The wife and I cashed her check and she handed me my share (we both take a monthly allowance; rest goes into savings).  We were in the car going to dinner and I was driving.  It wasn’t convenient to take out my wallet or try stuffing it in my pocket, so I stuffed it under my left leg.  We get to the restaurant and I get out of the car, not thinking about the money.  

Halfway through dinner my brother-in-law starts talking about seeing some guy in the parking lot chasing around money.  Suddenly I wasn’t hungry any more.

I am an idiot.

Why didn’t I let my wife hold the money?  
Why didn’t I stuff the money in the glove box?
Why didn’t I stuff the money in the ashtray?
Why didn’t I look around my car or seat after I got out?

Oh yea, because I’m an idiot.

My brother-in-law was walking by the guy grabbing the money and the guy made a comment that he dropped his wallet.  Like Sukebe said, a painful memory exercise in deed.

I'm still trying to figure out the monetary logic in this.

Sorry to hear that man. But it coulda been worse. My ex-GF's brother had a SWEET Colt AR Delta H-Bar. One day he loads up the rifle in the back of his pick-up truck, ready to go to the range. Then goes back into the house for his ammo. Comes out, gets in the cab, and takes off (tailgate still down). It's about a twenty minute drive to the range, through a couple pretty nasty 'hoods. Long story short, he never found the rifle (surprise) and the cops ended up writing him up for negligent handling of a firearm. Talk about adding insult to injury!!!

Yea, Joel.  I was pretty bummed last night.  But here are the positive things I’ve already gained/learned from this experience.  These are in no particular order.

1. My sister-in-law and brother in law, said the guy picking up the money looked like he really could use it.

2. I realize now I would have spent most of that money on stuff I don’t really need.  When I get “paid” each month I go looking for stuff to spend it on.  This habit needs to change.

3. Because of point number 2, I’m going through my house finding all kinds of things I don’t really need and don’t use.  This includes old CDs, records (I bet some of you on here have never [b]seen[/b] a record), guns (yep, believe it or not I have guns I never shoot and they’re just taking up space), stereo equipment, tools and lots of clothes.  The clothes will be donated to charity.  The other stuff will start turning up here in EE.  Hell, I’m even thinking about selling my Honda 4-wheeler.  My fat ass needs to walk to the tree stand.

4. Losing $500 isn’t really hurting me financially.  First thing my wife said (well, after calling me a dumbass – and rightfully so) was just take it out of our money market.  I won’t do that.  If I do, I won’t feel the pain of my stupidity as much.  I’ll have to go through June on a very lean budget.  Maybe this will make me appreciate my money a little more.  

5. If my brother/sister-in-law lost $500 it would just about destroy them.  We were actually meeting them for dinner to give them $800 they need for some bills.  My sister-in-law felt terrible about taking the money after I lost mine.  Maybe I should realize next time I’m buying something I don’t really need that people I love need that money more than I do.  

So, there are some positives from this.  I just need to learn from it and move on.