Money & Financial Archives - Useless Information

Useless Information

Fascinating True Stories From the Flip Side of History

On the Web Since 1994

Podcasting Since January 2008

Leaves Estate to “Dumb Animals”

Published on June 19, 2021

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Money & Financial, Tidbits

When Eunice A. White died in 1949, she left what little she had for the care of dumb animals. Two family members got $1 each.

Click to Read More...

Penned Will on Ladder

Published on June 12, 2021

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Death and Murder, Law & Order, Money & Financial, Tidbits

Hermann Strathmann, of Los Angeles, wrote his will on a step-ladder shortly before he passed away. Eight other wills were found. Which would be the accepted one?

Click to Read More...

Wrote Will on Petticoat

Published on June 5, 2021

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Death and Murder, Money & Financial, Tidbits

In 1925, George W. Hazeltine was near death and wrote his will on the petticoat of one of his nurses. Would it hold up in court?

Click to Read More...

Isabel McHie – A Fortune to the Dogs – Podcast #150

Published on May 29, 2021

Posted in: Death and Murder, Love & Marriage, Money & Financial, Podcast

When Isabel McHie was pulled off of a train in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1935, she confirmed to the world that she truly was eccentric. It was a reputation that continued long after she died.

Click to Read More...

Double Your Money by Boiling It

Published on March 10, 2021

Posted in: Money & Financial, Tidbits

In 1917, Long Island resident Mike Botrinski attempted to double his money by boiling it. Could this crazy idea actually work?

Click to Read More...

The Price of a Kiss – Podcast #146

Published on March 2, 2021

Posted in: Crime & Punishment, Forgotten History, Money & Financial, Podcast

In 1919, Dr. Justin L. Mitchell kissed nurse Mathilde Benkhardt without her consent. Her lawsuit may have ruined the rest of his life.

Click to Read More...

A Grateful Mother – Podcast #143

Published on December 21, 2020

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Money & Financial, Podcast

The heartwarming true story from the 1950s of a secret Santa and the generous Christmas gifts that he gave to Helen Arnold's family in Akron, Ohio.

Click to Read More...

Woke Up Beside a Dead Man

Published on April 7, 2020

Posted in: Death and Murder, Money & Financial, Tidbits

On New Year's Eve of 1899, Henry Meyer came home to find his boss in his bed. The next morning, he awoke to find his boss had been shot dead.

Click to Read More...

An Inside Job – Podcast #131

Published on January 25, 2020

Posted in: Crime & Punishment, Money & Financial, Podcast

The incredible story of how James Rufus Landis stole $160,000 in $20 bills from the United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing on New Year's Eve of 1953.

Click to Read More...

Soul Searching – Podcast #129

Published on November 22, 2019

Posted in: Death and Murder, Money & Financial, Podcast

Miner James Kidd made an incredibly unusual request in his will that would take more than 21 years for the courts to resolve.

Click to Read More...

50,000 Books Given Away

Published on October 5, 2019

Posted in: Miscellaneous, Money & Financial, Tidbits

When the Brattle Book Shop was forced to move in 1964, it had to give away 50,000 books for free.

Click to Read More...

Milk Bottle Shortage

Published on September 21, 2019

Posted in: Forgotten History, Money & Financial, Tidbits

On November 14, 1946, it was reported that there was a shortage of milk bottles in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

Click to Read More...

The Coal Mountain Casanova – Podcast #120

Published on March 19, 2019

Posted in: Love & Marriage, Money & Financial, Podcast

In 1952, Jesse Garrett had recently divorced and was in search of a new wife. He seemed like a catch and hundreds of women contacted him to let them know that they were interested. In the end, Jesse Garrett was financially ruined.

Click to Read More...

6-Year-Old Goes on a Buying Spree

Published on September 21, 2018

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Money & Financial, Tidbits

In 1933, 6-year-old Bertha Deshefy of Yonkers % % went on a spending spree. In 4 hours, Bertha used her dad's bankroll to purchase $110 worth of candy and toys.

Click to Read More...

Pennies Hoarded for Gold

Published on August 14, 2018

Posted in: Money & Financial, Tidbits

Residents of Amityville, NY hoarded pennies in 1902 so that they could melt them down to get the gold out of the coins.

Click to Read More...

Language

Follow the Podcast

Over 5 Million Downloads!

Recent Podcast Episodes

Retrocast #12 – Podcast #177
August 1, 2022
The Rise & Fall of the Celestial Comet – Podcast #176
July 19, 2022
Retrocast #11 – Podcast #175
June 30, 2022
Almost Over the Hump – Podcast #174
June 20, 2022
Retrocast #10 – Podcast #173
June 1, 2022
Henry Ford’s Peace Ship – Podcast #172
May 16, 2022
Arbor Day Turns 150! – Podcast #171
April 28, 2022
Retrocast #9 – Podcast #170
April 13, 2022
The Father of Voice Radio – Reginald Fessenden – Podcast #169
March 31, 2022
The Case of the Hollow Nickel – Podcast #168
March 15, 2022

╳