When you purchase a used couch, there’s no telling what’s lurking deep between those cushions – stale cookie crumbs, an old pencil, general dirt, and debris. That’s why when most people buy a used sofa, they do a little checking around and cleaning if necessary. Once all the muck and yuck are removed from your secondhand sofa, you best believe one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
Howard Kirby, a long-time customer of Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Owosso, Michigan, knew he hit the jackpot when he found a beautiful, pre-owned couch for sale at the store back in December. Kirby thought the piece of furniture would be an excellent addition to his man cave, so he went right ahead with the transaction. But what he didn’t expect to find a month later were massive wads of cash hidden inside the ottoman of his new purchase, totaling to $43,170. Imagine that!
“It still boggles my mind,” Kirby admitted. “I still have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming or something.”
Although finding the cash was similar to finding out he won the lottery, Kirby knew the cash wasn’t his to keep. Instead of skipping happily to the bank, Kirby decided to do the right thing: return to the secondhand store and ask who donated the couch he bought.
Fortunately, the couch donor was able to be tracked down. The previous owner was Kim Fauth-Newberry who received the couch after her grandfather passed away last year.
in January, Fauth-Newberry received every cent back that was found in the ottoman. It’s crazy to think that if someone else had bought the couch and found the cash, the outcome certainly may not have been the same.
“It’s completely awesome,” the old sofa owner said, who was immensely grateful for Kirby’s honesty.
Although Kirby doesn’t regret giving the money back to its rightful owner, he did, however, admit that he could have used the money. (Couldn’t we all?!) Fixing his roof is one thing on his to-do list, but his morals greatly outweighed his need to take the cash as his own.
The owner of the Owosso Habitat for Humanity ReStore was touched by the act of kindness. “To me, this is someone that despite what they’re going through – and in spite of their own needs – says ‘I’m just going to do the right thing,’”
Although many people might think, “Finders keepers, losers weepers,” there’s no better feeling than knowing you chose the honest route. There’s no telling how much Kim Fauth-Newberry needed the money herself and how much it could positively impact her life in the long run.
Hear Kirby talk about his startling discovery below. What would you do if you found $43,000 in a used piece of furniture?
