STRICTLY BUSINESS: FIND PENNY AND PICK IT UP FOR LUCK

"Find a penny, pick it up,

"All the day you'll have good luck.

"Find a penny, leave it lay,

Bad luck you'll have that day."

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Money dropped on the sidewalk doesn't stay there long.

No matter the age, income level, location or gender, most Americans are likely to stop and pick up change or dollar bills they find on a sidewalk.

Unless it's a "Penny" spotted heads down.

Two-thirds of Americans (66 percent), stop to pick up pennies on the sidewalk, 90 percent pick up dimes and almost everyone (98 percent) picks up quarters and dollar bills, according to a Lutheran Brotherhood Survey of American beliefs, attitudes and practices.

When it comes to pennies on the sidewalk, 88 percent of seniors are more likely to pick one up. Women are more likely than men (70 percent vs. 63 percent) to pick up a penny.

The survey points out that people who earn higher salaries are just as likely to pick up lost change as people in the lower income brackets, except when it comes to the lowly penny. Those with incomes exceeding $50,000 annually are just as likely to pick up a dime or dollar bill as those who make less money. Of those in the $50,000 bracket, 59 percent picks up a penny, while 76 percent of those with an income of $20,000 per year will do so.

The penny has another connotation -- good luck if the head side is up, bad luck if the head side is down.

In an office survey conducted by the Southeast Missourian, four of the 40 participants said they would leave the penny if the head was down.

The Missourian survey was similar to the Lutheran Brotherhood survey.

Sixty percent or 24 employees answering the survey would pick up pennies. If the head side were up, that would grow to 70 percent or 28.

Meanwhile 100 percent would pick up quarters and bills, and 95 percent or 38 would pick up dimes.

For most of us, becoming instantly rich is just a dream, but planning ahead never hurts. So, if I were I'd buy a ?

If they became instantly rich, most Americans would spend their new-found cash on new digs.

Nationally, almost two thirds of Americans would opt for a new house, or, and this choice is encouraging, an education.

The Lutheran survey results indicated that people's monetary value systems are practical, said Todd Gillingham, Lutheran Brotherhood assistant president of individual planning.

"If they became rich, most Americans would not spend frivolously, at least not with immediate purchases," said Gillingham.

When asked what they would buy first if they became instantly wealthy, survey respondents answered as follows: Homes, 31 percent; education for self or children, 30 percent; vacations, 10 percent; car, 9 percent, and charity, household help, boat, investments, clothes and jewelry, each 2 percent.

People living in urban areas would be almost twice as likely as those living in rural areas to buy a home first with their instant wealth.

Seniors would be most likely to buy a car, and men would be almost twice as likely as women to take a vacation first if they became rich. People at every income level are likely to take a vacation, and people everywhere are equally likely to use their instant wealth for college students.

The percentages change a bit in some instances in the Southeast Missourian poll. About 40 percent still wanted a new or different home, but another big item appeared in the "other" column.

A full 20 percent indicated they would pay off all their bills before allowing money for other things.

Tied for second on the list were stock investments or a new car.

One of the participants n the Missourian survey said he would buy a motor home and "go see the kids."

This same person would not pick up a penny if the head was up.

Another participant said he would buy a yacht first.

"Actually, I would pay off my bills, buy a yacht, and never be heard from again."

Yet another said she would give their church a large donation, go for a different home, then invest what was left and live off the interest.

B. Ray Owen is business editor for the Southeast Missourian.