Hey, big finds in the prior six weeks!

On September 30th, while attending a big sale at the Simi Valley Goodwill where I "cherry-pick" the good books sometimes for my Oddfellow's Book Shop, I found $18.00in the parking lot.

On October 10, I found a $5.00 dollar bill at the CVS store in Simi.

On November 12, I found 23 dimes and a penny in the coin counting machine at the Von's on Yosemite Ave.

On November 16, I found a $10 bill in front of the Simi Valley thrift shop on L.A. Ave.

Last Sunday, I found 9 quarters in the L.A. Times vending machine coin return shoot near the Carl's Jr. on L.A. Ave.

Also, found 2 quarters, 5 dimes, a nickel and 20 pennies in various other some finds since my last post.


Total finds since last post: $38.81
Total Found Since January 1, 2000: $1,031.04

Recycling Update!

September 29: I have been experimenting with making drop-offs at a weigh-only center for our recycling that it nearer to my daughter's school. The attendant will handcount up to 50 bottles or cans for a manual receipt. This is rather slow but at least you get full value for the deposits. I've made several trips as it's location is along our way to pick-up my daughter from school and not much extra gas is consumed in the process. I've reduced my stash to the tune of $9.45 and I've added this amount to the B&C Fund.


B&C FUND
This Day's Bottles & Cans Collected: N/A
Collection for the month: 366
Bottles and Cans in 2009: 683
Bottles & Cans Fund: $1,411.80 (Running Balance)

Money finds!

September 29: Yesterday, I found a nickel at the Thrifty Gas Station on Tapo St. I also, found a penny on Eileen St. where my bookstore in located. Today, I found three pennies at the Wendy's on L.A. Ave.

Total Found: 9 cents

Total finds since last post: $.09
Total Found Since January 1, 2000: $992.23
B&C FUND
This Day's Bottles & Cans Collected:2
Collection for the month: 177
Bottles and Cans in 2009: 317
Bottles & Cans Fund: $1,402.35 (Running Balance)

Well, It's been a while. An Update!

September 25, 2009: Just thought I'd update the blog as it's been a while... I was planning to bring this back to regular everyday post but I've become quite busy with running t he book shop. So, here's a post of a few finds to update the FMJ:

1. I found a single dollar bill in a hardback novel that I purchased for the bookstore's inventory.

2. I found a single dollar bill along the street infront of Ajay's school.

3. I have found 16 sixteen pennies in various locations through out Simi Valley.

4. I found a nickel at the rancho simi tennis courts in August.

5. Ajay found a $5 dollar bill while shopping in Porter Ranch with his mother.

6. I found a quarter whilepumping gas at the Yosemite Shell station.

We turned in $8.85 in recyclables since the last post.... I haven't had much time for taking in the recycling since starting the business as my store hours conflict with the hours that the recycling center stays open. So, I do have a lot of "stash" to turn in... maybe next week.

Total finds since last post: $7.46
Total Found Since January 1, 2000: $992.14
B&C FUND
This Day's Bottles & Cans Collected:0
Collection for the month: 30
Bottles and Cans in 2009: 317
Bottles & Cans Fund: $1,393.50 (Running Balance)

During the Hiatus...

The FMJ is now back on schedule.... during the time off we found $23.70 with a twenty dollar bill scooped while strolling the main street in Carpenteria a few Sundays ago. Also, found a single dollar bill at the Yosemite Shell Station.

Another significant find was 3 quarters laying just outside the carwash at the Shell Station.

As for the Bottles & Cans Fund, we have turned in 29.25 during over these last two months.

So, here's the new tally:

FMJ
This Day's Money Finds: $.11
This Month's Total: $23.70
Total Found Since January 1, 2000: $984.68
B&C FUND
This Day's Bottles & Cans Collected:0
Collection for the month: 30
Bottles and Cans in 2009: 317
Bottles & Cans Fund: $1,393.50 (Running Balance)

The New Found Money Jar

July 21, 2009: Beginning today, I'm restarting the Found Money Jar. I just completed the buildout of Oddfellow's Books and have had the shop open for business since June 23, 2009. We're not seeing significant sales as yet but we are seeing increasing visits to the shop and our daily sales are closing in on our "half breakeven point." I was not expecting to hit breakeven in the first six months and do expect to lose money for the first 18 months. What do we need in sales to break even each month? Without hiring anyone, our fixed expenses are running $1,045.00 per month. In the first few months, our overall cost will be higher due to printing and signage costs. We're starting a coupon advertising campaign next month further increasing our overall expenses as the schools start their fall semesters. Hopefully, with school back in session, our sales should rise.

Why restart the FMJ? My daily routine is beginning to be more settled so I have time now to devote to my eccentric hobbies. I did keep a tally of all finds during the time away. I found a twenty dollar bill and 8 quarters ... about $25.00 in total. The new FMJ will include the old tally and a separate tally for all new finds.

So, come back tomorrow if you're reading this a see the new tally posting. I found 77 cents today while vacuuming the Jaguar at the Yosemite Ave. Shell station. So, there's my first daily post... ENJOY!

What happened to the FMJ?

Well, it's been like a month or so since our last daily posting. Yes, we've been slacking. But, it was all for a good cause. In the last month, I moved into a new house for a rental savings of $625 per month and I secured a lease for my new business venture -- Oddfellow's Books. I'm opening a bricks & mortar book store at 4374 Eileen St. in Simi Valley, California. We plan to sell novels, first editions, self-help and How To advise books, as well as DVD videos and compact discs. I'm building bookcases and arranging store on a daily basis to get ready for our opening later this month. I can't wait to open the store and meet new friends through the shop. Life is about experiencing change -- nothing better than a new business to create new times in your life. After almost 4 years of not working and tending to my children, the kids are bigger now. They're well grounded in their California lifestyles. It's about time to do something new and exciting... I'm ready for the challenge.

Once things settle down a little bit, I'll get right back to posting on this blog. I have found a few bucks and have kept a fair record of the finds. Until then, wish us luck!

Andy
www.oddfellowsbooks.com

FMJ - Day 1108

April 12: I found two pennies at the ARCO gas station on Orangethorpe in La Palma, CA.