12.24.07
Found Money
This is one of those oddly true stories that makes no sense to me, but all the same results in an unique opportunity for you, my loyal readers.
So my wife and I were going through piles of old papers and so forth that had collected over the past few months when my wife said to me, “Honey, is this a paycheck you forgot to deposit?…” At first, I didn’t even think that was possible. I had set up direct deposit with Rustico as early as I could so as to avoid mistakes like that. By my reckoning, I had only ever received one actual paycheck from Rustico, the rest had gone straight to my bank.
With great skepticism I took the paper from my wife, and much to my chagrin, there in my hand was my first paycheck from Rustico. It was for the first half-pay-period I worked for, and amounted to almost exactly $500. I had lost it in the shuffle, and forgotten all about it.
For those of you who are keepeing score at home, I started working at Rustico back in May of 2007, so this is money I had long since not accounted for. Additionally, the “Void after 120 days” on the check was staring me in the face as if to say “Way to go fuck-nut.”
So with hat in hand, I called up the company’s paycheck manager and asked her if I could get a new check cut to replace this old one. She said she couldn’t get to it right away since I happened to call her on pay day for all the other people in the company, and I told her that was fine. Hell, if it took her another month to get me the check, that would be cool - it’s not like I deserved speedy service for a mistake that was so bone-headed.
 Yup, this is me. At least for now… |
But thanks to the kindness of our payroll manager, and perhaps a little influence of the holiday season, a week later I was handed my fresh new copy of my original paycheck from Rustico. Totalling exactly $499.44, this is money that at first I was glad to have back, but on the other hand I realized was money that was no different than a twenty I may have mysteriously discovered in my chef’s pants on laundry day. This is “found money”. I can really do with it whatever I please.
So to reward you, my loyal readers, for sticking with me through all this time (and through this article) I hereby present this poll to you of ideas that have come through my head of what to do with this money. Vote for your favorite, and I will do with this money what you all think is the best option.
Update:These were the results of the first round of voting. I have made a run-off vote for the top four options. Be sure to vote there!
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| Save it! This is money to help fund your future restaurant! |  24% |
27 | |
| Buy $500 worth of lottery tickets. | 5% |
6 | |
| Spend the money on your wife as a reward for sticking by you. | 16% |
18 | |
| Go out to an amazing meal at a fabulous restaurant you normally cannot afford. | 15% |
17 | |
| Get a $500 bottle of wine, and enjoy it with friends and a fabulous meal you prepare. | 4% |
5 | |
| Buy a plane ticket to visit some friends you have not seen in a long time. | 5% |
6 | |
| Give the money to charity. | 4% |
5 | |
| Buy yourself a new set of top-notch knives. | 26% |
29 | |
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| 113 votes total | |||
I’m not kidding here, I have every intention of doing what you all tell me to do with the money. That being said, there are several options here, and I am sure some of you will have other ideas for what I should do that you will tell me about. So I may have to have a run-off vote at a later time to really narrow it down if there is not a clear winner here this first time around.
Let me know what to do, and I’ll be sure to let you all know how it goes!
Stumble it!
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Rabbit said,
December 24, 2007 at 8:47 pm
Matt - absolutely love the blog and this post is really making me smile as I sit here sipping a post-Christmas Eve-dinner (Roasted Pork Loin with Parsnips and Asparagus).
So glad to see that the one I voted for is in the lead: Going out for a fab dinner.
You deserve it, and I toast your Christmas Luck.
A merry and a bright!! (And I’m looking forward to the post-dinner-review post)
Cheers!
Eize said,
December 25, 2007 at 9:29 pm
That’s wonderful! $500 is a LOT when it’s converted to my country’s currency.
I’m kind of torn between an investment in a future restaurant and spending it on your lovely wife. Hmmm…
Oh, and belated Merry Christmas to you guys!
Cakespy said,
December 29, 2007 at 12:43 am
Am I bad for thinking you should take the money, buy the wine and run??
Chef Matt said,
December 31, 2007 at 11:02 am
Rabbit - I am gld you are such a fan, thanks for the support! And I thank you for your vote though as of late, that is not in the lead it would seem. There are some close contenders though, so I may have to have a run-off vote…
Eize - Two other excellent choices to vote for. My wife thanks all of you who have voted for me to spend it on her.
Cakespy - Not at all. It was one of the first thoughts that came to my mind.
Kate said,
January 6, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Haven’t visited in a while, and now I see a spate of new updates.. Well, if it still isn’t too late:
Does at least 15 % of your gross income go toward retirement savings?? Don’t spend! Think of how much interest you could accrue with those five hundred buckaroos! (Wow, and to think I kind of rhymed with “accrue”. Oy)
In case you can’t tell, my daddy got me a “how to spend your money wisely” book for Christmas. Because apparently I need help.
Chef Matt said,
January 7, 2008 at 9:48 am
Kate - A very good point. Yes, I do save money for retirement all the time. I have a leftover 403b (like a 401k, but for non-profits) that I have rolled over from my previous life before I was a chef. And I am always putting some away for myself as I go. And that being said, “save it” is an option here - showing that indeed this is an option I have considered. We shall see how it turns out….
eugene andreyev said,
February 22, 2008 at 5:46 am
where is my money?
Russ - Unclaimed Money said,
March 4, 2008 at 4:29 am
I had the same thing happen to me a few years back. Not the same company, same scenario.
So…did you actually buy some new knives?
You may find more money that’s unclaimed too!
Have you thought about that?