A few years ago, I received a fun letter from a reader who developed a hobby of looking for money in gutters, parking lots, streets, sidewalks, and other public places. And he keeps a running tab. He included a copy of his “free-money journal” from the previous year. Recently, he sent an update that shows he is now averaging nearly $50 a month. Not bad! But I couldn’t help but wonder how his payoff might climb if he knew about other places that harbor free money. Jewelry Box Not long ago, I toured my jewelry box. What a hoot! I found one gold chain now in pieces, a bracelet and several orphaned earrings—all of it gold from the ’80s that I don’t wear anymore. Something tells me you might find something similar if you go through your drawers and old jewelry boxes. Provided what you have is at least 10-karat …