How to Find Some Mad Money for Fun

Most people tighten the belt during an economic crisis, but everyone looks for a little mad money to have some fun. Think your piggy bank is empty? Not quite. There's bound to be some mad money laying around your house that will fit into your financial planning.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Fall back on looking for change in the cushions of sofas and chairs. You probably did it as a teenager, but it still works. How about the car?
   Search through coat pockets. Keep a designated money jar on the kitchen counter, and throw all the spare change in it. It adds up to some serious mad money over time.

2. Do the laundry. Chances are someone will leave change or even folding money in their pockets. The rule is if you're doing the laundry you get the mad money found in the bottom of the washing machine.

3. Return something. You've probably got at least one item you bought that is still sitting around with the tags on it. So take it back. Even if you don't have the receipt, many stores will at least give you a store credit.

4. Take your lunch. Your hear this suggestion all the time, but that's because it's a good one. Even if you don't want to do it five days a week, brown bagging for one lunch will give you some extra cash. And skip the designer coffee stop on the way into work. Buy a heated cup that plugs into your cigarette lighter in your car, and make your coffee at home.

5. Check for unclaimed money. There are millions of dollars out there people have forgotten about in old savings accounts and escrow accounts. Go to your state's website to get started.

Tips & Warnings

• Have some fun with your mad money, but don't get crazy. Little treats can mean just as much as big ones. Hard times call for hard decisions.

[maryellen1001]

on 1/8/2009 Great tips!

[JanieWrites]

on 1/8/2009 Good ideas -- some tried and true, others I had not thought of. thanks