The lottery is great, especially when you win. But, there's another way to get a cash payout without spending a dime, courtesy of the great state of Iowa. Those dimes were already spent, and this method essentially reunites you with forgotten funds.

Iowa’s Treasure Hunt Smashes Records: Over $30.9M Returned in 2024!

2024 was a banner year with the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt, and believe me, this isn't a treasure hunt where you need a shovel and a map where X marks the spot.  It is so much easier to get these forgotten funds.

A ton of cash was returned to Iowans in 2024, to the tune of $30.9 million in unclaimed cash.  They took out the previous amount by a pretty big sum of $6.5 million.  It's a little more than finding a couple of bucks in change under your couch cushion. Aww yeah, it's a good day!

Iowa's State Treasurer Roby Smith claims this is one of his favorite jobs, and I think that'd be a sweet gig. Giving people money they didn't know was waiting for them would be a good thing. According to Roby Smith, these are old checking accounts, uncashed checks, life insurance payouts, or stuff that was left behind in safe deposit boxes.

What’s Waiting for You? Check for Unclaimed Property in Iowa

My wife and I recently returned to Iowa, and right before we did, an eagle-eyed friend sent us a link that claimed the state of Illinois had money with our name on it with a similar program.  Sure enough, it was two checks for my wife and me, and it was a couple of hundred bucks we didn't have previously.

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So, if you're thinking, "do they have any treasure for me?" you could be in luck! Even if you've checked before, couldn't hurt to look again.  As of the last check, the state is holding roughly $587 million worth of abandoned property.

Check and see if you have hidden treasure waiting for you at GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov

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