The Kid calls me, “The Old Man”. She thinks it’s hysterical that the Social Security Administration says that I’m “Medicare Ready”. She tells me that I’m old…A LOT. She’s right, of course. I know this because I miss pay phones; one of the greatest money-making opportunities of my childhood.
It’s remarkable how little people notice their surroundings, and it’s costing them money. Most people spend the bulk of their waking hours staring at their cell phones. They move through their day stressed about FOMO; the Fear Of Missing Out. Driving on the highway, waiting at the drive-thru, standing in line at the store, or rushing from one obligation to the next, they are transfixed by the little screen. Unlike them, I spend my time looking at the floor.
One evening, The Kid and I slipped under the Golden Arches for some dinner. Easing around the corner of the drive-thru, I saw something glimmering on the concrete. I told The Kid to hop out of the car and retrieve what I assumed was a nickel or a dime. It was actually $6.35 in change. I asked the kid- not The Kid, a kid- at the window if she knew it was there, and she said, “Yes”. She said that during slow times, she slips out of her booth, and picks it up. Smart kid.
It IS All About The Money
Because of our business model, we meet a lot of interesting people. One of our acquaintances is a woman who brought us several items a friend had given to her. When we told her that some of the items were valuable, she disappeared for a few minutes, then returned to inform us that she wanted all of the proceeds of anything we sold donated to a particular charity. When we pointed out that we are in business to make a profit and would have to take a percentage of each sale, she said, “Mark, it’s not all about the money.” Actually, when you’re in business, it is!
It Only Makes Common Cents
When The Kid and I are out, we always look for change. When she finds even a penny, she says, “PaPaw is here”. She says that because from the time she could walk, she would see her PaPaw stick his finger into every change slot on every coin-operated machine he passed. It was a family contest to see who could find the most money. Why pick up change like that? It only makes common cents. I watched a guy drop $2 in coins in Dollar General a few weeks ago, trying to fish a $50 bill out of his jeans pocket. He looked down, shrugged, and walked away. Once he was out the door, I picked it up. The ice cream bar he bought me was delicious!
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