Heh. Sydney Patrick from Porter Novelli has been doing his homework, Seeing that I’ve been writing a lot lately about financial matters, he sent me a note earlier today about a product I’ve already had the pleasure of using:

I saw your internet broadcast that you and Ponzi did on Money Management and loved hearing Ponzi’s story about you throwing your pennies away! I thought you two might be interested in checking out this Treasure Map that Coinstar put together that will lead you to all the hidden wealth in your house. I would love to hear how much change you and Ponzi end up finding! If you are interested I would happy to send you the actual treasure map to check out for your treasure hunt, just let me know which address you would like for me to send it to.

Yeah, I’ve used Coinstar before – and would recommend it, with a caveat (don’t exchange your change for cash directly, but for one of the selected gift certificates, instead – that way, you don’t get charged a convenience fee).

Discovering hidden wealth is a fantasy most have only day-dreamed about. And, with tales similar to Treasure Island – packed with adventure, buried treasure and maps with dotted lines and big red X’s – our curiosity continuously spins into overdrive. Now, that day-dream can become a reality with the treasure map I’ve attached for you. Unbeknownst to most, there’s more than $10 billion in loose change hiding in approximately 80 percent of households across the U.S. waiting to be discovered. So take your map and join in the quest to find the hidden wealth in your house today.

I believe it. I won’t be chucking any more pennies, man. Lesson learned. Now, if only I had $10 billion in change lying around here!

If you’re lucky, beyond finding the roughly $90 of loose change estimated to accumulate in the average U.S. household, you might even locate other hidden treasures like the TV remote, keys, earrings you thought were lost, or you might literally find a huge jar of change like one Coinstar user from Virginia did when he lifted up a floorboard in his basement. Once you’ve filled your jar, discover how rich you are by cashing in your loot at your local Coinstar® Center. For free coin counting, opt for gift cards or e-certificates from retailers…

Just did Coinstar last week at a local grocery store, and… had almost $300 in change. Wow. Thank goodness there aren’t any Pirates of the Pacific Northwest, or I may have been looted on my way back to the ship car.

Loose Change Treasure Map