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theabortionator
April, 2025

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On the morality and stuff of picking up money off of the ground and keeping it.

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Phross
Posts: 21 - Karma: 142
I'm sure we've all come across someone's cash on the ground before. Well, maybe not, but whatever. How much money would it have to be for you to actually make the effort to return it to someone? Five dollars? Twenty? A hundred? And is it really wrong if it's just sitting there with literally no chance of finding out who left it there? Or is it stealing no matter what?

Thoughts and stuff.
11 years ago
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deleted5
Posts: 14507 - Karma: 13,510
I have to do more work to give you back your money? Be an adult and stop dropping shit because its now mine.
11 years ago
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Funnel
Posts: 7818 - Karma: 1,590
If it's money, then it's not stealing. However, if it's someone's wallet and you pick it up and take the money despite seeing that person's ID, etc., then that is stealing. Loose change is all you.
11 years ago
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cool_name
Posts: 4295 - Karma: 3,136
depends on what it is, a wallet yes I will make the effort to return it, but if it is just cash I will keep it because there would be literally no way for me to find out who it belongs to.

I did once find a 700 dollar lighter on the ground at my university and to say I made even a small effort to return it would be a lie
11 years ago
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,311
Loose money: it's mine.

Wallet with ID/cards: return it, but if it belongs to some hotshot yuppie banker/lawyer and there are mad stacks inside: those are mine now.

Wallet without ID/cards: wallet goes to the lost found, if it's a kid's wallet or from an old person (you can usually see and smell this) I leave the few bills inside untouched and sent it to lost and found.
11 years ago
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maximiliaan
Posts: 7711 - Karma: 2,857
If i know Who lost it i would return it to them. I once saw someone dropping 50euros picked it up and returned it to him.
11 years ago
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Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,903
Actually agree with all above posts. Wallet - return intact; Cash - is yours unless you see the person drop it or are reasonably sure you know who it belongs to. The unrealistic alternative to is yell "anybody lose some bills" and then try to figure out who's lying.
11 years ago
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chacha33
Posts: 959 - Karma: 4,164
Mr.HuckActually agree with all above posts.


First time this has ever been said on NS?
11 years ago
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SkierPT
Posts: 2209 - Karma: 4,910
chacha33First time this has ever been said on NS?


So much love as of late. I believe in karma. That sums up my answer
11 years ago
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speedin
Posts: 731 - Karma: 131
A few years ago, I found $175 in a parking lot blowing in the wind. My lucky day I guess.

It's all good because I have contributed to giving away my money as well, so it evens out.

Last year I was in Vegas for a bachelor party. Went to XS nightclub, (which is insane btw), I got soo fucked up, that I somehow lost $400.
I went to buy a drink, reached into my pocket, and all I felt was lint.
I didn't get my pocket picked because all I had with me was my id, and money, which was in my front pocket.
This was after a stripper took me for $300.

Good weekend!
11 years ago
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Phross
Posts: 21 - Karma: 142
Mr.HuckActually agree with all above posts. Wallet - return intact; Cash - is yours unless you see the person drop it or are reasonably sure you know who it belongs to. The unrealistic alternative to is yell "anybody lose some bills" and then try to figure out who's lying.



Honestly, I thought there would be at LEAST one dude who would try to turn in, say, like a hundred dollar bill because he would have a guilty conscience if he kept it. Personally, I'd keep it under the same conditions as pretty much everyone above me. Only exception is if the money's in a wallet. Lost-and-found guy'd probably pocket it anyway.
11 years ago
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SkiThe603
Posts: 5376 - Karma: 498
i've found everywhere between $1 and $100 on the ground in my life span, and only once did i return it. ($100 bucks was at work)
11 years ago
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,634
Depends on the setting. I was out with friends, found a $20 near us and asked all them if it was any of theirs. Nobody said they lost it, so it was mine.

When I worked retail I found money on the floor if my store, felt obligated to ask the few people in the store, nobody said it was theirs, so it became mine.

I was at a water park once, saw a $100 laying on the ground. Picked it up, didn't ask anyone, it was mine.



But I've found wallets and with an ID just mail it back to the address on the ID.
11 years ago
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slav_slayer
Posts: 476 - Karma: 1,821
Once in school i found 25 dollars, i kept 5 and gave back 20 to the office and got Student of the Month for it ;_;
11 years ago
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TheBigApple
Posts: 1169 - Karma: 488
I've lost money before, I think the most was about $100... It sucks but I would never expect it back!

Wallet - Lost and Found / Police
Wallet with Money - Might snag a finders fee then L&F / Police
Money - My Pocket
11 years ago
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stickski
Posts: 1938 - Karma: 1,529
Had a friend who found around 10,000 dollars cash underneath floorboards of an old abandoned house, no joke. He ended up reporting it and getting it back to its rightful owner. I think the rightful owner was dead so the money went to his family.
11 years ago
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MLJ
Posts: 1849 - Karma: 3,649
stickskiHad a friend who found around 10,000 dollars cash underneath floorboards of an old abandoned house, no joke. He ended up reporting it and getting it back to its rightful owner. I think the rightful owner was dead so the money went to his family.


Thats stupid. If I ever found some money in some abandoned-ass house, Id keep that shit no questions asked. Its like finding a treasure buried underground and turning it in to a museum or something. Fuck that.
11 years ago
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Bogs
Posts: 4296 - Karma: 1,361
omnidataWallet with ID/cards: return it, but if it belongs to some hotshot yuppie banker/lawyer and there are mad stacks inside: those are mine now.


So it's okay to steal from someone as long as they have something worth stealing, and thus must be a bad person who deserves to be robbed?
11 years ago
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TheBigApple
Posts: 1169 - Karma: 488
stickskiHad a friend who found around 10,000 dollars cash underneath floorboards of an old abandoned house, no joke. He ended up reporting it and getting it back to its rightful owner. I think the rightful owner was dead so the money went to his family.


What an idiot.
11 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52491 - Karma: 172,815
Why is this even an issue. If you find money on the ground you aren't going to find the person. Unless you have some idea.

I found 60 bucks on the ground at the mountain on under the counter a little while after the bunny hill lifty had bought breakfast and headed up. I asked him about it and it was his.

I'm totally fine with that but if I find money lying somewhere random and don't have any idea where it came from I'm not going to sweat it.

I remember I found 80 bucks in a party city when I was little and my parents took it from me and walked up to some lady with the money in hand and said "Is this yours". Who knows, it may have actually been hers but my parents being idiots.

Personally if I see somebody drop a money I'll chase them down and give it to them but I'm not going to hunt for somebody to claim the random money chillin in the street.
11 years ago
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joshua
Posts: 5046 - Karma: 1,280
If its a wallet with ID, absolutely try to locate the owner.

If its a wallet with no ID and perhaps some cash (though not a sizable amoount), still try to return it.

If its just a sizable amount of cash (like idk, $100+) its probably a good idea to try and return it if the situation allows for it.

If its a small amount of cash, I would just keep it unless the situation allows for a high probability of finding the person who dropped it.
11 years ago
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edai
Posts: 4995 - Karma: 4,705
Wallet W/ Cash + Cards = Return

Wallet W/ Cash = Mine

Cash = Mine

Phone = Return

Phone + Cash = Return phone + Cash mine (I call this a finders fee)

Being a thief and being a scavenger are two totally different things. Don't be a scumbag, but always look out for numero uno.
11 years ago
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joshua
Posts: 5046 - Karma: 1,280
[QUOTE but always look out for numero uno.[/QUOTE]

I hate that this is actually an encouraged outlook on life these days.
11 years ago
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steezysteeze
Posts: 1739 - Karma: 1,012
WattsSo it's okay to steal from someone as long as they have something worth stealing, and thus must be a bad person who deserves to be robbed?


No I don't think that's at all what he's saying.

Look at it this way: would you rather take somebodies last 100 dollars, or 100 dollars from Bill Gates. I think the choice is pretty clear here. If 100 bucks is all you've got, loosing it could cost you your life; but, if you're a billionaire, 100 bucks makes little difference.
11 years ago
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edai
Posts: 4995 - Karma: 4,705
joshuaI hate that this is actually an encouraged outlook on life these days.


hahaha dont tell me youre some kind of savior who runs around with lost money asking every person in a mile radius whos it is, youre not perfect man dont pretend to be.
11 years ago
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acualywasdolan
Posts: 1172 - Karma: -747
If its on the ground its not stealing
11 years ago
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Anathema
Posts: 21048 - Karma: 5,062
wallet with cash i'd probably nab the cash and put the wallet in a mailbox. i'd feel too guilty returning an empty wallet with hundreds of dollars to someone, but at least i have the decency to return all those id cards that are a hassle to replace.

cash i'd pocket unless i just saw someone drop it. if it's sitting somewhere unnoticed, someone's gonna take it so may as well be me.
11 years ago
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Six.0.Tree-ski
Posts: 4059 - Karma: 67
On a related note, if you lose your wallet/phone/iPod and someone takes the time to hunt you down and return the item, there should be some sort of tip involved. There are plenty of people out there that wouldn't hesitate to keep your shit. I've returned 2 wallets 2 iPhones and an iPod with just a "thanks." I know tipping is something that's kind of overlooked because it's your phone/wallet to begin with, but it's a nice gesture to leave something. I know karma will catch up to those who do nice things but 20$ is nice on top of that.
11 years ago
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49566738265
Posts: 0 - Karma: 7,705
I found a money clip with $400 cash in it once. Really didn't know what to do with it without any way to find who it belonged to, so I personally just vowed to never use a money clip again. Use a wallet or you're 100% fucked if you lose it.
11 years ago
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SFB
Posts: 8895 - Karma: 26,362
one time i found 20$ on the ground. i was near the store so i went and bought 20$ worth of junk food.
11 years ago
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,634
Six.0.Tree-skiOn a related note, if you lose your wallet/phone/iPod and someone takes the time to hunt you down and return the item, there should be some sort of tip involved. There are plenty of people out there that wouldn't hesitate to keep your shit. I've returned 2 wallets 2 iPhones and an iPod with just a "thanks." I know tipping is something that's kind of overlooked because it's your phone/wallet to begin with, but it's a nice gesture to leave something. I know karma will catch up to those who do nice things but 20$ is nice on top of that.


Was at the movies last night, guy left his iPhone 5 on the counter, I ran after him and gave it back, just got a thanks. Personally I expected nothing less, nor did I want anything else. Doing the right thing doesn't mean you deserve a tip. You did what you should have done, nothing else. However, if someone sent me back my wallet I had lost with around $500 in it and none was taken. I would send them back a nice thank you and some cash. But for just trying to get phone/whatever back to its owner, don't expect a tip.
11 years ago
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TheBigApple
Posts: 1169 - Karma: 488
theBearJewWas at the movies last night, guy left his iPhone 5 on the counter, I ran after him and gave it back, just got a thanks. Personally I expected nothing less, nor did I want anything else. Doing the right thing doesn't mean you deserve a tip. You did what you should have done, nothing else. However, if someone sent me back my wallet I had lost with around $500 in it and none was taken. I would send them back a nice thank you and some cash. But for just trying to get phone/whatever back to its owner, don't expect a tip.


If I have to put in an effort to get a phone back to someone it is reasonable to expect some sort of compensation. If I see someone drop a phone and just have to catch up to them then obviously a thanks is sufficient. If I have to make phone calls and drive and meet up with them or plan a meeting then they better at least bring me a coffee.

Time = Money and the older you get the more valuable your time is worth.
11 years ago
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Bogs
Posts: 4296 - Karma: 1,361
steezysteezeNo I don't think that's at all what he's saying.

Look at it this way: would you rather take somebodies last 100 dollars, or 100 dollars from Bill Gates. I think the choice is pretty clear here. If 100 bucks is all you've got, loosing it could cost you your life; but, if you're a billionaire, 100 bucks makes little difference.


It is basically what he's saying. Obviously I were to steal money from someone I would take $100 from Gates over a poor person, but you're ignoring the fact that there's always the option just not to steal it at all. It's not like if you find two wallets on the street you're obligated to take money from one of them. Even if I found Bill Gates' wallet I wouldn't steal money from it, the same way I wouldn't steal from a wallet of a random person nobody has ever heard of. Just because someone has money that doesn't mean they deserved to get robbed more than someone who doesn't have money.
11 years ago
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,634
TheBigAppleIf I have to put in an effort to get a phone back to someone it is reasonable to expect some sort of compensation. If I see someone drop a phone and just have to catch up to them then obviously a thanks is sufficient. If I have to make phone calls and drive and meet up with them or plan a meeting then they better at least bring me a coffee.

Time = Money and the older you get the more valuable your time is worth.


I understand this completely. I went through great lengths to return a phone once because the kids were flying out that day. They gave me nothing and I was frustrated but after that I really stopped expecting anything from people when you do something nice for them. I also expected something from that kid because he kinda lead onto it when I spoke with him. Felt like he lied, bastard.
11 years ago
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Six.0.Tree-ski
Posts: 4059 - Karma: 67
theBearJewWas at the movies last night, guy left his iPhone 5 on the counter, I ran after him and gave it back, just got a thanks. Personally I expected nothing less, nor did I want anything else. Doing the right thing doesn't mean you deserve a tip. You did what you should have done, nothing else. However, if someone sent me back my wallet I had lost with around $500 in it and none was taken. I would send them back a nice thank you and some cash. But for just trying to get phone/whatever back to its owner, don't expect a tip.

I had to make calls and find the owners and it wasn't an easy process making multiple calls to get there. Chasing after a person is one thing but after the person has noticed they've lost it then getting a call someone has found it is different. Every time I've found something has been hours after it was actually lost and there was no compensation, it's just rude in this day and age. There are people that wouldn't think to return it.
11 years ago
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louie.mirags
Posts: 6015 - Karma: 5,027
Six.0.Tree-skiI had to make calls and find the owners and it wasn't an easy process making multiple calls to get there. Chasing after a person is one thing but after the person has noticed they've lost it then getting a call someone has found it is different. Every time I've found something has been hours after it was actually lost and there was no compensation, it's just rude in this day and age. There are people that wouldn't think to return it.


Doing something nice and expecting something in return cancels out the nice part.
11 years ago
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acualywasdolan
Posts: 1172 - Karma: -747
I left my wallet at a gas station once. Some guy found it and took out just a 20 to mail it back to me. I was happy
11 years ago
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TheGreenBastard
Posts: 215 - Karma: 135
i put all that money in a jar labeled "Rainy Day Hooker Fund"
11 years ago
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