Wednesday, April 30, 2008

FMJ - Day 760

April 29: On a trip to the 99 Cents Only store, I found a penny near the cashier. But, the big score came upon leaving the store... a small change purse laying in the parking lot with no name or return address. No identification and no one to return it to... means I'll add another $7.32 to the Found Money Jar.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $7.33
Bottles & Cans Collected: 2
Running Stats
This Month: $34.70
Last Month: $13.64
2008 Finds: $54.93
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $438.81 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $899.10 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 107 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,139.48

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

FMJ - Day 759

April 28: Found two cents at the Wells Fargo Bank ATM.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.02
Bottles & Cans Collected: 7
Running Stats
This Month: $27.37
Last Month: $13.64
2008 Finds: $47.60
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $431.48 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $891.77 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 105 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,139.48

FMJ - Day 758

April 27: Ajay scooped a dime and fifteen pennies from the floor near the counter of a 7-11 store on Nordhoff Blvd. in the San Fernando Valley during a quick candy stop before our movie at the Pacific Winnetka theater... we saw The Forbidden Kingdom. Love that Jackie Chan! I found a penny at the snack bar in the theater.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.26
Bottles & Cans Collected: 11
Running Stats
This Month: $27.35
Last Month: $13.64
2008 Finds: $47.58
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $431.46 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $891.75 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 98 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,139.48

Monday, April 28, 2008

FMJ - Day 757 "Free Car Wash!"

April 26: Found two pennies... forgot where. Ajay had a baseball game in the afternoon... he gets a hit at every "at bat." Coach does all the pitching, of course.

While getting my receipt for a gas purchase... I discovered that a previous customer didn't tear there receipt properly and left behind the code for their wash... a $5.99 Ultimate Wash! My car did need a wash... so, thanks very much! I guess the line was too long at the time of there purchase and they thought that coming back later would make more sense... I'll bet they'll be miffed when they discover the receipt is lacking the car wash code.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $6.01
Bottles & Cans Collected: 2
Running Stats
This Month: $27.09
Last Month: $13.64
2008 Finds: $47.32
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $431.20 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $891.49 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 87 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,139.48

FMJ - Day 756

April 25: Found a single penny at Chipotle in Simi Valley. Had a free lunch there as one of my tennis buddies won lunch for 20 people! Nothing beats FREE!

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.01
Bottles & Cans Collected: 4
Running Stats
This Month: $21.08
Last Month: $13.64
2008 Finds: $41.31
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $425.19 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $885.48 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 85 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,139.48

Friday, April 25, 2008

FMJ - Day 755

April 24: No Money found. We did do our part to save gas and the earth... we collected 12 cans and bottles. We also made a trip to the recycling center and turn in a box of returnables... add $8.55 to the B&C Fund.

Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,139.48

Thursday, April 24, 2008

FMJ - Day 754

April 23: Found three pennies. All at the McDonald's on Tapo St.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.03
Bottles & Cans Collected: 12
Running Stats
This Month: $21.07
Last Month: $13.64
2008 Finds: $41.30
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $425.18 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $885.47 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 81 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,130.93

FMJ - Day 753

April 22: No finds on the money front but we did collect 5 bottles.

Monday, April 21, 2008

FMJ - Day 752

April 21: We found 21 cents. 2 dimes picked up near the newspaper machines in front of the Sub Contractor Sandwiches on L.A. Ave. A penny was found inside the Big Lots on Cochran St.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.21
Bottles & Cans Collected: 5
Running Stats
This Month: $21.04
Last Month: $13.64
2008 Finds: $41.27
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $425.15 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $885.44 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 69 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,130.93

FMJ - Day 751

April 20: A shopping trip to South Coast Plaza and the World Market in Costa Mesa, CA with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law. We found 10 cents. 3 pennies were found in the World Market, 2 pennies in the parking lot and a nickel upon entering Nordstrom Rack.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.10
Bottles & Cans Collected: 3
Running Stats
This Month: $20.83
Last Month: $13.64
2008 Finds: $41.06
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $424.94 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $885.23 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 64 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,130.93

FMJ - Day 750

April 19: Nothing found but a few bottles.

FMJ - Day 749

April 18: I found a penny while picking up the kids from their school.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Maya's find a $10 bill! FMJ - Day 748

April 17: Maya presented a Ten Dollar Bill that she found on her school's playground during recess. Found it under the wood chips at the swing sets. No one claimed it... so she gets to add it to the Found Money Jar.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.12
Bottles & Cans Collected: 7
Running Stats
This Month: $20.72
Last Month: $13.64
2008 Finds: $40.95
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $424.83 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $885.12 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 61 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,130.93

FMJ - Day 747

April 16: Maya's brace wire broke and we had to drive to San Fernando to the orthodontist for an emergency fix. After that, we stopped for breakfast at the local McDonald's and found a penny. Later in the morning, I went to Rancho Simi Tennis Courts for a little practice. Found a penny in the parking lot and a nickel on the court. For lunch, we did it cheap at Costco in Simi Valley. I found 3 pennies at the snack bar.

Ajay and I stopped at the McDonald's on Yosemite Ave. for a treat. We picked up 2 pennies.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.12
Bottles & Cans Collected: 6
Running Stats
This Month: $10.72
Last Month: $13.64
2008 Finds: $30.95
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $414.83 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $875.12 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 54 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,130.93

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

It's Tax Time! FMJ - Day 746

April 15: The dreadful day... Filing your taxes. This year, as was the case for the last 7 years, I owed money to the tune of $2,621.00. My wife and I paid almost $28,000 to the Feds without so much as a 'thank you." Sucks to be successful!

While waiting for my tax guy to get the final number and file electronically, I decided to spend the morning taking a long walk. How long? I walked a little over 10 miles with my tennis racquet bag on my back. So, I carried 15 extra pounds the whole way. Why would I do this? Well, first off, it was out of a slight necessity as I put my Jaquar in for a brake service and didn't have anyone available to drop me off at the garage for the pick-up, and I, secondly, wanted to see what walking 10 miles would feel like. I was surprised to find that the walk was quite rejuvenating. I felt that i could have walked back, too. I played tennis for a hour afterwards and felt fine. So, I think the walk did me good.

How much money did I find on the walk? Try 46 cents in the form of 1 badly driven over quarter found while crossing the Stearns Street exit ramp, a dime found near an Erringer Rd. bus stop, and 11 pennies -- 4 found resting atop a concrete pillar for a street light, 5 found in the Burger King on Cochran St and the final 2 pennies were found along Simi Valley sidewalks. I also picked up 7 recyclable cans and bottles.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.46
Bottles & Cans Collected: 9
Running Stats
This Month: $10.60
Last Month: $13.64
2008 Finds: $30.83
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $414.71 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $875.00 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 48 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,130.93

FMJ - Day 745

April 14: I found a dime at Tommy's Hamburgers on Madera Rd. "Hey, if you don't see the shack... TAKE IT BACK!" That's the Tommy's slogan. Love it. I also found a couple of "transit tokens:" One was for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority -- seems to be for the subway. The other is from the Metropolitan Transit Authority -- wherever that is. Good for "One Fare." Must be up in Boston? The tokens were from the coin reject shoot of the coin counting machines at the Von's on Yosemite Ave.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.10
Bottles & Cans Collected: 3
Running Stats
This Month: $10.14
Last Month: $13.64
2008 Finds: $30.37
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $414.25 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $874.54 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 39 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,130.93

FMJ - Day 744

April 13: We found two pennies while shopping at Topanga Promenade Mall in Woodland Hills, CA.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

FMJ - Day 743 $5.00 Found!

April 12: The kids found a $5 dollar bill while playing outside of the 99 Cents Only store on L.A. Ave. They said the wind blew it right to them. Sweet Find!

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $5.00
Bottles & Cans Collected: 5
Running Stats
This Month: $10.02
Last Month: $13.64
2008 Finds: $30.25
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $414.13 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $874.42 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 36 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,130.93

FMJ - Day 742

April 11: We found a dime. Picked it up in the Wal-mart in Porter Ranch, CA.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.10
Bottles & Cans Collected: 6
Running Stats
This Month: $5.02
Last Month: $13.64
2008 Finds: $25.25
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $409.13 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $869.42 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 31 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,130.93

FMJ - Day 741

April 10: Nothing found... nothing gained.

FMJ - Day 740

April 9: No finds.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

FMJ - Day 739

April 8: Along a walk around our neighborhood, we found a nickel and five pennies.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.10
Bottles & Cans Collected: 5
Running Stats
This Month: $4.92
Last Month: $13.64
2008 Finds: $25.15
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $409.03 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $869.32 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 25 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,130.93

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

FMJ - Day 738

April 7: First find of the day was a nickel in front of the Taco Bell on Cochran St. In the evening, we made way to the Wood Ranch Shopping Center for Subway's $5 footlongs for dinner. While walking the center, we came across a bunch of coins left on the top of a mailbox. The coins were burnt and partially destroyed... as if they had been in a fire or dropped in acid. There was $4.21 in all. I took them to Wells Fargo bank to see about turning them in... sure enough, the bank took them and I received 4 crisp $1 bills and 2 dimes and penny.

So, thanks to whoever your are out there. Your donation is graciously accepted, indeed.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $4.26
Bottles & Cans Collected: 6
Running Stats
This Month: $4.82
Last Month: $13.64
2008 Finds: $25.05
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $408.93 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $869.22 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 20 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,130.93

Sunday, April 06, 2008

FMJ - Day 737

April 6: We found 22 cents while shopping at Camarillo Outlets -- two dimes and two pennies.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.22
Bottles & Cans Collected: 3
Running Stats
This Month: $.56
Last Month: $13.64
2008 Finds: $20.79
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $404.67 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $864.96 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 14 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,130.93

FMJ - Day 736

April 5: I found a single penny while shopping for a birthday present at the Target in Simi Valley. Ajay was invited to two birtday parties and his played an 8:00 a.m. baseball game -- needless to say, I was worn out from being his chaperon.

Saturday, April 05, 2008

FMJ - Day 735

April 4: 27 cents found... 26 pennies came from the coin counting machine at the Pavillion's Grocery store on Alamo Rd. -- a late night stop for chocolate milk after spending 2 hours in the Border's book store.

Picking up the kids from school, I scooped a penny from its own despair on Abilene St. It was so shiny and new (2007)... I think it'd be a crime to have let it get squashed by incessant car tires.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.27
Bottles & Cans Collected: 4
Running Stats
This Month: $.33
Last Month: $13.64
2008 Finds: $20.56
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $404.42 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $864.73 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 11 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,130.93

FMJ - Day 734

April 3: 2 pennies found. One at the Shell gas station on Yosemite. The other at the 7-11 on the corner of Tap Canyon Rd. and Cochran St.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.02
Bottles & Cans Collected: 2
Running Stats
This Month: $.06
Last Month: $13.64
2008 Finds: $20.29
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $404.15 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $864.46 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 7 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,130.93

Thursday, April 03, 2008

FMJ - Day 733

April 2: Ajay had baseball practice in the evening at Park View Center School. I found a penny on the black top. In the morning, I found a penny at the Chicken Bowl restaurant. It laid in my parking lot space.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.02
Bottles & Cans Collected: 4
Running Stats
This Month: $.04
Last Month: $13.64
2008 Finds: $20.27
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $404.13 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $864.44 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 5 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,130.93

FMJ - Day 732

April 1: I found a 2 pennies at the McDonald's on Yosemite Ave.

End of the Month -- March 2008

End of Month Stats:
Total found - February 2008: $13.64
Average Amount Found per Day: 44 cents

Stock Holdings
FMJ and B&C Fund - Stock Held:
19.337 Shares/PEI Worth: $472.60
21.667 Shares/GRT Worth: $259.13
40.473 Shares/UDR Worth: $992.40

Total Stocks Held Value: $1,724.13
Value last month: $1,634.10
Stock purchase cost: $1,778.01
Loss of Value from Stock Cost: ($53.88)

Other Funds Owned:
Non-deposited FMJ Funds(still in the jar): $37.04
FMJ Savings Account: $71.91
Note: a jar count on November 1, 2007 was done and $200.00 deposited in the savings account to cover the purchase of more shares in PEI. On October 24, $147.00 was used for the purchase of 3.991 shares of PEI.

Dividend & Interest Income
This month: $
Savings Interest 2007: 98 cents
Savings Interest 2006: $1.77
Dividends 2006: $34.30
Dividends 2007: $88.04
Non-reinvested Dividends: $17.10
Total Dividends Received: $188.39 (Since 2003 merger of CWN & PEI)

Total Asset Value of FMJ Fund: $840.60

Bottles and Cans Fund
Running Balance: $1,130.93
Cash used to purchase stock: $1,013.17
Cash Account Balance: $117.76
Sept. 30, 2007: $999.18
B&C Stocks/cash value: $1,110.16
Loss in B&C Fund: ($20.77)

Total Value of Both Funds:
March 31, 2008: $1,950.76
February 29, 2008: $1,830.87
December 31: 2007: $1,817.99
November 30, 2007: $2,075.57
October 31, 2007: $2,230.89
September 07: $2,327.61
August 07: $2,217.07
July 07: $2178.49
*Increase from Prior Month: $119.89

* Increase due to better current share prices, recycling, & money finds that offset prior unfavorable share prices for REITs which had been in a period of decling during the second half of 2007.

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

FMJ - Day 731

March 31: I found three pennies. The first penny occurred at the Jack in the Box on L.A. Ave. The Second was found by Ajay at the Von's on Yosemite Ave. The third was found by me at the CVS Drug Store on Tapo St. -- it was left behind by a previous customer who laid it atop the candy counter.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.03
Bottles & Cans Collected: 4
Running Stats
This Month: $13.64
Last Month: $4.13
2008 Finds: $20.23
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $404.09 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $864.40 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 113 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,130.93

FMJ - Day 730

March 30: No Finds... too busy playing tennis and visiting the Pompeii exhibit at the San Diego Museum on Natural History!

FMJ - Day 729

March 29: I found a 2 dimes. The first one in the change return slot of a Pepsi machine at our hotel. The second at the bus stop on First Ave. in front of our hotel. We made way to downtown San Diego in the evening. At Horton Plaza, Ajay and I found three pennies.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.23
Bottles & Cans Collected: 10
Running Stats
This Month: $13.61
Last Month: $4.13
2008 Finds: $20.20
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $404.06 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $864.37 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 109 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,130.93

FMJ - Day 728

March 28: On our way to San Diego, we made a stop for lunch in Mission Beach. Ajay for a coin from Panama - One Centavo. I found a nickel in the pizza shop -- I can't remember the name of the place.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.05
Bottles & Cans Collected: 0
Running Stats
This Month: $13.38
Last Month: $4.13
2008 Finds: $19.97
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $403.83 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $864.14 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 99 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,130.93

FMJ - Day 727

March 27: Getting ready to leave for a 4 day get-a-way to San Diego to stay at the Marriott on Coronado. I found a penny at the Ralph's store in Cerittos, CA.

FMJ - Day 726

March 26: I found a dime upon leaving the Von's Grocery store on Yosemite Ave.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.10
Bottles & Cans Collected: 3
Running Stats
This Month: $13.32
Last Month: $4.13
2008 Finds: $19.91
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $403.77 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $864.08 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 99 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,130.93

FMJ - Day 725

March 25: No finds.