Zip to Blue Chip

3/23/12

What is better than free (and legal!) money? I decided to do something with the free money I find. I'm going to save it until I have enough to invest in stocks which will hopefully grow in value and pay a regular, and regularly increasing, dividend (hence the "blue chip" in the title).

I'm going to apply persistence, patience, and the power of exponential growth to make sweet, free money (yes, I'll be paying taxes, of course!). This idea is something anybody can do. I'll share my progress and what I've learned along the way.

8/23/16

Ok, I did have to share this. I found all of this change today in the reject tray of a Coinstar machine. It is $4.78, of which there are 5 copper pennies, 6 nickels, 1 silver dime, and 1 dollar coin. There are also about 20 foreign coins, mostly Euros.

7/5/2014

Hi all, this is my last post to my Zip to Blue Chip webpage. I no longer have the time to give proper attention to this webpage. These stocks will be 'absorbed' by my main stock portfolio. I will still, of course, continue to find and pickup change and invest it in stocks and other investments, just not actively track performance and other details on this webpage anymore.

Thanks for reading/watching, and I hope I proved a point here. Thanks!

6/2/2014

Cash: $3.96

Company Shares Share price Total
BAC 1 $15.26 $15.26
CIM 12 $3.13 $37.56
F 1 $16.41 $16.41
ONP 9 $2.27 $20.43
RSH 10 $1.42 $14.20
UMC 8 $2.31 $18.48
XRX 1 $12.41 $12.41
Total $134.75

I've just been up to finding change! I've found the majority recently at supermarkets. I'm trying to work on my saving skills a little more and make a "big" purchase.

5/11/2014

I found my first silver item!

4/30/2014

Cash: $.17

Company Shares Share price Total
BAC 1 $15.24 $15.24
CIM 12 $3.08 $36.96
F 1 $16.12 $16.12
ONP 9 $2.37 $21.33
RSH 10 $1.44 $14.40
UMC 8 $2.13 $17.04
XRX 1 $12.11 $12.11
Total $133.20

This month I was able to buy a share with some saved-up cash.

I also set up each stock in this Zip to Blue Chip portfolio to be on a dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP). This makes it so any dividends received are invested in fractional shares of that stocks, sort of an auto-pilot type of thing. So soon you may see that instead of 1 share in something, I have 1.03 shares, for example.

DRIPping can be beneficial. As an example, if you assume prices of the stocks are constant, and the dividends per year are constant, and at the end of each year I reinvest the dividends from a stock in that stock, DRIPping over a 30 year period would turn the $133.20 into ~$1,190, all on autopilot. DRIPping might be a bad idea if you want to use the money from the dividends on other things.

3/8/2014

Cash: $.19

Company Shares Share price Total
BAC 1 $17.33 $17.33
CIM 11 $3.13 $34.43
F 1 $15.62 $15.62
ONP 9 $2.73 $24.57
RSH 10 $2.15 $21.50
UMC 8 $2.07 $16.56
XRX 1 $10.93 $10.93
Total $140.94

This month I was able to buy a few shares with some cash, so no complaints here. I'm not sure the reason, other than variability, but I seem to be finding only very small amounts of change at work recently.

The major news for my portfolio is that RadioShack made the decision to close a lot of stores. It could be argued that this is bad news, but it could also be argued that this is good news.

I wish I could devote more time to this project, as I find it really interesting to track and show more detailed statistics of the whole process, but I'm also glad to have a very busy and rewarding life away from the computer, so updates will continue to be short-ish.

2/2/2014

Cash: $6.05

Company Shares Share price Total
BAC 1 $16.75 $16.75
CIM 11 $3.12 $34.32
F 1 $14.96 $14.96
ONP 9 $2.50 $22.50
RSH 7 $2.40 $16.80
UMC 8 $2.02 $16.16
XRX 1 $10.85 $10.85
Total $132.34

Another milestone in the Zip to Blue Chip project; the first time I received a dividend from these stocks that was over $1 (~$3 came from CIM):

So, let's recap, started out with $0, found change on the ground, saved enough to invest in stocks, invested in stocks, received dividends from stocks. All of this money is essentially free (opportunity cost aside) as well.

It really is that simple.

1/5/2014

Cash: $.77

Company Shares Share price Total
BAC 1 $16.41 $16.41
CIM 11 $3.14 $34.54
F 1 $15.51 $15.51
ONP 9 $2.74 $24.66
RSH 6 $2.65 $15.90
UMC 8 $2.00 $16.00
XRX 1 $11.99 $11.99
Total $135.01

I had some fun with this project in January. I ended up finding several wheat pennies actually (Lincoln pennies that are pre-1959. There's not many coins this time of year at the track because it is cold, and there are no sports being played! However, supermarkets and stores are busier this time of year, so those pick up some of the slack.

Oh, just a reminder that every once in a while you should re-read the disclaimer I have at the top of the page.

Here's to hoping your new year will be healthy and productive!

12/5/2013

Cash: $1.96

Company Shares Share price Total
BAC 1 $15.43 $15.43
CIM 11 $2.98 $32.78
F 1 $16.74 $16.74
ONP 9 $2.76 $24.84
RSH 6 $2.93 $17.58
UMC 7 $1.96 $13.72
XRX 1 $11.04 $11.04
Total $132.13

November was an OK month. It seemed like I was finding small amounts of change everyday. I'm still working on researching Treasuries, as well as being somewhat amused by the price action of Bitcoin and other so-called cryptocurrencies.

10/29/2013

Cash: $4.11

Company Shares Share price Total
BAC 1 $14.30 $14.30
CIM 8 $3.10 $24.80
F 1 $17.64 $17.64
ONP 9 $1.90 $17.10
RSH 6 $2.88 $17.28
UMC 7 $2.07 $14.49
XRX 1 $9.74 $9.74
Total $115.35

October was a productive month. I collected some cash, and was able to buy a small amount of stock. At this point, football and other sports are still in session, so the under-the-bleacher ares are still yielding some coins.

I know this is Zip to Blue Chip, as in stocks, but I've been involved more and more with Treasuries of all sorts recently.

9/29/2013

Cash: $3.72

Company Shares Share price Total
BAC 1 $13.90 $13.90
CIM 6 $3.05 $18.30
F 1 $17.05 $17.05
ONP 9 $1.72 $15.48
RSH 6 $3.44 $20.64
UMC 7 $2.05 $14.35
XRX 1 $10.37 $10.37
Total $110.09

September was an OK month. Football season has started up, and I was able to find quite a bit of change under and around the bleachers at the football field. I jog/walk around the track, then take a quick walk under the bleachers to hunt for money. I make finding money part of my exercise...how strange is that! I also found some change around the concession standa area.

9/2/2013

Cash: $1.06

Company Shares Share price Total
BAC 1 $14.12 $14.12
CIM 6 $2.94 $17.64
F 1 $16.19 $16.19
ONP 9 $1.68 $15.12
RSH 6 $3.27 $19.62
UMC 7 $1.96 $13.72
XRX 1 $9.98 $9.98
Total $106.39

August was a pretty good month. We were able to find a lot of change on the ground thanks to Canadians and their $1 and $2 coins!

7/31/2013

Cash: $12.80

Company Shares Share price Total
BAC 1 $14.45 $14.45
CIM 2 $3.03 $6.06
F 1 $17.02 $17.02
ONP 9 $1.91 $17.19
RSH 6 $2.76 $16.56
UMC 7 $2.04 $14.28
XRX 1 $10.03 $10.03
Total $95.59

July was another good month for finding money. We took a vacation and found almost $10 in parking meters, on the sidewalk, shopping centers, grocery stores, and in parking lots, just walking around the city.

6/30/2013

Cash: $11.13

Company Shares Share price Total
BAC 1 $12.86 $12.86
CIM 2 $3.00 $6.00
F 1 $15.47 $15.47
ONP 9 $1.51 $13.59
RSH 3 $3.16 $9.48
UMC 7 $2.33 $16.31
XRX 1 $9.07 $9.07
Total $93.91

June was a great month for finding a lot of small amounts of change. Recently, it has been so rainy, that finding change at the highschool track is difficult to impossible because of all the puddles and mud everywhere.

One thing I'm proud of with this project is that it is one of many DIY investment projects that does its part in helping to eliminate the BS that is so abundant with people that sell investment products. Why, for a completely hypothetical example, if your 'amazing system to make $10,000 in one month!" works so well as you advertise, do you sell it for $59.99, instead of using it yourself? Who the heck do you think you are fooling?

5/31/2013

Cash: $.31

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.70 $11.10
UMC 7 $2.17 $15.19
CIM 2 $3.05 $6.10
BAC 1 $13.66 $13.66
ONP 9 $1.75 $15.75
F 1 $15.68 $15.68
XRX 1 $8.79 $8.79
ARR 2 $5.16 $10.32
Total $96.59

Having a little (OK, a lot) less free time has paradoxically given me more focus. I have been keeping an eye out for money on the ground even more now. Not surprisingly I have found more as a result of this.

I'm pretty proud of the ~$100 so far. I plan to shut down this page at some point in the future, but I will keep picking up money, and keep these stocks, as long as I can!

4/24/2013

Recently I've become a new dad!!!, so it is difficult to find time to do this accounting and keep up with the updates in all their detail.

I will no longer be doing updates each time I find money, but will post updates on a monthly basis, starting at the end of 5/2013.

4/6/2013

Found: $.88

Cash: $1.95

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.34 $10.02
UMC 7 $1.80 $12.60
CIM 2 $3.17 $6.34
BAC 1 $11.97 $11.97
ONP 6 $1.76 $10.56
F 1 $12.44 $12.44
XRX 1 $8.63 $8.63
ARR 1 $6.47 $6.47
Total $79.03

Today I found $.87 at the highschool track and $.01 at a convenience store!

4/2/2013

Found: $.11

Cash: $1.07

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.16 $9.48
UMC 7 $1.82 $12.74
CIM 2 $3.25 $6.50
BAC 1 $12.15 $12.15
ONP 6 $1.75 $10.50
F 1 $13.01 $13.01
XRX 1 $8.85 $8.85
ARR 1 $6.38 $6.38
Total $79.61

Today I found $.11 in the cafeteria at work!

4/1/2013

Found: $.26

Cash: $.96

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.27 $9.81
UMC 7 $1.80 $12.60
CIM 2 $3.21 $6.42
BAC 1 $12.15 $12.15
ONP 6 $1.75 $10.50
F 1 $12.90 $12.90
XRX 1 $8.60 $8.60
ARR 1 $6.44 $6.44
Total $79.42

Today I found $.26 in the cafeteria at work!

3/31/2013

Found: $.20

Cash: $.70

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.36 $10.08
UMC 7 $1.80 $12.60
CIM 2 $3.19 $6.38
BAC 1 $12.18 $12.18
ONP 6 $1.78 $10.68
F 1 $13.15 $13.15
XRX 1 $8.60 $8.60
ARR 1 $6.53 $6.53
Total $80.20

Today I found $.20 at the track at the highschool - two dimes staring me in face.

3/30/2013

Found: $.01

Cash: $.50

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.36 $10.08
UMC 7 $1.80 $12.60
CIM 2 $3.19 $6.38
BAC 1 $12.18 $12.18
ONP 6 $1.78 $10.68
F 1 $13.15 $13.15
XRX 1 $8.60 $8.60
ARR 1 $6.53 $6.53
Total $80.20

Today I found $.01 at a clothing store.

3/24/2013

Found: $.18

Cash: $.49

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.54 $10.62
UMC 7 $1.81 $12.67
CIM 2 $3.25 $6.50
BAC 1 $12.56 $12.56
ONP 6 $1.86 $11.16
F 1 $13.26 $13.26
XRX 1 $8.60 $8.60
ARR 1 $6.34 $6.34
Total $81.71

Today I found $.18 while walking around at the highschool track, looking under the bleachers, and at the supermarket.

3/23/2013

Found: $.02

Dividends!: $.01

Cash: $.31

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.54 $10.62
UMC 7 $1.81 $12.67
CIM 2 $3.25 $6.50
BAC 1 $12.56 $12.56
ONP 6 $1.86 $11.16
F 1 $13.26 $13.26
XRX 1 $8.60 $8.60
ARR 1 $6.34 $6.34
Total $81.71

Today I found $.02 at a police station. I also received $.01 from 1 share of Bank of America (BAC).

3/22/2013

Found: $.01

Cash: $.28

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.54 $10.62
UMC 7 $1.81 $12.67
CIM 2 $3.25 $6.50
BAC 1 $12.56 $12.56
ONP 6 $1.86 $11.16
F 1 $13.26 $13.26
XRX 1 $8.60 $8.60
ARR 1 $6.34 $6.34
Total $81.71

Today I found $.01 in the cafeteria at work.

Oh, tomorrow, 3/23/13, marks the 1 year anniversary that I've been doing this Zip to Blue Chip experiment. Here are some statistics:

3/20/2013

Found: $.26

Cash: $.27

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.78 $11.34
UMC 7 $1.83 $12.81
CIM 2 $3.16 $6.32
BAC 1 $12.78 $12.78
ONP 6 $1.91 $11.46
F 1 $13.36 $13.36
XRX 1 $8.76 $8.76
ARR 1 $6.29 $6.29
Total $83.12

Today I found $.26 outside a strip mall.

3/18/2013

Found: $.03

Cash: $.01

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.69 $11.07
UMC 7 $1.84 $12.88
CIM 2 $3.19 $6.38
BAC 1 $12.56 $12.56
ONP 6 $1.81 $10.86
F 1 $13.26 $13.26
XRX 1 $8.66 $8.66
ARR 1 $6.34 $6.34
Total $82.01

Today I found $.03 in the cafeteria at work. Later on, I bought some shares of companies with my newly found loot:

3/17/2013

Found: $.01

Cash: $20.42

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.54 $10.62
UMC 4 $1.85 $7.40
CIM 2 $3.18 $6.36
BAC 1 $12.57 $12.57
ONP 6 $1.83 $10.98
F 1 $13.45 $13.45
Total $61.38

Today I found $.01 while walking around the neighborhood.

3/16/2013

Found: $20.10

Cash: $20.41

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.54 $10.62
UMC 4 $1.85 $7.40
CIM 2 $3.18 $6.36
BAC 1 $12.57 $12.57
ONP 6 $1.83 $10.98
F 1 $13.45 $13.45
Total $61.38

Today I found... $20.10.

I went in for an oil change and found $.05. After the oil change, I went to the supermarket, and found $.04. Then, later on in the day, we went to a department store. While walking from our car to the door of the department store, I spotted a $20 bill. My wife is my witness! She said I have never moved so fast. Much later on in the day, I found $.01 at the track at the highschool.

This is major, just like it was on 7/30/12 when I found a $20 bill. It always surprises me how much random events play in one's life.

3/15/2013

Found: $.11

Cash: $.31

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.54 $10.62
UMC 4 $1.85 $7.40
CIM 2 $3.18 $6.36
BAC 1 $12.57 $12.57
ONP 6 $1.83 $10.98
F 1 $13.45 $13.45
Total $61.38

Today I found $.11 in the parking structure at work and the cafeteria.

3/14/2013

Found: $.10

Cash: $.20

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.39 $10.17
UMC 4 $1.91 $7.64
CIM 2 $3.20 $6.40
BAC 1 $12.11 $12.11
ONP 6 $1.80 $10.80
F 1 $13.43 $13.43
Total $60.55

Today I found $.10 in the cafeteria at work. Later I bought 2 shares of ONP for $3.56 total.

3/13/2013

Found: $.05

Cash: $3.66

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.34 $10.02
UMC 4 $1.87 $7.48
CIM 2 $3.19 $6.38
BAC 1 $12.06 $12.06
ONP 4 $1.78 $7.12
F 1 $13.40 $13.40
Total $56.46

Today I found $.03 in a clothing store, and another $.02 in a convenience store parking lot.

3/11/2013

Found: $.02

Cash: $3.61

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.48 $10.44
UMC 4 $1.82 $7.28
CIM 2 $3.19 $6.38
BAC 1 $12.15 $12.15
ONP 4 $1.97 $7.88
F 1 $13.34 $13.34
Total $57.47

Today I found $.01 in a clothing store, and another $.01 in a convenience store parking lot.

3/9/2013

Found: $.40

Cash: $3.59

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.27 $9.81
UMC 4 $1.84 $7.36
CIM 2 $3.10 $6.20
BAC 1 $12.07 $12.07
ONP 4 $2.23 $8.92
F 1 $12.98 $12.98
Total $57.34

Today I found $.28 at the highschool track! Lacrosse season just started, so now, after a pretty vacant winter, there will be people in the bleachers...dropping money for me hopefully. :o) Later on, we found $.12 on a university campus.

3/8/2013

Found: $.11

Cash: $3.19

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.27 $9.81
UMC 4 $1.84 $7.36
CIM 2 $3.10 $6.20
BAC 1 $12.07 $12.07
ONP 4 $2.23 $8.92
F 1 $12.98 $12.98
Total $57.34

Today I found $.11 in the cafeteria at work.

Today I was looking at the price of copper. Did you know that the current market value of the copper in a copper Lincoln penny is about $.02? Check out CoinFlation when you have a chance.

3/7/2013

Found: $.25

Cash: $3.08

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.41 $10.23
UMC 4 $1.86 $7.44
CIM 2 $3.14 $6.28
BAC 1 $12.26 $12.26
ONP 4 $2.27 $9.08
F 1 $12.83 $12.83
Total $58.12

Today I found $.25 at a convenience store. I ended up not even buying anything for once.

If you take the Total + Cash = $58.12 + $3.08, you get $61.20. If you add up all the money I found, it would be $48.60. So my investments so far have yielded $61.20/$48.60 = 1.2593 times, or 25.93%, more money than I've found. That is a gain so far of $12.60. Works for me!

3/5/2013

Found: $.05

Cash: $2.83

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.06 $9.18
UMC 4 $1.86 $7.44
CIM 2 $3.08 $6.16
BAC 1 $11.55 $11.55
ONP 4 $2.04 $8.16
F 1 $12.87 $12.87
Total $55.36

Today I found $.05 at the supermarket. Of course I spent like $70, but that's another story.

3/2/2013

Found: $.03

Cash: $2.78

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.04 $9.12
UMC 4 $1.83 $7.32
CIM 2 $3.06 $6.12
BAC 1 $11.34 $11.34
ONP 4 $2.02 $8.08
F 1 $12.61 $12.61
Total $54.59

Today I found $.03 while out shopping!

3/1/2013

Found: $.04

Dividends!: $.10

Cash: $2.75

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.04 $9.12
UMC 4 $1.83 $7.32
CIM 2 $3.06 $6.12
BAC 1 $11.34 $11.34
ONP 4 $2.02 $8.08
F 1 $12.61 $12.61
Total $54.59

Today I found $.04 walking around at work and at the hospital.

I also received $.10 in dividends from holding 1 share of Ford (F)!

2/25/2013

Found: $.05

Cash: $2.61

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.05 $9.15
UMC 4 $1.85 $7.40
CIM 2 $2.92 $5.84
BAC 1 $11.03 $11.03
ONP 4 $2.12 $8.48
F 1 $12.13 $12.13
Total $54.03

Today I found $.05 while walking around the block. Thank you neighbors!

2/24/2013

Found: $.13

Cash: $2.56

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.06 $9.18
UMC 4 $1.90 $7.60
CIM 2 $2.93 $5.86
BAC 1 $11.44 $11.44
ONP 4 $2.29 $9.16
F 1 $12.48 $12.48
Total $55.72

Today I found $.12 while jogging around the neighborhood and $.01 while walking at the highschool track. I also found, oddly enough, a 2004 1 pound coin.

2/23/2013

Found: $.28

Cash: $2.43

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.06 $9.18
UMC 4 $1.90 $7.60
CIM 2 $2.93 $5.86
BAC 1 $11.44 $11.44
ONP 4 $2.29 $9.16
F 1 $12.48 $12.48
Total $55.72

Today we found $.28 while walking around the local mall.

2/20/2013

Found: $.07

Cash: $2.15

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.28 $9.84
UMC 4 $2.11 $8.44
CIM 2 $2.98 $5.96
BAC 1 $11.83 $11.83
ONP 4 $2.80 $11.20
F 1 $12.60 $12.60
Total $59.87

I know...it is getting a bit cliche', but today I found $.07 in the cafeteria at work!

2/19/2013

Found: $.14

Cash: $2.08

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.43 $10.29
UMC 4 $1.90 $7.60
CIM 2 $2.99 $5.98
BAC 1 $12.19 $12.19
ONP 4 $2.42 $9.68
F 1 $12.99 $12.99
Total $58.73

Today I found $.14 in the cafeteria at work!

2/18/2013

Found: $.20

Cash: $1.94

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.27 $9.81
UMC 4 $1.89 $7.56
CIM 2 $3.06 $6.12
BAC 1 $12.03 $12.03
ONP 4 $2.40 $9.60
F 1 $13.02 $13.02
Total $58.14

Today we found $.20 while walking around DC!

2/17/2013

Found: $.23

Cash: $1.74

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.27 $9.81
UMC 4 $1.89 $7.56
CIM 2 $3.06 $6.12
BAC 1 $12.03 $12.03
ONP 4 $2.40 $9.60
F 1 $13.02 $13.02
Total $58.14

Today I found $.23 at a shopping mall. We only went shopping because there was a power outage in our area and we needed some heat!

2/16/2013

Found: $.10

Cash: $1.51

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.27 $9.81
UMC 4 $1.89 $7.56
CIM 2 $3.06 $6.12
BAC 1 $12.03 $12.03
ONP 4 $2.40 $9.60
F 1 $13.02 $13.02
Total $58.14

Today I found $.10 at the highschool track.

2/14/2013

Found: $.01

Cash: $1.41

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.33 $9.99
UMC 4 $1.88 $7.52
CIM 2 $3.07 $6.14
BAC 1 $12.13 $12.13
ONP 4 $2.18 $8.72
F 1 $13.11 $13.11
Total $57.61

Today I found $.01 in the cafeteria at work.

2/13/2013

Found: $.03

Cash: $1.40

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.37 $10.11
UMC 4 $1.91 $7.64
CIM 2 $3.07 $6.14
BAC 1 $12.17 $12.17
ONP 4 $2.22 $8.88
F 1 $13.04 $13.04
Total $57.98

Today I found $.03 in the cafeteria at work and walking outside at work.

2/12/2013

Found: $.06

Cash: $1.37

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.35 $10.05
UMC 4 $1.91 $7.64
CIM 2 $3.10 $6.20
BAC 1 $12.24 $12.24
ONP 4 $2.15 $8.60
F 1 $13.08 $13.08
Total $57.81

Today I found $.06 in a convenience store and its parking lot, and a home goods store - all pennies.

Goal setting in investing is very important! I have a goal with this experiment to get the Total to $100 by the end of 2013.

2/10/2013

Found: $.02

Cash: $1.31

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.42 $10.26
UMC 4 $1.88 $7.52
CIM 2 $3.06 $6.12
BAC 1 $11.76 $11.76
ONP 4 $2.11 $8.44
F 1 $13.10 $13.10
Total $57.20

Today I found $.02 in a parking lot.

What stock am I saving up for? It could be an entirely new company, but most likely it will be one of the companies I've already bought that happens to be the most on sale at the time.

2/8/2013

Found: $.10

Cash: $1.29

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.42 $10.26
UMC 4 $1.88 $7.52
CIM 2 $3.06 $6.12
BAC 1 $11.76 $11.76
ONP 4 $2.11 $8.44
F 1 $13.10 $13.10
Total $57.20

Today I found $.10 in the parking structure at work. Happy Friday, and chun jie kuai le for 2/10/13!

2/7/2013

Found: $.02

Cash: $1.19

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.11 $9.33
UMC 4 $1.89 $7.56
CIM 2 $3.05 $6.10
BAC 1 $11.84 $11.84
ONP 4 $2.09 $8.36
F 1 $13.07 $13.07
Total $56.26

Today I found $.02 in the cafeteria at work.

2/6/2013

Found: $.02

Cash: $1.17

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.18 $9.54
UMC 4 $1.95 $7.80
CIM 2 $3.10 $6.20
BAC 1 $11.93 $11.93
ONP 4 $2.20 $8.80
F 1 $13.20 $13.20
Total $57.47

Today we found $.01 in the cafeteria at work, and $.01 in the halls at work.

2/5/2013

Found: $1.04

Cash: $1.15

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.15 $9.45
UMC 4 $1.91 $7.64
CIM 2 $3.07 $6.14
BAC 1 $11.88 $11.88
ONP 4 $2.12 $8.48
F 1 $13.18 $13.18
Total $56.77

Wow! Today I found $1.04; $.06 in the cafeteria at work and a pharmacy, and the rest I stole. OK, not exactly. The person in front of me at the grocery store had paid in cash, and then left. When I went to pay, I noticed that they left their change in that little change dispenser tray. They were long gone by that point, so I took it.

2/4/2013

Found: $.02

Cash: $.11

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.12 $9.36
UMC 4 $1.93 $7.72
CIM 2 $3.09 $6.18
BAC 1 $11.48 $11.48
ONP 4 $2.08 $8.32
F 1 $12.88 $12.88
Total $55.94

Today I found $.02 in the cafeteria at work!

2/3/2013

Found: $.01

Cash: $.09

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.18 $9.54
UMC 4 $1.95 $7.80
CIM 2 $3.12 $6.24
BAC 1 $11.71 $11.71
ONP 4 $2.20 $8.80
F 1 $13.02 $13.02
Total $57.11

Today we found $.01 walking around the neighborhood. It was near a parking meter. Coincidence? I think not!

2/1/2013

Found: $.02

Cash: $.08

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.18 $9.54
UMC 4 $1.95 $7.80
CIM 2 $3.12 $6.24
BAC 1 $11.71 $11.71
ONP 4 $2.20 $8.80
F 1 $13.02 $13.02
Total $57.11

Today I found $.10 in the cafeteria at work. That put me at $2.05 cash, and I bought 1 UMC for $1.97, leaving $.08 in cash.

1/31/2013

Found: $.02

Cash: $1.95

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.29 $9.87
UMC 3 $1.96 $5.88
CIM 2 $3.05 $6.10
BAC 1 $11.32 $11.32
ONP 4 $2.28 $9.12
F 1 $12.95 $12.95
Total $55.24

Today I found $.01 in the parking structure at work and $.01 in the cafeteria at work. Happy Thursday!

1/30/2013

Found: $.26

Cash: $1.93

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $3.03 $9.09
UMC 3 $1.97 $5.91
CIM 2 $3.01 $6.02
BAC 1 $11.38 $11.38
ONP 4 $2.36 $9.44
F 1 $12.93 $12.93
Total $54.77

Today I found $.26 in the cafeteria at work!

1/27/2013

Found: $.13

Cash: $1.67

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $2.64 $7.92
UMC 3 $1.94 $5.82
CIM 2 $3.01 $6.02
BAC 1 $11.62 $11.62
ONP 4 $2.61 $10.44
F 1 $13.68 $13.68
Total $55.50

Today we found $.13 in the museums and walking around in DC!

1/25/2013

Dividends!: $.18

Cash: $1.54

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $2.64 $7.92
UMC 3 $1.94 $5.82
CIM 2 $3.01 $6.02
BAC 1 $11.62 $11.62
ONP 4 $2.61 $10.44
F 1 $13.68 $13.68
Total $55.50

Today I received $.18 from 2 shares of CIM!

While it is fun to daydream of millions of dollars...it is also nice to consistently make a few cents from your investments.

1/24/2013

Found: $.01

Cash: $1.36

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $2.31 $6.93
UMC 3 $1.96 $5.88
CIM 2 $2.97 $5.94
BAC 1 $11.53 $11.53
ONP 4 $2.80 $11.20
F 1 $13.87 $13.87
Total $55.35

Today I found $.01 in the cafeteria at work.

I like the smaller, but consistent finds more than the large, but infrequent finds!

1/23/2013

Found: $.03

Cash: $1.35

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $2.22 $6.66
UMC 3 $1.95 $5.85
CIM 2 $2.94 $5.88
BAC 1 $11.35 $11.35
ONP 4 $2.96 $11.84
F 1 $14.17 $14.17
Total $55.75

Today I found $.03 in the cafeteria at work.

1/22/2013

Found: $.01

Cash: $1.32

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $2.32 $6.96
UMC 3 $1.98 $5.94
CIM 2 $2.94 $5.88
BAC 1 $11.42 $11.42
ONP 4 $2.84 $11.36
F 1 $13.88 $13.88
Total $55.44

Today I found $.01 in the cafeteria at work.

1/20/2013

Found: $.01

Cash: $1.31

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $2.23 $6.69
UMC 3 $2.00 $6.00
CIM 2 $2.93 $5.86
BAC 1 $11.14 $11.14
ONP 4 $2.47 $9.88
F 1 $14.11 $14.11
Total $53.68

Today I found $.01 at the track at the highschool.

1/19/2013

Found: $.10

Cash: $1.30

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $2.23 $6.69
UMC 3 $2.00 $6.00
CIM 2 $2.93 $5.86
BAC 1 $11.14 $11.14
ONP 4 $2.47 $9.88
F 1 $14.11 $14.11
Total $53.68

Today I found $.10 at the grocery store.

1/18/2013

Found: $.02

Cash: $1.20

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $2.23 $6.69
UMC 3 $2.00 $6.00
CIM 2 $2.93 $5.86
BAC 1 $11.14 $11.14
ONP 4 $2.47 $9.88
F 1 $14.11 $14.11
Total $53.68

Today I found $.02 in the cafeteria at work!

1/16/2013

Found: $.12

Cash: $1.18

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $2.23 $6.69
UMC 3 $1.97 $5.91
CIM 2 $2.85 $5.70
BAC 1 $11.78 $11.78
ONP 4 $1.95 $7.80
F 1 $14.22 $14.22
Total $52.10

Today I found $.12 in the cafeteria at work!

1/15/2013

Found: $.01

Cash: $1.06

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $2.20 $6.60
UMC 3 $2.02 $6.06
CIM 2 $2.81 $5.62
BAC 1 $11.55 $11.55
ONP 4 $1.86 $7.44
F 1 $14.30 $14.30
Total $51.57

Today I found $.01 at a home improvement store.

1/13/2013

Found: $.27

Cash: $1.05

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $2.22 $6.66
UMC 3 $2.07 $6.21
CIM 2 $2.80 $5.60
BAC 1 $11.63 $11.63
ONP 4 $1.79 $7.16
F 1 $14.00 $14.00
Total $51.26

Today I found $.01 while walking around the track at the highschool. Later on in the day we found $.26 walking around the neighborhood.

1/11/2013

Found: $.03

Cash: $.78

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $2.22 $6.66
UMC 3 $2.07 $6.21
CIM 2 $2.80 $5.60
BAC 1 $11.63 $11.63
ONP 4 $1.79 $7.16
F 1 $14.00 $14.00
Total $51.26

Today I found $.03 in the cafeteria at work and in the halls at work.

1/9/2013

Found: $.54

Dividends!: $.03

Cash: $.75

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $2.10 $6.30
UMC 3 $2.05 $6.15
CIM 2 $2.76 $5.52
BAC 1 $11.78 $11.78
ONP 4 $1.76 $7.04
F 1 $13.83 $13.83
Total $50.62

While on vacation in Puerto Rico for a week in a half, we found a total of $.43! We found two dimes, and the rest was pennies in stores, especially on the ground near the cash registers, parking lots, and sidewalks.

During that time, I also received $.03 from holding 2 shares Orient Paper Inc. (ONP)! You say "but wait a sec, you own 4 shares of ONP!". This is true, but I purchased the additional 2 shares after a cut off time called the ex-dividend date. A good definition, I think from the Internal Revenue Service, is "the first date following the declaration of a dividend on which the buyer of a stock is not entitled to receive the next dividend payment."

Also, some exciting news for me, is that Ford (F) just announced its dividend to increase from $.05 per share per quarter to $.10.

Today I found $.01 in a restaurant and $.10 at the grocery store.

12/28/2012

Dividends!: $.01

Cash: $.18

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $2.11 $6.33
UMC 3 $2.00 $6.00
CIM 2 $2.59 $5.18
BAC 1 $11.36 $11.36
ONP 4 $1.75 $7.00
F 1 $12.87 $12.87
Total $48.74

Today I received $.01 from holding 1 share of Bank of America (BAC)! Owning 1 share out of 10,780,000,000 total BAC shares means that I own a whopping 0.0000000093% of the company.

12/27/2012

Found: $.02

Cash: $.17

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $2.20 $6.60
UMC 3 $2.02 $6.06
CIM 2 $2.64 $5.28
BAC 1 $11.47 $11.47
ONP 4 $1.80 $7.20
F 1 $12.76 $12.76
Total $49.37

We found $.01 in the cafeteria at work, and the other $.01 in the halls at work!

12/26/2012

Cash: $.15

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $2.27 $6.81
UMC 3 $2.00 $6.00
CIM 2 $2.69 $5.38
BAC 1 $11.54 $11.54
ONP 4 $1.75 $7.00
F 1 $12.79 $12.79
Total $49.52

I bought 2 shares of Orient Paper Inc. (ONP) for $1.78 each.

12/24/2012

Found: $.02

Cash: $3.71

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $2.37 $7.11
UMC 3 $1.97 $5.91
CIM 2 $2.70 $5.40
BAC 1 $11.25 $11.25
ONP 2 $1.78 $3.56
F 1 $12.40 $12.40
Total $45.63

I found $.01 in a convenience store parking lot and the other $.01 at the supermarket.

12/23/2012

Found: $.10

Cash: $3.69

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $2.37 $7.11
UMC 3 $1.99 $5.97
CIM 2 $2.64 $5.28
BAC 1 $11.29 $11.29
ONP 2 $1.80 $3.60
F 1 $11.86 $11.86
Total $45.11

I found $.10 at the highschool track.

12/22/2012

Found: $.01

Cash: $3.59

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $2.37 $7.11
UMC 3 $1.99 $5.97
CIM 2 $2.64 $5.28
BAC 1 $11.29 $11.29
ONP 2 $1.80 $3.60
F 1 $11.86 $11.86
Total $45.11

I found $.01 in a convenience store parking lot.

If you're in the area, check out Du Pont Nemours Mansion and Gardens

12/21/2012

Found: $.34

Cash: $3.58

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $2.37 $7.11
UMC 3 $1.99 $5.97
CIM 2 $2.64 $5.28
BAC 1 $11.29 $11.29
ONP 2 $1.80 $3.60
F 1 $11.86 $11.86
Total $45.11

I found $.28 in the parking structure at work and $.06 in the cafeteria at work!

12/20/2012

Found: $.03

Cash: $3.24

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $2.38 $7.14
UMC 3 $2.01 $6.03
CIM 2 $2.65 $5.30
BAC 1 $11.52 $11.52
ONP 2 $1.75 $3.50
F 1 $11.77 $11.77
Total $45.26

I found $.02 in the cafeteria at work and $.01 in the parking lot at work.

12/17/2012

Found: $.37

Cash: $3.21

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $2.41 $7.23
UMC 3 $2.00 $6.00
CIM 2 $2.62 $5.24
BAC 1 $11.00 $11.00
ONP 2 $1.85 $3.70
F 1 $11.39 $11.39
Total $44.56

I found $.10 in the checkout line in the cafeteria at work. Later on, I found $.27 in a convenience store parking lot.

12/16/2012

Found: $.06

Cash: $2.84

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $2.40 $7.20
UMC 3 $2.01 $6.03
CIM 2 $2.71 $5.42
BAC 1 $10.58 $10.58
ONP 2 $1.89 $3.78
F 1 $11.10 $11.10
Total $44.11

I found $.01 in a crafts store near the register and $.05 in a fast food establishment near the register. See a pattern?

12/12/2012

Found: $.26

Cash: $2.78

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $2.11 $6.33
UMC 3 $1.99 $5.97
CIM 2 $2.76 $5.52
BAC 1 $10.61 $10.61
ONP 2 $1.86 $3.72
F 1 $11.47 $11.47
Total $43.62

I found $.26 in the cafeteria at work. I love finding the quarters the most I think!

12/10/2012

Found: $1.02

Cash: $2.52

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $1.97 $5.91
UMC 3 $1.98 $5.94
CIM 2 $2.76 $5.52
BAC 1 $10.57 $10.57
ONP 2 $1.81 $3.62
F 1 $11.47 $11.47
Total $43.03

Today we found $1.00 in a mall parking lot, and found $.01 in the parking structure at work and the other $.01 near the cash register in the cafeteria at work.

I'd like to sing a song in the spirit of the season:

"YouTube financial nuts roasting, on an open fire
Reality nipping, at your nose"

OK, so I just made that song up. My inspiration was the silly things I have heard in my short time listening to financial videos on YouTube. I have heard things such as:

All of these things are easily debunked by anyone with any factual knowledge of logic, statistics, history, economics, and/or old and modern financial systems. Whenever I ask for evidence for their claims I get attacked and treated as the troll in the video comment section! This is expected, and is par for the course with evidence-less emotional arguments.

Outside of YouTube, most people would probably say something like: the government, Federal Reserve, and banks are not perfect, but they are important and do much more good than bad. For investing, regularly contribute to your diversified 401k and get your agency to match contributions, buy a variety of stocks and bonds, hold some cash, and if you do buy metals, keep metals a small percent in your total portfolio, minimize transaction costs, save regularly, look for deals, minimize speculation, and watch what you spend.

Now, I'm no financial expert. I'm just an average guy with an opinion. If I were a financial expert, I would be committing malpractice to not recommend those things.

One thing I have especially noticed is that wackos typically have something to sell you such as a book or other products, and tend to discuss return, especially historical return, but rarely discuss risk or taxes. For example, they may state an EE savings bond is bad because the rate is currently .20%, but fail to mention that it is backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. and is guaranteed to double in 20 years, this giving an implied interest rate of 3.5% (which arises from solving (1+x)20 = 2 for x) if you hold it that long, and has deferred federal taxes and is exempt from state and local taxes. Oh, but their cherry picked commodity has increased a bazillion percent during their cherry picked years, so it is therefore always better than anything. Right.

The moral of the story is to be careful with the advice you get on the internet. Always stay skeptical, question and analyze, and when in doubt, ask several people who are qualified in, you know, real life.

12/9/2012

Found: $.03

Cash: $1.50

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $1.95 $5.85
UMC 3 $2.02 $6.06
CIM 2 $2.75 $5.50
BAC 1 $10.64 $10.64
ONP 2 $1.82 $3.64
F 1 $11.48 $11.48
Total $43.17

I found $.02 walking around the neighborhood and $.01 at the grocery store.

12/7/2012

Found: $.14

Cash: $1.47

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $1.95 $5.85
UMC 3 $2.02 $6.06
CIM 2 $2.75 $5.50
BAC 1 $10.64 $10.64
ONP 2 $1.82 $3.64
F 1 $11.48 $11.48
Total $43.17

I found $.11 in the parking structure at work, and $.03 in the cafeteria at work. Thank you, fellow employees, for having holes in your pockets.

12/4/2012

Dividends!: $.05

Cash: $1.33

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $1.92 $5.76
UMC 3 $1.91 $5.73
CIM 2 $2.70 $5.40
BAC 1 $9.91 $9.91
ONP 2 $1.88 $3.76
F 1 $11.31 $11.31
Total $41.87

I got $.05 in dividends from Ford (F)!

12/3/2012

Found: $.02

Cash: $1.28

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $1.95 $5.85
UMC 3 $1.89 $5.67
CIM 2 $2.71 $5.42
BAC 1 $9.80 $9.80
ONP 2 $1.93 $3.86
F 1 $11.41 $11.41
Total $42.01

I found $.02 at the hospital. Everything is fine. :-)

12/2/2012

Found: $.14

Cash: $1.26

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $2.03 $6.09
UMC 3 $1.91 $5.73
CIM 2 $2.74 $5.48
BAC 1 $9.86 $9.86
ONP 2 $1.93 $3.86
F 1 $11.45 $11.45
Total $42.47

I found $.10 on a sidewalk, $.02 at a gas station, and the other $.02 while shopping for a Christmas tree.

11/30/2012

Found: $.02

Cash: $1.12

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $2.03 $6.09
UMC 3 $1.91 $5.73
CIM 2 $2.74 $5.48
BAC 1 $9.86 $9.86
ONP 2 $1.93 $3.86
F 1 $11.45 $11.45
Total $42.47

I found $.02 at a restaurant.

11/27/2012

Found: $.22

Cash: $1.10

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $2.10 $6.30
UMC 3 $1.95 $5.85
CIM 2 $2.60 $5.20
BAC 1 $9.66 $9.66
ONP 2 $1.97 $3.94
F 1 $11.10 $11.10
Total $42.05

I found the $.22 walking around the halls at work!

11/25/2012

Found: $.55

Cash: $.88

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $1.91 $5.73
UMC 3 $1.88 $5.64
CIM 2 $2.63 $5.26
BAC 1 $9.90 $9.90
ONP 2 $1.96 $3.92
F 1 $11.10 $11.10
Total $41.55

I found $.53 at the highschool track! I found the $.03, then towards the end of my walk I stopped to stretch. I'm glad I did that because there were two quarters just sitting there.

Later on in the day I found $.02 at a retail store.

11/24/2012

Found: $.12

Cash: $.33

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $1.91 $5.73
UMC 3 $1.88 $5.64
CIM 2 $2.63 $5.26
BAC 1 $9.90 $9.90
ONP 2 $1.96 $3.92
F 1 $11.10 $11.10
Total $41.55

I found $.01 at a convenience store and $.11 at a convention center.

Today I tested out a metal detector for the first time (not counting my backyard). It was pretty fun, even though I didn't find anything. I found more above the ground today. Check out White's Metal Detectors.

11/23/2012

Found: $.01

Cash: $.21

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $1.91 $5.73
UMC 3 $1.88 $5.64
CIM 2 $2.63 $5.26
BAC 1 $9.90 $9.90
ONP 2 $1.96 $3.92
F 1 $11.10 $11.10
Total $41.55

I found $.02 in the cafeteria at work today!

11/21/2012

Found: $.01

Cash: $.19

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $1.91 $5.73
UMC 3 $1.75 $5.25
CIM 2 $2.58 $5.16
BAC 1 $9.77 $9.77
ONP 2 $1.95 $3.90
F 1 $10.92 $10.92
Total $40.73

We found $.01 at work today.

11/20/2012

Found: $.10

Cash: $.18

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $1.93 $5.79
UMC 3 $1.81 $5.43
CIM 2 $2.58 $5.16
BAC 1 $9.63 $9.63
ONP 2 $1.96 $3.92
F 1 $10.85 $10.85
Total $40.78

I found $.10 today on a sidewalk.

11/19/2012

Found: $.10

Cash: $.08

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 3 $2.00 $6.00
UMC 3 $1.81 $5.43
CIM 2 $2.61 $5.22
BAC 1 $9.49 $9.49
ONP 2 $1.96 $3.92
F 1 $10.83 $10.83
Total $40.89

I found $.10 today while crossing the street! Yes mom, I did stop and look both ways first.

I bought 1 share of RadioShack (RSH) for $1.98.

11/18/2012

Found: $.64

Cash: $1.96

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 2 $2.00 $4.00
UMC 3 $1.80 $5.40
CIM 2 $2.66 $5.32
BAC 1 $9.12 $9.12
ONP 2 $1.93 $3.86
F 1 $10.50 $10.50
Total $38.20

I found $.01 in a restaurant, $.53 in a parking lot, and $.10 in a grocery store. I love the days I find money and my wife is there so she can verify that I'm not making up all of this good fortune!

11/16/2012

Found: $.25

Cash: $1.32

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 2 $2.00 $4.00
UMC 3 $1.80 $5.40
CIM 2 $2.66 $5.32
BAC 1 $9.12 $9.12
ONP 2 $1.93 $3.86
F 1 $10.50 $10.50
Total $38.20

I found $.25 in the parking lot at a convenience store.

11/14/2012

Found: $.13

Cash: $1.07

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 2 $2.02 $4.04
UMC 3 $1.81 $5.43
CIM 2 $2.56 $5.12
BAC 1 $8.99 $8.99
ONP 2 $1.96 $3.92
F 1 $10.67 $10.67
Total $38.17

We found $.13 while staying a couple of days in Baltimore, MD!

By the way, check out the friendly folk at Baltimore Gold and Silver.

11/10/2012

Found: $.64

Cash: $.94

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 2 $2.11 $4.22
UMC 3 $1.87 $5.61
CIM 2 $2.55 $5.10
BAC 1 $9.43 $9.43
ONP 2 $2.01 $4.02
F 1 $10.93 $10.93
Total $39.31

We found $.64 during a couple of days in San Antonio, Texas, and airports!

11/6/2012

Found: $.12

Cash: $.30

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 2 $2.24 $4.48
UMC 3 $1.82 $5.46
CIM 2 $2.57 $5.14
BAC 1 $9.94 $9.94
ONP 2 $1.99 $3.98
F 1 $11.42 $11.42
Total $40.42

I found $.12 in the cafeteria at work.

11/5/2012

Found: $.25

Cash: $.18

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 2 $2.32 $4.64
UMC 3 $1.78 $5.34
CIM 2 $2.60 $5.20
BAC 1 $9.75 $9.75
ONP 2 $2.03 $4.06
F 1 $11.25 $11.25
Total $40.24

I found $.25 at a home goods store. With that, I had $2.02 and bought 1 share of United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) for $1.84.

11/3/2012

Found: $.71

Cash: $1.77

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 2 $2.29 $4.58
UMC 2 $1.84 $3.68
CIM 2 $2.62 $5.24
BAC 1 $9.85 $9.85
ONP 2 $1.94 $3.88
F 1 $11.17 $11.17
Total $38.40

I found $.11 in the highschool parking lot and $.60 under the bleachers and at the track. I really, really like Saturdays!

I recently read this in an otherwise good article: "Here's the funny thing about finding coins. If you are doing this to try and make extra money, it's not likely to work."

I disagree. One simply has to invest and not just save.

11/1/2012

Found: $.02

Cash: $1.06

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 2 $2.25 $4.50
UMC 2 $1.86 $3.72
CIM 2 $2.65 $5.30
BAC 1 $9.74 $9.74
ONP 2 $1.99 $3.98
F 1 $11.25 $11.25
Total $38.49

I found $.02 in the cafeteria at work.

10/31/2012

Found: $1.00

Cash: $1.04

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 2 $2.24 $4.48
UMC 2 $1.88 $3.76
CIM 2 $2.67 $5.34
BAC 1 $9.32 $9.32
ONP 2 $2.00 $4.00
F 1 $11.16 $11.16
Total $38.06

Today I bought 1 share of Orient Paper Inc. (ONP) for $1.97.

Later on in the day, we found a $1 bill walking to the library!

10/30/2012

Found: $.13

Dividends!: $.18

Cash: $2.01

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 2 $2.31 $4.62
UMC 2 $1.92 $3.84
CIM 2 $2.57 $5.14
BAC 1 $9.12 $9.12
ONP 1 $1.99 $1.99
F 1 $10.36 $10.36
Total $35.07

I found $.13 on the ground outside a convenience store. I think people must drop change at the Redboxes, telephone, newspaper, candy, and other vending machines outside the convenience stores.

Also, today I received $.18 in dividends from the 2 shares of Chimera Investment Corporation (CIM) I own!

In looking at my past finds of money, I only find greater than or equal to $.18 about 12.7% of the time, so getting this $.18 is huge for me.

By the way, totally unrelated to found money and dividends, check out Apmex and U.S. Mint for your precious metals and coin needs! Both sites are highly recommended.

10/27/2012

Found: $.38

Cash: $1.70

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 2 $2.31 $4.62
UMC 2 $1.92 $3.84
CIM 2 $2.57 $5.14
BAC 1 $9.12 $9.12
ONP 1 $1.99 $1.99
F 1 $10.36 $10.36
Total $35.07

Today I found $.35 at the highschool track, $.01 at a convenience store, and $.02 at a crafts store!

10/26/2012

Found: $.14

Cash: $1.32

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 2 $2.31 $4.62
UMC 2 $1.92 $3.84
CIM 2 $2.57 $5.14
BAC 1 $9.12 $9.12
ONP 1 $1.99 $1.99
F 1 $10.36 $10.36
Total $35.07

Today I found $.14 at the grocery store.

10/25/2012

Found: $.02

Cash: $1.18

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 2 $2.44 $4.88
UMC 2 $1.94 $3.88
CIM 2 $2.63 $5.26
BAC 1 $9.24 $9.24
ONP 1 $1.96 $1.96
F 1 $10.39 $10.39
Total $35.61

Today I found $.02 in the cafeteria at work.

10/21/2012

Found: $.03

Cash: $1.16

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 2 $2.44 $4.88
UMC 2 $1.93 $3.86
CIM 2 $2.67 $5.34
BAC 1 $9.44 $9.44
ONP 1 $2.00 $2.00
F 1 $10.18 $10.18
Total $35.70

Today I found $.02 at the highschool track, and $.01 in some dirt in the front yard while raking leaves!

10/20/2012

Found: $.47

Cash: $1.13

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 2 $2.44 $4.88
UMC 2 $1.93 $3.86
CIM 2 $2.67 $5.34
BAC 1 $9.44 $9.44
ONP 1 $2.00 $2.00
F 1 $10.18 $10.18
Total $35.70

Today I found $.46 at the highschool track and under the bleachers. They had a game the previous night! I found the $.01 at a restaurant.

10/16/2012

Found: $.01

Cash: $.66

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 2 $2.37 $4.74
UMC 2 $2.00 $4.00
CIM 2 $2.57 $5.14
BAC 1 $9.46 $9.46
ONP 1 $1.97 $1.97
F 1 $10.30 $10.30
Total $35.61

I found $.01 in a parking lot.

10/14/2012

Found: $.49

Cash: $.65

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 2 $2.26 $4.52
UMC 2 $2.02 $4.04
CIM 2 $2.58 $5.16
BAC 1 $9.12 $9.12
ONP 1 $2.00 $2.00
F 1 $10.12 $10.12
Total $34.96

I found $.49 at the highschool track.

I knew there was a big football game last night, so today after jogging at the track, I walked under the bleachers looking for change.

I was also reflecting on the investing mantra "Buy low, sell high", and thought of this. Say the item you want to buy is selling for $10, and consider the following scale of payments you can make for the item:

Payment Explanation
$15 You overpay
$10 You pay even price
$5 You pay half as much
$0 Free! You pay nothing
-$5 You get the item for free AND the person pays you $5 to take it!

Picking up change is like the -$5 option. You are getting free money and, eventually, a piece of a company and future profits.

10/12/2012

Found: $.01

Cash: $.16

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 2 $2.26 $4.52
UMC 2 $2.02 $4.04
CIM 2 $2.58 $5.16
BAC 1 $9.12 $9.12
ONP 1 $2.00 $2.00
F 1 $10.12 $10.12
Total $34.96

I found $.01 at a convenience store.

10/11/2012

Found: $.14

Cash: $.15

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 2 $2.30 $4.60
UMC 2 $2.03 $4.06
CIM 2 $2.66 $5.32
BAC 1 $9.34 $9.34
ONP 1 $2.03 $2.03
F 1 $10.14 $10.14
Total $35.49

I found $.01 in the Metro, $.01 walking around DC, and $.12 at the pharmacy!

10/10/2012

Found: $.01

Cash: $.01

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 2 $2.21 $4.42
UMC 2 $2.04 $4.08
CIM 2 $2.62 $5.24
BAC 1 $9.21 $9.21
ONP 1 $2.02 $2.02
F 1 $9.98 $9.98
Total $34.95

I found $.01 in the cafeteria at work.

10/9/2012

Found: $.01

Cash: $0

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 2 $2.33 $4.66
UMC 2 $2.07 $4.14
CIM 2 $2.68 $5.36
BAC 1 $9.21 $9.21
ONP 1 $2.00 $2.00
F 1 $10.10 $10.10
Total $35.47

I found $.01 walking around the neighborhood. That $.01 put my total cash to $2.32, so I bought 1 RSH share for $2.32!

10/7/2012

Found: $.02

Cash: $2.31

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $2.05 $2.05
UMC 2 $2.07 $4.14
CIM 2 $2.72 $5.44
BAC 1 $9.32 $9.32
ONP 1 $2.05 $2.05
F 1 $10.16 $10.16
Total $33.16

I found $.01 at a restaurant and the other $.01 in a parking lot.

10/6/2012

Found: $.72

Cash: $2.29

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $2.05 $2.05
UMC 2 $2.07 $4.14
CIM 2 $2.72 $5.44
BAC 1 $9.32 $9.32
ONP 1 $2.05 $2.05
F 1 $10.16 $10.16
Total $33.16

I found $.67 at the highschool track! I love the days after they have a big football game! I found $.03 at a supermarket. After that, I found $.02 on the metro!

10/5/2012

Found: $.06

Cash: $1.57

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $2.05 $2.05
UMC 2 $2.07 $4.14
CIM 2 $2.72 $5.44
BAC 1 $9.32 $9.32
ONP 1 $2.05 $2.05
F 1 $10.16 $10.16
Total $33.16

I found $.01 walking around our neighborhood, and the other $.05 in parking lots and a supermarket.

I often hear people saying "It isn't worth my time to pick up change!" But is that really true?

Say you make a wage, or salary equivalent, of $20/hour. Then you make $.3333/minute, or $.0056/second.

Therefore, if it takes you 1 second to bend down and pick up a coin, the smallest coin you can pick up (a penny) is indeed worth more than the time it takes you to do so.

In fact, assuming standard 9 hour workdays and 5 day work weeks, you'd have to make at least $72/hour or ~$168,400/year for the 1 second of time to be worth $.02 (ie. the minimum amount more than $.01).

So... pick up those coins! Although that might leave less for me...

10/4/2012

Found: $.14

Cash: $1.51

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $2.08 $2.08
UMC 2 $2.04 $4.08
CIM 2 $2.74 $5.48
BAC 1 $9.41 $9.41
ONP 1 $2.06 $2.06
F 1 $10.11 $10.11
Total $33.22

We found $.14 total in several supermarkets and parking lots!

10/2/2012

Found: $.03

Dividends!: $.01

Cash: $1.37

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $2.02 $2.02
UMC 2 $2.10 $4.20
CIM 2 $2.74 $5.48
BAC 1 $8.93 $8.93
ONP 1 $2.04 $2.04
F 1 $9.79 $9.79
Total $32.46

Orient Paper Inc. paid me $.01 in dividends!

I also found $.01 in the parking structure at work, and the other $.02 in the halls at work.

9/29/2012

Found: $.01

Dividends!: $.01

Cash: $1.33

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $2.38 $2.38
UMC 2 $2.05 $4.10
CIM 2 $2.71 $5.42
BAC 1 $8.83 $8.83
ONP 1 $2.01 $2.01
F 1 $9.86 $9.86
Total $32.60

Bank of America paid me $.01 in dividends! Slow and steady... I also found $.01 at the local high-school track.

In addition to stock market stuff, be sure to check out TreasuryDirect.gov for information about treasury bills, notes, and bonds, and savings bonds (which are different from treasury bonds).

How treasury bills work is particularly interesting to me, even though rates are really, really low right now. As an example of a 28-day treasury bill, you would loan the government say $99.80, and then 28-days later they'd give you $100. Therefore, you'd earn $.20.

9/28/2012

Found: $.31

Cash: $1.31

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $2.38 $2.38
UMC 2 $2.05 $4.10
CIM 2 $2.71 $5.42
BAC 1 $8.83 $8.83
ONP 1 $2.01 $2.01
F 1 $9.86 $9.86
Total $32.60

I found $.25 at a gas station, and the other $.06 in the cafeteria at work!

9/26/2012

Found: $.02

Cash: $1.00

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $2.60 $2.60
UMC 2 $2.06 $4.12
CIM 2 $2.81 $5.62
BAC 1 $8.81 $8.81
ONP 1 $1.99 $1.99
F 1 $10.01 $10.01
Total $33.15

I found $.01 at the local pharmacy. Just what the doctor ordered!

9/25/2012

Found: $.12

Cash: $.98

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $2.56 $2.56
UMC 2 $2.05 $4.10
CIM 2 $2.81 $5.62
BAC 1 $8.93 $8.93
ONP 1 $2.00 $2.00
F 1 $10.09 $10.09
Total $33.30

I found $.12 in the cafeteria at work.

9/22/2012

Found: $.28

Cash: $.86

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $2.94 $2.94
UMC 2 $2.10 $4.20
CIM 2 $2.73 $5.46
BAC 1 $9.11 $9.11
ONP 1 $1.98 $1.98
F 1 $10.40 $10.40
Total $34.09

I found $.28 in a supermarket!

9/19/2012

Found: $.21

Cash: $.58

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $2.80 $2.80
UMC 2 $2.11 $4.22
CIM 2 $2.67 $5.34
BAC 1 $9.29 $9.29
ONP 1 $2.03 $2.03
F 1 $10.59 $10.59
Total $34.27

I found $.11 on top of a parking meter, and $.10 in the cafeteria at work.

9/17/2012

Found: $.02

Cash: $.37

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $2.80 $2.80
UMC 2 $2.12 $4.24
CIM 2 $2.72 $5.44
BAC 1 $9.30 $9.30
ONP 1 $2.07 $2.07
F 1 $10.39 $10.39
Total $34.24

I found $.02 in a parking lot.

9/16/2012

Found: $.26

Cash: $.35

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $2.73 $2.73
UMC 2 $2.10 $4.20
CIM 2 $2.78 $5.56
BAC 1 $9.40 $9.40
ONP 1 $2.09 $2.09
F 1 $10.34 $10.34
Total $34.32

I found $.26 at a coffee place.

9/15/2012

Found: $.01

Cash: $.09

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $2.73 $2.73
UMC 2 $2.10 $4.20
CIM 2 $2.78 $5.56
BAC 1 $9.40 $9.40
ONP 1 $2.09 $2.09
F 1 $10.34 $10.34
Total $34.32

I found $.01 at a plant nursery.

9/13/2012

Found: $.03

Cash: $.08

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $2.73 $2.73
UMC 2 $2.10 $4.20
CIM 2 $2.78 $5.56
BAC 1 $9.40 $9.40
ONP 1 $2.09 $2.09
F 1 $10.34 $10.34
Total $34.32

I found $.03 walking around at work.

9/11/2012

Found: $.01

Cash: $.05

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $2.68 $2.68
UMC 2 $2.08 $4.16
CIM 2 $2.69 $5.38
BAC 1 $9.03 $9.03
ONP 1 $2.13 $2.13
F 1 $10.15 $10.15
Total $33.53

I found $.01 in the cafeteria at work.

9/9/2012

Found: $.02

Cash: $.04

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $2.90 $2.90
UMC 2 $2.02 $4.04
CIM 2 $2.65 $5.30
BAC 1 $8.80 $8.80
ONP 1 $2.14 $2.14
F 1 $10.14 $10.14
Total $33.32

I found $.01 at the highschool track and the other $.01 at a convenience store.

9/7/2012

Cash: $.02

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $2.90 $2.90
UMC 2 $2.02 $4.04
CIM 2 $2.65 $2.65
BAC 1 $8.80 $8.80
ONP 1 $2.14 $2.14
F 1 $10.14 $10.14
Total $33.32

Today I bought 1 share of CIM for $2.62!

9/5/2012

Found: $1.00

Cash: $2.64

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $2.72 $2.72
UMC 2 $1.98 $3.96
CIM 1 $2.57 $2.57
BAC 1 $7.95 $7.95
ONP 1 $2.06 $2.06
F 1 $9.57 $9.57
Total $28.83

I found $1.00 crumpled up near the cashier line in the cafeteria at work.

9/4/2012

Found: $.01

Dividends!: $.05

Cash: $1.64

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $2.53 $2.53
UMC 2 $2.01 $4.02
CIM 1 $2.58 $2.58
BAC 1 $8.00 $8.00
ONP 1 $2.10 $2.10
F 1 $9.41 $9.41
Total $28.64

I found $.01 in the parking lot at work.

Ford paid me $.05 in dividends. Hey, I'll take it.

9/3/2012

Found: $.01

Cash: $1.58

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $2.43 $2.43
UMC 2 $2.03 $4.06
CIM 1 $2.54 $2.54
BAC 1 $7.99 $7.99
ONP 1 $2.05 $2.05
F 1 $9.34 $9.34
Total $28.41

I found $.01 walking around the neighborhood.

9/2/2012

Found: $.26

Cash: $1.57

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $2.43 $2.43
UMC 2 $2.03 $4.06
CIM 1 $2.54 $2.54
BAC 1 $7.99 $7.99
ONP 1 $2.05 $2.05
F 1 $9.34 $9.34
Total $28.41

I found $.26 at the highschool track. I've discovered that there is usually change there the day after they have a game.

8/30/2012

Found: $.20

Cash: $1.31

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $2.43 $2.43
UMC 2 $2.03 $4.06
CIM 1 $2.54 $2.54
BAC 1 $7.99 $7.99
ONP 1 $2.05 $2.05
F 1 $9.34 $9.34
Total $28.41

I found $.01 in the cafeteria at work, $.03 in a convenience store, and an amazing $.16 at the grocery store! Grocery store checkout lines are a gold (or silver if you prefer!) mine.

8/28/2012

Found: $.04

Cash: $1.11

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $2.49 $2.49
UMC 2 $2.05 $4.10
CIM 1 $2.48 $2.48
BAC 1 $7.96 $7.96
ONP 1 $2.09 $2.09
F 1 $9.34 $9.34
Total $28.46

I found $.02 in the cafeteria at work, and the other $.02 at the airport.

8/24/2012

Found: $.01

Cash: $1.07

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $2.56 $2.56
UMC 2 $2.05 $4.10
CIM 1 $2.45 $2.45
BAC 1 $8.16 $8.16
ONP 1 $2.11 $2.11
F 1 $9.49 $9.49
Total $28.87

I found $.01 at the airport.

8/23/2012

Found: $.10

Cash: $1.06

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $2.65 $2.65
UMC 2 $2.07 $4.14
CIM 1 $2.42 $2.42
BAC 1 $8.15 $8.15
ONP 1 $2.12 $2.12
F 1 $9.45 $9.45
Total $28.93

I found $.10 walking around at work.

My new book arrived in the mail today: Savings Bond Advisor, by Tom Adams. Why talk about savings bonds on a page about stocks? Only because bonds, of various types, are essential to any well-balanced portfolio. They have a long list of desirable properties. Learn about bonds at the very least and you'll be a better investor. In my investing life outside this experimental blog, I have holdings in Treasury Bills and EE and I savings bonds.

8/21/2012

Found: $.15

Cash: $.96

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $2.66 $2.66
UMC 2 $2.07 $4.14
CIM 1 $2.40 $2.40
BAC 1 $8.19 $8.19
ONP 1 $2.13 $2.13
F 1 $9.53 $9.53
Total $29.05

We found $.15 total at work; in the parking lot, the halls, and cafeteria. Do people have holes in their pockets?

8/19/2012

Found: $.01

Cash: $.81

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $3.15 $3.15
UMC 2 $2.12 $4.24
CIM 1 $2.45 $2.45
BAC 1 $8.00 $8.00
ONP 1 $2.12 $2.12
F 1 $9.63 $9.63
Total $29.59

We found $.01 in a convenience store parking lot.

8/18/2012

Found: $.10

Cash: $.80

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $3.15 $3.15
UMC 2 $2.12 $4.24
CIM 1 $2.45 $2.45
BAC 1 $8.00 $8.00
ONP 1 $2.12 $2.12
F 1 $9.63 $9.63
Total $29.59

We found $.10 in a convenience store parking lot.

8/17/2012

Found: $.10

Cash: $.70

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $3.15 $3.15
UMC 2 $2.12 $4.24
CIM 1 $2.45 $2.45
BAC 1 $8.00 $8.00
ONP 1 $2.12 $2.12
F 1 $9.63 $9.63
Total $29.59

I found $.10 at a fast food restaurant.

8/16/2012

Found: $.01

Cash: $.60

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $3.03 $3.03
UMC 2 $2.12 $4.24
CIM 1 $2.45 $2.45
BAC 1 $7.93 $7.93
ONP 1 $2.14 $2.14
F 1 $9.59 $9.59
Total $29.46

I found $.01 in the cafeteria at work.

8/15/2012

Found: $.02

Cash: $.59

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $2.95 $2.95
UMC 2 $2.13 $4.26
CIM 1 $2.44 $2.44
BAC 1 $7.87 $7.87
ONP 1 $2.11 $2.11
F 1 $9.49 $9.49
Total $29.23

We found $.01 outside while walking at work, and the other $.01 at a gas station.

8/14/2012

Found: $.01

Cash: $.57

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $2.96 $2.96
UMC 2 $2.14 $4.28
CIM 1 $2.42 $2.42
BAC 1 $7.78 $7.78
ONP 1 $2.22 $2.22
F 1 $9.44 $9.44
Total $29.10

I found $.01 at the cafeteria at work.

I wanted to use this space to give a "shout out" to the book Corporate Finance by Ivo Welch. I'm reading it right now for a finance course. I must say, it is a really good book. I'm finding it very useful for learning about valuing a variety of things using several different methods.

8/11/2012

Found: $.01

Cash: $.56

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $3.03 $3.03
UMC 2 $2.20 $4.40
CIM 1 $2.38 $2.38
BAC 1 $7.74 $7.74
ONP 1 $2.22 $2.22
F 1 $9.35 $9.35
Total $29.12

We found $.01 while walking around our neighborhood.

8/10/2012

Found: $.01

Dividends!: $.05

Cash: $.55

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $3.03 $3.03
UMC 2 $2.20 $4.40
CIM 1 $2.38 $2.38
BAC 1 $7.74 $7.74
ONP 1 $2.22 $2.22
F 1 $9.35 $9.35
Total $29.12

I found $.01 in the cafeteria at work. The big news is today is my first dividend.

Well, it isn't a big payday, but it is a payday. UMC paid me my first dividend of $.08! Even though I own two shares, I only had one share when this company went ex-dividend, so I only get one share's worth of dividend payments. There was also $.02 foreign dividend tax (because UMC is based in Taiwan) and a $.01 bank service fee (because UMC is a Taiwan company and it is listed on an American stock exchange, an ADR pass-through fee), so effectively that is a $.05 dividend.

But one has to ask, how often do I find at least $.05?

If I count the number of days from 3/23/12 (when I started) to now 8/10/12, that is 140 days. In Excel you can do

DATEDIF(start,today(),"D")

to get this number of days which is 140.

Doing a

IF(total found per day column >= .05,1,0)

Gives a 1 if the today for a day's find is greater than or equal to $.05, otherwise 0. Then I sum this column. I got 33, so 33/140 or 24% of the time.

What about the average money found per day?

I found money on 72 of these days (including today). I can tell by doing a

COUNTA(A:A)

on the column where I put the date of when I found money.

Therefore,

DATEDIF(start,today(),"D") - COUNTA(A:A)

gives the number of days where I "found" $0. For me, this is 140 - 72 = 68 days.

The average money found over these 72 days is $30.43 / 72 = $.42.

So therefore, the average money found over these 140 days is:

($0*68 + $.42*72) / 140 = $.22 per day.

Of course, this average is really skewed because I found that $20 bill! Instead, using the median, we get $.01 per day.

Therefore, the effective dividend I received of $.05, while small in absolute terms, is truly significant. It represents about 5 days of finding money!

8/9/2012

Found: $.06

Cash: $.49

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $3.04 $3.04
UMC 2 $2.20 $4.40
CIM 1 $2.39 $2.39
BAC 1 $7.72 $7.72
ONP 1 $2.10 $2.10
F 1 $9.34 $9.34
Total $29.11

Today I found $.06 while riding the metro on an office outing.

8/4/2012

Found: $.16

Cash: $.43

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $2.75 $2.75
UMC 2 $2.16 $4.32
CIM 1 $2.16 $2.16
BAC 1 $7.43 $7.43
ONP 1 $2.21 $2.21
F 1 $9.09 $9.09
Total $27.97

Today I found $.16 while we were in the checkout line in a home goods store.

8/3/2012

Found: $.02

Cash: $.27

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $2.75 $2.75
UMC 2 $2.16 $4.32
CIM 1 $2.16 $2.16
BAC 1 $7.43 $7.43
ONP 1 $2.21 $2.21
F 1 $9.09 $9.09
Total $27.97

Today I found $.01 in the gym at work and the other $.01 while getting some fast food.

7/30/2012

Found: $20.04

Cash: $.25

Company Shares Share price Total
RSH 1 $2.54 $2.54
UMC 2 $2.16 $4.32
CIM 1 $2.19 $2.19
BAC 1 $7.28 $7.28
ONP 1 $2.25 $2.25
F 1 $9.10 $9.10
Total $27.65

Today was incredible, absolutely incredible. I found $20.04 while out buying food; a $20 bill sitting on the ground in the parking lot, and $.04 inside a fast food restaurant. I really, really, really thank you, whoever you are, for not realizing that you dropped the $20. I really, really, really hope you did not need it for anything!

This may very well be the largest amount of money I ever find. After the find, I had $21.28 in cash, sitting around ready to be used, and decided to use it today to buy four companies. The companies I decided to buy were Chimera Investment Corporation (CIM), Bank of America (BAC), Orient Paper Inc. (ONP), and Ford (F).

Chimera Investment Corporation is a mortgage real estate investment trust, or mREIT. They invest in residential mortgage-backed securities. REITs are required to distribute 90% of their taxable income to investors, so they typically have high dividend yields/payouts, and CIM is no exception. Here are some numbers on CIM

The "ask price" was also $2.25. As you can see, the dividend yield of CIM is huge, at $.36 / $2.28 = 15.79%.

As one of the bluest of the blue chips, Bank of America needs no introduction. They are a very successful bank, and right now are very cheap to buy. I've banked with them since 2005 and am pretty satisfied, especially since they made their check depositing system hassle-free and included a lot of good features. They have a tiny dividend, but tiny is often better than none. Here are some numbers on BAC

The "ask price" was $7.33.

Orient Paper Inc. produces and distributes all sorts of paper products in China. They have a bunch of interesting videos on their website of their machines and processes. They are big on recycling paper, digital photo paper, and quality control. Here are some numbers on ONP

The "ask price" was $2.31.

Ford is another company that needs no introduction. If you don't know they make cars and trucks and do financing...then I don't know what to say! I like their focus on innovation. An interesting fact I learned recently, about 110 years ago, on 7/15/1903, they made their first sale! Here are some numbers on F

The "ask price" was $9.14.

And, if you must know, the sandwich I bought at the fast food restaurant was tasty. Free money and tasty sandwiches...the day doesn't get much better than that!

7/29/2012

Found: $.11

Cash: $1.24

RadioShack (RSH): 1 share, ~$2.59/share
United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC): 2 shares, ~$2.13/share

I found the $.11 walking around the neighborhood.

7/25/2012

Found: $.01

Cash: $1.13

RadioShack (RSH): 1 share, ~$2.60/share
United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC): 2 shares, ~$2.08/share

I found the $.01 in the pharmacy.

Yes, a bad day for RadioShack, with a large price drop and announcing a cut in their dividend. However, putting cash towards other things in times of stress is a smart move. I'm not worried in the least by "Mr. Market" here. If I had the money in this account to buy another RSH share, I would - they are on sale!

7/22/2012

Found: $.02

Cash: $1.12

RadioShack (RSH): 1 share, ~$3.71/share
United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC): 2 shares, ~$2.16/share

I found the $.02 at a Metro station.

7/19/2012

Found: $.03

Cash: $1.10

RadioShack (RSH): 1 share, ~$3.67/share
United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC): 2 shares, ~$2.10/share

I found the $.03 while we were walking the halls at work.

Today's catch brings the total, if I didn't make any purchases at all, to $10. So you have to ask yourself, would you rather

7/18/2012

Found: $.01

Cash: $1.07

RadioShack (RSH): 1 share, ~$3.79/share
United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC): 2 shares, ~$2.07/share

I found $.01 while walking around the block.

7/17/2012

Found: $.10

Cash: $1.06

RadioShack (RSH): 1 share, ~$3.92/share
United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC): 2 shares, ~$2.08/share

I found $.10 in the cafeteria at work. Guess where? On the ground in the checkout line.

7/15/2012

Found: $.01

Cash: $.96

RadioShack (RSH): 1 share, ~$3.90/share
United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC): 2 shares, ~$2.05/share

I found $.01 at a home improvement store. Will this $.01, eventually invested, improve our home? Count on it!

7/14/2012

Found: $.10

Cash: $.95

RadioShack (RSH): 1 share, ~$3.90/share
United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC): 2 shares, ~$2.05/share

I found $.10 in a pharmacy. We had just eaten a ton of delicious Indian food and we were walking it off!

7/13/2012

Found: $.26

Cash: $.85

RadioShack (RSH): 1 share, ~$3.90/share
United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC): 2 shares, ~$2.05/share

I found $.26 in the cafeteria at work. My fellow employees must have holes in their pockets, which I am thankful for! In their defense, the quarter was kind of hidden between two display cases and I could barely reach it.

7/12/2012

Found: $.01

Cash: $.59

RadioShack (RSH): 1 share, ~$3.79/share
United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC): 2 shares, ~$2.02/share

I found $.01 in the cafeteria at work.

7/11/2012

Found: $.25

Cash: $.58

RadioShack (RSH): 1 share, ~$3.90/share
United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC): 2 shares, ~$2.07/share

I found $.25 at the cafeteria at work!

The recently approved split in The Coca-Cola Company (KO) inspired me to take a look at how that split would affect the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Have you ever wondered exactly what it is and/or how it is calculated? Check out this Dow Jones Industrial Average spreadsheet I made explaining it.

7/9/2012

Found: $.02

Cash: $.33

RadioShack (RSH): 1 share, ~$3.98/share
United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC): 2 shares, ~$2.07/share

I found $.02 at the cafeteria at work.

I bought 1 more share of UMC for $2.07.

7/7/2012

Found: $.30

Cash: $2.38

RadioShack (RSH): 1 share, ~$4.06/share
United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC): 1 share, ~$2.17/share

I found $.27 at the high school track, $.01 in a convenience store parking lot, and $.02 at a pharmacy.

7/6/2012

Found: $.30

Cash: $2.08

RadioShack (RSH): 1 share, ~$4.06/share
United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC): 1 share, ~$2.17/share

I found $.25 in the cafeteria at work, and later in the day found $.05 in a convenience store parking lot.

7/5/2012

Found: $1.10

Cash: $1.78

RadioShack (RSH): 1 share, ~$4.01/share
United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC): 1 share, ~$2.24/share

I found $1.00 in a convenience store parking lot, and $.10 at a restaurant!

I was wondering if people don't pick up money because they think or have been told that money is dirty? I remember my parents encouraged me to pick up money and I'd regularly find it when I was little kid crawling under tables in restaurants and later outside H.E.B. grocery stores in San Antonio. I believe there isn't much difference in the cleanliness between money on the ground and money in your pocket.

I decided to take the $4.00 of found cash and buy 1 share of United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC). They are an innovative semiconductor manufacturer, located in Taiwan, with customers all over the world. Semiconductors are the "foundation of modern electronics", according to Wikipedia. I find UMC's webpage interesting, in that it gives a lot of information on what they do, so it made their high-tech business and processes very understandable to laymen such as myself. They obviously have a very strong policy towards continual process improvement, which is important to me.

Based on a few years of data, RSH and UMC have a correlation coefficient of .70, which isn't really low (low tends to be desirable). However, these stocks are in a different sector/industry and a different country which tend to be attributes to help achieve diversification, which is one of the most important concepts in investing.

Here are some numbers on UMC

The "ask price" was also $2.22.

7/4/2012

Found: $.20

Cash: $2.90

RadioShack (RSH): 1 share, ~$3.86/share

I found $.20 in a convenience store parking lot, two dimes. A paradigm ("pair of dimes") shift?

7/2/2012

Found: $2.15

Cash: $2.70

RadioShack (RSH): 1 share, ~$3.81/share

We found $2.15 on our several day vacation in Boston and the surrounding areas! We found about $.50 of this in a payphone that was completely broken apart. Too bad most payphones are disappearing because I'd really like to keep finding money in them. At least vending machines are still around! Although...maybe people reaching into their pockets to get their cell phones will cause even more money to be on the ground.

6/27/2012

Found: $.02

Cash: $.55

RadioShack (RSH): 1 share, ~$4.07/share

I found $.01 in the cafeteria at work and the other $.01 at the grocery store.

6/26/2012

Found: $.01

Cash: $.53

RadioShack (RSH): 1 share, ~$4.04/share

We found $.01 in a parking lot of one of our favorite restaurants.

6/24/2012

Found: $.02

Cash: $.52

RadioShack (RSH): 1 share, ~$4.24/share

I found $.01 in a convenience store and the other $.01 at a gas station.

6/21/2012

Found: $.01

Cash: $.50

RadioShack (RSH): 1 share, ~$4.20/share

I found the $.01 in a conference room at work.

6/17/2012

Found: $.02

Cash: $.49

RadioShack (RSH): 1 share, ~$4.12/share

I found $.01 in a supermarket parking lot, and the other $.01 in a convenience store.

6/14/2012

Found: $.04

Cash: $.47

RadioShack (RSH): 1 share, ~$4.14/share

I found $.02 in the cafeteria at work. As you can predict, it was located on the ground near a cash register. I found the other $.02 in a convenience store parking lot. Yes, I go to the convenience store too much!

6/12/2012

Found: $.01

Cash: $.43

RadioShack (RSH): 1 share, ~$4.23/share

I found the $.01 in the cafeteria at work.

6/11/2012

Found: $.01

Cash: $.42

RadioShack (RSH): 1 share, ~$4.19/share

This $.01 was found in a parking lot.

6/9/2012

Found: $.05

Cash: $.41

RadioShack (RSH): 1 share, ~$4.34/share

I found this $.05 in a parking structure in Crystal City.

6/7/2012

Found: $1.01

Total: $4.97

Holy $#^%###!!!

I found $1.00 in the hallway at work and the other $.01 in the parking garage at work. Recently I feel I've been finding money frequently, which is very nice! I decided to take advantage of this good fortune.

I decided to buy...drumroll please...well, let's look at some numbers first, without mentioning the company's name.

Again, because I have a combined balances over a certain amount, I don't need to pay commissions on my transactions. Keep in mind that normally it would cost ~$10 for a transaction.

Ok, the company is RadioShack (RSH). The "ask price" was $4.61, or $.02 more than the market price. This is just one way brokerages make money.

From what I've read, RadioShack has been predicted to die off for years, due to Apple, Amazon, etc. However, there is something about it that keeps it around- perhaps the physical presence or focusing more on mobile-stuff. The products I have bought from RadioShack (adapters, several different chess boards, a Discman, breadboards and components) have all been quality. More importantly however, RadioShack has numbers that meet at least some of the criteria I consider good to look at.

So I'm starting the "Zip to Blue Chip" portfolio with RadioShack. I've shown it is possible to save up enough found money to buy a decent stock, and in rather short time at that!

RadioShack (RSH): 1 share, $4.59/share

Cash: $.36

Stay tuned! In the meanwhile, here is a summary of investing in general and some good criteria for finding solid companies:

Summary of investing in stocks:

Some good starting criteria for finding solid companies: None of these numbers (the 15, 1.5, 1, 2%, 2, 3, etc.) or advice is set in stone or are gospel. Also, the average numbers probably vary by industry and over time. For example, in the Technology industry you'll probably find companies have a lot higher P/E's. But this information, in my opinion, is a decent starting point.

6/6/2012

Found: $.10

Total: $3.96

I found this $.10 in the parking structure at work.

6/5/2012

Found: $.11

Total: $3.86

I found $.10 in the parking structure at work, and $.01 in the cafeteria at work. A raise! I think soon I'll have enough to actually purchase a decent stock.

6/4/2012

Found: $.03

Total: $3.75

I found this $.03 in a convenience store.

6/3/2012

Found: $.05

Total: $3.72

I found this $.05 in a convenience store parking lot.

6/2/2012

Found: $.62

Total: $3.67

We were on vacation in Oregon for about a week, exploring several different cities. This is the total money I found while there. Some of the places were airports, convenience stores, restaurants, rest stops, parking lots, universities, walking around the neighborhood, and a bookstore. I found 17 pennies, 2 dimes, and 1 quarter.

5/25/2012

Found: $.25

Total: $3.05

I found a quarter in the dirt just outside our front door! Buried treasure?

5/20/2012

Found: $.29

Total: $2.80

I found $.27 while running the Capitol Hill Classic 10k in DC! I found the remaining $.02 at the grocery store.

5/19/2012

Found: $.03

Total: $2.51

I found the $.03 walking around DC.

5/17/2012

Found: $.02

Total: $2.48

I found the $.02 in the cafeteria at work.

5/16/2012

Found: $.02

Total: $2.46

I found the $.02 in the halls at work. I think someone sat down on a nearby chair and it fell out their pocket. Perhaps looking around chairs is a good strategy?

5/15/2012

Found: $.01

Total: $2.44

I found the $.01 in the cafeteria at work.

5/14/2012

Found: $.01

Total: $2.43

I found the $.01 at the grocery store. I would have picked up another $.01, but an old lady beat me to it!

5/13/2012

Found: $.01

Total: $2.42

I found the $.01 at the movie theater. We saw Avengers; pretty entertaining.

5/12/2012

Found: $.01

Total: $2.41

I found the $.01 in a convenience store.

5/11/2012

Found: $.35

Total: $2.40

We found the $.35 walking around our neighborhood!

5/7/2012

Found: $.01

Total: $2.05

I found a penny in a convenience store!

5/6/2012

Found: $.02

Total: $2.04

I found a penny in a parking lot, and the other penny in a dollar store. Woo hoo! Finding money and saving money.

5/3/2012

Found: $.12

Total: $2.02

I found the $.12 in the cafeteria at work!

I was thinking about this today:

I can almost buy a stock that is selling for slightly above $2. Why slightly above $2? Because while the market price may be $2, it would sell for say $2.10, for example, so the brokerage can make some profit. On top of that, there is typically a commission fee, say $6.95, for buying or selling. So you see, I may need $2.10 + $6.95 = $9.05 just to buy one $2 priced stock.

However, while the market says $2, and the real amount I'd be spending is $9.05, what is the stock really worth? That is, what is the underlying value? One wouldn't want to spend $9.05 only to learn that the true value of the stock is $1.

There are several ways to value a stock. Consider this way, from Benjamin Graham. Set upper bounds on P/E and P/BVPS, say 15 and 1.5 respectively. Then

(P/EPS)*(P/BVPS) <= 22.5 (note that 15*1.5 = 22.5)

Now solve for P, to get:

P_valuation = sqrt(EPS*BVPS*22.5)

Get EPS and BVPS from Google or Yahoo or anywhere else. Then if P_market < P_valuation, then consider buying the stock.

I'd also look to see if the company pays a dividend. This is important, a nice-to-have, but not a deal-breaker if it doesn't in my opinion. I'd also look at the price of a share. If the stock has a gigantic price like BRK.A, I simply cannot afford it. If the stock is too low in price, I probably don't want it either.

There are other numbers and ratios, etc., one can look at for valuation, but these are the main ones in my opinion.

This is not gospel; this is just a first step.

Because I maintain a certain amount in my combined bank accounts, my commission fees are $0, which helps a lot.

5/1/2012

Found: $.10

Total: $1.90

I spotted a dime on the ground while we were walking around the block.

4/30/2012

Found: $.04

Total: $1.80

I found $.02 in the parking structure at work, and the other $.02 in the cafeteria at work.

4/29/2012

Found: $.25

Total: $1.76

I found $.25 walking around the block! This quarter looks like it was ran over at least 10,000 times.

4/28/2012

Found: $.02

Total: $1.51

I found $.02 walking around the block in DC. We had just got done with a science fair.

4/27/2012

Found: $.10

Total: $1.49

I found $.10 after exiting the convenience store!

4/22/2012

Found: $.16

Total: $1.39

I found $.16 while walking around the track at our local highschool.

If you find money, examine the surrounding area and you may find more.

4/17/2012

Found: $.31

Total: $1.23

We found $.25 in the metro station and $.06 in a parking structure outside the metro station!

You know how restaurants tend to frame their first dollar made? Here is a picture of our first dollar ($1.23 actually):

4/15/2012

Found: $.02

Total: $.92

In a parking lot outside the grocery store.

4/13/2012

Found: $.06

Total: $.90

Yet again...the parking structure at work!

4/12/2012

Found: $.02

Total: $.84

We found $.02 walking around the parking structure at work. Apparently people lose a lot of money while getting out of their cars in parking lots.

4/10/2012

Found: $.26

Total: $.82

I found $.25 walking around the parking structure at work, and found $.01 at a convenience store. We're almost at our first $1.00!

4/8/2012

Found: $.02

Total: $.56

I found $.01 while exercising on the bleachers at the highschool track. I found the other $.01 in a convenience store parking lot.

4/7/2012

Found: $.01

Total: $.54

I found $.01 at the car dealership while waiting for an oil change. The oil change was ~ $40, so I can't say I broke even!

4/6/2012

Found: $.11

Total: $.53

I found $.11 walking around a parking structure during a lunch break at work. We're halfway to the first dollar!

4/1/2012

Found: $.02

Total: $.42

I found $.01 while walking around a high-school track, and $.01 in a parking lot.

3/30/2012

Found: $.01

Total: $.40

I found $.01 walking around a parking structure during a lunch break at work.

3/28/2012

Found: $.25

Total: $.39

I found a dull quarter on the floor near the counter in a convenience store!

Most of the money we'll find will probably be dull or hidden.

3/27/2012

Found: $.02

Total: $.14

I found $.01 in the checkout line of the cafeteria at work. The other $.01 I found while we were walking around a block in our neighborhood. In just 5 days, I've found money at the supermarket, at a parking meter, on the side of the curb, around the neighborhood, at work, and at a store. I'm excited to find other places free money is waiting to be found (and eventually invested).

One can find money anywhere.

3/26/2012

Found: $.01

Total: $.12

I was in a convenience store and saw someone drop a penny as they were receiving their change. They knew they dropped the penny, but they didn't pick it up! Don't be like these people.

You are literally throwing money away if you don't pick it up.

3/25/2012

Found: $.01

Total: $.11

We walked around Old Towne Alexandria DC for ~2 miles.

3/24/2012

Found: $.03

Total: $.10

We walked around DC for ~6 miles, enjoying the (rainy) day.

3/23/2012

Found: $.07

Total: $.07

So far I've learned two things:

You need to form some type of plan. The more details (within reason) you have in the plan the better. When you "go to battle", however, things might not play out as you had planned, but that is OK. Just the act of planning will help you stay on track and give you options if certain risks materialize. I'd recommend looking into ideas from the subject of project management.

We all start at $0. I started today at $0. Later on in the day, however, I found a total of $.07 on the ground, so I wasn't at $0 for very long.

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