TheFW » Money

$300K in Gold Dust Found in Sacramento Home

Kyle Dowling — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 22:15:04 +0000

If you live in Sacramento, it’s time to start tearing out the walls: these homeowners stumbled over roughly $300,000 in gold dust during a heater installation. Back in September, two HVAC installers from the company Clark & Rush found twelve baby food jars filled to the top with gold dust. In a moment which must [...]

Man Pays Off Mortgage With 62,000 Pennies

Donald Deane — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 16:48:59 +0000

A 60-year-old Milford, MA, man recently paid off his mortgage with loose change and lots of it. In fact, he used more than 62,000 pennies with a total weight of approximately 427 pounds. Call it one of the most decisive victories for the 99% ever. According to Thomas Daigle, he began collecting pennies yeas ago [...]

How Much Money Do You Need To Make To Be Happy?

Jeremy Taylor — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:00:07 +0000

A study from the Marist Institute for Public Opinion has found that income is a key factor in determining quality of life and happiness. So, no, happiness isn’t free. But it might not cost as much as you think. According to the research , a salary of $50,000 is the happiness tipping point, in which [...]

Who (or What) Topped Forbes' 15 Richest Fictional Characters?

Danny Gallagher — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:55:37 +0000

The real world might be suffering from economic hardship, but the imaginary world (literally) has money growing on trees. Yes, Forbes’ annual list of the wealthiest fictional one-percenters is out. Characters from all facets of popular culture have deeper pockets than some of the actual world’s richest people. In fact, it seems every year, they [...]

Controversy Surrounds Reported Maryland Mega Millions Winner

Donald Deane — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 18:45:06 +0000

Winning last week's record-breaking $656 million Mega Millions lottery might seem like a dream come true, but it's created a huge mess for Maryland woman Mirlande Wilson. The 37-year-old McDonald's employee claims she bought a winning ticket independently, but fifteen of her co-workers say it was purchased as part of an employee pool and they want their share of the winnings.

Man Visits ATM, Finds $9.8 Billion In His Bank Account

Danny Gallagher — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:18:13 +0000

Recently, Parijat Saha of Balurghat, India visited an ATM and found that someone had parked a few extra bucks in his bank account– $9.8 billion to be exact. The State Bank of India’s electronic records accidentally put the billion dollar mistake in his account that was only supposed to have around $200 in US currency in [...]

Real Life 'Richie Rich' Tries to Use Million Dollar Bill at Wal-Mart

Shauna Wright — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:06:46 +0000

Note to self: if you must counterfeit money, at least dummy-up bills that actually exist.

That's a memo 53-year-old Michael Anthony Fuller from Lexington, North Carolina apparently missed. Back in November, he walked into a local Walmart, picked up $476 in merchandise, and tried to pay for it with a fake million-dollar bill.

Meet the Richest Kitty in the World [VIDEO]

Donald Deane — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:05:45 +0000

Tommaso, a former stray cat who once prowled the streets of Rome, may have just became the richest kitty in the world after inheriting millions from his wealthy owner. Italian real estate magnate Maria Assunta died last month at the age of 94 and left more than $13 million dollars to the lucky cat. In [...]

Elderly Man Accidentally Leaves Entire Life Savings in Donated Suit

Danny Gallagher — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:06:55 +0000

An Illinois man who kept his life savings in a suit because he didn’t trust banks accidentally donated it to Goodwill. Now that has to be the most expensive cheap suit of all time. The 80-year-old man lost nearly $13,000 in cash and Goodwill authorities say they believe the man’s story and are doing what [...]

Canada Moving to Cool New Plastic Currency

Danny Gallagher — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:19:50 +0000

The nation of Canada introduced a new bill made out of plastic that will one day replace all of their paper currency. The polymer plastic notes will start with the implementation of the new $100 bill followed by the $50 bill next March and $5 and $10 bills by the end of 2013. The Bank [...]

Wow! Man Stacks 3,000 Coins on a Single Dime for World Record [VIDEO]

Donald Deane — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:04:05 +0000

While our loose change typically languishes in a jar, this man uses coins in an extremely unique way. With the combined skill of countless bank tellers, Tai Star of Tuscon, AZ set a new record by stacking 3,118 coins on one dime, according to RecordSetter.com. But he doesn’t simply build a tower of coins. Instead, [...]

Snake in ATM Machine Is Scarier Than Hidden Bank Fees [VIDEO]

Jeremy Taylor — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:22:42 +0000

Ready for something scarier than your checking account balance? Folks who tried to make a withdrawal from this ATM machine got more than they bargained for in the form of a snake who lived in the device. As if the hidden charges most banks try to pull aren't bad enough. Now we have to dodge snakes at the ATM? Back to hiding our cash under the mattress for us.

Actually, "Snakes in the ATM" would be a great Samuel L. Jackson movie. Watch a particularly scary ATM visit below.

Real-Life 'Slumdog' Wins $1 Million on Indian Game Show [VIDEO]

Jeremy Taylor — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 20:01:22 +0000

In terms of US dollars, Sushil Kumar has just become the first real-life 'Slumdog Millionaire.'

On Tuesday, Kumar won 50 million rupes -- or just over $1 million -- by answering every question right on the Indian version of 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire.' It was the largest cash award in Indian game show history.

'Money Face' Internet Trend Lets You Imagine Your Face On Bills [Photos]

Dylan Schenker — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 22:05:32 +0000

Have you ever wondered what your face would look like on a piece of currency? While that probably won’t happen, you can at least mash your face up with the faces of dead presidents. The new ‘Money Face’ internet trend has people folding bills of money in half and lining their face up with the [...]

Like 3D Movies? Then Get Ready to Pay for the Glasses

Jeremy Taylor — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:49:50 +0000

A rift has developed between movie studios and theater chains over who should foot the bill for 3D glasses. And the big loser — surprise, surprise — may well be the movie-going public. As of now, the studios pay for 3D glasses, which cost three dollars each. But Sony recently fired off a letter to [...]

Unemployed Man Finds $150K in Vegetable Garden

Chris Illuminati — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 15:07:16 +0000

Here is how the cheesy late-90's stand-up comic buried deep in our subconscious would report this story:

"Hey folks! Did you read the story in the Northwest Herald today about a guy in Illinois that found $150K in his backyard garden? Talk about growing some cabbage! Am I right folks? Those are a different kind of greens my friends! You hear what I'm saying everyone?!?"

Twin Boys Who Pulled Hockey Shot Switcheroo Won't Get $50,000 Prize [VIDEO]

Andrea Rosen — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 14:23:05 +0000

A decision has been made in the case of twin brothers Nick and Nate Smith, who switched places to take a $50,000 shot at a charity hockey match last month. Whether they'd receive the prize money was in question when the family confessed that the twin who was called to participate was not the one who wound up taking the shot. Ultimately, officials decided not to award the family the money because of "legal implications."

'The Worst Movie Ever' Grosses – Ch-Ching! – $11 at the Box Office [VIDEO]

Dylan Schenker — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 15:00:39 +0000

It's not just a funny title -- 'The Worst Movie EVER' might actually be the worst movie ever. After opening in one theater in Los Angeles, the movie grossed $11, making it the lowest grossing film of all time.

Twin Boys' Switcheroo Jeopardizes $50,000 Prize for Hitting Incredible Hockey Shot [VIDEO]

Jeremy Taylor — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 20:31:35 +0000

11-year-old Nate Smith's amazing 89-foot hockey shot into a goal only a half an inch wider than the puck itself netted him $50,000 during a charity event in Faribault, Minnesota.

But there was a catch: the name on the raffle card that had been selected to attempt the trick shot was actually that of his identical twin brother, Nick.

Ashton Kutcher's Swanky 'Two and a Half Men' Trailer Costs $455,000 a Year – Take a Look Inside

Shauna Wright — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 03:03:09 +0000

It's good to be king. Even if it's only of a television sitcom. New 'Two and a Half Men' star Ashton Kutcher -- who is reportedly making almost $1 million per episode -- will be spending his on-set downtime in a stylish and incredibly luxurious trailer known as "Baby Girl."

Star Wars Coins Minted on South Pacific Island – And They're Real, Spendable Money

Dylan Schenker — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 18:44:25 +0000

The force is strong with big spenders. Niue, a Pacific nation northeast of New Zealand has minted Star Wars coins adorned with images of classic characters from the trilogy including Luke Skywalker, Yoda, Darth Vader and Princess Leia. Not only are they limiting production to 50,000 of each coin, but they’re only available to the 2,000 residents [...]

Angry Mom Hires Plane to Fly Nasty Message Over Wall Street

Shauna Wright — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 04:17:55 +0000

At lunchtime on Tuesday, New Yorkers in Lower Manhattan were treated to an unusual sight -- a small plane buzzing by the Standard and Poor's building, towing a banner that read, "Thanks For The Downgrade: You Should All Be Fired."

Commissioned by St. Louis banker and single mother Lucy Nobbe, who paid $895 to hire the pilot, the fly-by was a reaction to the US losing its longtime AAA credit rating last Friday.

Justin Bieber's Head Now Worth $1 Million – Company Sculpts Sold Gold Bust of Singer

Jeff Giles — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:43:32 +0000

If you've ever wondered what Justin Bieber's head would look like if it were made of solid gold, this is your lucky day. At great cost and presumably over the course of many hours they will never get back, a team of 10 artists has produced one of the oddest sculptures you're ever likely to see -- a golden Bieber head.

Thief Driving Backhoe Smashes Through an ATM – Watch the Incredible Video

Donald Deane — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:31:10 +0000

In Pine Prairie, Louisiana, a thief attempted to rob an ATM on Monday by breaking it open with a piece of heavy construction equipment, ‘The Early Show’ reports — and the incident was caught on the store’s security camera. The suspected thief allegedly stole a backhoe from the Pine Prairie Water Board, then drove it [...]

$8.1 Million iPad Features Gold, Diamonds and Dinosaur Bones (Seriously)

Jeremy Taylor — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 16:01:55 +0000

Designer Stuart Hughes, who specializes in bringing bling to everything from beds to yachts to liquor bottles, is now offering a gold- and diamond-encrusted iPad 2 for the princely sum of $8.1 million called the Gold History Edition.

Family of Four Living in 150 Square Foot Hong Kong Apartment [VIDEO]

Jeremy Taylor — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 20:39:31 +0000

Yang Lianchun’s Hong Kong apartment, for which she pays about $500 a month, is a mere 150 square feet — barely enough space for one person and she shares it with her husband and two kids. In Hong Kong, the average price of homes has shot up 76 percent since 2008. Working class wages have yet [...]

Amazing Floating Dollar Bill Magic Trick [VIDEO]

Stephen Lenz — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 02:25:49 +0000

In the US we have a floating currency, which means two things: The value of the dollar fluctuates based on market forces. Sometimes the dollar actually floats. As in, in the air, at the drive-thru window. Or at least it appears to. This isn’t the first time Virgian based magician Rahat Hossain has brought his [...]