Do you pick up coins you say laying on the ground?

@JenInTN (27514)
United States
February 8, 2009 9:38am CST
I just saw a news report and they were interviewing a family that actually went on outings looking for lost pennies and coins. There were several people on there that do this on a regular basis. They reported that this family made around $1100. in a matter of three years. Pretty good for picking up a few pennies along the way. So what about you? Do you pick up change when you see it laying at your feet? Do you go on outings in search of this loose change that others have just thrown away?
15 people like this
70 responses
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
12 Feb 09
I may not be planning trips out to search of pennies or coins. But if I ever come across them, I will pick them up. In fact, that is what got me started on a program called "Double your way to a Million". It is a fun thing to do. Not easy, but fun to do.
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
12 Feb 09
Ha ha ha ha ha... I will update my blog with the information soon enough. So far, I have put the project on hold due to a busy schedule. But I am working on it. I sure hope I can jump the next few stages soon! I have been stuck on my stage for a mighty long time already!
1 person likes this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
12 Feb 09
Hi ahgong! Sounds like an interesting program. And an interesting story. If you want to share it I'm sure we would all like to hear it. Thanks for the response.
2 people like this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
12 Feb 09
Good luck with your venture. Let us know when you update your blog so we can check it out!
1 person likes this
• Singapore
11 Feb 09
Hi JeninTN. My instinct always makes me pickup coins laying somewhere, as long as I know no one owns them. However I will not go on outings in search of loose coins.
2 people like this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
11 Feb 09
Sounds strange to do doesn't it? I had never thought of it. I won't hunt either but like you,I'll pick them up. Thanks.
1 person likes this
• Singapore
12 Feb 09
It is strange, it's like I'm drawn by this single coin at the side of the road, even though it's just a loose change. You're welcome jeninTN :o)
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
11 Feb 09
If I see them, I do stop and pick them up. But I don't specifically go out looking for them. I figure if I find a penny every day, that's almost $4...
2 people like this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
11 Feb 09
Hi reinydawn! Same for me. I won't go out looking but I do pick them up. Thanks for the response!
2 people like this
@apples99 (6556)
• United States
9 Feb 09
Well if I happen to see a coin laying on the ground yes sure ill pick it up I think most people do, but I dont go around looking for them I usually just find them by accident I never actually look for them in public or anything.
2 people like this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
10 Feb 09
Hi apples! I never realy thought about "hunting" it either. I usually don't pay alot of attention either. I'm going to though. At least for a while just to see. Thanks for the response!
• United States
8 Feb 09
I have never gone out looking for coins laying on the ground but if I happen to come across one then I will pick it up. When I was a kid I loved to find coins laying on the ground and I was always finding them but now I don't think I pay enough attention since I don't really find any that often. I might start paying more attention though if it can add up to that amount of money!!!
2 people like this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
8 Feb 09
That is a lot isn't it..for picking up change. They do go hunting for it though..a family of 4 or 5 it looked like. They go to the park and scatter..lol..One lady said she looked in the candy bar and gum boxes at the checkout counter in qickie stores and had found a handfull of change! Thanks for responding.
1 person likes this
8 Feb 09
Find a penny, pick it up, all day long you'l have good luck...Give that penny to a friend then your luck will never end ! When I find a penny I do pick it up and give it to a friend whilst quoting the above. :)x
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
8 Feb 09
I have heard that phrase before but not the part about the friend. Thanks for the response!
1 person likes this
@chrislotz (8137)
• Canada
8 Feb 09
Same here. I never heard the part about a friend, but I will certainly try it next time.
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
9 Feb 09
I only pick up those I happen to see but I don't go looking for them at all. I have found alot over the years but not that much. I have also found dollar bills and once found a 20 dollar bill while walking. It surely made my day if not week.
1 person likes this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
10 Feb 09
Well, I certainly hope you find something worth it.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
10 Feb 09
I bet that did make your day! It certainly would have mine too. I don't hunt either but I am going to be keeping my eyes openThanks for the response.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
11 Feb 09
Thanks!
@balasri (26537)
• India
15 Mar 09
Godess Lakshmi - Goddess Lakshmi means Good Luck to Hindus. The word 'Lakshmi' is derived from the Sanskrit word "Laksya", meaning 'aim' or 'goal', and she is the goddess of wealth and prosperity, both material and spiritual.

Lakshmi is the household goddess of most Hindu families, and a favorite of women. Although she is worshipped daily, the festive month of October is Lakshmi's special month. Lakshmi Puja is celebrated on the full moon night of Kojagari Purnima.
I will never go out with the intention of picking up coins.But if I find a coin lying on the road I will definitely pick it up since we consider money as Goddess Lakshmi here in our country.We can never allow anyone to disrespect it by stepping on it.I have uploaded the image of Goddess Lakshmi for you. Can you observe the golden coins pouring down Her hands.
1 person likes this
@balasri (26537)
• India
15 Mar 09
Why,it is a pleasure explaining.That is the account book to register our income and expenditure.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
15 Mar 09
I see..Thank you very much.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
15 Mar 09
Thank you for sharing that balasri. It could maybe even be considered a gift from her if you were to find some. If you don't mind that I ask..what is the open book that lays at her feet?
@dpk262006 (58673)
• Delhi, India
9 Feb 09
Instinctively, I will pick up coins or currency notes, if they are lying on the road. Firstly, I'll look around, if any claimant to the same is there.........and if I find any claimant, I'll return the same to him and if despite my sincere efforts I'm unable to find a claimant to it, I'll pocket the same..............LOL! dpk P.S. -Congrats, this discussion of yours figures in today's 'Mylot digest', so you are likely to get many responses.
@dpk262006 (58673)
• Delhi, India
10 Feb 09
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
10 Feb 09
Thank you my friend! I would also look to give back dropped money to it's owner. Especially if it were a bill. Thanks for the response and take care.
@cupid74 (11388)
• Pakistan
9 Feb 09
Hi Jenn really a nice Hobby well, i never went out to collect/pick coins on the road and infact as its not in my mind so i dont notices in regular life. but sure i heard about cashier u used not to pay pennies/changes to customers, mostly people were not bothered and if some one ask, she pays them, and just bt doing this she made a LOT morwe than US$1100 in three month.
1 person likes this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
10 Feb 09
Wow..that cashier was a smart one! I bet she did make a bunch. Sometimes people don't like to be bothered with pennies. Sometimes in the stores I go to there's a little bowl that people can through their pennies in if they don't want them and someone else can use for exact change. I've never went collecting either but I am going to pay more mind. Thanks for responding Cupid! Take care.
@cupid74 (11388)
• Pakistan
10 Feb 09
Well, u r right, snmart little move by her, she might have some ethical grounds for it but i like the idea of bowl for change at stores Kool
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
11 Feb 09
I do pick up money if I see it but I don't go looking for it. Money is money after all...
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
11 Feb 09
I'm not going to turn up my nose at it, that's for sure!
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
11 Feb 09
That's true..it is money no matter where you find it. As long as it's honest..wht not? I don't go hunting either but I am going to look closer when I'm out. Thanks dawnald!
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
8 Feb 09
i don't go on outings but i will pick up change if i see it.
2 people like this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
8 Feb 09
Hi jo! I haven't been on any outings either. I'm like you..if I see it,I'll pick it up. Thanks.
1 person likes this
@sunil_008 (1269)
• India
15 Feb 09
Hi, I didn't get the entire story.where they go in search of lost pennies?well till today i am only succeeded thrice. and all the 3 times i have donated it to some charity box...:)
1 person likes this
@sunil_008 (1269)
• India
15 Feb 09
I thought that's the best way to spend it...:)
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
15 Feb 09
They would just load up and go around town. Parking lots,parks,just wherever. A family outing in search of coins. I bet they tell their kids it'a a treasure hunt or something. Nice that you donated it to charity. Thanks.
• Ireland
9 Feb 09
I never seem to find anything :( But if I do I usually pick it up. I pick up coppers if they're in a building on the floor but not on the road 'cause they are really dirty. I always pick up gold ones (btw I'm talking about euro) My dad picks them up and he buys coffee once a week with the money so it does work. And I remember at school a few years back we had a copper trail for charity and everyone in the school brought in their coppers and we made like 2000 euro! Just with coppers! Then again that was like 900 students... But still!
1 person likes this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
10 Feb 09
Hi lolastevens! Don't give up..I'm sure you'll find something. It works out very well for your father as it buys his coffee weekly. I would have liked to have seen that trail of euros! Thanks for the response.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
11 Feb 09
• Ireland
10 Feb 09
Thanks for the support! Ya it was pretty cool, the whole sports hall was covered in rows and rows of coppers, I can still picture it in my head.
@oldboy46 (2129)
• Australia
15 Feb 09
Well I do not go out searching for money but if I see money on the ground, then I will pick it up. If it is a large amount of money then I will take it to the police because it is possible thatthe person who lost the money will make a report to the police. However, if it is a smaller amount, then I put it into one of the charity "poor boxes". It is not my money at all and I know that the charities can always use any donations that they receive to help the poor and needy. Once I was one of those who were poor and although I did not ask for or receive help from the charities, the situation could have been very different. At the same time, my partner did have to seek help from them a couple of times after her marriage broke up and before we met. She had 4 children to care for, a mortgage to pay, no child support from her ex-husband and could earn limited amount of money due to the hours she could work with the children. Yes when she was not working she did receive the pension but it didn't cover the mortgage all the time. So I say to people who find money "if you are not desperately in need of it, think of others who need a helping hand".
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
15 Feb 09
Thank you oldboy! We have all needed a hand at one time or another and I agree if you don't need it you should certainly donate. I have had some pretty tough times to and could've used some help myself. There is always someone out there with a bit of a tougher time. Thanks again and take care.
@snoopy04 (718)
• United States
10 Feb 09
If I see one lying on the ground then yes I will pick it up. I dont go out of my way looking for one though. I remember that story and was amazed at how much they accumulated in a matter of three years. I save lose change and use it toward a Christmas gift for our family but after seeing this story ir has made me really want to save for the long haul.
1 person likes this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
11 Feb 09
Me too..lol..It really added up for them! Thanks for the response!
• United States
17 Feb 09
Yes i do any money is better than no money, it adds up after a while like you said about that family, it's rough now a day the prices of everything are increasing
1 person likes this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
17 Feb 09
It surely does add up. I would have never thought about an outting. Thanks for responding.
@saundyl (9783)
• Canada
12 Feb 09
I do pick up change and money on the ground while walking and such but I dont go out specifically looking for the money. I also take money out of my couch cushions! (i remember growing up mom would have us hunt the couch cushions so she'd have enough to buy a carton of milk at times)
1 person likes this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
12 Feb 09
Amazing what you can find in those couch cushions.lol..anything you haven't been able to find..look there..I remember finding change there as a child too. Thanks fpr the response.
• Australia
15 Mar 09
I don't know if anyone else has mentioned this, but I know of people who go to popular beaches in summer in late afternoons/very early mornings and sift through the sand with sieves, especially up against the retaining walls a lot of beaches have. I have also heard of them fossicking with metal detectors. Apparently they can make an income pretty much as good as the unemployment payment, and considering many of them are on that payment, it's not a bad living. Lash
1 person likes this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
15 Mar 09
No one has mentioned that but I'm glad you have. I have often seen people on the beach and the surrounding areas of it with metal detectors. I can imagine in places like that there are a lot of coins that are dropped and left. Sometimes people just don't want to be bothered by trying to find a single coin when they drop them. I can see how others could profit from this. Thanks for the input.
@djonghs (560)
• Indonesia
11 Feb 09
If I find on, I will pick it up. But I do not intend to go outing just for that activity........it is time consuming and I have a better thing to do. That just my 2 cents.. BR.b
1 person likes this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
11 Feb 09
LOL..it would be time consuming and I doubt I'll be going on any outings but I will be looking closer.Thanks for responding friend!