The Fabulousness of Found Money...

Well not really found money, but forgotten money.



On my quest to get things paid off, I scoured my life for ways to get a little extra coin, here is what happened:

- I noticed a shelf and brackets that I was going to put up "tomorrow" for the last six months. In actuality this will never get done, and I don't even need the shelf for what I originally intended it. So I returned it to the store. Another $35 in the pocket. Granted this was gone as soon as I received it, as my son needed something (actually needed, not wanted - although we do spoil him pretty badly). However, I still think this is an accomplishment as I managed to buy something without it touching a credit card, or my actual budget.

- I filed an adjustment to my tax return this year which should yield me about $500. I knew about this adjustment before, but as I was going through the process I decided to look at past years, and lo and behold I found another $600 bucks that I could get back from 2005 and 2006. Now I just hope the government sees things the way I do.

- I realized that on a recent trip I took, (that I couldn't afford, but there is nothing I can do about that now). I had not applied to receive the state tax back on my purchases. Yet another $100 when it comes in.

- And lastly, the change jar. It's been sitting there for a while, but I finally rolled it. Only $29, but cash I didn't have yesterday.

Granted some of these things will take time to come in, but opening the mail to a big fat cheque will be nice. Here are some tips to "find" money in your life:

1. Rebates - How many times have we thrown out those pesky little rebate cards because the $3.00 rebate isn't worth your time. Well it might not buy a vacation home, but it money you didn't have before. If the take to much time to fill out, leave it in your purse or wallet for when you are waiting at the doctor's, or better yet in the bathroom for when you a couple of extra idle minutes in there. If the rebate is more than the postage to send it in. Do it!!

2. Returns - Scour your home for items you don't use that still have the tags on and return it!! Even if you don't have the receipt, or it is after the return policy period you can usually manage to get a gift card in the amount of the item (you might lose money as it may be at the current bprice, but if you are not using it you are gaining nothing by keeping it). Keep the gift card to buy things you really need, or use it to splurge for "free" when you have earned a treat for yourself.

3. Loose Change - Doesn't add up fast, but it does add up. If you can keep your fingers out of the jar, it could be pizza delivery on a really bad day.

4. Consolidate Accounts - Do you have a few bucks in Paypal, $2 in an unused bank account, etc. Clear out these amounts and gain a couple bucks. Yet again, not much, but something. Besides the sooner a dollar is paid on a credit card the sooner the credit clock stops.

5. Sell Stuff - Yes, the power of eBay and it's followers. I'm not going to spend too much time here as we have all heard this before, but remember anythign can sell. I just sold used balloons.

6. Check Your Records - Although you might not be able to pull out a tax refund like I did, be sure to check things like your tax returns, credit card statements, or anything else where someone could slip up or the amount could be negotiated. You can very often find mistakes that cost you money.

7. Clean - I have often times been amazed at what I have come across from cleaning. Gift certificates I hadn't used, tons of loose changes or bills in old wallets, purses, and clothes, even cheques I hadn't cashed at the bottoms of drawers. I even know someone who found $200 in an old wedding card. Plus, it's a free thing to keep you busy.


Happy Hunting!!