I've had 2 opportunities in the past 2 days to "get ahead" by taking what seems to fall in my lap. I chose to do the "right" thing both times. The first was yesterday when I went to get gas - I put my card in and it said "Cannot accept card now." Then I realized that the person before me hadn't finished their sale so their card was still running. I could have gotten gas on that person's card. I didn't - I finished their sale and used my own.

Today at Target (Dh thinks I should have kept this one), I found $81 cash in the middle of the floor. There weren't many people there. I told the cashier and she got the manager and said they would log the money in and wait for someone to claim it. I almost wished I would have asked if I could have it back if no one claimed it.

What would you do in either of these situations?

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Kelly-I'd have done the same things you did. I always think that if the other person was me, I'd want them to do the same for me. Did that make sense?

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Its nice to know that there are good samaritans out there since I've lost plenty of things in my life that have never been returned. I definitely would have done the same for the first situation but I probably would have kept the $81 . I know that if I ever lost that kind of money I wouldn't even think of going back to claim it - I'd just assume it was gone for good - especially since you might not have any idea where you could have lost it. So if the person never turns up to claim it, I wonder who will get it?

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Kelly, I would have done the same as you. I once didnt pay for the soda in the bottom of my cart and I went back to the store to pay for it. I always figures that even if I never get it back I feel better about myself.

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I would have done the same as you at the gas station. Thank goodness there are good people out there. With the money at the store when I first read it I thought oh I would give it back and then I started to think about it and when I worked at a grocery store if money was found the shift manager would pocket it after no one claimed it (which I think was wrong) so witht he money you found I might have kept the money because I know it wasn't going to go back to the right person.

Years ago I was at target and I had a huge bag of dog food in the cart 50lbs and I wasn't going to lift it out. So when she rung everything up the total seemed low so I said to here"Did you get the dog food?" and she said "YES" (she was very rude) so when I was walking out I checked the receipt and it wasn't on there so I turned around and said "You didn't charge me fo rhte dog food" and she basically yelled at me and said "Yes I did" so I left. I guess I should have went to the customer service but I was just so mad at that lady and embarrased that I just wanted out of there.

Kelly-you did the right thing, what goes around comes around! I once found someone credit card sitting up on on the gas pump and of co bnurse turned it in. I've also seen people drop cash out of their wallets without realizing and have always picked it up and given it to them. I do think Target should let you keep the $$ if nobody claims it though.

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You did the right thing. I saw an onion under the car seat on the way out of the store and I had to go put it back before I left.

DH found a wallet during his bike ride to work. He picked it up and called the guy. Then he delivered it to him the next day. I thought the kid should have at least come and got it from us.

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kelly-you did the right thing with both situations. I would have done the same thing with both. I'm surprised Target did not offer to call you if it was not turned in. I could not have taken either, I would not feel right. I believe you will be rewarded for these choices in the future.

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Thanks for your opinions! I kind of wish I would have asked what happens no one claimed the $, b/c as DH and some of you said, the $ probably went into the manager's pocket at the end of the day.

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Kelly - I agree that you did the right thing about both situations, especially about the gas station incident. However, I do think that if I were in your shoes during the Target incident, I probably would have kept the money. Not because I'd want to do the wrong thing necessarily, but that I know anyone that I'd turn it into wouldn't do the right thing and try to find the rightful owner.

Now say it was a different situation, like the one time I went to the grocery store and saw a ton of money fly out of this one mans pocket and kept walking. I picked it up and ran to him and let him know that his money had fallen out. In a situation like that, I definitely would not feel right about watching someones hard earned money fall out and just keep it.

Either way, good karma will be coming back to you for your good deeds.

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I agree with Cristina.. ditto.

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I agree and would do the same at the gas station. With the cash you found on the ground I would have kept it, as long as someone didnt see me pick it up and say "hey that's mine I just dropped it "

I got $150 for xmas on 3 walmart gift cards. I spend $70 off it on boxing day and when dh and I left the store I gave him the gift cards (so I thought) and Alyssa to put in the car, and I loaded the car with our purchases. Well when I got home I couldnt find the bag with the batteries that I bought for dd's new kitchen set, I knew I put the gift cards in that bag. Well I couldnt find it anywhere, I looked and looked and still nothing. I assummed that I dropped and it was gone for good. Well yesterday I asked dh to please go check his car once again and sure enough he found it!!

I dont think I would have went back to see if someone found them. When people find stuff like that it hardly ever gets returned to the rightfull owner.

Nice to know there are thoughful people out there

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Kelly, I agree you did the right thing. Two Christmases ago Alex found a wallet in the bathroom at the mall. It had over $300 in it. It took us a few phone calls to find the guy that it belonged to and he was so grateful we returned it. That was his entire paycheck and it was right before Christmas. He gave Alex a $20.00 reward which I thought was really sweet, but the expression on his face when he opened his wallet and realized all of his money was still in there was priceless. It made me feel good and taught Alex an important lesson...finders are not always keepers. I am really proud of you, I know you have been tight on money but YOU did the right thing even if the manager doesn't you should have peace in your heart.

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Thanks, Kristy!

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