Money Growing on Trees? People Reveal What They’d Do If They Found Cash Outdoors

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Have you ever been out for a walk and stumbled upon something completely unexpected, like money? 

From finding a few bucks to stumbling upon a stack of cash, it can be pretty exciting.

But here’s the big question: What would you do if you found money outdoors? 

Would your moral compass guide you in the right direction, or would you be tempted to keep it? 

Let’s be honest: the idea of finding money is hard to resist. 

Let’s explore what others would do and discuss the implications of unexpectedly coming across a small fortune while enjoying the great outdoors!

1. Leave It, And Return Later

If you found money outdoors, some people would leave it and plan to return later. 

This could be a good idea if the find is too large for you to carry with you or if you’re unsure of the exact amount that was found. 

It’s also important to remember that whatever you do decide, make sure it’s legal!

2. Google the Serial Number

If you found money outdoors, it could be counterfeit.

In this case, one option is to look up the serial number online and see if any reports have been made about it.

This can help ensure that the money is real and not something illegal or stolen.

3. Be A Good Citizen

Would you call the police and report it? “I don’t need whomever that bag of money belongs to coming after me,” admits a law-abiding citizen.

I beg to differ here; giving it to the authorities would be as good (or bad) as stealing it — in the eyes of those you robbed.

4. Run

“Leave it and run!” advises the next poster. Some agreement comes with a reply: “I don’t need to be on a cartel’s list,” says another level-headed soul. “Thank you very much.”

I can’t think of any feasible excuse for a duffel bag stuffed with cash to exist other than through crime.

5. Pay Your Student Loans

When discussion breaks out about the amount in the bag, one poster suggests “Eight grand.” This figure tickles one graduate’s mind. “That’s not an incredible amount of money,” says the student.

“Probably pay (off) student loans.” Clearly, they are not a Harvard attendee.

6. The Old Switcheroo

A Coen Brothers movie fan has seen this plot before. “I would put it in a different bag,” they suggest. “I don’t want Anton Chigurh (No Country for Old Men) knowing my location.”

Wise words for anyone who has seen Javier Bardem’s fearsome character — and haircut — chasing down a missing money bag.

7. Saintly Advice

“Realistically, I would peek but don’t [sic] take it,” admits a more sensible commenter. “You never know if it’s a trap or not; besides, it ain’t really my business.”

I see the logic, especially if anyone saw you enter the woods. Can you imagine sitting on a pile of obviously-stolen cash? Gulp.

8. Be A Low-Key High-Roller

In a scenario that would make a great movie plot, one contributor explains how they would first hide it before visiting casinos each month or two. “Buy some drinks, lose a few hundred, then cash out with clean money,” the high-stakes player suggests. “Never go to the same casino twice.”

I am unsure about this idea; I’ve seen Casino and value my fingers.

9. Be a Goodfella

But if nobody did see you enter those woods? “Keep it, keep my mouth shut, and spend it slowly,” whispers a sneaky soul. And why not?

Knowing some dangerous people who live nearby just paid for your latest hairdo would certainly be a thrill. De Niro would be proud.

10. Channel Your Inner Squirrel

“I would bury it somewhere else and come back for it in a year or two,” says our first strategic commenter, “after any heat has died down.”

Now here is someone who has thought this through already. “This guy does crimes,” adds a follow-up joker.

11. Help Myself, Then Others

Some people said they would take the money and first, take care of their needs.

Once they had their needs met, they would use the leftover money to start helping out others.

12. Call The Police

There are some honest souls out there that said they would call the police and hand over the cash.

Of course, they hoped that no one would claim the money and thus they would get all or at least some of it back from the police.

13. Wet Your Beak

How about a little finder’s fee? One person suggests they would “take just what I need, leave the empty bag.” There is no such thing as finders-keepers in the criminal underworld.

Would the cartels bother chasing you down for a small commission? I am going to go with yes.

14. Waterproof The Loot

Anyone wishing to use the re-burying tactic should listen to this contributor. “You’d need to seal it up in some way to keep out water,” says someone with a revealing amount of money-burial knowledge.

“Paper money does not last long otherwise.”

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While some of these coins and bills are rare, in other cases, you very well could have a small fortune and not even know it.

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Do you know why some coins have ridges on the sides? Discover over 60 fun money facts that you didn’t know.

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You can earn free gift cards for completing simple tasks in many ways. This includes getting paid for simple online tasks like playing games, completing surveys, and shopping.

Here is a complete guide on how to get free gift cards so you can spend less money on the things you buy.

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Here are the best ways you can get free money without having to work for it.

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This thread inspired this post.