I was reading a question on Yahoo Answers that asked whether you'd ever found money and did you return it.
About 25 years ago I found $200. I could have returned it but kept it. I didn't know the person personally, but I had enough info to return it.
I hadn't thought about this in years, but now that person's question has raised guilty feelings. How can I make amends 25 years later? I have no idea who the person is any more.
2006-06-27 05:42:05 · 14 answers · asked by Uncle Pennybags 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
What cost $200 in 1980 would cost $507.93 in 2005.
http://www.westegg.com/inflation/infl.cgi
That is an inflation rate of 3.8%
200 x (1.03800^25) = 508.11
The return on a balanced investment is around 13%.
"To demonstrate how it works I will use the Lipper Balanced Fund. This index fund has a five year average of 16.53%, 12.19% over the last 10 years and 13.07% over the last 20 years (1980 - 1999)." http://www.profutures.com/article.php/32/
Since the person could have invested it and gotten 13% return, that $200 20 years ago would be worth $4250 today.
200 x (1.13^25) = 4,246.11
Decide whether you want to restore $200, $510, or $4,250, then give that money to a charity that does not benefit you. For example, if you give it to your church, your church uses it to do things that you want them to do, like use the money for it's missions. If you give it to an organization like UNESCO or CARE, you get no benefit.
It might be a good idea to talk to someone, a counselor, a trusted friend.
2006-06-27 05:57:31 · answer #1 · answered by crao_craz 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Although you may never run into that individual again, you have realized that you have made a judgement call, of which you are not proud of. That in itself should be enough to bring it right with you. It is a valuable lesson learned. We have all done things we aren't proud of.
Here is something that would be really cool, if you can do it:
Do you remember the movie with Nicholas Cage, called "It could happen to you?" Well it is about a police officer who tips a waitress with a lottery ticket, and if they won they would split the winnings? Well they won, and in the end, lived happily ever after.
What I am leading up to, is: (Just an idea) Go to a small diner where waitresses don't make alot of money, like minimum wage, and if she gives outstanding service, tip him or her with 100 lotto tickets for your state's next big drawing, and tip the other hundred in cash for him or her. I know this will never get the person his money back, but you would definitely feel good doing it. That would be so cool!
2006-06-27 06:04:24 · answer #2 · answered by Aros 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
finders keepers...since it happened so long ago and you are still feeling guilty, that is the price you pay for keeping it. You cant give it back now unless you can find the person. I think it taught you a lesson though that if it happened again you would return it. If it bothers you so much donate it to a charity but that doesnt give the person his/her money back. I think you have paid for it already.
2006-06-27 05:48:34 · answer #3 · answered by venus91911 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Give $200 to a charity of your choice, and $100 (interest/penalty) to someone as a random act of kindness. The past is the past; move on.
2006-06-27 05:47:28 · answer #4 · answered by Curious1usa 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow, I don't know if you can. If you don't know their name or address, it might be impossible. I would suggest just making peace with yourself and don't do it again if it makes you feel guilty. I have a similar issue I've been dealing with for years, since I was 11 or 12, and I'm 23. I'm still not over it.
2006-06-27 05:44:23 · answer #5 · answered by shawny4me 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Donate that amount of money to a worthy cause. Then forgive yourself, you wouldn't keep found money again without trying to return it, right?
2006-06-27 05:50:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm guessing you were a kid when it happened? Well just be glad that you have enough of a conscience to realize now that you are older that it was wrong. Donate 2 bills to your favorite charity and move on.
2006-06-27 05:46:48 · answer #7 · answered by Rex R 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
nothing but the next time try to find the person and return the money....
2006-06-27 05:45:27 · answer #8 · answered by israelmoya20 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ask God for forgiveness and give $200 to a church.
2006-06-27 05:44:48 · answer #9 · answered by girly_gurl2215 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Give me the 200 and you'll feel better
2006-06-27 05:44:57 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋