What would you do if you found $40,000?

The most money I've ever found at one time was $50 when walking by a dumpster in my neighborhood. I have never come across a larger amount of money at one time. And I've kept it. If I found $40K, I think I might be concerned if it were stolen and if the thieve(s) who stole it were looking for it. So with that thought I'd turn it into the cops for safety reasons.

How about you, if you found $40,000 in a sofa you bought from the store, what would you do with all of that money, if you had no idea who it belonged to?

 

I would call the police stations and some sort asking them if they were looking for the amount of money that I found to make sure that I am safe to keep them and if nobody reported them lost then I'd get myself a brand new truck as I am in need for one cause my truck is hanging on a string (the motor).

 

I don't think about the situations that can barely happen. I would think what to do with the money if it actually happened.

 

This is not going to happen. So stop daydreaming and come back to reality, SIR!

 

@Roydlanco: Tell that to these roommates - http://abcnews.go.com/Weird/wireStory/roommates-buy-20-couch-find-40k-cash-23729510 happening this month, or to the guy who found 98K in a desk last year - http://abcnews.go.com/US/rabbi-returns-98k-found-desk-bought-craigslist/story?id=20862464 -- these kinds of stories happen more frequently than people might actually think.

 

Haha, if five fingers would have been equal, all of us would have got that couch. Isn't it?

 

First, I would look around for hidden cameras because my first thought would be that is that it is some type of TV show prank. Then, I would turn it over to the local police station. Here's why:

1. It could be stolen and I would be in possession of stolen goods for which I could be arrested. Ignorance of the law is no excuse, of course.

2. It just might be the money raised to help a child with cancer get the only operation that could save her life or restore his eyesight or some other truly sad story that I could not have on my conscience.

3. It is likely dropped by someone inadvertently and it surely means a lot to that person. One minute of carelessness should not equate to a $40,000 loss, just like one minute of serendipity (finding the lost money) should not result in a $40,000 gain.

4. If no one reports it missing to the police and successfully claims it within 30 days, the money would legally be mine and I would be pretty comfortable that it was somehow ill-gotten gains that no one really wanted or had claim to. I might give it a few more weeks sitting in a bank account in case the true owner showed up a little late.

5. The money would then either be sent to my daughter's current university or whatever school my son wanted to go into in a few years, depending upon when this unlikely event occurs. They seem to get all of my spare funds these days.

Note that this is all theoretical as I have never really found anything of value higher than $1 as far as I can recall.

I realize that this train of thought has nothing to do with reality, but it is a GREAT topic for a Friday afternoon that is rapidly approaching the weekend. Thanks, OP!

 

I'd invest it and hope I made a big enough profit fast enough to repay the money if the person who lost it ever found out it was me.

 

I am trying to decide if you are an optimist or a pessimist.

 

I am optimistic enough to consider the possibility I'd ever come across $40k; pessimistic enough to know I'd eventually get found out; and realistic enough to know that all the optimism in the world will never really land $40k in my hand

 

Come on, Joshie, I seriously doubt you'd be calling the police if you found $40,000 in cash. I bet you'd be in a new car within the hour!

 

That would be very tempting but I would rather to be safer than sorry because I don't want myself in jail and my brand new truck to be impounded and auctioned off or returned to the dealership for the money that I found.

 

Will pack my luggage and run to some cheap chicks-full country like philipines-cammodia-thailand-fiji. You can start your own small colony there

 

Buy website with earnings $40k/year.....

 

When I read the title I thought you were talking about a recent news story in Australia. Someone purchased a second hand couch and found $40k in envelopes tucked inside it. Turns out an old lady forgot she left the money there since she didn't trust the banks.

 

I like some of ya'll sense of humor. I'm enjoying reading the posts and will 'Like' any post that I agree with or makes me laugh, or both. ;-) Maybe DP should add a 'Funny' button next to the 'Like' link.

@dcristo: hehe. The thread was actually inspired by this recent article two days ago: http://abcnews.go.com/Weird/wireStory/roommates-buy-20-couch-find-40k-cash-23729510 -- I hadn't heard about the Australia one, though. Fun news!

 

its pretty huge amount
I will setup a new business venture

 

I was thinking about the same story. There was coverage of it on Australian news. I thought the stories sounded similar haha.

 

Keep them is very tenting let's face it but is a totally different case when you found them.

 

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/16/new-york-roommates-find-cash-in-sofa-return-owner

New York roommates find $40,000 in sofa and return cash to owner. What are the odds for that?