The Pretty Penny: My Favorite 2009 Story--Brides, Bulls & Buck$

Hands down, Misty was the coolest bride ever.

Not only did she plan the perfect wedding, she also lasted 8 seconds on the bull AND...

found a dollar for The Penny Project!

I have the best friends in the world. Really! In July, not only did I get to be a bridesmaid in my friend Misty's wedding...but she ended up finding all sorts of money for The Penny Project! A dime at the rehearsal dinner. A dollar in the bar we hit post-reception (see the bull-riding pics of Misty in her wedding dress...best bull ride ever!). AND...she texted me from her cruise ship letting me know she'd already found 26 cents so far on the honeymoon.

But what does it all mean?

Clearly, these were all pennies from heaven! Not only did the universe smile on me giving me one of the most fun bridal party experiences on record...but it smiled on Misty & David with signs every day that they belong together. If $1.36 doesn't tell you that...I don't know what does!

I wish you both a life of happiness. And pennies of course! :-)

Penny Protocal

1. Pennies & other change must be discovered outside your home &/or other areas where YOUR money hangs around. It's about found money, people...not money you just forgot you had!

2. Taking pennies from other people's homes (or vehicles) constitutes stealing...don't do it!

3. Tip jars are strictly off limits.

4. Foreign curency cannot be accepted. If you find a Canadian quarter and can somehow convince your Canadian friend to buy the quarter from you at the correct exhange rate in American dollars...then bring it on!

2009--Penny Totals

Technology...a blessing & a curse! We had a bit of a penny disaster when the spreadsheet file we use to track the pennies was corrupted by some kind of cyber-space virus. ACK!!!

The good news is that we keep pretty good records and only lost about a month's worth of data. We still know our total, but not exactly what came from where (or whom...sorry to some of my now penniless collectors on the spreadsheet!).

But we still collected tons of pennies! In 2009 we collected $393.09!! That brings our total for the project so far up to $784.00. AMAZING!!

AND...we even started being a little philanthropical! We dontated $500 to the 1st Annual Young Women's National Conference (geared toward 14-17 year old girls & meant to help with self-confidence & self-esteem), which helped pay for signs, lunch & the financial literacy panel! For more information, check out http://www.ywnc.net/ or follow them on facebook to get involved with next year's event!

All in all...it was another great year for pennies!

2008--The Final Result

As of 12/31/08, "found money" for the year equaled $148.48! In addition to what we've picked up, there's also $6.09in found but uncollected change across the U.S. (way to get those pennies turned in!), $60.31in donations (my girls kicked off the donations this year with a champagne toast at Mate) PLUS $6.95in interest from an account we opened with our money! And now we've added a new category...FUNDRAISING! We're starting small but with the generosity of many people (thanks ASAE Global Summit attendees!) have collected $89.61! That's $305.35 (found (collected)+donations+interest+ fundraising) for Penny Project '08!! We've more than tripled our total from last year ($85.56)!

Penny Saved, Penny Earned--2007 Results

As of 12/31/07, our total amount of "found money" for 2007 was $76.80! Not bad for a bunch of grubby change off the streets of DC (among other places!). In addition to what we've scrounged up, we also have $5.38 in found but uncollected change in various places across the U.S., $8.30 in donations (thanks for getting us started Liz by emptying out your change jar!!), PLUS $0.46 in interest from an account we opened with our money! That means we'll start with a nest egg of $85.56 (found (collected) + donations + interest) to kick off Penny Project '08!!

The Pretty Penny

My Favorite 2009 Story--Brides, Bulls & Buck$

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Penny Protocal

The Penny Wall

The Spreadsheet...Who just throws money in a jar?!