Drugs are bad, m'kay - DUmmies discuss losing money

[Ralph Wiggum]

Seems to be a common theme today at the DUmp, so let's delve further into the idiocy of the DUmmies and their misadventures with money.

dorkzilla (561 posts)

What's the most amount of $$ you ever dropped/lost/misplaced??

Okay, I was just out in the pouring rain--and I mean POURING--trying to get groceries in the back of the car and jostling car keys and bags etc. and when I got home I realized that the $50 cash I got at the grocery store was gone. I am sure I dropped it. I also dropped a package of short ribs, or rather I left it in the shopping cart which someone returned. I went back to the store for the ribs and there, just where I had abandoned the cart, was the receipt which the money was wrapped in. I could kick myself for being so careless.

I feel even worse because I haven't had a job in 3 years...I opening a restaurant in a NYC suburb at the end of this summer, but I don't get bupkis until the restaurant is open so that $50 represents a HUGE percentage of my net worth right now. With all the numerous things I need to get through to open this restaurant, I've become really distracted and find myself doing dumber and dumber things. Last month I left my credit card somewhere. But I've NEVER lost money before. Ever.

What was the largest sum you ever lost? Did you feel like a total asshole like Dorkzilla? Cuz I am!!!!!

Here's a sampling of DUmmy stupidity:

Gravitycollapse (1,383 posts)
1. I was out of the country and found 700 dollars stashed in my backpack. Not sure if that counts.

Checked my bank account and realized there was no recent withdrawal of such an amount.

My theory is that someone put it in my bag by mistake. I don't know how that is even possible. But the only other explanation is that it materialized out of thin air.

Thief.

Gravitycollapse (1,383 posts)
21. I was in Ghana. It was likely drug money of some kind.

Whoever is missing 700 dollars, I am almost certain they're doing something illegal.

 

JanMichael (21,350 posts)
9. got you beat

We were in a pretty precarious financial situation....had to have the starter stuff replaced on the Subie. Wife had BOTH keys (and the super secret decoder number) on one key chain...and lost it.

800 bucks...to start the car.

She was devasted. We had to put it on the credit card.

Damn those evil credit card companies!

TheCowsCameHome (27,707 posts)
10. $1,600

I cashed a homeowners insurance settlement check and was paying roofers in cash to make repairs. The remainder was temporarily tucked in a small tin box and hidden in a safe place in the house while we went on vacation for a few weeks - so safe I still haven't find it after 10 years.

Duh.

Seriously?  Why didn't you call the insurance company and request a new check, DUmbass!

Pathwalker (5,292 posts)
14. a $2,000 money order made out to me.

Thankfully, after 30 days the bank returned the money to me, but ever since, I've been much, much more careful about where I keep my money.

Bryn (3,533 posts)
20. One day my brother got drunk and rode his scooter

into a ditch in this small town. Cops came to help him out, made him leave his scooter behind, took him home. One of cops stole $10,000 from his pocket then denied it! Brother couldn't prove that he had it in his pocket. He used to stuff money under his mattress, did not trust banks. He made money being a barber, was a part owner of a barber shop. I don't remember why he was carrying that much in his pocket, though. (he passed on in 2006 of heart attack of age of 51)

NoOneMan (1,664 posts)
26. About 7K.

I was exhausted stoned and drunk and threw an envelope on the ground next to a couch I was sleeping in. Upon waking, I found out it was mistaken for trash.

I did some trash can digging and eventually got it back. But, I guess is was a rush in the meantime.

Fixed that for you.

I'm certain some of us have lost sums of money by accident, but I just found this thread to be quite illuminating.

 

[Chris_]

Gravitycollapse (1,383 posts)
21. I was in Ghana. It was likely drug money of some kind.

Whoever is missing 700 dollars, I am almost certain they're doing something illegal.

[Ralph Wiggum]

But remember, WE are the racists, Chris. 

[Tucker]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022892205

dorkzilla (564 posts)

What's the most amount of $$ you ever dropped/lost/misplaced??
Okay, I was just out in the pouring rain--and I mean POURING--trying to get groceries in the back of the car and jostling car keys and bags etc. and when I got home I realized that the $50 cash I got at the grocery store was gone. I am sure I dropped it. I also dropped a package of short ribs, or rather I left it in the shopping cart which someone returned. I went back to the store for the ribs and there, just where I had abandoned the cart, was the receipt which the money was wrapped in. I could kick myself for being so careless.

I feel even worse because I haven't had a job in 3 years...I opening a restaurant in a NYC suburb at the end of this summer, but I don't get bupkis until the restaurant is open so that $50 represents a HUGE percentage of my net worth right now. With all the numerous things I need to get through to open this restaurant, I've become really distracted and find myself doing dumber and dumber things. Last month I left my credit card somewhere. But I've NEVER lost money before. Ever.

What was the largest sum you ever lost? Did you feel like a total asshole like Dorkzilla? Cuz I am!!!!!

 

Gravitycollapse (1,384 posts)
1. I was out of the country and found 700 dollars stashed in my backpack. Not sure if that counts.

Checked my bank account and realized there was no recent withdrawal of such an amount.

My theory is that someone put it in my bag by mistake. I don't know how that is even possible. But the only other explanation is that it materialized out of thin air.

dorkzilla (564 posts)
5. Hahaha! My ex-husband stole $75k from me...

I guess that *was* a larger sum than $50

It's answering its own question.

MADem (86,098 posts)
6. I can remember losing or misplacing or (quite likely) getting robbed of seven dollars as a child.

I do think a sneak thief managed to get it out of my pocket.

This was many, many, MANY years ago, and that seven dollars represented a king's ransom.

I still feel a pang when I think about it. I was quite devastated. I know I had important plans for that cash, and they were thwarted. Damned if I can remember what my plans were, though!!!!

I hope you find three twenties in the road--I am sorry for your misfortune.

Seven dallars is still a Kings ransom to most DUmmies. Many DUmmies only get paid 2 bits a trick.

dorkzilla (564 posts)
11. Thanks MADem, but it was my own damned fault...

Funny thing, I am the kind of person who chases after someone when they drop things, I've found wallets in the back of taxis that I tracked the owner down and returned it to (because I knew if I turned it in, there may not be someone so honest), I've returned to stores when I discovered there was something in my bag I hadn't paid for...you get the picture. Those were instinctive reactions, I'm not looking for applause, but I feel let down by karma

Karma doesn't exist.

JanMichael (21,350 posts)
9. got you beat

We were in a pretty precarious financial situation....had to have the starter stuff replaced on the Subie. Wife had BOTH keys (and the super secret decoder number) on one key chain...and lost it.

800 bucks...to start the car.

She was devasted. We had to put it on the credit card.

Take the registration to the dealership and they'll make you one for six bucks.

TheCowsCameHome (27,707 posts)
10. $1,600

I cashed a homeowners insurance settlement check and was paying roofers in cash to make repairs. The remainder was temporarily tucked in a small tin box and hidden in a safe place in the house while we went on vacation for a few weeks - so safe I still haven't find it after 10 years.

Duh.

What a DUmbass. Your husband spent that money on cheap hooch and stinky women years ago. They penicillin that the doctor gave you wasn't for an infected toenail.

Using this one.

Bay Boy (994 posts)
30. Seems like a good place to throw in a real estate story...

Last edited Thu May 23, 2013, 06:05 PM USA/ET - Edit history (1)
...one person told me they bought a home only to have the former owners stop by and ask to look around.
They went down into the basement opened up the ash pit/cleanout thingy and tapped around till they heard a metallic 'thunk'. Then they reached in and pulled out a small metal box. The current owners never found out what was in it.

2nd story. similar. Current owners are visited by previous owners who ask to look around.
They go into master bathroom, reach underneath the pedestal sink and pull out an envelope that appeared to be stuffed with cash.

To set up this one.

dorkzilla (564 posts)
37. I'll share one with you...

My parents bought a house in foreclosure back in the 80's. They had a house down the block, but this one was situated on a cliff overlooking the Pacific in SoCal. The house was in rough shape, but the parcel was really nice so they bought it to tear it down to build their dream home. The sold their other house and moved in.

The reason the house was in foreclosure is because the guy who owned it before was in a Federal jail with a very long sentence--he worked for one of the big defense contractors, and was caught selling weapons secrets to the Soviet Union. The whole case was pretty cloak and dagger, although the details escape me, you knew the guy was bad news. Once or twice, the previous owner's mom showed up asking to come in so she could "look around". My mom never allowed her to, sensing that something was off, and especially knowing the reason the guy wasn't there anymore.

So the day came to start construction, so they rented a house up the street so they could keep tabs on construction. When the house was completely demolished and the new foundation was to be dug, my mom figured she'd be okay just stopping by once a week till the foundation was poured. After week 2, she looked around the job site and noticed that the foreman was not on the job. "Where's James?" she asked one of the laborers. "Oh, he quit! He is starting his own business". My mother didn't think anything of it, till a few days later when she and dad were on site again, and were expressing their happiness that James was able to start his own company...yadda yadda. At some point later that day, they were told that during the digging, James hit something with his backhoe and it turned out to be a very large safe buried under the concrete slab that was the crawlspace for the old structure, but that the safe was "empty". Empty...but James quit the next day to start his own company.

Me thinks that the dork is short on braincells.

richmwill (1,276 posts)
16. Don't beat yourself up. It's very unfortunate but it happens. For me, $20 almost. Twice.

Once, when putting cash back into my wallet at a gas station counter I dropped a $20 bill on the floor and started walking out. A VERY nice customer told me and pointed it out to me. I was working part-time at Blockbuster Video at the time so to lose $20 would have been devastating to my finances, so I fully sympathize with you on how much that money you lost truly meant.

Also, last month when leaving an ATM machine I didn't count the money when I took it out and walked off without getting the bottom $20 bill. Luckily I was at the counter buying something when I counted the cash and realized, went back to the machine and the $20 bill was sitting in the tray.

Did you tip the lady at the gas station?

dorkzilla (564 posts)
24. Beating myself up is what I do best!

I'm am sure I was a Flagellant in a former life.

If you get tired, I'll help.

Bryn (3,533 posts)
20. One day my brother got drunk and rode his scooter

into a ditch in this small town. Cops came to help him out, made him leave his scooter behind, took him home. One of cops stole $10,000 from his pocket then denied it! Brother couldn't prove that he had it in his pocket. He used to stuff money under his mattress, did not trust banks. He made money being a barber, was a part owner of a barber shop. I don't remember why he was carrying that much in his pocket, though. (he passed on in 2006 of heart attack of age of 51)

demwing (10,979 posts)
31. $450

All my rent money, while on my way to the Post Office to buy a money order. It was in an envelope, shoved down my sock "in case i got mugged." When i got to the PO, it was gone, and I still cannot see how I lost something so conspicuous. Sucked large!

 

dorkzilla (564 posts)
33. How do people live with themselves?

Aw CrispyQ That's horrible. Truly horrible.

I had a similar thing, only it was my worthless layabout husband who sat around all day while I worked my 70 and 80 hours a week to support us. When I finally left him, he had ALSO taken out cash advances on my credit cards...to the tune of $75,000. I found out after the fact, and I had NO legal recourse. But I was well and truly rid of the miserable jerk so I felt I got off easy.

How does a person sleep at night knowing they stole from someone who trusted them?

librechik (25,031 posts)
36. spent a couple of hundred thousand dollars on a few college degrees

that have proved to be money down the drain.

I have lost $150, 100. several times amounts like that. My hubby accidentally put a $100 in a trolley ticket machine in New Orleans.

I'm so old, I've lost so much, I don't even care anymore. Just one more shovel of dirt on the mountain Sysyphus climbs every day.

Antiquated vagina studies aren't in much demand in today's business market.

[Evil_Conservative]

What an idiot.

I open restaurants on Las Vegas Blvd with $50 all the time. 

[SSG Snuggle Bunny]

I was getting my truck keys out of my pocket when a dime fell out and rolled under the car next to me.

I didn't feel like stooping down to get it

[BattleHymn]

A normal person:

I was getting my truck keys out of my pocket when a dime fell out and rolled under the car next to me.

I didn't feel like stooping down to get it

If it were a primitive: 

I was getting my truck keys out of my pocket when a dime bag fell out and rolled under the car next to me.

I didn't feel like stooping down to get it

[BattleHymn]

I went back to the store for the ribs and there, just where I had abandoned the cart, was the receipt which the money was wrapped in. I could kick myself for being so careless.

This primitives sounds like one of those lazy bastards that won't push their cart to the cart corral, and instead leaves it to roll into someone else's car, or where it ends up blocking an otherwise empty parking spot.

[GOBUCKS]

JanMichael (21,350 posts)
9. got you beat

We were in a pretty precarious financial situation....had to have the starter stuff replaced on the Subie. Wife had BOTH keys (and the super secret decoder number) on one key chain...and lost it.

800 bucks...to start the car.

She was devasted. We had to put it on the credit card.

Anyone who calls a car a "Subie" deserves to have awful things happen.

"Chevy" may be borderline, but "Subie" is vomitous.

Worse than "goggie".

[Vagabond]

Well, I went to Nogales, Mexico one night with $200 in my pocket.  Left early the next morning with a smile on my face but all but $40 was nowhere to be found.  Damn, 19 year old privates lose some money in stupid ways.

[Celtic Rose]

Well, I went to Nogales, Mexico one night with $200 in my pocket.  Left early the next morning with a smile on my face but all but $40 was nowhere to be found.  Damn, 19 year old privates lose some money in stupid ways.

My cousin swears that the Mexican police stole money from his wallet when he was 19 in Tijuana.

[Evil_Conservative]

This primitives sounds like one of those lazy bastards that won't push their cart to the cart corral, and instead leaves it to roll into someone else's car, or where it ends up blocking an otherwise empty parking spot.

OMG!

I hate those people so much.  I give people really nasty looks when I catch someone in the act...

[Vagabond]

My cousin swears that the Mexican police stole money from his wallet when he was 19 in Tijuana.

It's possible, the Mexican police threw rocks at us one night, as we were beating feet to get away from them.  We didn't start it, so we didn't feel compelled to stay.  I once bribed a Mexican cop to get a soldier out of trouble.

[Tucker]

Well, I went to Nogales, Mexico one night with $200 in my pocket.  Left early the next morning with a smile on my face but all but $40 was nowhere to be found.  Damn, 19 year old privates lose some money in stupid ways.

I spent a little time in Fort Huachuca myself. I took my AIT there.

Bought many of switchblades in Nogales.

[diesel driver]

Anyone who calls a car a "Subie" deserves to have awful things happen.

"Chevy" may be borderline, but "Subie" is vomitous.

Worse than "goggie".

Then you'd just LOVE my ex-wife.

She has "Subie" on her license plates!   

[dixierose]

OMG!

I hate those people so much.  I give people really nasty looks when I catch someone in the act...

That's my biggest pet peeve.

[Karin]

That was painful to read.  DUmbasses, keep your wits about you when dealing with cash.  Geez. 

I'm not buying that "opening a restaurant near NYC" deal.  $50 would mean nothing to you.  This operation would require hundreds of thousands of dollars of ready capital, not the least of which for paying off the health inspectors.  Corrupt democrats, once again. 

[BattleHymn]

Anyone who calls a car a "Subie" deserves to have awful things happen.

"Chevy" may be borderline, but "Subie" is vomitous.

Worse than "goggie".

How do you feel about 'Scubaru', or 'Scoobaru'?

[diesel driver]

How do you feel about 'Scubaru', or 'Scoobaru'?

Only if Teddy was still alive and driving it across a certain bridge.

Alone.

[DumbAss Tanker]

A Cheetos restaurant...imagine that...

 

[vesta111]

A Cheetos restaurant...imagine that...

 

Foxwood, has stolen a  few hundred from me over the years.   Worse was when we received an offer from them for weekday nights starting at $75.00 a night. Darn who can beat that.  Down we went and checked in.  The room was very fancy, the bathroom was the size of the bedroom at home, they don't put tubs in the new Hotels, the extra space is used to install  showers that could fit a family of 4 in them  with all the jet sprays, seats, etc.

Hubby took one look, got on the phone , called the front desk and arranged to spend a second night.  We never went near the casinos that day we went off to see the sights, the aquarium, Mystic Seaport then back to the room for a nap in time to get dressed and find a seat near the front door in time for me to people watch the Hookers and high rollers to come in.   Wow the Lady's sure know how to dress.

We awoke next day had room service for breakfast and marveled at how the rich live.  Off we went to check out the stores selling junk for $1,000 had lunch and lost $100 each to the black jack dealer then decided to turn in.  When we got back to the room there had been no clean up.    Bed unmade and ash tray full, No clean towels----It was now about 11 pm, we called the front desk and by midnight there was a knock on the door and 2 woman who spoke little English tried to explain that the desk clerk had not told them we were spending another night.   They did bring in new towels and refilled the complementary shampoo stuff in the bathroom.

Next morning when we went to check out we were informed that the second night was at full price,      $250.00 a night.    Yikes,  Off season rates no less.

This was about 5 years ago we have never gone back, and now as Foxwood is claiming it is going broke.

The State of New Hampshire has just shot down having a casino built here and I wonder how much the Lobbyist had to contribute to campaign funds for various lawmakers to keep away com pition for them.

[Big Don]

About 8 months after I left my ex-wife, I put on a trench coat I hadn't worn in a year, stuck my hands in my pockets to get it to hang better... Shazam! $700 in the right pocket! Apparently I found her stash...

[AprilRazz]

dorkzilla (564 posts)
33. How do people live with themselves?

Aw CrispyQ That's horrible. Truly horrible.

I had a similar thing, only it was my worthless layabout husband who sat around all day while I worked my 70 and 80 hours a week to support us. When I finally left him, he had ALSO taken out cash advances on my credit cards...to the tune of $75,000. I found out after the fact, and I had NO legal recourse. But I was well and truly rid of the miserable jerk so I felt I got off easy.

How does a person sleep at night knowing they stole from someone who trusted them?

But it is OK when the government does it.

[Chris_]

But it is OK when the government does it.

That's different.  Nobody trusts the government.

[I_B_Perky]

and the dummies wonder why they are poor.