A couple who found £21,480 on their Lancashire doorstep have been told by police that as the bizarre windfall as it has not been claimed.

Ian Roberts and Pam Curtis found the cash -- in £20 notes -- in a wicker basket on their doorstep last month, but being honest citizens they handed it to cops.

However, as it has been unclaimed for 28 days, the pair have now been told they can keep it to do what they want with.

And while we might have been planning an around the world trip, civic-minded Ian and Pam say they assume the cash was an anonymous contribution towards the £400,000 redevelopment of a local park.

The typical Brit is so cynical they will turn down a genuine offer free cash, it's been found… by people who tried to give away money on the street.

Customer Loyalty firm Ice sent out a group of people to busy bus stations wearing a sandwich board that read "Ask me to pay your bus fare and I will."

And it was a genuine offer, but commuters in Newcastle, Medway, Manchester, Perth and Leicester didn't trust the offer -- which ran during morning rush hour each day for a week -- and kept clear.

In fact the people struggle to give away free money to the extent that just 38 people in total across the country accepted the offer.

People will spend less money this Christmas than any other for the last five years, it has been found.

Research into spending habits discovered Christmas 2011 is set to be the most low-budget since 2007.

57% of the 1,462 people polled also said they do not feel prepared financially for the festive season.

And after feeling the pinch due to the recent economic downturn, the majority of people say they will be spending less than recent years.

Asked to estimate how much Christmas will cost them £692.18 was the average; just over half of the average amount spent in 2007.

Many people hide their financial situation from their partner and the average Brit currently has £1,800 stashed away, it's been found.

However, it's not all about secret saving, a recent study found that 23% of those hiding their accounts are actually in debt.

Whilst 67 per cent of co-habiting couples have a joint bank account, 28% don't even have any idea what their partner earns, or what savings or debt they have.

And it get's worse, 58% of us don't tell their partner when they buy something using the joint account with over a quarter of those surveyed admitting to sneaky spends.

It was also found that 37% of people have a secret stash of money that they keep hidden around the home… so if it's not you, get looking.

A British designer has created what's being described at the world's most expensive bed -- and at £4m it probably is.

King of bling Stuart Hughes says his 'Baldacchino Supreme'  bed is handmade and curved from the best quality ash wood.

But that's just the beginning, the fancy bed is inlaid with 107kg of 24ct gold along with small decorative applications in gold leaf detail.

Then there is the fabric, which is all the finest Italian silk, and the headboard can be customised with diamonds or other precious stones.

Stuart says the bed - which takes three months to complete - is so exclusive only two will be made… unfortunately all that gold and diamonds still won't stop your partner snoring.

A comedy writer who posted videos online asking for a billionaire to give him one million dollars says he's found a kind-hearted benefactor.

In the videos Craig Rowin - who writes for The Onion - said there was nothing in particular that he planned to do with the cash, but that it would be awesome.

He went on to list a series of millionaires and billionaire including Steven Spielberg, Lady Gaga and Susan Boyle as potential donors.

And shockingly it seems to have worked. Rowin says an anonymous billionaire known only as 'Benjamin' has offered him the money.

He now says he is due to be given a cheque on stage at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in Manhattan on February 2, and insists it's not a publicity stunt. Hmm.

Brits waste a staggering £37 MILLION a year - on things like gym memberships, exercise and slimming classes they never attend, it's been found.
 
Research revealed forgotten direct debits which still deduct cash months after the diet fell by the wayside leaves the average adult with a £303 dent in their finances.
 
The most common wastes of cash were found to be gym memberships and slimming clubs which are frequently signed up for at the start of the year, but soon ignored.

Another £158 is forked out on sports equipment which is used only a handful of times and there are also subscriptions to unread magazines and CD and music downloads which never get played.

In total it was found most people waste £1,213 a year on unused items and subscriptions… which reminds me, I really should pop to the gym.

More people will spend time looking for a new job today, than any other day of the year, it has been found.

Researchers analysed internet traffic to job websites for the past six years in a bid to predict the peak this year.

They discovered today will be the time most jobseekers make good on New Year resolutions to find or change employers and start searching.

And the 15-minute window just after 12.30pm showing the absolute peak slot as workers combine the start of their lunch break with an online job search.

Which could explain why this story didn't get written earlier… just don't tell the boss.

A seven-year-old girl has racked up a £250 bill for her parents -- after playing a game on their Facebook profile for just one hour.

Paramedic Mathew Fox, from Birmingham, says he was completely unaware daughter Megan was costing him a fortune as she played 'Petville'.

Mathew had let the youngster use his account to play the popular game because he does not think she's old enough to have an account of her own.

But as she bought virtual clothes and furniture for a colourful make-believe pet, he didn't know it was all being charged to his PayPal account.

That was until he received an spate of emails confirming the £250 virtual spending spree… we probably shouldn't repeat the status update he made shortly after.

One of the rarest diamonds ever found has been sold at auction for a record breaking $46 million (£29m).

The "fancy intense pink diamond" weighs 24.78 carats was snapped up by diamond dealer Laurence Graff at a recent Sotheby's auction in Geneva.

Mounted in a platinum ring, the diamond -- categorised as ‘potentially flawless’ -- was bought by the London jeweller via a telephone bid.

Instantly after the sale, Graff renamed the diamond the "Graff Pink" -- well he is a a humble and understated sort.