One of the ongoing chores for free-lance writers is accounting: we have to keep track of invoices and make sure our payments are received. A few years ago, I missed one. That's when I learned that the state of California was holding money for me – what the state controller's website calls "unclaimed property."

Now I check the site every year, just to make sure I don't miss out on some hard-earned $$$. I've made it a habit to check on family and friends – and I've "found" thousands of dollars for them. (You can also search other states' websites.)

This year, I thought I'd expand my search:

Kobe Bryant: there's an insurance check worth $482.50 waiting for you.
L.A. Dodgers: there's $10,545.15 worth of checks waiting for you.
L.A. Clippers: there's $1,163.50 worth of checks waiting for you.
L.A. Lakers: there's $944.60 worth of checks waiting for you.
L.A. Kings: there's $7,076.23 worth of checks waiting for you.
L.A. Galaxy: there's $4,809.48 worth of checks waiting for you.
Staples Center: there's $634 worth of checks waiting for you.
L.A. Raiders (yup, them): there's $2,146.13 worth of checks waiting for you.