The Day I Threw Out 500 Euros
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382104)
Rockingham, Australia
November 2, 2015 7:43am CST
While we were in Vienna on our vacation, Vince's wallet was stolen. We then had a great deal of difficulty trying to get money from our Australian banks and in the end our son sent us money from Ireland (which we'd left with him) through Western Union. As we didn't know when the crisis would be resolved, we received quite a large amount which we split into smaller quantities. some of which we hid in the motor-home. I also put 500 Euro in the freezer compartment of the little fridge.
I know this isn't the best hiding place but at the time we were in a hurry and not really thinking straight. Unfortunately the fridge broke down and I unthinkingly threw out the complete contents of the freezer compartment including the plastic bag of notes.
While we were in a Viennese bank trying to sort out the problems, it suddenly hit me that I'd thrown out the money. It had gone into the bin in the caravan park. As you can imagine, I was distraught. Vince, bless him, saw the funny side and kept saying 'it's only money'. When we returned to the caravan park, I went straight to the bin and rummaged frantically through it. And guess what? I found it! Someone was certainly watching over us that day.
The photo is of a statue in one of the many squares in Vienna.
11 people like this
10 responses
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
3 Nov 15
@ladyduck have you ever had problems with credit cards or traveler's checks while traveling?
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (502491)
• Italy
3 Nov 15
@hereandthere I was robbed in Miami (USA) by three guys who threw me on the floor. I immediately blocked the credit cards and called the bank giving the numbers of the traveler checks. My Bank gave me the address of a Bank in Miami where to go and they issued new checks. We used the credit card of my hubby and I god new ones when back home. I only lost the few dollar cash that I had in my purse.
3 people like this
@jaboUK (64346)
• United Kingdom
2 Nov 15
Wow, that was good luck that you found it. On top of Vince losing his wallet, that would have been all you needed. Did your insurance pay up for the loss of cash? I was robbed in Tenerife once and they only paid a fraction of what I lost. I suppose you can see their point of view as people would say they'd lost more than they did.
4 people like this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Nov 15
We haven't put in a claim yet. It will be interesting to see how much we get back. It was really stupid to have so much in the wallet. We have certainly learnt a good lesson from it. I could hardly believe my luck at finding the money still in the bin!
3 people like this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Nov 15
It was pretty incredible, wasn't it? I couldn't believe our luck.
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Nov 15
We had way too much money in the wallet. It was really stupid. Yes, the cards were in the wallet but the wallet and cards eventually were handed in and we have them back now. The credit cards had been cancelled by then but it was good to get the drivers licence etc back. It's amazing how many cards you accumulate.
1 person likes this
@Dragonairy1 (1722)
• Newcastle Upon Tyne, England
3 Nov 15
I'm pleased you found it 
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
11 Nov 15
Wow, you were lucky that day! I've never hidden money in the freezer but I know a lot of people who do that. Since so many do that, I can't figure out why they think that's such a good place. 
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Nov 15
I wasn't really holding out much hope that it would still be there. We had a lot of luck from time to time on our trip.
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Nov 15
It was certainly very lucky. The bins had been emptied early in the morning which was fortunate.
