Lack of money was a common problem during the 1940s and our family, and many others, had some hard times. We didn't go hungry, but I went through shoes like water through a sieve, so mine were almost always in poor condition. Clothes frequently came from the Willy-Willy (aka Goodwill) and the only time the car was out of the garage was to drive out to the country to Grandmother's farm. But we were generally a happy bunch and, as children will, found lots of fun things to do. Our dilapidated bikes took us far afield and in those days we had no fear of being kidnapped. One of the best things that could happen on our adventures was finding money. I seemed to have a knack for it and discovered places where coins could frequently be found in the dirt or on the pavement. Gas stations were good, but the attendants didn't let us hang around much. Bus stops offered good hunting as people pulled change out of their pockets and lost a coin here or there. My best spot was outside the tiny neighborhood store where residents stopped for milk or bread and the kids bought penny candy.
I still find coins these days, mostly in parking lots. I guess guys pull their keys out of their pockets and flip out a stray coin. But the real scores are paper bills. Once I looked down as I was getting in an elevator and there was a $20 bill. There was nobody around and I picked up the bill and sat on a nearby bench, thinking that someone would come looking. But nobody did and I tucked that luck bill in my purse.
I suspect less actual money is floating around these days, so found money is probably rare. So many people use credit cards or use their cell phone app to charge things. I was reading an article online about the change in the habits of thieves. The incidents of armed robbery and burglary have declined because the bad guys do better with high priced merchandise. One of the products high on the list is baby formula!
However, these remarks are about found money. The other day I was walking KoKo with a slight wind blowing debris down the street. And what should roll by? An almost new five dollar bill! There was nobody around and I had not seen anyone getting into or out of a car in the entire block. I didn't hesitate and picked up the fiver and folded it into my pocket. Funny, it gave me the same elation that I had felt all those years ago when I would find a dime at the bus stop. Inflation?
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