The $45,000 Man

George Grand

By now everybody has heard about the couple that bought their first home, moved in, promptly found $45,000 in cash up in the attic, and gave it back to the previous owner's (he was deceased) children.

"I could imagine him in his workshop, every once in awhile rolling up $100, tying it up with twine, and putting it up in the attic. AND I KNEW HE WASN'T DOING IT FOR ME."

Give me a hundred million guys like this and we're onto something.

nooshinjohn

Agreed GG. 1000% agreed.

Glad to see honor trying to make a comeback.

WilliamM2

Josh added: 'The house needs some work. I could use the $45,000 for remodelling, but he didn't save that money for us. He saved it for his family.'

Gotta wonder though, if he saved it for his family, how come he never told them it was there?

Maybe he didn't want them to have it, like this guy:

http://www.wnem.com/news/27822049/detail.html

George Grand

A lot of people think they'll live a lot longer than they do. Some things remain unsaid far too long.

Kept asking my Dad, "Everything squared away? Everything going to be taken care of the way you want?"

"Oh yeah. Not a problem. It's all on the computer."

By the time it was physically critical for him to have a real sit down and tell us what's going on and where, talking to him was like talking to Rootie Kazootie. His will? It turned out to be on the computer alright. Not in it. On TOP OF IT IN PAPER FORM. Took a week to find that puppy. Never did find out who his real lawyer was. Didn't know he (or I!) was a multiple property owner until I started getting utility, sewerage, and local property tax bills for addresses where he didn't live.

My Dad passed away 2 Sep 07. As executor, I finally got EVERYTHING finalized around April of this year. And my Dad WANTED us to have it. He didn't tell us Jack. Okay?

WilliamM2

Relax, it was just a joke, nothing personal.

tonyb

Wow George, things must have been upside down for it to take this long. Sorry about your dad and the mess he left ya. Obviously communication wasn't his strong suit. At least he didn't lie, his will was "on the computer".
Old timers....ya gotta love 'em for who they are.

dkg999

People of honor are so few and far between these days, at least it seems that way in this modern enlightened age.

Tony M

I'm honest but they bought the house.

Done deal.


I'm on the side, he hid it from everybody apparently. His own personal stash for something that he unfortunately didn't live to spend it on. It happens all the time. My Dad had 0 time to leave anything to anybody on paper in a will or to even give away while alive. That sucked!!! At least my Mother had time and did leave a will.She split their estate in a weird way but at least she gave to whomever whatever. That was nice.

Finders keepers fits this because his heirs sold that house. They had a chance to find it themselves.

mrbigbluelight

They did the right thing.

Have to admit, though, that I'd first have a look see at the deceased owner's children before I gave it to them.
If they were being driven around town in his-and-hers chauffered Rolls Royce Phantoms, throwing empty bottles of Grey Poupon out the window (that's what the uber-rich do), then ..... well ..... :redface:

Ain't right, but that's what I'd do. Or if they were Canadian. That would be justifiable, too.

George Grand

WilliamM2 wrote: »

Relax, it was just a joke, nothing personal.

Never meant it to be condescending, just informative. Start over.

steveinaz

Incredible integrity, it's refreshing.

Strong Bad

Every once in a while, you see a sign that there is hope for the human race!

stuwee

As an unwashed heathen, I'd have given half back to the children of the deceased, and kept the other, why? Just because that's how I roll.

People find all kinds of neat, valuable crap in houses all the time. Should they all try to find living heirs in those cases? Why does the fact that it's cash dollars wrapped in old twine make it different?

I'd keep half, the other half to those children is just a nice gesture (they wouldn't have know exactly how much was there anyway), and I'd sleep good, knowing I helped my family as well!

shack

While giving the money back is a commendable act...I would not condemn the man had he kept it.

Joe08867

shack wrote: »

While giving the money back is a commendable act...I would not condemn the man had he kept it.

I feel the same way. It is nice to see someone do a good deed but I am not sure I could have done the same. Maybe it's because I am broke as all get out...:frown:

steveinaz

Karma fellas, it's all about good karma. My friends thought I was a fool at age 17, when I found a $100 bill in the local mall, and turned it in. Could I have used that 100 bucks? oh hell yeah, but it wasn't my money.

Of course my friends rationalized that the clerk I turned it into would simply pocket it---well, that is their decision to make--I made mine.

DMara

They might have been afraid it was blood/drug money which would bring bad consequences to them later Been watching a lot of B-movies :biggrin: Seriously, how many people kept $45,000 in the attic if it wasn't illegal dough?

heiney9

DMara wrote: »

Seriously, how many people kept $45,000 in the attic if it wasn't illegal dough?

Probably some very old people who went through the depression in their prime.

H9

mhardy6647

George makes a really good (if somewhat peripheral point) - y'all be sure to take the time to make your 'final arrangements' long before it's nearly time to have to prosecute them! My experience with my father's meager 'estate' this year was much smoother than George's... but he still did me no favors by having done no estate planning. If you have spouse, children, or any reasonably close relatives who are likely do survive you - be sure you have a will, as well as codicils that give any specific directions you might have (e.g., the disbursement of all of your collected hifi junk).

On topic - there was a whole generation of folks (not just in the US) who, having been subjected to significant privation, squirreled away money and other resources habitually.

TroyD

I know what I'm doing this afternoon....

BDT