I just can't believe this. I have a large ginger jar in my living room that I keep cash in - hundred dollar bills for the most part - and I have had this for at least 10 yrs. I cash my tax returns and put the money in the jar, thrift sale profits, etc. It's just my 17 yr old son and I in the house.

Two weeks ago I went to the jar and took out two $100 bills to loan to a friend at work. The next week my son called me at work and said he needed some cash. I told him to take the money out of the jar - he said there were only hundreds in there and he just needed around $20. So I told him to look on top of the dryer because there was a pile of bills there that fell out when I was doing the laundry. I didn't hear back from him so I assumed he took the money off the dryer.

Last night I needed to pay for his senior pictures so I went to the jar and it was empty. I asked my son if he had moved the money and he said he didn't touch it. I asked if any of his friends had been over and he said no.

When I think about someone coming in our house and taking the money, it doesn't make sense. No one would know there was money in that jar unless they saw one of us take money out of there, which we have never done. Plus - my son's computer was directly across from the jar, and there were lots of other items in the house and nothing else was touched.

I really think that when my son was looking for money he took the cash out of the jar and put it somewhere but he claims he never touched the money. Then he thought I was accusing him of stealing the money - which I never did. He has never done anything like that and I know he never would.

I spent all last night in my bedroom with the door shut because I just couldn't even think. I use that money to pay for car insurance, property taxes, heating oil, etc. Now I will need to pick up a second job to pay for those things this fall. I am so nauseaus and kicking myself and can't even think straight. I don't know why I am even posting this - I just want to go home and go to bed and stay there.

You may have just used the money faster than you thought. Maybe even misplaced some.

A suggest is to keep a check register or notebook with your money. Write down deposits, withdrawals like at a bank. An easy way to keep up with the money. Check it once a week to make sure it is all there.

Another idea is to buy a small safe instead of leaving the money in jars, etc. You can get an inexpensive safe at Walmart, Kmart.

Hopefully the money will turn up.

OH MY GOODNESS Mitcham! I so hope you find it!

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Real eyes...realize...real lies.

Although it doesn't help the situation NOW, I do suggest a safe or banking it. No way would I leave that kind of cash unlocked in my house. Kids have friends that come over and get into their (and your) stuff and your son may not of known.

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

Try to calm down because (hopefully), that's all it is. Get your son and the two of you make a systematic search of the house, room by room. I hope you find it and if you do, find a different hiding place that isn't in plain sight so it won't happen again.

Maybe your son accidentally left the door unlocked.A large jar I would think is one of the first places a theif would look for stashed cash.
You know your son did not do it and it would be stupid if he did being that he is the only other person that lives there.I bet he is feeling awful and is probably thinking that you might think he stole it.

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Talk to your son, really talk to him. Odds are he took money out of the jar, maybe with a friend there and then went to use the restroom or something and a friend took the money. I just find it hard to believe someone would come into your house and take just the money out of your jar and nothing else. They had to know it was there.

I'm sure if your son had a friend over and saw the money he is afraid to tell you. I agree with Dolly that your son is feels horrible and is afraid it was his fault. I just think you need to put your arm around him, let him know you love him regardless but you need to get to the bottom of it.

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Mary

ditto!!!

I third that thought!!!

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mom of 3 greats girls

It is possible that someone would just take the money and leave other valuable items.

Items can be identified (serial numbers,etc)

If someone got caught with it all money looks the same.

except my kids know I can identify bills they've taken from me I stamp mine with wheresgeorge.com keeps em outta my $

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Until they break that $20 into a ten and two fives.

Rebecca

Oh, what an awful feeling. I can't imagine going to get money out and finding the jar empty. I do agree with other posters that it's probably misplaced, or a friend knew somehow that you kept money in there. It doesn't seem like someone would just come in and empty the jar, and not look around/mess up other things. Once you get calmed down and get on track again, figure out some other way to store the money....either a small safe or savings acccount.

I'm so sorry. I hope you find it.

I sincerely hope you find it also thats alot of money to lose. Peace , Catherine

I hope you find it. Did you talk to your son to explain what you need it for, and that you will need to take a 2nd job to cover those expenses now? I would agree that maybe he had a friend over and didn't think much about it at the time if he went into the jar..or maybe he thinks he really *needs* it for something and if you explained about the 2nd job he might confess. Ugh.

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My son and I talked about it tonight. I was really too upset to talk about it before now.

I just outlined the history of my loaning the money to my friend, and that was the last time I saw the money, and about him calling me at work. I asked if it was possible that he had the money from the jar in his hand when he called me, and realized that he didn't need a big bill and just set the money down somewhere in his bedroom or wherever. He said that was totally possible and that he will spend the day tomorrow looking around the house.

I made it very clear to him that there is absolutely no thought in my mind that he would ever steal from me. He also said that none of his friends have been over in the past few weeks.

So I am hoping that he will call me tomorrow and tell me he found it.

I feel awful for you mitcham, I know you must be sick to your stomach. I really hope the money has just been misplaced and it turns up. That's too much cash to just drop off the face of the Earth, especially now when money's so tight for everyone. Let us know if you find it. Good luck!

.

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~~~MsMiser

Mitcham, good luck. I sincerely hope that the money has just been misplaced and you find it.

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Don't dream it. Be it.

That sounds suspicious to me. Nevertheless I hope he comes up with the lost money.

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I hope that the money turns up. Thanks for the update.