Comments on: What Would You Do With $185,000? http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/ Our Journey to a Debt-Free Life Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:44:47 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Susan http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/comment-page-1/#comment-296278 Susan Fri, 04 Jan 2008 19:24:54 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/#comment-296278 Don't think reports clarified what type of check it was. The fifty dollar reward, however, sounded a little cheap. Five hundred or at least one hundred would have made for a better story. It was excellent that he returned the check as check laundering is rampant. Don’t think reports clarified what type of check it was. The fifty dollar reward, however, sounded a little cheap. Five hundred or at least one hundred would have made for a better story. It was excellent that he returned the check as check laundering is rampant.

]]> By: Anonymous Writer http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/comment-page-1/#comment-296034 Anonymous Writer Fri, 04 Jan 2008 16:24:58 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/#comment-296034 Bravo, Jaye-- thanks for setting Jim straight! Bravo, Jaye– thanks for setting Jim straight!

]]> By: Prince of Thrift http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/comment-page-1/#comment-295970 Prince of Thrift Fri, 04 Jan 2008 15:45:10 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/#comment-295970 I agree with many of the others if it was cash it may of been a different story. It certainly would have been a harder decision. However, if someone gave me $185,000 I would pay off all of my remaining debts, fund my emergency fund, book my first ever trip to New York. I would also pay for the new guttering that I need. My current guttering is broken in several spots. There is one spot in particular that leaks so bad that ice forms on the sidewalk so thick, you almost need a bag of ice melt on the sidewalk in that one spot every month. I agree with many of the others if it was cash it may of been a different story. It certainly would have been a harder decision.

However, if someone gave me $185,000 I would pay off all of my remaining debts, fund my emergency fund, book my first ever trip to New York.

I would also pay for the new guttering that I need. My current guttering is broken in several spots. There is one spot in particular that leaks so bad that ice forms on the sidewalk so thick, you almost need a bag of ice melt on the sidewalk in that one spot every month.

]]> By: jaye http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/comment-page-1/#comment-295890 jaye Fri, 04 Jan 2008 14:56:49 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/#comment-295890 This guy Reggie is a good and thoughtful person. Kudos to him. The implication that he could have "kept" the money is kind of silly, however, he certainly didn't need to return the check, especially in person. It was a very kind gesture. Jim, I think you should read "Nickel and Dimed". It's a great book (also available on audio) about living below poverty level (often with one+ full time jobs) in America. I really doubt that Reggie (or many others, for that matter) choose to need food stamps. I learned a lot about how nearly impossible it is to get out of poverty. It certainly gave me an education and a good dose of compassion and humility (both of which were apparently needed). BTW, it's written by a successful PhD/writer/journalist who merely took her job and post-grad status off her resume (entering the workforce as a college educated, divorced mid-50's woman who had been a homemaker while her children grew up). Guess what? She, with everything she had going for her (education, intelligence, etc.) needed food assistance to get by. This while working 7 full days a week. I don't know about you, but I think that's really humbling. This guy Reggie is a good and thoughtful person. Kudos to him. The implication that he could have “kept” the money is kind of silly, however, he certainly didn’t need to return the check, especially in person. It was a very kind gesture.

Jim, I think you should read “Nickel and Dimed”. It’s a great book (also available on audio) about living below poverty level (often with one+ full time jobs) in America. I really doubt that Reggie (or many others, for that matter) choose to need food stamps. I learned a lot about how nearly impossible it is to get out of poverty. It certainly gave me an education and a good dose of compassion and humility (both of which were apparently needed). BTW, it’s written by a successful PhD/writer/journalist who merely took her job and post-grad status off her resume (entering the workforce as a college educated, divorced mid-50’s woman who had been a homemaker while her children grew up). Guess what? She, with everything she had going for her (education, intelligence, etc.) needed food assistance to get by. This while working 7 full days a week. I don’t know about you, but I think that’s really humbling.

]]> By: Nine Circles http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/comment-page-1/#comment-295453 Nine Circles Fri, 04 Jan 2008 06:38:40 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/#comment-295453 I can hardly imagine how frantic I'd be if I lost a check of that size, so even though he probably couldn't have cashed the check, it was really nice of him to take the trouble to return the check. But it is nice to fantasize about how I'd spend that much found money--paying off debt, adding another bedroom to my house, sticking a whole lot of it in my retirement fund, and buying one--just one!--eye-poppingly good bottle of champagne to celebrate with a few friends! I can hardly imagine how frantic I’d be if I lost a check of that size, so even though he probably couldn’t have cashed the check, it was really nice of him to take the trouble to return the check. But it is nice to fantasize about how I’d spend that much found money–paying off debt, adding another bedroom to my house, sticking a whole lot of it in my retirement fund, and buying one–just one!–eye-poppingly good bottle of champagne to celebrate with a few friends!

]]> By: wealthy_1 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/comment-page-1/#comment-295324 wealthy_1 Fri, 04 Jan 2008 02:06:13 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/#comment-295324 Reggie is not wealthy with money, but he is wealthy in spirit. This will come back to him a million times over. Reggie is not wealthy with money, but he is wealthy in spirit. This will come back to him a million times over.

]]> By: deepali http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/comment-page-1/#comment-295304 deepali Fri, 04 Jan 2008 01:27:46 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/#comment-295304 Well, he not only returned it, he hopped on the bus and personally handed it to the rightful owner. I can't speak for all the cynics on here ;) , but that means something to me! I'd probably have just shredded it. Well, he not only returned it, he hopped on the bus and personally handed it to the rightful owner. I can’t speak for all the cynics on here ;) , but that means something to me! I’d probably have just shredded it.

]]> By: Mrs. Micah http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/comment-page-1/#comment-295268 Mrs. Micah Fri, 04 Jan 2008 00:11:39 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/#comment-295268 Give it back. I mean, I can't really imagine keeping it if I knew who it belonged to (random cash with no owner, I might put up a "found money" sign without the amount). I'd pay off our debt and put it all in retirement accounts and then we'd be soo happy! :) Give it back. I mean, I can’t really imagine keeping it if I knew who it belonged to (random cash with no owner, I might put up a “found money” sign without the amount).

I’d pay off our debt and put it all in retirement accounts and then we’d be soo happy! :)

]]> By: Money Blue Book http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/comment-page-1/#comment-295208 Money Blue Book Thu, 03 Jan 2008 22:24:37 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/#comment-295208 Well, aside from the moral implications, there's also the technicality of trying to deposit a check made out to someone else. There's also a paper trail that he wouldn't be able to readily hide. Now, a bag on plain old unmarked, non-sequential $100 dollar bills on the other hand.... well, I'm just saying. :) -Raymond Well, aside from the moral implications, there’s also the technicality of trying to deposit a check made out to someone else. There’s also a paper trail that he wouldn’t be able to readily hide. Now, a bag on plain old unmarked, non-sequential $100 dollar bills on the other hand…. well, I’m just saying. :)
-Raymond

]]> By: Jim ~ mydebtblog.com http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/comment-page-1/#comment-295189 Jim ~ mydebtblog.com Thu, 03 Jan 2008 21:45:37 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/#comment-295189 The check isn't worth anything since it has to clear from the payee's account. I don't think he wants to have that kind of money anyways because he would lose his government issued food stamps and most likely low cost subsidized housing. If he had tried to cash the check, that's fraud and would really limit his options in life behind bars. I find it ironic he mentioned his mom taught him not to take things yet everyone's tax dollars are feeding him. The check isn’t worth anything since it has to clear from the payee’s account. I don’t think he wants to have that kind of money anyways because he would lose his government issued food stamps and most likely low cost subsidized housing. If he had tried to cash the check, that’s fraud and would really limit his options in life behind bars. I find it ironic he mentioned his mom taught him not to take things yet everyone’s tax dollars are feeding him.

]]> By: Tammy http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/comment-page-1/#comment-295180 Tammy Thu, 03 Jan 2008 21:12:49 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/#comment-295180 If I were the mother of this young man I would be extremely proud of him. Regardless of what he could have done with the cheque or cash, he did the right thing and returned it. Debating whether it would have been returned if it were money he found is pointless. He returned, to the rightful owner something that was lost. Kudos to him. If I were the mother of this young man I would be extremely proud of him. Regardless of what he could have done with the cheque or cash, he did the right thing and returned it. Debating whether it would have been returned if it were money he found is pointless. He returned, to the rightful owner something that was lost. Kudos to him.

]]> By: Matt http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/comment-page-1/#comment-295165 Matt Thu, 03 Jan 2008 20:39:02 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/#comment-295165 I have to agree with boomer on this one - if that was a bag with $185,000 in $20's that might never have returned to its owner. Either way it was a nice gesture. I have to agree with boomer on this one – if that was a bag with $185,000 in $20’s that might never have returned to its owner.

Either way it was a nice gesture.

]]> By: boomer http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/comment-page-1/#comment-295129 boomer Thu, 03 Jan 2008 19:14:46 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/#comment-295129 There was NOTHING the guy could have done with the check. It was a check. If he had cashed it, he would have been arrested and put in jail because a check is prima facia evidence. I think each and every one of us, if we had found the check, would have turned it in. Now, if it were cash, that is a whole different ball game. That's where the true test of the person would come into. There was NOTHING the guy could have done with the check. It was a check. If he had cashed it, he would have been arrested and put in jail because a check is prima facia evidence.
I think each and every one of us, if we had found the check, would have turned it in.
Now, if it were cash, that is a whole different ball game. That’s where the true test of the person would come into.

]]> By: JW Thornhill http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/comment-page-1/#comment-295121 JW Thornhill Thu, 03 Jan 2008 18:45:59 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/#comment-295121 That's a ton of money. But, could he have done anything with it. After all wasn't it written out to someone else? Now if I'd found the cash it would require some prayer. :) That’s a ton of money. But, could he have done anything with it. After all wasn’t it written out to someone else?

Now if I’d found the cash it would require some prayer. :)

]]> By: Digger http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/comment-page-1/#comment-295117 Digger Thu, 03 Jan 2008 18:38:44 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/#comment-295117 I'd probably hold on to the check for about a week before I'd finally let myself turn it in. I think I'd just need to mull it over that it's not my money and I'll just have to wait to make my own $185,000. I’d probably hold on to the check for about a week before I’d finally let myself turn it in. I think I’d just need to mull it over that it’s not my money and I’ll just have to wait to make my own $185,000.

]]> By: Eric http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/comment-page-1/#comment-295116 Eric Thu, 03 Jan 2008 18:37:26 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/#comment-295116 I'm not a believer in the law of attraction. I was reading a blog the other day from last year where a guy read the Law of Attraction and really believed in it. After ever post, he'd put his statement of affirmation about his desire to be worth a million dollars at the end of the year. At the end of the year, he ended up with a bankruptcy and living with his mom. It's like saying if you believe in something enough, it will come true, but if you doubt just a little, that's why it didn't come true. I’m not a believer in the law of attraction. I was reading a blog the other day from last year where a guy read the Law of Attraction and really believed in it. After ever post, he’d put his statement of affirmation about his desire to be worth a million dollars at the end of the year. At the end of the year, he ended up with a bankruptcy and living with his mom.
It’s like saying if you believe in something enough, it will come true, but if you doubt just a little, that’s why it didn’t come true.

]]> By: Rick http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/comment-page-1/#comment-295112 Rick Thu, 03 Jan 2008 18:29:31 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/#comment-295112 Law of Attraction Law of Attraction

]]> By: Ryan S. http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/comment-page-1/#comment-295085 Ryan S. Thu, 03 Jan 2008 17:34:58 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/01/what-would-you-do-with-185000/#comment-295085 While (as a devout Buddhist) I know there's no such thing as "good" or "bad" karma, that's surely not going to hurt. :) - Ryan http://uncommon-cents.net/ While (as a devout Buddhist) I know there’s no such thing as “good” or “bad” karma, that’s surely not going to hurt. :)
-
Ryan
http://uncommon-cents.net/

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