Another Stock Trade with a Profit!

August 29: On the 25th, I purchased 317.45 shares of Washington Mutual Bank (WM) at $3.67 per share using the proceed from the last sale. As of August 29, these shares are trading at $4.05 per share and our holding has increased in value by $120.00

FMJ - Day 881

August 28: I found a penny while pumping gas at the ARCO on Madera Rd.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.01
Bottles & Cans Collected: 4
Running Stats
This Month: $5.05
Last Month: $5.07
2008 Finds: $75.84
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $459.64 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $919.89 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 127 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,228.62

FMJ - Day 880

August 27: THE KIDS ARE BACK IN SCHOOL... YIPPEE! We found a penny at Maya's school.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.01
Bottles & Cans Collected: 3
Running Stats
This Month: $5.04
Last Month: $5.07
2008 Finds: $75.83
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $459.63 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $919.88 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 123 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,228.62

FMJ - Day 879

August 26: We found a dime at Del Taco near the Simi Valley Town Center.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.10
Bottles & Cans Collected: 5
Running Stats
This Month: $5.03
Last Month: $5.07
2008 Finds: $75.82
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $459.62 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $919.87 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 120 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,228.62

FMJ - Day 878

August 25: No Finds.

FMJ - Day 877

August 24: Our afternoon at the pool went by quite swimmingly... found a dime, nickel and 2 pennies on the deck.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.17
Bottles & Cans Collected: 2
Running Stats
This Month: $4.93
Last Month: $5.07
2008 Finds: $75.72
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $459.52 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $919.77 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 115 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,228.62

FMJ - Day 876

August 23: Found four pennies. 2 at the Shell Station. 2 at the Carl's Jr.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.04
Bottles & Cans Collected: 3
Running Stats
This Month: $4.76
Last Month: $5.07
2008 Finds: $75.55
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $459.35 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $919.60 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 113 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,228.62

FMJ - Day 875

August 22: An evening trip to Walmart in Porter Ranch, CA. brings 44 cents to the FMJ. A coins were found in the Coinstar machine at the entrance of the store. Amazing how bring desperate for money will cash in their coins losing 8.9% in fees and then leave the rejects in the bin. No wonder there's a 9.5 Trillion Dollar national debt! Simply foolish!

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.44
Bottles & Cans Collected: 2
Running Stats
This Month: $4.72
Last Month: $5.07
2008 Finds: $75.51
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $459.31 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $919.56 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 110 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,228.62

FMJ - Day 874

August 21: I found a dime at the Von's, again.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.10
Bottles & Cans Collected: 2
Running Stats
This Month: $4.28
Last Month: $5.07
2008 Finds: $75.07
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $458.87 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $919.12 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 108 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,228.62

Sold Regions Financial for a profit!

Well, today seemed to be a good day to go to cash in the Bottles & Cans Fund. I sold all shares recently purchased in Regions Financial. Made a quick profit of $20.56 since buying the shares last week. We use BuyandHold.com for all our stock holdings. They allowed window trades with a $2.99 commission and you get 2 free trades a month.

Bottles & Cans Fund
Total Value: $1380.05
Capital Gains 2008: $98.43

FMJ - Day 873

August 20: Found 4 pennies at the Chevron gas station on Erringer Rd. Found a dime at the Von's on Yosemite Ave.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.14
Bottles & Cans Collected: 4
Running Stats
This Month: $4.18
Last Month: $5.07
2008 Finds: $74.97
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $458.77 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $919.02 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 106 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,228.62

FMJ - Day 872

August 19: Nothing found.

FMJ - Day 871

August 18: 39 cents. I found a quarter beneath the bench on Court 7 at the Rancho Simi Tennis Courts in the morning. At a 7-11 on Zelzah st. in the valley, Ajay found a penny and I picked up a dime near the register. At the Albertson's grocery store on Cochran St., Ajay and I found 3 pennies.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.39
Bottles & Cans Collected: 12
Running Stats
This Month: $4.04
Last Month: $5.07
2008 Finds: $74.83
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $458.63 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $918.88 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 102 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,228.62

FMJ - Day 870

August 17: I found a penny at the Falafel King in Westwood Village.

FMJ - Day 869

August 16: Maya found $2.00 -- 2 single dollar bills -- at Dykstra's Car Wash in Simi Valley while getting the car washed with her mom.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $2.00
Bottles & Cans Collected: 11
Running Stats
This Month: $3.64
Last Month: $5.07
2008 Finds: $74.43
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $458.23 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $918.48 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 91 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,228.62

FMJ - Day 868 & A Recycling Update.

August 15: Ajay found a quarter at Wells Fargo Bank near our parking spot. I found a penny at the McDonald's on Tapo St. We stopped by the recycling center at Wood Ranch and collected $11.35 for our stash.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.26
Bottles & Cans Collected: 3
Running Stats
This Month: $1.64
Last Month: $5.07
2008 Finds: $72.43
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $456.23 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $916.48 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 80 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,228.62

FMJ - Day 867

August 14: I found a penny at the Von's on Yosemite Ave. I also found a penny at the Shell Station.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.02
Bottles & Cans Collected: 2
Running Stats
This Month: $1.38
Last Month: $5.07
2008 Finds: $72.17
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $455.97 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $916.22 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 77 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,217.27

FMJ - Day 866

August 13: I found four pennies while pumping some gas at the Shell station in the morning.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.04
Bottles & Cans Collected: 11
Running Stats
This Month: $1.36
Last Month: $5.07
2008 Finds: $72.15
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $455.95 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $916.20 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 75 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,217.27

$65.59 profit on a quick trade!

This morning, I sold the shares of Regions Financial bought yesterday. We paid $1,078.45 and received $1,144.04 on the sale. So, we made $65.59 for the Bottles & Cans Fund.

Capital Gains: $77.87

A little trading while we wait...

Using the proceeds from yesterday's sale of our UDR shares, I bought 129.417 shares of Regions Financial Bank at $8.33 a share. I have owned shares of Regions and have traded them for the last few years. Two days ago, Regions was priced at over $10 per share and it seemed like the fall was a little too overdone. So, today looked like it's ready to move back up. As of my writing this post, Regions is trading at $8.50 per share and we're already showing a profit. Should it hold and close higher, I may sell it tomorrow for a quick profit.

Still looking for UDR to drop and buy to back.

FMJ - Day 865

August 12: 5 pennies found. A stop for some snacks at the Dollar Tree in the Sycamore Village shopping center and we pick up a penny. After that, swimming lessons for Ajay at the YMCA in Simi Valley. He found a penny near our parking spot. Stopped by the Shell station down the street from our house for a Pepsi -- found three pennies.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.05
Bottles & Cans Collected: 2
Running Stats
This Month: $1.32
Last Month: $5.07
2008 Finds: $72.11
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $455.91 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $916.16 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 64 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,217.27

FMJ - Day 864

August 11: We found a dime and 8 pennies. 2 pennies were found at the 99 Cents Only store on Tapo St. A dime and a penny were found at the Pizza Hut carry-out on Alamo Ave. 2 pennies were found at the Shell Station on Yosemite Ave. Three pennies were found in the evening at the Wal-mart in Porter Ranch.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.18
Bottles & Cans Collected: 2
Running Stats
This Month: $1.27
Last Month: $5.07
2008 Finds: $72.06
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $455.86 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $916.11 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 62 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,217.27

Stock Sale of UDR holdings.

On August 12th, we sold all shares held of the United Dominion Real Estate Investment Trust. The total amount received was $1,078.45 and our total investment in the shares including reinvested dividends was $1,066.17. We had a gain of $12.28 since our original share purchase on 10/08/2007. Our intention is to wait and try to repurchase the shares at a lower price. In general, share pricing in real estate has stagnated the last few months and many REITs are down in the past year. UDR has moved up and we feel it will trade in a $3.00 range for the next few months.

Dividend Report!

On July 31st, the United Dominion Real Estate Investment Trust paid a quarterly dividend in the amount of $13.52 for the shares owned by the Bottle & Cans Fund. The dividend was reinvested.

Dividend & Interest Income
This month: $13.52
Savings Interest 2007: 98 cents
Savings Interest 2006: $1.77
Dividends 2006: $34.30
Dividends 2007: $88.04
Dividends 2008: $86.96
Total cost of stocks purchased: $1,830.43
Total Dividends Received: $274.96 (Since 2003 merger of CWN & PEI)

FMJ - Day 863

August 10: Found 3 pennies. All were found in Hollywood at The Grove.

FMJ - Day 862

August 9: In Cerritos for the weekend, found 15 cents -- a dime and 5 pennies. The dime was found in the morning at the Burger King on South St. in La Palma. A penny was pumpin gas at the Arco on South St. 4 pennies were found in the Target store on South St.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.15
Bottles & Cans Collected: 15
Running Stats
This Month: $1.09
Last Month: $5.07
2008 Finds: $71.88
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $455.68 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $915.93 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 67 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,217.27

FMJ - Day 861

August 8: No Finds.

A Belated End of the Month Report for July.

End of Month Stats:
Total found - July 2008: $5.07
Average Amount Found per Day: 17 cents

Stock Holdings
FMJ and B&C Fund - Stock Held:
20.659 Shares/PEI Worth: $380.54
22.973 Shares/GRT Worth: $213.87
40.996 Shares/UDR Worth: $1047.04

Total Stocks Held Value: $1,641.45
Value last month: $1,644.26
Stock purchase cost: $1,816.91
LOSS in Value from Stock Cost: ($175.46)

Other Funds Owned:
Non-deposited FMJ Funds(still in the jar): $59.41
FMJ Savings Account: $0.00
Note: $100.00 from the savings account and jar has been sent for the purchase of more shares of PEI in the Dividend Reinvestement Plan. We haven't received the trade confirmation, as yet.

Dividend & Interest Income
This month: $7.11
Savings Interest 2007: 98 cents
Savings Interest 2006: $1.77
Dividends 2006: $34.30
Dividends 2007: $88.04
Dividends 2008: $66.33
Total Dividends Received: $261.44 (Since 2003 merger of CWN & PEI)

Total Asset Value of FMJ Fund: $753.82

Bottles and Cans Fund
Running Balance: $1,217.27
Cash used to purchase stock: $1,013.17
Cash Account Balance: $204.10
Sept. 30, 2007: $999.18
B&C Stocks/cash value: $1,251.14
Gain in Value in B&C Fund: $33.87

Total Value of Both Funds:
July 31, 2008: $2,004.96
June 30, 2008: $1,975.10
May 31, 2008: $2,128.91
April 30, 2008: $2,060.43
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: $29.86

* Increase due to better stock price for UDR, money finds and recycling. Still, stock prices for real estate Investment trust have fallen during the past 3 months. June & July 2008 haver been the worst months for stocks in 20 years.

FMJ - Day 860

August 7: Ajay found a dime at Dan's Tennis Shop in Simi Valley. I found a penny at the base of the ATM at Wells Fargo Bank in Moorpark, CA. In the evening, we went to Topanga Promenade Mall. Ajay and I collected a quarter, dime and 4 pennies while Maya and my wife browsed the stores. Our coin hunt challenge is still the best part of going to the mall.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.50
Bottles & Cans Collected: 2
Running Stats
This Month: $.94
Last Month: $5.07
2008 Finds: $71.73
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $455.53 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $915.78 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 52 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,217.27

FMJ - Day 859

August 6: I found a penny on the bench of Court 8 at Rancho Simi Park. At the 99 Cents Only store on L.A. Ave., I also found a penny.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.02
Bottles & Cans Collected: 2
Running Stats
This Month: $.44
Last Month: $5.07
2008 Finds: $71.23
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $455.03 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $915.28 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 50 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,217.27

FMJ - Day 858

August 5: Four pennies were found during a stop for a soda at the Exxon station on Erringer Rd.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.04
Bottles & Cans Collected: 2
Running Stats
This Month: $.42
Last Month: $5.07
2008 Finds: $71.21
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $455.01 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $915.26 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 48 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,217.27

FMJ - Day 857

August 4: We found 2 pennies while shopping at the Fresh & Easy store on Alamo Ave.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.02
Bottles & Cans Collected: 1
Running Stats
This Month: $.38
Last Month: $5.07
2008 Finds: $71.17
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $454.97 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $915.22 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 46 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,217.27

FMJ - Day 856

August 3: We spent the night in Cerritos and the wife and I went to see the movie, STEP Brothers. Nothing like that Will Ferrel and John C. Reilly. Incredibly raunchy, silly and perverted... a great movie. We found 29 cents. A quarter was found near my parking space at a shopping plaza on Artesia Blvd. as I was making a quick run to the KFC to squash hunger pains. 4 pennies were found strolling the Glendale Galleria in the afternoon.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.29
Bottles & Cans Collected: 11
Running Stats
This Month: $.36
Last Month: $5.07
2008 Finds: $71.15
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $454.95 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $915.20 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 45 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,217.27

FMJ - Day 855

August 2: Seven pennies found. 3 pennies were scooped at the Shell gas station on Yosemite Ave. 4 pennies at the 7-11 on Erringer Rd. during a stop for a Big Gulp.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.07
Bottles & Cans Collected: 34
Running Stats
This Month: $.07
Last Month: $8.58
2008 Finds: $70.86
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $454.66 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $914.91 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 34 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,217.27

FMJ - Day 854

August 1: Absolutely nothing found.