during rush hour so we left late this morning but then we ran for it. We found two cents while running. And then I found another penny on the street, a dime on the train, and another penny walking home with my kid, who found a dime somewhere during the day.

(the photo was totally ripped from the Internet - go here to see more)

Total haul today = .25 and about 2 inches of rain

TOTAL to date = $24.88

One friend found seven singles in Brooklyn today. I suggested he purchase a 40 of OE with it.

Dad, Can I Have a Nickel?

No, son, you don't have any pockets. And your brother there would just eat it any way.

Excellent. So *I* got the nickel I found in the Congo exhibit at the Bronx Zoo today.

I tell ya, there's nothing like playing hookie from unemployment and going to the zoo on a perfect 73F Monday. It was beautiful and empty.

Total haul today = .05 and some gorilla snaps

TOTAL to date = $24.63

Not Much

My daughter came home with a penny.

Total haul for today = .01

TOTAL to date = $24.58

Clickety Clack

Found five pennies yesterday, June 5th. Four were on the stoop of my building. Lost winnings from last night's dice game, probably. Clickety Clack. And another around the corner.

Total haul yesterday = .05

TOTAL to date = $24.57

0+1=1

Wednesday = 0, as in 0uch.

Today I found a penny as I came out of the subway at 116th street. It was a great excuse to stop and put down all of my Trader Joe's and Whole Foods bags, which were stretching my arms.

Total haul today = .01 and longer arms

TOTAL to date = $24.52

Sixth Cents

I almost went ass-over-teakettle today picking up a nickel off of the floor of the 6 train while it was pulling into a station, which is precisely when those ridiculous brakes make you want to take your own eardrums out with a paring knife. I recovered though, five cents richer.

Then I found a penny on 13th Street after watching Star Trek at the Union Square theater where a MOUSE RAN OVER MY LEG while I watched the movie. The theater was THAT empty. Okay, I think it was a mouse. It may have been a SMALL RAT. You've been warned. How was the movie? Who can remember!?

Total haul for the day = .06 and an intimate run-in with a rodent

TOTAL to date = $24.51

Finally!

I've been in Harlem for a month and finally found my first quarter. I also found three pennies on our first walk with the Idiot to Morningside Park (pictured here).

My favorite quote that I've heard in Harlem fits in with today's find. Last night, walking home from Central Park, we passed a guy standing up from a stoop and walking away from his friends and he said, "I think I'll go and try and get a cigarette; I have a quarter." Man, that's a cheap loosey.

Total haul for the day = .28

TOTAL to date = $24.45

Gracias from East Harlem

I was just thinking yesterday how silly it was that I post about a few pennies every day. And then some of you clever folks read my mind and sent me messages about how you like the blog.

Thanks to all of you who have sent support and to those who just keep coming back to be sure I haven't gotten rich on pennies yet. Your involvement makes it much more fun, so gracias from Spanish Harlem (where I found two HIGHLY oxidized pennies and one shiny one today.)

Photo was taken at Madison and 116th.

Total haul for the day = .03 and some respect

TOTAL to date = $24.17

Whole Pennies

It's been a slow week. Luckily, Whole Foods, in an attempt to support the local economy, let me take home four pennies from the Union Square store (flagship store in Austin, TX pictured above).

Total today = .01 (on Lexington Avenue)
Total yesterday = .04

TOTAL to date = $24.14

Thank You, Marcus Garvey

Right near the Marcus Garvey Playground at Madison Avenue and 121st Street, I found six pennies. Good thing Mr. Garvey wasn't around to ship them off to Africa.

I've been in Harlem for about a month now and have yet to see a quarter. Be nice to find a twenty too.

Total haul today = .06

TOTAL to date = $24.09

Cyclone Coin/Bone Shaker

I found a few pennies near the World Famous Cyclone at Coney Island. At first I thought they were shaken out of the pockets of people on the ride, but I was wrong. The only thing that ride shakes is your bones and brain. Holy crap, it's a rickety, jaggedy, jerky old thing. Next time I get up the EIGHT BUCKS to ride it, I will wear a helmet and neck brace. The pennies must've been placed there by people making offerings to the gods in hope of surviving the Cyclone.

The image above is part of the cattle-pen entrance to the Death Trap on Wheels.

Coney Island find on Saturday = .05

Other total from the rest of the week = .17 (Pennies and a nickel, mostly in Harlem. Not a single day without at least two cents)

Total haul since last Monday = .22 (and a sore, bone-crunched neck)

TOTAL to date = $24.03

The Recession is Over

Wheat paste graffiti never lies! This was shot on Crosby Street last week.

Saturday = .12 (dime and pennies)

Sunday = .01 (close call)

Monday = Subway shells out two more cents. Someone told me it was filthy to pick up coins on the floor and that I was teaching my daughter bad habits. I told my daughter not to listen to crazy strangers who can't mind their own business. Update: Subway offers up two *more* cents.

Total haul last few days = .17

TOTAL to date = $23.81

Kids Shoot the Darndest Things

My kid shot this picture with my camera on a gallery walk last night where she also found three pennies (updated in yesterday's totals). Today she was shooting a subway grate when she found another penny. And then I found two more pennies and a nickel in SoHo.

Total haul for the day .08

TOTAL to date = $23.64

In The News on WPIX

Found Moolah made the news again. You can view it here. Just be sure to click on the story "Savings Can Come From Loose Change."

In other news, I've found five pennies so far today. Three of them I heard fall while waiting in line with a friend at the Mud Truck. Two others were found on 13th Street.

Update: three more pennies found during gallery walk in Chelsea after school.

Total haul for the day = .08 and some TV coverage

TOTAL to date = $23.56

Summer's Coming - Get Out Your Metal Detector

Yesterday I didn't find anything, which often happens on days that I take a taxi.

Today I found a ridiculously oxidized penny between the cobble stones of Crosby Street. I was cold and hunched over and that's probably why I saw it.

It's in the 50s still and I'd rather be sunbathing.

Total haul today = .01 and a chill

TOTAL to date = $23.48

MetroCash

Five pennies is not great find, but tag to that *another* $11 Metrocard and you've got some winnings to celebrate. I found the metrocard on CPW.

Total haul for the day = .05 and a metrocard w/ $11 on it

TOTAL to date = $23.47

Happy Mother's Day

My child celebrated Mother's Day by finding the first penny today - right in front of our building. And we found three more while cruising around in our finery looking at flowers and eating sweets. Including one on the floor at SpaHa Cafe (our favorite eatery in Spanish Harlem), which has the best sweets in the neighborhood. I wholly recommend the fruit tarts.

And another 6 pennies in El Barrio.

Total haul so far today = .10

TOTAL to date = $23.42

.22 Clean

Steps from the 116th Street Subway station at Lexington, I found a dime and then another dime at the laundromat. And then two pennies on Lex walking home from a delicious dinner at Moustache (the lamb sandwich is one of the best things in NYC).

Total haul for the day = .22

TOTAL to date = $23.32

Pigs Get Fat, Hogs Get Slaughtered

Six cents at the Bronx Zoo today.

Total haul for the day = .06 and a bunch of souvenir photos

TOTAL to date = $23.10

Subway Boosts My Personal Economy

Now that I spend HOURS of every day riding the rails, I am finding more money (pennies) on platforms, near turnstiles, and on subway steps. And even in the cars themselves.

Today I scored four pennies thanks to the MTA.

Total haul for the day = .04

TOTAL to date = $23.04

23 Skidoo

Two more pennies found while walking the dog this morning put us over the line and into $23 land! Now I'm hoping to find a $20 bill.

Wisteria Will Be Here Soon

Meanwhile, I added three cents to the piggy banks. All from the grimy subway floors.

Total haul for the day = .03

TOTAL to date = $22.98

Penny in the Rain

One penny on East 118th Street on a wet sidewalk. It's been a week since I moved to Harlem and so far, nothing but pennies.

And more pennies. Five more near the subway turnstile and two more by a check out counter. Two more on the street. Harlem might be good for pennies.

Where is the paper!?

Total haul for the day = .10

TOTAL to date = $22.95

Harlem Lights

Eight pennies today in Harlem, five of which were stacked nicely on the base of a lamppost (sort of like the one pictured above) at Lexington Avenue. Another three on the floor near a check out counter.

May 2nd - one penny found at 116th Street station and another at the hardware store on 119th and 2nd = .02

May 1st - Worker's Day = No Pay

April 30th - .03 Union Square Park


Total haul for the day = .08

Total haul since last update = .13

TOTAL to date = $22.85

Money on the Move

After we got all packed up and the truck was loaded on Monday, the movers headed north and I got on the subway. I found a penny and a dime at the 116th Street stop - a nice welcome to my new home.

Additionally, there was a penny on my windowsill. And another on Lex last night.

Total since Monday = .13

TOTAL haul to date = $22.72

Trip trips

Three pennies found in Union Square Park yesterday. I tell you, I am sweating it out wondering if I will find any change in Harlem. Union Square Park is like a free coin ATM, it pays out like a drunk slot machine - DAILY.

The movers come in less than 48 hours. I really should be organizing, cleaning, throwing stuff away, and packing.

Total haul yesterday and so far today = .03

TOTAL to date = $22.59

Oh, I found a Metrocard at the Doctor's office this week. It had $11 on it. Ka-ching.

Subway Coin

14th Street Station pays out again with a penny and a quarter.

Total haul for the day = .26

TOTAL to date = $22.56

What's Your 20?

My new 20 will be Harlem as of next week. (20 is police lingo for location, btw.) I wonder if I'll find as much coin wandering the streets up in SpaHa (Spanish Harlem).

Today was a winner. Two pennies in the 14th Street subway station, a dime and a penny in my building's elevator, and my kid came home with seven pennies that she SWEARS she didn't take out of anyone's pockets (but I am not convinced).

Total haul for the day = .20

TOTAL to date = $22.30

One Cute Cent

Pennies are cuter in the spring time. This one found in Union Square Park by where the junkies hang out. They nod off and don't see the loose change.

Total haul for the day = .01

TOTAL to date = $22.10

Observe & Report

The movie theater continues to pay out. One dime right out side the cinema door. Plus two pennies yesterday and it's 12 cents.

TOTAL to date = $22.09

.01 + .10 + .01 = .12

I love a shiny dime on the sidewalk on the way to the movies (CRANK: HIGH VOLTAGE is MUST SEE, btw). And then a penny after the movies on University. And then a penny on the sidewalk outside a fantastic Cambodian sandwich shop where a really good friend treats your broke skinny ass to a delicious lunch.

Total haul for the day = .12

TOTAL to date = $21.97

Found!

So far today just one cent. But yesterday, April 14, I found six pennies. Last night I had a dream I found a half-dollar. I wish.

Total haul for yesterday and today = .07

TOTAL haul to date = $21.85

Eggs and Cents

For me, it wasn't a very good week for finding money, but I did find a dozen eggs (with the help of my daughter).

For Christopher, it was a GREAT week for finding money. He found a fin in Union Square (after getting assaulted by a guy wearing a REAL cat on his head) and then a sawbuck in Central Park.

Since my last post, I found a measly three cents.

TOTAL haul to date = $21.78

Big, Big Money

One cent found by a manhole cover in the East Village.

Total haul today = .01

TOTAL to date = $21.75

Passover Fun

If you like music videos and you have a sense of humor, you'll love this...
Good for the Jews


I found a dime, incidentally, in Union Square Park. It was muddy. I don't care.

Total haul for the day = .10 (and a really good video that made me howl)

Pennies in the Flowers

I found three pennies over the weekend, all next to flowers; one by a flower stall and two next to flower beds. I wish I could plant them and come back in about six months and pick $100 bills off little copper plants.

I also found a quarter - maybe I should plant it first.

Total haul for the weekend = .28

TOTAL to date = $21.32