Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Today I found 14 cents . . . all pennies.

In a continuation of yesterday’s reader appreciation it seems only fitting to wish Happy Birthday to Ernie Banks, Nolan Ryan, Lindsay in Boston, and Justin Timberlake. Currently, only one of the birthday people is a confirmed reader, but I’m sure Nolan would be on board if only someone told him about Race of the Century. He just seems cool like that.

On my way home this afternoon I stopped at the car wash next to my apartment and found 14 cents (all pennies). In change finding terms, it was a slow day, but it capped off an excellent month.

Totals for the day: 14 cents
Race Totals: $252.93

____________________________________________

January Monthly Report:

This month I found 440 pennies, 28 nickels, 62 dimes, and 58 quarters (a personal record. Change finds were recorded in two states (Texas & Maryland) as well as Washington, DC

Monthly Total: $26.50
Change Cycle Days: 7
Dollar Days: 10
Monthly High: $3.06 (January 29th)
Monthly Low: 14 cents (January 4th & 31st)
Daily Average: 85.5ish cents
National Championships won by Texas: 1 (January 4th)
Post Office Mentions: 8

Monday, January 30, 2006

Today I found 27 cents . . . 1 nickel, 1 dime, and 12 pennies.

First and foremost Race of the Century would like to welcome a new affiliate, Lindsay in Boston. An avid reader since yesterday she now bumps up confirmed readership to at least two (the first being me, since I always proofread).

I wasn’t feeling too adventurous today, so I just stuck with the basics. On the way home I checked the Kwick Kar Wash and found 17 cents (one nickel & 12 pennies). Closer to home I found a dime in the lobby of the post office, where I stood in line for 35 minutes to mail a letter to Japan.

Aside from the dime, the lone bright spot of the post office trip is that my letter cost only 83 cents to mail, and is scheduled to arrive in 4-7 days. How the post office can send a letter to Tokyo, Japan in 4-7 days, and it took them nine days to ship a package I recently mailed to California I will never know.

Totals for the day: 27 cents
Race Totals: $252.79

Sunday, January 29, 2006

Today I found $3.06 . . . 4 nickels, 13 dimes, 4 quarters, and 56 pennies (the overkill change cycle).

Shortly after midnight my friend Robert called and asked me to pick him up at a local bar. Some other friends had driven him there, and he wanted to go home. After I picked up Robert I made sure to stop by at the car wash next to my apartment complex and I found five cents (all pennies). My good deed was rewarded.

This afternoon I went to Kroger, a local grocery store, to pick up some supplies for some food I was planning on cooking later in the day. I found 10 cents (one dime) by a self-checkout line. Later in the day I had to go back to Kroger to pick up some additional supplies. I was a bit miffed for forgetting them on my first trip, but that soon changed. As I walked out of the store I hit the jackpot, finding $2.91 (four nickels, 12 dimes, four quarters, and 51 pennies) in the reject slot of a coin sorting machine.

Totals for the day: $3.06
Race Totals: $252.52 (a perfect palindrome)

Saturday, January 28, 2006

Today I found 33 cents . . . 1 nickel, 1 quarter, and 3 pennies.

This afternoon I ran up to Kroger, a local grocery store, to pick up some provisions for some oyster stew that I am planning on cooking tomorrow. While leaving the store I found two pennies by the self-checkout line.

My friend Robert, who has started finding quite a bit of change himself, reported that later in the day he went to the same Kroger to use the ATM he found 22 cents (two dimes & two pennies) by a self-checkout line. Of course Robert’s finds will not count toward my daily totals, but they are reported for informational purposes.

Near the Kroger is a car wash. It was raining most of the day, but I decided to check it out. I was not disappointed. I found a total of 31 cents (one nickel, one quarter, one penny). All the change was scattered about on the ground.

Totals for the day: 33 cents
Race Totals: $249.46

Friday, January 27, 2006

Today I found 96 cents . . . 2 nickels, 2 dimes, 2 quarters, and 16 pennies (the multi state change cycle). I also found a token that has “No Cash Value,” that sadly will not count toward the daily totals. Change was found in two states, Maryland & Texas.

At BWI airport early this morning I found two pennies on the ground as I waited for my luggage to clear the x-ray machine. In perhaps the most excitement I have ever had on an airplane an old guy passed out and had to be given CPR and oxygen. Thankfully, he was ok and I’m proud to report that I did my part to help him out. There was a firefighter sitting next to me and when the flight attendants called for someone to do CPR I woke him up and he went and did it. Sure, some would call me a hero. Some.

Back in Houston I went to Greenspoint Mall for a late lunch and found a penny in the parking lot. This is also where I found the no cash value token, which has since been deposited into my “Not Change Cup.”

On the way home I stopped by a Sonic and found 18 cents (one nickel, one dime, and three pennies). I also checked the Kwick Kar Wash where I found another five cents (all pennies). My final stop on the way home was at the car wash next to my apartment complex where I found 71 cents (one nickel, one dime, two quarters, and six pennies). The vast majority of that change was sitting in a pile atop a vacuum cleaner. The rest was scattered about on the ground.

Totals for the day: 96 cents
Race Totals: $249.13

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Today I found 52 cents . . . 2 quarters & 2 pennies. Change was found in Washington, DC and Maryland.

I took the metro into DC this afternoon and as soon as I exited the metro station I spotted 50 cents (two quarters) in the change return slot of a newspaper box. Leaving DC this evening I took the metro back to my car and at in the parking lot I found one penny on the ground by a parking meter. At Giant, a local grocery store, I found another penny on the ground by a closed checkout line.

It's going down to 14 degrees tonight. I can't wait to get back to the warm temps of Texas tomorrow.

Daily Totals: 52 cents
Race Totals: $248.17

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Today I found 91 cents . . . 1 nickel, 5 dimes, 1 quarter, and 11 pennies (the extraordinary change cycle). I also found a Canadian penny and dime and a 10 cent Franc. Sadly, the foreign coinage does not count toward the daily totals. Change was found in Washington, DC and Maryland.

I was in DC this afternoon for business and while walking I spotted and retrieved a nickel from the base of a parking meter. It was a blustery day, so I tried to spend as much time as possible indoors.

Leaving DC I stopped at Safeway, a local grocery store, to pick up a drink. On the way out I found a dime by the front exit door. Further down the road I saw Giant, another local grocery store, and decided to check it out. I'm glad I did. At Giant I found 75 cents (four dimes, one quarter, and 10 pennies) in the coin return slot of a change counting machine. Three of the pennies were Wheat Back in variety, including TWO 1943 Steel Pennies.

Giant is also where I found all the foreign coinage, which will be deposited into my "Not Change Cup," keeper of things of the non-US change variety. The 10 cent Franc was minted in 1941 and appears to be silver. I'll research and report back.

Leaving Giant I saw a penny in the road. As I was not going to be able to turn for quite some time (it was rush hour in a major city) I took the time to open the door and retrieve the lone penny.

Daily Totals: 91 cents
Race Totals: $247.65

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Today I found 39 cents. . . 1 quarter & 14 pennies. Change finds were recorded in two states, Texas & Maryland.

I had to catch a flight to Baltimore this afternoon and on the way to the airport I stopped at the Kwick Kar Wash and found one penny. Pulling out I was also able to retrieve another penny from the road, thanks in part to good vision and a red light. At the airport in Houston I found another penny in the food court, and once in Baltimore I found yet another penny by a Continental Airlines curbside luggage check station.

In the evening I went to Safeway, a local grocery store, and found 35 cents (one quarter & 10 pennies). The first penny was on the ground by the front door, the second penny was by a checkout lane, and the remaining eight pennies were in the coin return slot of a change counting machine. One of the change counting machine pennies was a 1934 Wheat Back model. The quarter was in the change return slot of a soda machine, located outside the store.

Daily Totals: 39 cents
Race Totals: $246.74

Monday, January 23, 2006

Today I found 17 cents . . . 1 nickel and 12 pennies.

On my way back from the post office this afternoon I stopped at a local car wash and found nine cents (all pennies). Doing some laundry this evening I found six cents (one nickel & one penny) in the apartment complex laundry room. The penny was on the ground and the nickel was in a washer, which was otherwise empty. Later, when I went to transfer my laundry from the washer to the dryer I found another two pennies (which had most certainly not been there earlier) on the floor.

Totals for the day: 17 cents
Race Totals: $246.35

Sunday, January 22, 2006

Today I found $1.58 (the same amount that I found Friday) . . . 1 nickel, 3 dimes, 4 quarters, and 23 pennies (the repeat change cycle).

I don’t know the probabilities, but I think it’s strange that I found the exact amount of change on Sunday that I did on Friday, albeit in different increments. Of course I’m not complaining.

This morning I took a trip to Starbucks and found a whopping 83 cents (three quarters & eight pennies) in the drive-thru. I also found 12 cents (one dime & two pennies) in the drive-thru at Burger King. On the way home I checked in at Ale Gator’s Car Wash and found 13 cents (one dime & three pennies).

In the afternoon Bailey and I went to a sports collector show downtown. On the way home it was pouring rain, but my dedication was tenacious and I stopped at the Kwick Kar Wash to see what could be found. My consecration was rewarded with 50 cents (one nickel, one dime, one quarter, and 10 pennies).

Totals for the day: $1.58
Race Totals: $246.18

Saturday, January 21, 2006

Today I found 12 cents . . . all pennies. I also found some type of funky cog, which sadly will not count toward the daily totals.

It was one of those days where I didn’t have much to do, but was busy all day. In the afternoon I was at Kroger, a local grocery store and I found three cents in the parking lot. It was a fairly rainy day, so I didn’t think hitting car washes would do much good. However, I did check one by the post office and I found six cents. At the post office I found two pennies by a stamp machine and on the way home I spotted and retrieved a penny from the road.

The funky cog was found at the car wash by the post office. I’m attaching a picture to confirm the funky nature of said cog.


Although it will have no bearing on the daily totals it will be deposited into my “Not Change Cup,” keeper of such things.

Totals for the day: 12 cents
Race Totals: $244.60

Friday, January 20, 2006

Today I found $1.58 . . . 1 nickel, 1 dime, 5 quarters, & 18 pennies (the Friday Change Cycle).

On my way into work this morning I stopped at the Kwick Kar Wash and found 85 cents (one nickel, three quarters, & five pennies). The quarters were in a car wash area and the rest of the change was scattered about. On my way home from work I stopped at the car wash next to my apartment complex and found an additional 16 cents (one dime & six pennies).

In the evening I went to Sonic for dinner and while waiting for my food I found 27 cents (one quarter & two pennies) near the patio. The quarter was actually on the sidewalk, while the two pennies were under a table. Finally, I found 27 cents (one quarter & two pennies) at the car wash next to the post office and I found three cents near a stamp machine at the post office (the automated machine was broken, so I was not able to mail my package).

Totals for the day: $1.58
Race Totals: $244.48

Thursday, January 19, 2006

Today I found 28 cents . . . 1 dime, & 18 pennies.

On my way home from work I stopped at a Sonic and found four cents. I also found 11 cents (one dime & one penny) at a nearby car wash. In the evening I checked in at another Sonic and found 13 cents (all pennies).

The post office continues to frustrate me. To illustrate I will give you a summary of today’s events. First, I called the post office to inquire if I could mail magazines media mail (a cheep class of service). Yes, I was told. Once at the post office I was told that I could not mail magazines media mail. “No problem,” I replied. “I would like to send them bound printed matter rate.” “What?” the postal employee answered. “You know, bound printed matter rate. It’s a rate you offer. It’s advertised on your web site,” I retorted. “I have no idea what you are talking about,” she fumbled. Sadly, I don’t doubt that. My package remains unmailed.

Totals for the day: 28 cents
Race Totals: $242.90

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Today I found 30 cents . . . 1 nickel, 2 dimes, & 5 pennies.

On my way back from a meeting this afternoon I stopped at Chick-Fil-A and found 16 cents (one nickel, one dime, and one penny) in the drive-thru. I got the change just as the drive-thru employee was getting ready to give someone a bag of fast food. I also found two pennies at a car wash next to the post office. In the evening I found 12 cents (one dime & two pennies) at Kroger, a local grocery store. All the change was on the ground by a change counting machine.

The post office makes me think of lines, and I stood in two very long ones today. First, at the post office to attempt to locate a package that was supposed to be delivered today. Too bad the mailman forgot to deliver it (even though he left a note in my mailbox saying it was delivered). Also too bad that I thought the post office (the roll model for incompetence) would or could do anything about it. The second line was at Academy, a local sporting goods store. There a guy talked to me for 30 minutes about his family vacation to Pennsylvania. Sufficed to say, I’m tired of lines and if I ever hear another “interesting fact” about Pennsylvania it will be too soon.

Totals for the day: 30 cents
Race Totals: $242.62

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Today I found $2.14. . . 3 dimes, 7 quarters, & 9 pennies.

Quarters, quarters, quarters. That was my calling card of the day. I hit three car washes and at each one I found stacks of the beloved ¼ dollar sitting in car wash stations. My only non-car wash related find was 10 cents (one dime) in the parking lot of a KFC, where I went for dinner. I have about 25 coupons for buy one get one free salad at KFC. They expire on January 26th, so I anticipate a lot of KFC salad between now and then.

Totals for the day: $2.14
Race Totals: $242.32

Monday, January 16, 2005

Today I found 39 cents. . . 3 nickels, 2 dimes, & 4 pennies.

Even though the post office was closed in observance of MLK Day I decided to stop by to pick up some priority mail envelopes. Under a stamp machine I found 16 cents (one nickel, one dime, one penny). At a nearby car wash I found another 16 cents (one nickel, one dime, one penny).

Later in the day I went to Food Town, a local grocery store, in an attempt to purchase honey roasted sunflower seeds. The usually reliable Food Town did not have the seeds, but it did have two pennies in the parking lot. I also went to HEB, another local grocery store, for said seeds. Again, no luck on the seed front but I did find five cents (one nickel) on the ground by a display of donuts.

Totals for the day: 39 cents
Race Totals: $240.18

Sunday, January 15, 2006

Today I found $1.25. . . 3 nickels, 7 dimes, & 40 pennies.

Early this morning I hit a slew of drive-thrus. If memory serves correct I visited two Starbucks, two KFC’s, Burger King, Taco Bell, and Arby’s. I found a total of $1.37 (three nickels, seven dimes, and 37 pennies).

Later in the day I found a penny in the parking lot of my apartment complex and two pennies at Kroger, a local grocery store. One penny was in the parking lot and one was on the floor by a change counting machine.

I would have found more at the change counting machine, but my friend Robert was with me and as soon as we got into the store he sprinted towards said machine and scooped up quite a bit of change. Once coin that he got, that I was very jealous of, was a 1943 Steel Wheat Back Penny. Alas, his finds will not supplement my daily totals.

Totals for the day: $1.25
Race Totals: $239.79

Saturday, January 14, 2006

Today I found $1.98. . . 2 nickels, 4 dimes, 5 quarters, & 23 pennies (the stellar change cycle). I also found a Coke cap that states “You Win 1-Liter Coke Product.” Sadly, the Coke cap does not count toward the daily totals.

This morning before the football games I drove up towards Willowbrook Mall to find a mattress store. I had decided that it was time to replace my bed frame, which has been broken and bent for about three years. On the way up I swung into a car was along FM 1960 and found 26 cents (one quarter & one penny). The penny was on the ground and the quarter was lodged diagonal in the coin return slot at a car wash station. It took several minutes and the use of a screw driver to dislodge it.

In the evening I walked over to a Chevron gas station to get a drink and I found five pennies in the parking lot. Later in the evening I made a post office run and found two pennies in a nearby car wash and a whopping $1.65 (two nickels, four dimes, four quarters, and 15 pennies) at Al Gator’s Car Wash. All the change was at different vacuum cleaner stands. None of the four quarters were found together, meaning quite a few people were careless with change today.

The winning Coke cap was also found at Al Gator’s Car Wash. Throughout the year I have found several hundred of these winning caps, mostly at Astros games. This one will be added to the collection and used for a free drink in the future. This might be the first time that a non-change find will not be deposited into my “Not Change Cup.”

Totals for the day: $1.98
Race Totals: $238.54

Friday, January 13, 2006

Today I found 77 cents. . . 3 quarters & 2 pennies.

At the car wash next to my apartment complex I found 75 cents (three quarters) in a car wash station and at the car wash next to the post office I found two cents on the ground. This is the third day in a row where change finds have the same first and last numbers (66 cents, 22 cents, 77 cents). This is the first time that has ever happened.

I also just noticed that I found the double seven (seven being a lucky number, of course) on Friday the 13th. Interesting.

Totals for the day: 77 cents
Race Totals: $236.56

Thursday, January 12, 2006

Today I found 22 cents. . . 1 dime & 12 pennies.

At the Kwick Kar Wash this afternoon I found 12 pennies, right before a huge, but quick, thunderstorm hit the area. In the evening I was visiting some friends in a neighboring apartment complex. Out by the pool I found a dime in the coin return slot of a soda machine.

Totals for the day: 22 cents
Race Totals: $235.79

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Today I found 66 cents. . . 2 quarters & 16 pennies.

On my way home I stopped for gas and after filling up I found a penny in the parking lot. I also found another four pennies at the Kwick Kar Wash, which was right next door.

Continuing home I stopped at the car wash next to my apartment complex and found 52 cents (two quarters & two pennies). The quarters were both in a car wash station, which seems to be the theme of the month.

In the evening my friend Robert and I went out to check out a seafood store. He purchased oysters while I picked up some homemade horseradish. I also picked up eight pennies at a nearby Sonic. The final stop of the evening was KFC for dinner, where I found a penny while walking out of the restaurant.

Being a Marylander it’s probably a good time to mention that I hate Duke. The results of the basketball game (if you can even call Maryland’s effort against Duke basketball) this evening remind me why.

Totals for the day: 66 cents
Race Totals: $235.57

Tuesday, January 10, 2005

Today I found 38 cents. . . 1 dime, 1 quarter, & 3 pennies.

I went to HEB, a local grocery store, to pick up some lemons for fresh lemonade (5 lemons for $1) this afternoon. Under a change counting machine I found a penny, and in the parking lot I found another penny.

At a car wash down the road I found 36 cents (one dime, one quarter, & one penny). The car wash was quite busy so there might have been more change, but I didn’t have the opportunity to check. The dime and quarter were on the ground in separate car wash stations, and the penny was on the ground by the exit. I had to stop my car and get out to retrieve it.

I matched my quarter total of last month today. Not bad considering it’s only 10 days into the month. However, I’m still a good way off of the 50 quarters that I found in June 2005.

Totals for the day: 38 cents
Race Totals: $234.91

Monday, January 9, 2006

Today I found $1.62. . . 1 dime, 6 quarters, & 2 pennies.

Atop a coin counting machine at Kroger, a local grocery store, I found a penny that looked like someone had chewed on the edges of it. It was a nice evening so instead of driving to my local bank to use the ATM I decided to walk. In the bank parking lot I found another penny. Finally, I walked a bit further down the road to a car wash, and for the third time in four days I made a big car wash find. I found a total of $1.60 (six quarters & one dime). Four of the quarters were sitting on the ledge in a car wash station and two more quarters were in the coin return slot in the adjacent car wash station. The dime was also sitting on a ledge, in the front of the car wash area.

Totals for the day: $1.62
Race Totals: $234.53

Sunday, January 8, 2006

Today I found 37 cents. . . 3 dimes & 7 pennies.

In an early morning find I recovered 34 cents (three dimes & four pennies) from the drive-thru of a Burger King. I got another penny from a parking lot at Starbucks and a final two pennies from a trip to HEB, a local grocery store. Both pennies were in the parking lot.

Several days ago I could have purchased a first class stamp with this change. Sadly, as of today I’m two pennies short of mailing a letter since the rate just went up.

Totals for the day: 37 cents
Race Totals: $232.91

Saturday, January 7, 2006

Today I found $1.09. . . 2 nickels, 3 quarters, & 24 pennies.

This afternoon I went to a local sports bar to watch my beloved Redskins defeat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, or whatever that team is calling themselves these days. As I was leaving I noticed that there were two pennies on the ground at a nearby table. Later in the afternoon I made a post office trip and found seven cents (one nickel & two pennies) in the post office parking lot.

The remaining $1 (one nickel, three quarters, & 20 pennies) were found at the car wash next to the post office. For the second day in a row someone had left large amounts of quarters in a car wash booth. The remaining change was found scattered about. This was a large amount of change to find at this car wash, and I would guess that it sets some sort of personal record.

Go Skins!

Totals for the day: $1.09
Race Totals: $232.54

Friday, January 6, 2006

Today I found $2.11. . . 1 dime, 8 quarters, & 1 penny.

A stop at the Kwick Kar Wash this evening netted everything. As I opened my car door I noticed a shiny dime, then a penny. Over at one of the car washing stations someone had carelessly left eight quarters stacked neatly on a ledge.

Today I read a very interesting article, which I shall pass along. Apparently a few years back a Del Monte sticker became attached to a $20 bill while it was being printed. Ink from the printing presses went over the sticker, thereby putting part of the serial number over the rogue sticker. A college student got the bill from an ATM machine, and eventually sold it on e-bay. A photo of this unique bill is below:


So what you say? The bill was sold at auction today for $25,300.00. A pre-auction article can be found here.

Totals for the day: $2.11
Race Totals: $231.45

Thursday, January 5, 2006

Today I found 45 cents. . . 1 nickel, 2 dimes, & 20 pennies. I also found coins from India and some other foreign country (perhaps China). Sadly, the foreign coins do not count toward the daily totals.

The totals of today blur a bit, but I recorded finds at a place where I went to go get my hair cut, the Kwick Kar Wash, a Chevron gas station, Kroger (a local grocery store), and a parking lot.

In the evening I went out to see if I could go find some extra Houston Chronicles, which had the UT Rose Bowl headlines which I wanted. By wanted I mean that I wanted extra copies to sell on e-bay. Sadly, like the payphone, the newspaper box appears to be disappearing, at least in a commuter area like Spring, TX. I did manage to locate a few boxes and procure five extra newspapers.

While searching for newspapers I found the Chinese or Japanese coin (which has a 10 on ones side, and a temple on the other, as well as many foreign words) at a Chevron gas station on the ground. I also found the Indian coin (which has a persons head on one side and a three headed lion and 50 on the other) in the coin return slot of a water machine outside Food Town, another local grocery store. I attempted to take amazing pictures of the foreign coins, edit them with my new Photoshop software, and publish them. However, at this point in time Photoshop is MUCH smarter than I am, so I post pictureless.

Of course the foreign coins will be deposited into my “Not Change Cup,” which has never had an Indian coin or a Japanese or Chinese coin deposit in the past. These are indeed exciting times.

Totals for the day: 45 cents
Race Totals: $229.34

Wednesday, January 4, 2006

Today I found 14 cents. . . . all pennies.

It was one of those nice afternoons where a lot of co-workers were all in the office and four of us went to lunch and Wings n’ Things. On the way out I spotted and retrieved a single penny that was over near the hostess stand by the front door. On the way home I also found a single penny in a Taco Bell parking lot.

I also got to pay a visit to my old friend, the Kwick Kar Wash, where I found seven cents. At the Sonic next door I found another five pennies, one of which was a badly scratched 1950 Wheat Back Penny.

In the real big news of the day, HOOK EM HORNS! Texas defeats USC for the National Championship. Since I dated a UT girl I feel that I can root for UT proudly. Well done Texas!

Totals for the day: 14 cents
Race Totals: $228.89

Tuesday, January 3, 2006

Today I found 37 cents. . . . 2 nickels, 2 dimes, & 7 pennies.

At HEB, a local grocery store, I found five cents (one nickel) under a self-checkout stand. After a post office trip I found two cents at a nearby car wash. Finally, the car wash next to my apartment complex gave me the largest find of the day, 30 cents (one nickel, two dimes, & five pennies).

Totals for the day: 37 cents
Race Totals: $228.75

Monday, January 2, 2006

Today I found 26 cents. . . . 1 quarter & 1 penny.

Walking around my apartment complex this afternoon I spotted a very run over quarter in the parking lot. In the evening I went for tacos at a local stand and found one penny, also in the parking lot.

Totals for the day: 26 cents
Race Totals: $228.38

Sunday, January 1, 2006

Today I found $1.69. . . . 2 nickels, 7 dimes, 2 quarters, and 39 pennies. I also found two tokens from Chuck E. Cheese, which sadly will not count toward the daily totals.

New Years Eve was celebrated in true American style, by launching tons of Chinese fireworks in the air for enjoyment. After the fireworks and celebration I focused myself on the current task at hand, finding some change to start the new year right. I didn’t even try to keep track of exact amounts at specific locations, but all my finds were made at drive-thrus for KFC, Starbucks, Burger King, McDonalds, Wendy’s, and Jack in the Box. Also, I recorded finds during the day at a nearby car wash, a penny in the middle of the road, two parking lots for local bars, Kroger (a local grocery store), and Sonic.

My non-change finds, specifically the Chuck E. Cheese tokens, were found sitting atop a change counting machine at Kroger. Joining the British five pence piece from yesterday it has been deposited into my “Not Change Cup,” the first such deposit of the new year.

Totals for the day: $1.69
Race Totals: $228.12