"How much money would it take for you to be happy with this?" Eyewitness News reporter Nina Pineda asked.
"I'd be happy to get a few hundred dollars," Laurie Lea said.
Well guess what. Laurie Lea, who 7 On Your Side met at the Unemployment Office Resource Center in Downtown Brooklyn, got $313.24 in lost money she didn't even know was there!
The freelance market researcher is one of half a dozen people at the unemployment office 7 On Your Side found money for on New York's unclaimed funds website.
Eyewitness News found an old account that one man and his unemployed brother may inherit on the list.
Most people don't bother to check their state's unclaimed funds database.
Which is why in New York alone the state comptroller has $11 billion just waiting to be reunited, some of that belongs to a recently laid off mother of two.
7 On Your Side looked, and found $241 in an old tax refund for Lillian Purdy.
Then there was an uncashed refund for Murphy Desinor's worth $100, and even for the people who insist they keep track of their money, it can always help to have more.
One woman left $540 at her old job!
It's a lot of loot just in time for the holidays.
Speaking of shopping, 7 On Your Side's quest to show how easy it is to find lost money traveled to the Queens Center Mall.
Out of 15 people, half showed up on the unclaimed funds list.
Budget cutbacks hit city special education teacher Jolanda Dennis hard, but 7 On Your Side found two accounts with her name and old addresses.
$207.98 for her, and a huge pay day for retiree Madlen Bushara, 7 On Your Side found three accounts belonging to her late mom she can claim as an heir. She got $750.
One couple, five years from retirement was so happy just to see their name on the list.
Eyewitness News surprised the chef at work with his claim for $128, bringing the grand total for the nine people 7 On Your Side confirmed to nearly $2,400!
LINKS TO FIND YOUR MONEY
DID YOU FIND UNCLAIMED MONEY? TELL 7 ON YOUR SIDE BY CLICKING HERE
CONNECT WITH NINA PINEDA AND 7 ON YOUR SIDE
Blog: wabc.typepad.com/sevenonyourside/
Facebook: facebook.com/wabc.7onyourside
Twitter: twitter.com/wabc7onyourside