I Bought a $20 Couch at a Garage Sale, and It Changed My Life in a Day
When Joshua bought an old couch at a garage sale, he just wanted something cheap for his garage-turned-guest room. The floral couch seemed perfect, and the seller, Kristen, mentioned it had belonged to her late mother. She was selling things to help pay for her daughter’s leukemia treatments. Joshua paid $20 and left, thinking he got a great deal.
But when he placed the couch in his garage, his dog, Wasabi, started going crazy over a spot on the cushion. Curious, Joshua cut into the fabric—and found bundles of cash hidden inside. Over $20,000.
Tempted but thoughtful, he remembered Kristen’s story. He drove back and returned the money, explaining what he had found. Kristen was overwhelmed with emotion—it was the savings her mother had mentioned but never located. The money would now pay for her daughter’s treatment.
Kristen later shared the story online. It went viral. Joshua was praised nationwide. An anonymous donor sent him a $20,000 check. His boss, inspired by his integrity, gave him a promotion and raise.
But what stayed with Joshua most was a card from Kristen, with a photo of her smiling daughter and a message: “Because of you, my child gets to have a future.”
That $20 couch didn’t just change Joshua’s life—it reminded him who he wanted to be: someone who always does the right thing.
