Thursday, October 30, 2008

FMJ - Day 944

October 30: 24 cents found. The first find happened at the Burger King on Cochran Ave. -- a dime. Then, I took an afternoon bike ride and found 3 pennies. Picking up Ajay from school, I came across a dime laying near the sidewalk in a grassy patch along Big Springs Ave. My final find of a penny was made near an ATM at the Madera Road shopping center.

I collected 10 bottles and cans along my bike ride.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.24
Bottles & Cans Collected: 12
Running Stats
This Month: $5.90
Last Month: $3.36
2008 Finds: $85.90
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $469.71 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $929.85 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 274 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,283.80

FMJ - Day 943

October 29: I found two pennies. The first at the ARCO gas station on Madera Rd. The second at Walmart in Simi Valley.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.02
Bottles & Cans Collected: 9
Running Stats
This Month: $5.66
Last Month: $3.36
2008 Finds: $85.66
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $469.47 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $929.61 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 262 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,283.80

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

FMJ - Day 942

October 28: I found two pennies at the Fresh and Easy store on Tapo St.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.02
Bottles & Cans Collected: 3
Running Stats
This Month: $5.64
Last Month: $3.36
2008 Finds: $85.64
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $469.45 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $929.59 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 253 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,283.80

FMJ - Day 941

October 27: While taking a walk along Yosemite Ave., I found two pennies.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.02
Bottles & Cans Collected: 6
Running Stats
This Month: $5.62
Last Month: $3.36
2008 Finds: $85.62
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $469.43 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $929.57 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 250 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,283.80

FMJ - Day 940

October 26: Found nothing... 7 bottles collected.

Monday, October 27, 2008

FMJ - Day 939

October 25: In the afternoon, Ajay and I took a LONG bike ride around the Texas Tract neighborhood of Simi Valley. We found 5 pennies and collected 30 bottles and cans along our ride.

Ajay's baseball practice produced another 8 water bottles for the fund.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.05
Bottles & Cans Collected: 38
Running Stats
This Month: $5.60
Last Month: $3.36
2008 Finds: $85.60
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $469.41 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $929.55 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 237 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,283.80

FMJ - Day 938

October 24: I found a single penny during a stop for gas at the ARCO gas station on L.A. Ave. I decide to not play tennis and go hiking, instead. Cleaned up littered 7 bottles during my hike.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.01
Bottles & Cans Collected: 7
Running Stats
This Month: $5.55
Last Month: $3.36
2008 Finds: $85.55
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $469.36 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $929.50 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 199 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,283.80

Friday, October 24, 2008

FMJ - Day 937

October 23: Ajay and I found a quarter resting in the change shoot of an L.A. Times box near the McDonald's in Moorpark, CA. We also found a penny at the Moorpark Target store.

FMJ - Day 936

October 22: While taking a morning walk after tennis in the Sinaloa area of Simi Valley, I found two dimes and two pennies. Also, I collected 13 bottles and cans.
Later, I found three more pennies at Taco Bell.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.25
Bottles & Cans Collected: 13
Running Stats
This Month: $5.28
Last Month: $3.36
2008 Finds: $85.28
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $469.09 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $929.23 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 192 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,283.80

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

FMJ - Day 935

October 21: I found no money... TOO WINDY! 6 cans & bottles collected.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.00
Bottles & Cans Collected: 6
Running Stats
This Month: $5.03
Last Month: $3.36
2008 Finds: $85.03
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $468.84 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $928.98 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 179 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,283.80

FMJ - Day 934

October 20: I found 4 pennies while taking a long walk.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.04
Bottles & Cans Collected: 7
Running Stats
This Month: $5.03
Last Month: $3.36
2008 Finds: $85.03
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $468.84 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $928.98 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 173 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,283.80

Monday, October 20, 2008

FMJ - Day 933

October 19: Picked up a nickel and two pennies at the Shell Station on Yosemite Ave.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.07
Bottles & Cans Collected: 0
Running Stats
This Month: $4.99
Last Month: $3.36
2008 Finds: $84.99
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $468.80 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $928.94 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 166 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,283.80

Recycling!

October 19: We received $7.00 for our bottles and cans. Amazing how much this can add up... if you take the time to keep records.

The total amount of money received from our recycling efforts Since October of 2005 is: $1,283.80

FMJ - Day 932

October 18: I found three pennies at the 99 Cents Only store on Tapo St.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.03
Bottles & Cans Collected: 4
Running Stats
This Month: $4.92
Last Month: $3.36
2008 Finds: $84.92
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $468.73 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $928.87 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 166 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,276.80

Sunday, October 19, 2008

FMJ - Day 931

October 17: In the morning, a stop for breakfast at Del Taco found me finding two pennies. At the 99 Cents Only store, I found two more pennies. At the Wendy's on L.A. Ave., we picked up two dimes.

We keep a savings account at Wescom Credit Union and upon making our deposit, I spied a Dollar bill folded on the floor near the teller. Sccoped it.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $1.24
Bottles & Cans Collected: 4
Running Stats
This Month: $4.89
Last Month: $3.36
2008 Finds: $84.89
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $468.70 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $928.84 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 162 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,276.80

Friday, October 17, 2008

FMJ - Day 930

October 16: We returned home in the evening to find our house in good order and unharmed by the fire or smoke. During the day, I took a long walk around Cerritos walking along Artesia Blvd. from Shoemaker Ave. upto to Marquardt Ave. then to 183rd St. and along the Coyotes bike trail to Carmenita Ave.& South St. stopping at the McDonald's on the corner for Breakfast. I found a quarter and a penny in the McDonald's driveway. Leaving the restaurant, I walked along South St back to Shoemaker Ave. then continuing to traverse the Cerritos Town Center buying "underwear" at the Ross Store. Finishing up my walk, I marched back along Artesia Blvd. Total time of the walk -- about 3 hours.

Walking is such great exercise... especially long walks. I collected 18 cans and bottles during my journey.

In the Afternoon, Maya and I went to see "EAGLE EYE" at the Edward's towncenter cinema... found 4 pennies resting on a table in the food court area.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.30
Bottles & Cans Collected: 5
Running Stats
This Month: $3.65
Last Month: $3.36
2008 Finds: $83.65
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $467.46 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $927.60 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 158 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,276.80

FMJ - Day 929

October 15: Staying put in Cerritos as the fires with still smoldering in the hills, the kids and I went exploring in Lakewood and found a lovely little restaurant called California Roll. The teriaki hit the spot. While walking the sidewalk in Lakewood, I picked up a dime and 2 pennies. Earlier, I had a snack at Yum Yum Donuts on South St., I found 5 pennies in the parking lot. Then, I pulled two quarters from the change shoot of the Press-Telegram newspaper machine in front of Yum Yum.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.72
Bottles & Cans Collected: 5
Running Stats
This Month: $3.35
Last Month: $3.36
2008 Finds: $83.35
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $467.16 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $927.30 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 140 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,276.80

FMJ - Day 928

October 14: Eventhough the fires burned through the night, the kids still had school. So, the morning was spent driving them back to Simi Valley and dropping them late to school. I found a nickel at Maya's school. I went to Rubio's in Simi Valley for lunch to at a view of the fires and smoke plume which luckily was drift west along the Santa Susana Mountains. The winds shift and now the fire had moved across the mountains in Simi Valley near our house. TIME TO EVACUATE FOR A SECOND TIME... we loaded the car with Biscuit, our dog, and all the family videos and photos, computers and some irreplaceable valuables and headed off to Cerritos and Mayma's house to escape the smoke and ash. A stop in the evening at McDonald's in Cerritos and we find a One Dollar Bill, a quarter and 5 pennies.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $1.35
Bottles & Cans Collected: 0
Running Stats
This Month: $2.63
Last Month: $3.36
2008 Finds: $82.63
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $466.44 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $926.58 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 135 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,276.80

FMJ - Day 927

October 13: Fire... Fire... EVERYWHERE! Porter Ranch, a community in the northwest quadrant of the San Fernando Valley was engulf and encircled by a raging brush fire. The smoke was coming over the Santa Susana Pass into Simi Valley. So, the kids and I decided to stay the night in Santa Monica. I found a dime and eight pennies while taking a long morning walk.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.18
Bottles & Cans Collected: 5
Running Stats
This Month: $1.28
Last Month: $3.36
2008 Finds: $81.28
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $465.09 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $925.23 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 135 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,276.80

FMJ - Day 926

October 12: No Finds. 5 bottles and cans collected.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

FMJ - Day 925

October 11: While getting out of the car to attend Ajay's baseball team practice, I found a dime and a penny. After the practice, we went to Topper's Pizza for lunch. Ajay found a dime and 2 pennies in the arcade area.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.23
Bottles & Cans Collected: 15
Running Stats
This Month: $1.10
Last Month: $3.36
2008 Finds: $81.10
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $464.91 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $925.05 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 126 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,276.80

Friday, October 10, 2008

FMJ - Day 924

October 10: After watching the stock market plunge this morning, I thought it would be soothing to take a walk in Wildhorse Canyon. I found two nickels. One along Presidio Ave. The other, near Ajay's school drop-off. We also found 4 pennies at Wendy's on L.A. Ave.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.14
Bottles & Cans Collected: 15
Running Stats
This Month: $.87
Last Month: $3.36
2008 Finds: $80.87
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $464.68 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $924.82 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 111 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,276.80

FMJ - Day 923

October 9: Ajay and I found two pennies at the McDonald's on L.A. Ave.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.02
Bottles & Cans Collected: 7
Running Stats
This Month: $.73
Last Month: $3.36
2008 Finds: $80.73
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $464.54 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $924.68 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 96 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,276.80

Thursday, October 09, 2008

FMJ - Day 922

October 8: No finds.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.00
Bottles & Cans Collected: 21
Running Stats
This Month: $.71
Last Month: $3.36
2008 Finds: $80.71
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $464.52 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $924.66 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 89 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,276.80

A little recycling today.

The kids were out from school for the Yom Kippur holiday... So, it was a good time to go to the recycling center. We recycled $14.65 worth of bottles and cans -- our entire stash.

Also, we found two pennies at the recycling center.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.02
Bottles & Cans Collected: --
Running Stats
This Month: $.71
Last Month: $3.36
2008 Finds: $80.71
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $464.52 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $924.66 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 89 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,276.80

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

FMJ - Day 921

October 7: THE STOCK MARKET HAS TANKED BEYOND ANY COMPREHENSIBLE NOTION! TIME TO BUY STOCKS! I'm going to deploy whatever cash we have in the market in the next week! I'm thinking about a bank stock this buy.

We found 24 cents today. I found a penny this morning at Wells Fargo Bank ATM on L.A. Ave. Walking back to my car, I found a dime on Patricia Ave. When picking up Maya from School, Ajay and I will take a walk around the neighborhood while waiting for her. We found a dime and 2 pennies. My last find of a penny happened at Taco Bell on L.A. Ave.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.24
Bottles & Cans Collected: 16
Running Stats
This Month: $.69
Last Month: $3.36
2008 Finds: $80.69
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $464.50 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $924.64 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 68 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,262.15

Monday, October 06, 2008

FMJ - Day 920

October 6: Found four cents. First find of a penny happened at the Exxon station near Moorpark College. The second and third pennies were found at the 99 Cents Only store on L.A. Ave. The final penny was picked up at the Citibank on Cochran Ave.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.04
Bottles & Cans Collected: 20
Running Stats
This Month: $.45
Last Month: $3.36
2008 Finds: $80.45
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $464.26 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $924.40 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 52 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,262.15

Sunday, October 05, 2008

The Big Cerritos Walk. (FMJ - Day 919)

October 5: I spent the morning walking around Cerritos, California. Started my walk along Artesia Blvd. at the corner of Shoemaker continuing to Norwalk Blvd. Then, I headed South on Norwalk to South St. stopping at the Burger King for breakfast... Whopper! After that, I walked east along South St. back to Shoemaker. I followed Shormaker Ave. to Mayma's neighborhood at the Corner of Artesia and Shoemaker.

What did I scavenge along the way?... a nickel, 18 pennies and 13 cans & bottles. I must have lost about 600 calories!

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.23
Bottles & Cans Collected: 15
Running Stats
This Month: $.41
Last Month: $3.36
2008 Finds: $80.41
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $464.22 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $924.36 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 32 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,262.15

FMJ - Day 918

October 4: Ajay found three pennies during a "pit-stop" along the I-5 in Commerce, CA.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.03
Bottles & Cans Collected: 2
Running Stats
This Month: $.18
Last Month: $3.36
2008 Finds: $80.18
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $463.99 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $924.13 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 17 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,262.15

FMJ - Day 917

October 3: I found a penny at Carl's Jr. on L.A. Ave.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.01
Bottles & Cans Collected: 6
Running Stats
This Month: $.15
Last Month: $3.36
2008 Finds: $80.15
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $463.96 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $924.10 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 15 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,262.15

Friday, October 03, 2008

FMJ - Day 916

October 2: 8 Cents. 5 pennies were found along Ventura St. where I drop Maya off for school each morning. 3 pennies were picked up at Del Taco on L.A. Ave.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.08
Bottles & Cans Collected: 5
Running Stats
This Month: $.14
Last Month: $3.36
2008 Finds: $80.14
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $463.95 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $924.09 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 9 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,262.15

FMJ - Day 915

October 1: Six pennies found while shopping at the 99 Cents Only store on Tapo St.

Today's Stats
Money Finds: $.06
Bottles & Cans Collected: 4
Running Stats
This Month: $.06
Last Month: $3.36
2008 Finds: $80.06
Since FMJ Blog Inception: $463.87 (March 28, 2006)
Total Found for FMJ Fund: $924.01 (since 1-1-2000)
Bottles and Cans Collected: 4 for the month
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $1,262.15

FMJ - Day 914

September 30: No Finds.

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

End of the Month - September 2008

End of Month Stats:
Total found - September 2008: $3.36
Average Amount Found per Day: 11 cents

Stock Holdings
FMJ and B&C Fund - Stock Held:
26.595 Shares/PEI Worth: $501.31
22.973 Shares/GRT Worth: $239.83
56.13 Shares/UDR Worth: $1467.80

Total Stocks Held Value: $2,208.94
Value 7/31: $1,644.26
Stock Purchase Cost: $1,945.18
GAIN in Value from Stock Cost: $263.76

Other Funds Owned:
FMJ cash (still in the jar): $68.52
B&C Fund Cash: $248.98

Dividend & Interest Income
This month: $14.75
Savings Interest 2007: 98 cents
Savings Interest 2006: $1.77
Dividends 2006: $34.30
Dividends 2007: $88.04
Dividends 2008: $101.71
Total cost of stocks purchased: $1,945.18

Total Asset Value of FMJ Fund: $809.66

Bottles and Cans Fund
Running Balance: $1,262.15
Cash used to purchase stock: $1,013.17
Dividends Reinvested: $53.00
Cash Account Balance: $248.98
Sept. 30, 2007: $999.18
B&C Stocks/cash value: $1,716.78

Total Value of Both Funds:
September 30, 2008: $2,526.44
August 31, 2008: $2,311.83
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: $214.61

* Increase due to Sale of UDR stock and recent quick trades in Regions Financial and Washington Mutual Stock. We have bought back UDR stock and will trade it should it go above $26.50. Money finds and recycling of Bottles & Cans also contributed. Stock prices for real estate Investment trust have started moving higher after falling during the past year. June & July 2008 were the worst months for stocks in 20 years. As of 9/30, prices have stabilized or turned higher.