A Mother Asks People Online If Her Son Should Return or Keep What He Found in a Thrifted Item

What is the right thing to do if you find cash in an item you bought from a thrift store?

Thrift stores can turn an ordinary shopping trip into a small mystery, especially when a cheap used book hides something far more valuable than its price tag. In this case, a Goodwill purchase led to an unexpected discovery that quickly moved from a private surprise to a public debate.

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A woman posting as @bebe1969 said her 30-year-old son bought a copy of A Clockwork Orange and found $500 tucked inside the pages. She brought the story online and asked what people thought should happen next, which set off a familiar split between keeping the money, returning it, or donating it.

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The reactions came fast, and the thrift-store twist made the whole thing even messier.

It’s not every day you come across free money lying on the floor or hidden in an old book.

It’s not every day you come across free money lying on the floor or hidden in an old book.Vsevolod Knyazev
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Here is a story of a book from Goodwill that costs 50 cents but was actually worth 500 dollars.

Here is a story of a book from Goodwill that costs 50 cents but was actually worth 500 dollars.bebe1969
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The OP also mentioned that her son was extremely happy and wanted to keep the cash, but @bebe1969 took it to the online community for a conversation. 

That is where the debate really started.

The question is...

The question is...bebe1969

Additionally, some users argue that returning the cash to Goodwill is a poorly conceived notion, as the organization resells the products and profits from them. This is why they believe that the OP's son should consider giving the cash to struggling individuals. 

People were quick to weigh in on both sides.

The inquiry sparked a heated discussion regarding the cash.

The inquiry sparked a heated discussion regarding the cash.Jessicam6946

Some went on to say that keeping the cash is akin to taking advantage of the mistakes of others.

Some went on to say that keeping the cash is akin to taking advantage of the mistakes of others.johnstruthers

Finders keepers...

Finders keepers...frankingeneral

Charitable operation

Charitable operationFrank_TIHZHO

Keep it

Online commenters debate whether a son should keep cash found in thrifted bookSacCardCollects

It’s a similar moral tug-of-war to the debate about refusing to lend money to an irresponsible brother after he squanders an inheritance.

They pocket every penny...

They pocket every penny...jbirch_12

On the other hand, many individuals said that since the OP's son bought the book, it completely permits him to keep the cash he found inside without any guilt.

On the other hand, many individuals said that since the OP's son bought the book, it completely permits him to keep the cash he found inside without any guilt.myweiredworld

Guessing...

Guessing...ChuckBikle

Keeping it...

Keeping it...MRPETERPARKER

Another piece of advice

Another piece of adviceandymilonakis

A clear conscience

A clear consciencecaroljsroth

Donation

Advice about having a clear conscience, commenters suggest enjoying found money responsiblyLiberateAllOfUs

Enjoy it...

Enjoy it...LeeJohnson65

Ask away...

Ask away...DemiBro07416294

Tracking time...

Tracking time...JasonSamfield

Another perspective...

Another perspective...blaylocker

Wow...

Former Goodwill employee perspective shared in comments about tracking time and donationsTheBloggess

From a former Goodwill employee...

From a former Goodwill employee...marcguer

Someone is inspired...

Someone is inspired...cooldog95228

Grandfather's copy

Grandfather's copyAilsaLillywhiteNow

Amazing story

Amazing storyIslandgirlpixie

The original post received more than 60K likes and over 2800 retweets. There are so many cases where people found their luck at a thrift store.

There are also numerous opinions and various ideas, which is why we are eager to know what you would do if you found yourself in this situation! Leave us a comment down below. 

Either way, this thrift-store surprise kept people talking.

Next, see if you’d “ask for your gift back” when a cousin spends cash on designer clothes: Should I Ask for My Gift Back After Cousin Spends It on Designer Clothes?

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