Last Day of 2006... FMJ- Day 280.

December 31, 2006: Our finds for today were of numerous incidence. Everywhere we went we found coins. This morning, while walking Biscuit, I found 2 pennies. A second walk and I found a nickel. Lunch at Subway on Tierra Rejada Rd. in Moorpark. Ajay found a penny on the way in. I found a nickel and a penny on the way out. The kids now love going to the driving range. We parked ourselves there for another 90 minutes this afternoon as Mommy went shopping at The Oaks Mall. We found a dime and 2 pennies at the Von's Grocery store on Tierra Rejada as we fetched some after golfing candy. Evening time was Blockbuster Time -- Rentals and bought some Playstation 2 games for the kids -- "SCOOBY DOO!, Gran Turismo 3, & MLS 2006 for them. Wanda Sykes's "Sick & Tired" and The DaVinci Code for us parents. Found 2 pennies in the Blockbuster on Moorpark Ave. in Thousand Oaks, CA.

Today's Stats
Finds: $.28
FMJ - Total Found: $644.38 (since 1-1-2000)
Since Blog Inception: $183.77
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 13/523 this month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $639.68

End of Month Stats:
Total found this month: $9.84
Average Amount Found per Day: 32 cents
Stock Held:
15 shares/PEI Worth: $590.70
19.377/GRT Worth: $517.56
Stock purchase cost: $717.11 (includes reinvested dividends & interest)
Excess Value of Stock Over Cost: $391.15
Undeposited funds still in JAR: $19.26
FMJ Savings Account: $0 (Cleared out to make GRT purchase.)
Interest Received YTD 2006: $.94
Dividends YTD: $25.65
Total Dividends Received: $91.80

Total Net Worth of the FMJ Fund: $ 1,127.52

FMJ - Day 279 $5 bill found.

December 30, 2006: Big Day! This morning, I attended a "moving sale." This poor chap lost his job in construction and was in a big hurry to down-size. He had a very nice set of golf clubs... Arnie Palmer driver, pro-tour woods and irons with new Ping grips, newish style golf bag in blue. "How much for the clubs?" I asked... "$75!" says the man. "I've got $40 on me," I say back. He looks around at all the others in attendance and realizes that the 40 or so Amigos from below our southern border scavenging his belongings probably can't offer more and, most likely, aren't the golfing type and grudgingly replies... "sold." Whipped out the cash from my wallet... I had more in my pocket but he didn't need to know that. Needless to say, the kids and I spent the better part of the afternoon at the driving range. FUN TIMES!

We did make finds... sure did. First find was two pennies at the Jack in the Box on L.A. Ave. Stopped in after tennis this morning. Next find made with the family at IN-N-OUT Burger... a quarter and a penny. Along Biscuit's afternoon walk, I found a nickel.

In the evening, we all went shopping at the Topanga Mall in Woodland Hills, CA. Ajay and I scooped up a folded $5.00 bill from near the Panda Express. We also found a dime and six pennies in other places the mall. As we were leaving the mall, I spotted a gift card for a major retailer dropped in our path. I picked it up wondering if it had any value. A few cents left on it... maybe. Too curious to leave it alone... I stopped by this place on our way home and asked a clerk to check it for me... $30.00 available! Hmmm. I didn't actually think it was worth anything. Well, "Gift Cards" have owners and they begin somewhere and need to end somewhere. And my moto in life has always been that honesty is the best policy. Wouldn't be fun knowing that someone out there was short a Christmas gift. As much as I would love to add it to the FMJ fund... I will turn it in on Tuesday when I return to the mall.

On the bottle and can collecting front, today was also very fruitful. A neighbor left a large bag full of cans - 59 to be exact. Then, I found a case of 12 spent Corona's plus a few soda cans near the yard sale guy's house. 4 bottles at tennis. 4 during shopping and... a few more along the way. 90 in total.

Today's Stats
Finds: $5.49
FMJ - Total Found: $644.10
Since Blog Inception: $183.49
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 90/510 this month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $639.68

FMJ - Day 278

December 29, 2006: This mornings trip to Wood Ranch Shopping Center yielded a quarter from underneath a newspaper box and a penny from the floor of Subway. In the afternoon, I went to The Hat. Known for its world famous pastrami dip, I fully engrossed myself in gastronomic delight. There, I found a penny. Late in the night, I found a penny at the ARCO on L.A. Ave.

Today's Stats
Finds: $.28
FMJ - Total Found: $638.61
Since Blog Inception: $178.00
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 32/420 this month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $639.68

Last Recycling Turn-in for 2006!

December 29, 2006: Well, the year of 2006 is almost over. What a year it's been. Between settling our new California residence, completing our move, buying new cars - 3 cars since December of 2005 - and now a move to our new rental house in January, 2007. Busy... very busy. I'm really ready to simmer down and devote time to enjoying the peace. All signs point to a slowing of the housing market now. For sale inventories are way above any historical norms... the sales pace is slowing eventhough there's been lower interest rates and a slip in prices. Looks like we've got some more downturn in the national housing market with all these exotic low-payment ARM loans recasting to higher rates in the spring of 2007. For all these reasons, my wife, a 20 year veteran of the housing finance industry and I think we'll rent for another year. Why buy a house that will fall in price over the next year, or two. I'm quite content in our decision and we've been homeowners for the last 18 years. I still own some properties back east and residential lots here in California. So, I won't feel like I'm missing any boat should the market bounce back in the interim. Houses I've been watching here in Cali are now about 10 to 12% off their highest asking prices. I feel they need to fall another 10 to 15% to make a buying decision more comfortable. Maybe 2008.

Earlier today, I went to the Wood Ranch Recycling Center to make our last 2006 return of our CRV bottles and cans. We received $5.80 for our last trip. Also, found some coins. Report them tonight.

Afterwards, I went to the Subway sandwich shop and used a meal ticket that I won at the kids' school Harvest Festival auction. Paid $5.00 per ticket... It would have cost me about $6.79 for the steak and cheese I devoured in about 5 minutes. I won 4 meal tickets for Tommy's Hamburger's and 4 for Subway. Paid $40.00 in total... the meals I'll eat with them would cost me about $55.00. I guess I did alright in the auction. Also, won a one month Gold's Gym membership for $20.00... might need it to work of the Subs and Burgers.

Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $639.68

FMJ - Day 277

December 28, 2006: While investigating a possible real estate investment, I found a dime and six pennies scattered in a parking space behind a "condo" apartment building on Patricia Ave. For some time, I've been watching sales of condos on this property and might buy one as a rental should the prices drop lower... The prices have dropped about $50,ooo.oo for these units since we moved to Simi Valley in October of 2005. Currently, they're asking about $309,000 for a 2 bedroom... still high, but one will becoming up at a foreclosure sale soon. I'll watch the sale.

In the evening, we ventured out to the Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks, CA. Right away, I found a penny near our car prior to starting the drive. At the mall, I watch a teenager chuck three pennies he received at the pretzel stand. He laughed and scoffed at receiving the pennies... "worthless," says he. Thanks, say I.

It's was an unusual day for collecting bottles and cans... seems they're all over the place. I picked up 43 bottles and cans along my errands and dog walks today.

Today's Stats
Finds: $.20
FMJ - Total Found: $638.33
Since Blog Inception: $177.72
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 43/388 this month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $633.88

FMJ - Day 276

December 27, 2006: Six pennies and one game token found. At the Simi Valley Target, I found two pennies. Burger King on Cochran for Lunch... found a penny in the parking lot. Albertson's on Madera Rd. for groceries... found a penny and the token on their change counting machine. We went to see DreamGirls this evening at the Pacific 21 Stadium theater on Winnetka Ave. in the San Fernando Valley. (Movie Review - The film was a hokey musical with long drawn out scenes... I give Eddie Murphy the MVP award for propping the film up.) After the movie, we made a stop at Walgreen's on Lassen Ave. -- found two pennies near the film counter.

Today's Stats
Finds: $.06
FMJ - Total Found: $638.13
Since Blog Inception: $177.52
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 18/345 this month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $633.88

FMJ - Day 275

December 26, 2006: A single quarter. It was scooped while standing in the concession line at the Regal Theater on Tapo Canyon Rd. The kids are with Grandma for the week. My wife, I and her Aunt and Uncle played a round of golf this afternoon. The mice are away and the cats are going to play.

Today's Stats
Finds: $.25
FMJ - Total Found: $638.07
Since Blog Inception: $177.46
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 12/327 this month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $633.88

Christmas 2006!

December 25, 2006: We found 18 cents in the form of a dime and eight pennies. The dime was found along Biscuit's morning walk. Apparently, puppies were a big Christmas item this year... puppies everywhere. Next find, 3 pennies in near the soda machines at the Simi Valley Wal-mart. We celebrated Christmas in Cerritos were their entire extended family... A last minute gift purchase at Walgreen's in Cerritos -- penny was found. During our 1:00 A.M. drive home, I needed to make a "wake-up leg stretch" at the Porter Ranch Towncenter... just to get some fresh air and wake up for the last 16 miles of our trip -- don't won't to fall asleep. While walking off a little "road drift," I found 4 pennies scattered about the sidewalk near the Wal-mart.

Today's Stats
Finds: $.18
FMJ - Total Found: $637.82
Since Blog Inception: $177.21
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 19/315 this month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $633.88

Christmas Eve!

December 24, 2006: Thought I'd post early as the we going to my sister-in-law's brother's house in San Marino, CA for a Christmas Eve get together... Egg nog and marsala baster turkey! Don't ask... let's just say that we have a gourmet cook in the family. It'll be delicious. This morning, I made a run to the recycling center for a pre-Christmas turn-in. We received $8.20 for the B&C fund. While collecting the cash at the Ralph's Market a donation of 54 cents was left in the cashier's automatic change shoot. The prior customer decided to spread some Christmas cheer, I suppose. Thanks.

Toy's R Us in Porter Ranch... found a penny at check-out. After visiting with the Anvekars , we made a late-night stop at the Shell gas station on Fair Oaks Ave. in Pasadena and I found four pennies while waiting for the drunk lady ahead of me stumble through ordering "cigs" and "caffeine-free soda." Concerned about caffeine intake... what a hoot!

Merry Christmas and Good Tidings to All!

Today's Stats
Finds: $.59
FMJ - Total Found: $637.64
Since Blog Inception: $177.03
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 10/296 this month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $633.88

FMJ - Day 272

December 23, 2006: Another day... another penny. Found a single penny at 99 Cents Only on Tapo St. That's it.

Today's Stats
Finds: $.01
FMJ - Total Found: $637.05
Since Blog Inception: $176.44
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 3/286 this month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $625.68

FMJ - Day 271

December 22, 2006: A single penny was found in the parkint lot of Wood Ranch Restaurant in Moorpark, CA. Wood Ranch is a BBQ place... You gotta try their Tri-Tip! One of my wife's employees gave her a $50.00 gift certificate for Wood Ranch so we decided to use it last night. About 20 minutes into our delicious dinner, a young couple maybe mid twenties sits down in the booth behind us. They have a baby... about two months old. So, young and just getting started in their life together. I can remember those days of... NO MONEY! SO, when our bill came their was about $11.00 left on the card. I decided to spread the Christmas cheer... laid the card down on their table and told them to use up the balance towards their meal. They were very appreciative. My wife and I gave smiles, wish them luck in parenthood and told that we how much we thought their little baby was a cutey. During the time after they sat down... I pretty much reflected in my mind all the financial struggles my wife and I had been through early in our marriage... grad school for her and starting my business. Man, I don't know how I would do it all over again... so, glad I don't have to. It's nice to be at a time in one's life where need of money isn't an issue... of course, there's still a desire to have more money but I don't feel as if I'll ever have a situation where there's no money available. After selling my business, I safely parked the lump sum in real estate income investments and bank certificates. No worries... I'm conservative and safe.

In the afternoon, I took the kids to visit at their Aunt Anju's house in Cerritos. A good place for them to be while my wife and I Christmas shop Saturday. MERRY CHRISTMAS! "Uncle Kunal," my wife's cousin gave the kids a couple bags of cans for the B&C Fund.

Today's Stats
Finds: $.01
FMJ - Total Found: $637.04
Since Blog Inception: $176.43
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 6/283 this month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $625.68

FMJ - Day 270

December 21, 2006: 2 pennies found. At the ARCO gas station on L.A. Ave., the first penny was scooped. An early dinner at Del Taco brought us the second penny.

Today's Stats
Finds: $.02
FMJ - Total Found: $637.03
Since Blog Inception: $176.42
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 15/277 this month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $625.68

FMJ - Day 269

December 20, 2006: We found four pennies. At 99 Cents Only, I found two pennies while at the check-out. Then, a penny was scooped before entering the Edwards Theater on L.A. Ave. The kids are officially on winter break as of today... We saw Rocky Balboa... Best Movie in the theaters. Our fourth penny was found on Biscuit's afternoon walk.

Today's Stats
Finds: $.04
FMJ - Total Found: $637.01
Since Blog Inception: $176.40
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 19/262 this month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $625.68

FMJ - Day 268

December 19, 2006: Christmas shopping at Topanga Mall. Man, was it busy. The line at The Gap was 30 deep. Last minute people. We found 75 cents in the form of 5 dimes, a nickel and 20 pennies as we were finding those right gifts... My wife has 7 direct report underlings (managers) at her office and a total of 55 peons who work under them. She's spendings $100 for each manager or director who reports to her and $10 on each of their people. That's $1,250.00 out the door and her company won't let her expense any of it... she's a caring boss, I'll tell you that. What the best Christmas gift you've ever been given by a boss? What would you expect this year? Just wondering.

Today's Stats
Finds: $.75
FMJ - Total Found: $636.97
Since Blog Inception: $176.36
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 35
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $625.68

FMJ - Day 267

December 18, 2006: A single penny was found near a cash register at the Simi Valley Best Buy while purchasing some gifts for Maya's friends back in Virginia. Also, I decided to do the mycokerewards.com today. Got a total of 12 points. NEAT! Thanks to Jim at One Coin At A Time for introducing me to this very cool coke rewards site.

Today's Stats
Finds: $..01
FMJ - Total Found: $636.22
Since Blog Inception: $175.61
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 13
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $625.68

Recycling Update.

December 18, 2006: The kids and I got up early to get them to school... on the way, we made a stop to drop the bottle and can cache for recycling... turned in $5.20 worth of slips.

Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $625.68

FMJ - Day 266

December 17, 2006: No finds. Thanks to Aunt Anju for the large donation of her bottles and cans she gave today. Also, picked up 15 bottles and cans in our travels.

FMJ - Day 265

December 16, 2006: 2 dimes and 14 pennies found while shopping at the Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks, CA. It was brisk in the mall today... seems everyone wants to get Xmas over with as soon as possible. Rush, Rush.

In the evening, Movies! Ajay and I saw Unaccompanied Minors... Maya and mommy saw The Pursuit of Happiness. Lots of pratfalls and laughs for Ajay and me. Maya cried during their movie... CHICKS!

Today's Stats
Finds: $.34
FMJ - Total Found: $636.21
Since Blog Inception: $175.60
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 7
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $620.48

New Investment for the FMJ Funds.

Today, I swept the savings account that holds cash from FOUND MONEY JAR... as there was $520.46 in the account that is what I invested. Through a brokerage account with BuyandHold.com that I maintain for these special situations, I purchased 19.377 shares of Glimcher Realty Trust (Symbol - GRT) at $26.85 per share.

So, here are the investments comprising the FMJ Fund.

PEI 15 shares
GRT 19.377 shares

Total value of these two holdings: $1,100.10
Total cost including dividend reinvestment: $717.11

Dividends expected for 2007: $71.40

By this time Dec. 2007, the FMJ Fund should cross the $1,300 mark. Keeping them crossed!

$1 Bill Found! (Special Report.)

December 15, 2006: (Updated) Insomnia ruled the morning as I awoke at 5:10 A.M. Biscuit was also awake. So, I decided that I wasn't going back to sleep and maybe a 2 mile dog walk was just the cure. We walked all over Wood Ranch. When I'm on these walks, I will take a few plastic shopping bags in pull-over's pocket for I'm ready for bottle and can picking. Found 8 along the walk.

Money finds:
For quite sometime, I've had my eye on a penny lying at the intersection of East Country Club Dr. & Madera Rd. Unfortunately, it's usually too busy to stop there to pursue retrieving the coin. But, not at 5:45 in the morning. Done and Pocketed!

At the Wood Ranch Shopping Center, I spotted something green resting near some bushes Biscuit was sniffing... low and behold, a single dollar bill.

This early morning dog-walking... quite fruitful!

Today's Stats
Finds: $1.01
FMJ - Total Found: $635.87
Since Blog Inception: $175.26
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 15
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $620.48

FMJ - Day 263

December 14, 2006: A single penny found as Biscuit was taking his morning stroll. Our Mexican grounds crew here in Wood Ranch was out in force this morning... raking, blowing, gathering the leaves... and while not actually picking them up, blowing them atop my cars. THANX! They drink beer and hardly work... don't know what they actually do. Can't someone stop this immigration insanity! I'm feeling like Don Quixote right now... gotta hit the hay.

Today's Stats
Finds: 1 cent
FMJ - Total Found: $634.86
Since Blog Inception: $174.25
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 14
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $620.48

FMJ - Day 262

December 13, 2006: 5 pennies found. 4 were found near the vacuums at the Mobil station on Cochran Ave. 1 penny was found at McDonald's on Tapo St.

Today's Stats
Finds: 5 cents
FMJ - Total Found: $634.85
Since Blog Inception: $174.24
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 11
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $620.48

Recycling Update!

December 12, 2006: Late night drive to the Ralph's in Wood Ranch... turn in the recycling slips for the last few days. $5.20 added to the B&C Fund.

Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $620.48

FMJ - Day 261

December 12, 2006: Having lunch at Carl's Jr. on Cochran Ave. with two of my tennis buddies and ... a lady walks by dropping a penny. She looked at it... whinced and continued on. I reached down and said to my buds, "Looks like a donation." Cracked them up.

Found another penny while walking through a neighborhood across from the kids school. It's just gorgeous outside today... sunny and 74 degrees. Ajay and I cleaned up the neighborhood on our walk.. finding 2 bottles and 4 cans.

Today's Stats
Finds: 2 cents
FMJ - Total Found: $634.80
Since Blog Inception: $174.19
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 10
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $615.28

FMJ - Day 260

December 11, 2006: 2 pennies found today at the Alliance Gas station on the corner of Patricia & L.A. Ave. Today was rather boring as it rained last night causing the tennis courts to be too wet for play. Also, Ajay was not feeling well this morning and stayed home from school... I hate sickness... my poor little dude is very congested. I think he's better right now than as he was this morning. May be one of those 24 hour bugs... I'm hopeful.

I had Chinese food last night... I'm craving it again. Two nights in a row... I must have some winter blues, or something!

Back to the diet tomorrow!

Today's Stats
Finds: 2 cents
FMJ - Total Found: $634.78
Since Blog Inception: $174.17
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 8
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $615.28

FMJ - Day 259

December 10, 2006: 2 pennies found while shopping at the Target in Moorpark.

Today's Stats
Finds: 2 cents
FMJ - Total Found: $634.76
Since Blog Inception: $174.15
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 3
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $615.28

FMJ - Day 258

December 9, 2006: My wife's company had its Christmas Party on Friday evening... Let's just say it was like living scenes from the T.V. show -- The Office. The kids were at their Uncle Nicky's house in Santa Monica for the night and stay through this afternoon so Mommy and I could have a sweet peaceful lunch at Magianno's in Woodland Hills and go to see the new Bond movie. We love Daniel Craig as Bond. Can't wait for the next Bond episode.

Found a dime in the theater parking lot. Found a penny in Westwood at Falafel King. Found a penny at Ralph's in Wood Ranch.

Today's Stats
Finds: 12 cents
FMJ - Total Found: $634.74
Since Blog Inception: $174.13
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 12
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $615.28

FMJ - Day 257

December 8, 2006: 2 pennies found at In-N-Out Burger on Stearns. That's it!

Today's Stats
Finds: 2 cents
FMJ - Total Found: $634.62
Since Blog Inception: $174.01
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 4
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $615.28

FMJ - Day 256

December 7, 2006: A dime was found this morning at the Rancho Simi Tennis Courts. It was dropped between courts 2 and 3.

Today's Stats
Finds: 10 cents
FMJ - Total Found: $634.60
Since Blog Inception: $173.99
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 14
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $615.28

FMJ - Day 255

December 6, 2006: This morning, while walking Biscuit, 2 pennies were found in the parking lot near our home. After that, a stop at ARCO on L.A. Ave. and I find a dime laying next to the gas pump. Very good day for bottle and can collecting... seems we have a lot of litter bugs in Simi Valley. Little do these people realize just how much money they're leaving when tossing their CRV bottles and cans to the ground. I won't help them in knowing... Tire basura... mis amigos!

Today's Stats
Finds: 12 cents
FMJ - Total Found: $634.50
Since Blog Inception: $173.89
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 28
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $615.28

Recycling Update.

December 6, 2006: Last night, I made a quick run to the Ralph's in Wood Ranch. Using the automated recycling center I was able to turn-in another dollar's worth of cans and bottles. Collected cash on all slips from the last few days... add $4.60 to the pot. Also, I picked up 7 more cans that were left around the recycling machine. FREE MONEY!

Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $615.28

FMJ - Day 254

December 5, 2006: Found 3 pennies. Walking past Jack In The Box on L.A. Ave., I found a single penny which had been left at the curb. In the morning, Biscuit's walk produced 2 pennies.

Last night, we recycled our weekend collection, and then some... netted $3.60 for the fund. Didn't cash the slip as yet. So, I will add the amount to the fund when I make my next run to the grocery store.

Today's Stats
Finds: 3 cents
FMJ - Total Found: $634.38
Since Blog Inception: $173.77
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 12
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $610.68

FMJ - Day 253

December 4, 2006: Three pennies found while shopping in Moorpark. At Albertson's, I found a penny lying beneath the CoinStar machine. Then, I found two pennies that weren't beside each other in the parking lot in front of the Best Dollar store.

Last night, we did a little Christmas shopping at The Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks. We found a nickel and four pennies.

Today's Stats
Finds: 12 cents
FMJ - Total Found: $634.35
Since Blog Inception: $173.74
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 16
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $610.68

FMJ - Day 252

December 3, 2006: Fire, Fire Everywhere! Got up early this morning to the news that Moorpark, CA, a town about 4 miles from us, was quickly coming under threat from a blazing brush fire that started overnight. With wind gusts of 60 miles per hour, the fire quickly consumed its first 1000 acres of brush. I went to Moorpark College and drove up the hilly culdesacs in the neighborhoods adjacent to the school -- gt a view of rampaging fire from about 2000 yards at about 9:00AM. By 10:00AM, the fire was declared "out of control" and a "voluntary evacuation" of the neighborhood was issued by the Ventura Co. Fire Department. I hurried down the hill and quickly scadattled! (More Later.)

Afterwards, a little breakfast at Del Taco in Moorpark... a penny was found under my table. Then, a stop at the Ralph's in Wood Ranch and... I find a dime in the change shoot of the USA Today paper box and two pennies on the sidewalk.

Also, collected about a dozen cans walking along the hilly streets near Moorpark College.

Today's Stats
Finds: 13 cents
FMJ - Total Found: $634.23
Since Blog Inception: $173.62
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 15
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $610.68

FMJ - Day 251

December 2, 2006: A dime, a nickel and sixteen pennies were found while on a shopping jaunt at Glendale Galleria.

Today's Stats
Finds: 31 Cents
FMJ - Total Found: $634.10
Since Blog Inception: $173.49
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 5
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $610.68

Thanks... Pepsi!

A few days ago, I lost money in a non-working Pepsi machine here in Simi Valley... a whole buck. I called our local Pepsi bottler to report the machine's bad behaviour. Yesterday, I received coupons from Pepsi for "FREE PRODUCT." I sent 2 coupons for any 2-litre Pepsi Product and 2 coupons for 20 oz. Aguafina . Needless to say, I promptly cashed them in! I drink quite a lot of sodas... so, the coupons were really free money for me. Upon payment for the 2 Pepsi, 2 Aquafina (and I also bought a Propel Fitness Water and 2 Diet 7-UPs), I only paid $1.06. I had a buy one - get one free coupon for the 7-UP... the cashier gave credit for the $.169 full price even though the 7-up was on sale for $1.00... he also "doubled" a coupon. So, 4 large bottles of soda and 3 waters for $1.06 including tax and CRV deposit. I'll get 48 cents back when I return the bottles. WHAT A DEAL!

Of course, there is still the matter of the lost $1.00 in the machine... so, I paid actually $2.06 in all.
If I had to pay for it without the coupons... $9.47 with my Ralph's Club card. My savings... $7.41!

FMJ - Day 250

December 1, 2006: Well, no finds yet. We did make a stop at the Wood Ranch recycling center and received $2.24 for a stash of bottles and cans from the trunk of the Mercedes. I cashed in yesterday's slip and today's for $4.16 to add to the B&C fund.

Today's Stats
Finds: Zilch
FMJ - Total Found: $633.79
Since Blog Inception: $173.18
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 6
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $610.68