Sometimes it takes a village. And sometimes it takes a crowd at a World Cup match in Dallas, Texas. Either way, when a man at the Argentina vs. Jordan game lost his wallet, a group of enthusiastic soccer fans banded together to get it back to him. It could happen to anyone. You’re jumping up and down, dancing and cheering on your team, when suddenly your phone, your keys or, in this dreaded case, your wallet slips out into the abyss of the crowd. For Juan Manuel Montero, what could have been a minor nightmare turned into an absolutely joyous moment he’ll most likely treasure forever. On a warm Saturday in late June in Dallas, fans of the Argentine and Jordanian national football teams gathered at AT&T Stadium to watch the two sides face off. Both teams are part of Group J, with Argentina leading the group and Jordan in last place. Despite the odds favoring Argentina, the excitement was palpable on both sides. NBC News shared the video, reporting that “Argentina supporters in Dallas successfully returned a lost wallet during a FIFA World Cup celebration by adapting football chants to sing the owner’s name, Juan Manuel Montero.” @nbcnews Argentina supporters in Dallas successfully returned a lost wallet during a #FIFAWorldCup celebration by adapting football chants to sing the owner’s name, Juan Manuel Montero. ♬ original sound – nbcnews – nbcnews In the short clip, a group of people, mostly wearing Argentina jerseys, can be heard chanting Montero’s name. Eventually, he figures it out and steps up to retrieve his wallet. The crowd then goes wild for the glorious outcome. For the record, Argentina beat Jordan 3-1. It doesn’t hurt that Lionel Messi is a forward for the Argentine national team. In truth, everyone at that game, including Montero, won just by being there. Many in comment sections across social media seemed to think the crowd was chanting “one more baked potato.” And frankly, once you hear it that way, it’s hard to think they’re yelling anything else. On TikTok alone, the clip has amassed more than a million likes in just a few days. Thousands have chimed in to share their appreciation for the camaraderie. One TikToker wrote, “If we work together as humans, a lot is possible.” Another added, albeit a tad more cynically, “Occasionally, people are great.” This person joked that Montero might not even have noticed his wallet was missing until the random chant began: “Juan Manuel Montero vibing along until he realizes…” Another quipped, “My dumba** would never notice people screaming my name while I’m searching for my wallet.” Many seemed to relate to that sentiment, as the comment received more than 7,000 likes. Another described the roller coaster Montero must have been on: “Just imagine the feeling you’d go through realizing you lost your wallet. Then suddenly, hearing your name, realizing it sounds odd. Then walking around the corner to the group chanting your name!” But if all that weren’t fun enough, one TikToker had a true eagle eye and echoed the earlier sentiment that Montero might not have realized his wallet was missing: “I don’t think he realized he lost it. You can see him in the back chanting along. Then he sees the ID and realizes that it’s his!” On Facebook, one woman complimented the way everyone turned a lost wallet into something fun: “These guys could turn a tuna sandwich into a party!!” The post A man lost his wallet at a Dallas World Cup game. Argentina fans cleverly crowdsourced it back to him. appeared first on Upworthy.

Spend 30 seconds online, and you’ll be inundated with AI slop posing as “art.” As expedient but utterly soulless computer-generated images become increasingly common, finding something made by an actual person feels increasingly meaningful. That’s part of what makes the latest attraction inside Inkwell Booksellers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, so charming. For less than the price of a cup of coffee, visitors can take home an original, human-made work of art while enjoying a tiny moment of whimsy. Here’s how it works: Put four quarters in, turn the wheel, and the machine dispenses a little envelope containing a mystery piece of art. Each row features mini works by the same artist, whose bio can be read on the left-hand side of the machine. The machine is then restocked with work from different artists each month, keeping the selection in constant rotation. View this post on Instagram A big part of the appeal is, of course, the mystery. There’s something undeniably fun about not knowing what’s waiting inside the envelope. That sense of anticipation transforms a $1 purchase into a small but visceral experience that invites people to pause for a moment, open the package, and appreciate whatever they discover. To no surprise, this idea was conceived by an actual artist  Lilyan Lauzon, who goes by OneTiredArtist online and serves as a community engagement manager, understands the financial barriers that can prevent emerging creatives from showcasing their work. View this post on Instagram For many artists, getting their work in front of new audiences can be expensive. Art fairs often require booth fees, galleries can be difficult to break into, and promotional costs can quickly add up. This project, which doesn’t charge an entry fee, was designed to circumvent that barrier in a way that was “fun and collaborative,” Lauzon told CBS News. Instead of asking artists to invest money upfront, the vending machine gives them a chance to share a small sample of their work directly with curious customers. Displaying each artist’s bio alongside their work also encourages buyers to learn more about the people behind it. View this post on Instagram A dollar can open bigger doors So far, the vending machine has been a huge success. Since it was installed in October 2025, it has sold nearly 3,000 pieces of art, with every $1 going straight into the artists’ pockets. Beyond sales, the project has already helped some artists gain wider recognition. Lauzon said several have been sought out at art fairs and landed larger commissions after sharing what amounts to a portable “snapshot of their portfolio” through the machine. A $1 purchase helps creators reach new audiences while making original artwork feel approachable for people who may have never considered collecting it or who might not otherwise be able to afford it. That sense of accessibility feels especially notable right now. As concert tickets, gallery admission, and even movie tickets continue to rise in cost, everyday cultural experiences can start to feel out of reach. Even so, the pull toward real-world connection remains steady. The vending machine taps into that desire in a small, accessible way, offering a moment of tangible engagement at a price that still feels attainable. Because the first vending machine has been a huge hit, Lauzon hopes to install a second one in a different location. It’s the kind of idea that makes you wonder how many overlooked corners of our neighborhoods could become tiny galleries for local artists and sources of delight for passersby, one mystery envelope at a time. If you’d like to help out, Lauzon is accepting donations to help pay for those envelopes.  The post Minnesota artist uses vending machine to sell tiny $1 art. It’s already made $3,000. appeared first on Upworthy.

In 1999, game developer Mike Mika did what most people in love do: he found a grand, romantic way to propose. He just picked a method with a catastrophic flaw: it all depended on his girlfriend voluntarily playing a video game she had no interest in playing. Mika was the lead engineer on the Game Boy Color port of Klax, an Atari puzzle game, and a launch-window title for Nintendo’s new handheld. As he told WIRED, he realized he had a little spare room in the game’s memory and a girlfriend, Micki, who only liked puzzle games. The logic wrote itself. “She loves puzzle games, I’m doing a puzzle game now, so let me just put that out there, and she will find this thing in the game,” he recalled thinking. So, he hid a marriage proposal in the code of every commercial copy of Klax that shipped. The flaw in the plan He hid it well. Maybe too well. According to Kill Screen, unlocking the proposal required going to the password screen, entering a specific sequence, having the game reject it as invalid, and then entering it again nine more times. Ten times in total. Once done, a grainy black-and-white proposal finally appeared. Mika buried it that deep on purpose, convinced that some random player out in the world would stumble onto it before Micki did. He didn’t even tell Atari or Nintendo it was in there. The flaw in the plan revealed itself immediately: Micki would not play the game. “I leave the Game Boy out, I urge her to play it, and she never picks it up,” Mika laughed in the WIRED interview. He left it out. He nudged. He waited. She wouldn’t pick it up. This went on, he says, for years. The strangest part is that he never came up with a backup plan. By his own account, they already had a house together, a dog, and were basically common-law married. He was also in nonstop crunch at work, so he just let the world’s most elaborate proposal sit in a cartridge gathering dust rather than, say, asking her over dinner. “So do I propose to her normal, or I have this thing here that’s really cool, but I can’t get her to play it, ever?” he remembered wondering. The question is finally popped Salvation arrived four years later in 2003. An editor at Tips & Tricks Magazine was hunting for never-before-published secret codes to run in the magazine’s 100th issue and sent Mika an email. Mika had exactly one to offer. The magazine published a special section addressed to Micki by name; they printed the code and told her precisely what to do with it. Mika set the stage and then fled. He left the magazine and the queued up game out together one night and got out of the house. “I just kinda drove around a little bit,” he said. Micki came home, saw her own name in a magazine, entered the code, and found the proposal that had been sitting inside that cartridge for four years. She called him and said yes. She was, he admits, a little miffed it had taken four years, “but I swear I tried to get her to play it sooner.” For Mika, this turned out to be a recurring instinct. In 2013, he made headlines again when he hacked Donkey Kong so his young daughter could play as Pauline rescuing Mario. She had asked why the girl always had to be the one getting saved. “My daughter’s simple request touched a lot of people,” he said. “It’s changed the way I approach game design.” The post He hid a marriage proposal in a Game Boy game. It took his girlfriend 4 years to find it. appeared first on Upworthy.

The grocery chain Publix has a stranglehold in the Southeast, and for good reason. The store, for the most part, is a fan favorite known for friendly customer service and an absolutely delectable bakery. However, grocery prices are going up at Publix and everywhere else. Despite the rising prices, there are still some great ways to get extra value out of your trip to the grocery store. How? You just need to know the insider secrets super shoppers use to get the most bang for their buck (or, at the least, an amazing shopping experience). In a viral post on Threads, shoppers are sharing their best ultra-secret Publix tips, tricks, and hacks for saving time and money at the store. 1. Publix will season and steam your seafood for you, free of charge “I tried it yesterday and my life is forever changed. Tastiest, freshest shrimp and scallops I’ve had it a while. Only took 10 mins,” the OP said. It’s true: the Publix seafood department will steam your dinner at no extra cost and let you add Old Bay, cajun, lemon pepper, and other seasonings. Pro, super-secret tip: Some users say Publix will even add melted butter to your steamed seafood. Plus, if you really want to cook it at home yourself, they’ll often season it for you and save you the hassle if you ask. 2. The baker and butcher will custom package Publix-brand goodies Want two donuts instead of the six that come in a package? Want just one ribeye steak instead of the two that are packaged together? All you have to do is ask: “The bakery will break any package and you can get exactly the number of items you want…they will also half a loaf of bread…same with butcher, they will half/downsize any package that’s sitting out, just ask,” one user wrote. You can also ask for cuts of meat that aren’t out on display and, if they’re in stock, they’re yours. Some customers even say employees will debone a rotisserie chicken for you, but results may vary on that one depending on how busy the store is. 3. Fresh produce slicing and dicing available on demand “You can also have them cut your fruit down or make you a fresh fruit bowl with whatever you take to them from the produce section,” one user added. Publix slicing is super popular for unwieldy fruits like watermelon and pineapple. It’s a massive time saver. It’s a money saver, too, as pre-sliced fruit costs significantly more than using the complimentary service. 4. BOGO in name only Publix is famous for its BOGO deals—that’s Buy One Get One. Except you don’t have to buy two items to get the discount. Just buying one will still get you 50% off of that item. Better yet, you don’t have to join their club and get marketing texts or emails to get the deals. It’s right there in the name—all available to the Public. 5. Items that ring up too high are free When an item won’t scan properly, you’ve probably heard a dad say, at some point, “Guess it’s free, then!” Maybe this joke originated at Publix. The core Publix Promise states that if “the scanned price of an item (excluding alcohol and tobacco products) exceeds the shelf price or advertised price, we will give the customer one of that item free.” Keep a close eye out next time you’re at the register. 6. Free treat on your birthday If you do decide to become a member of Club Publix, there are some perks involved. Namely, you’ll get a free small cake from the bakery or a half-gallon of Publix brand ice cream completely for free on your birthday. If you’ve ever tried the Publix Premium ice creams, or anything from the bakery, you know that’s a serious perk. 7. Choose your own bread for your pub sub Pub subs are a way of life in the South, but you don’t have to be restricted by the menu choices. “You can go get [Publix] bread off the shelf and they will make your sub on the bread you give them instead of them hard … rolls,” someone suggested. Users say if you choose the popular “White Mountain Bread,” and order a full sub on it, you’ll wind up with two large sandwiches for the price of one. You can also order any meat or cheese available in the deli, not just what’s on the menu. View this post on Instagram 8. You can return almost anything Multiple users report that Publix’s customer service is extremely lenient on returns, even accepting “half eaten” food. The Publix website states it plainly: “If for any reason you are unhappy with your purchase, we want to make it right,” except where prohibited by law. 9. Kids get a free cookie, anytime The bakery at Publix is extremely generous with samples. Some users even say they’re not “supposed” to refuse samples. One of the most clutch offerings in the entire store is the selection of kids cookies available for free at the bakery. It’s a pretty good way to keep your child happy in the cart while you browse the boring vegetables. 10. Publix wedding cake hack Publix is famous for having amazing deals on catering parties, events, and even weddings. One lowkey brilliant hack is to use your local Publix bakery for a wedding cake. On average, Americans spend $540 on a wedding cake. One user wrote about Publix, “They make wedding cakes for a fraction of the cost and they will deliver them [for a small fee].” Fun bonus fact about the Publix bakery: You can buy pre-made, pre-colored frosting for your home baking projects. Yet another time and money-saver that still lets you enjoy the baking process at home. 11. The Publix $5 sushi hack Publix has been offering $5 sushi rolls on Wednesdays for years. That’s already a pretty great deal for sushi that customers say is quite good. However, you probably already know the pattern: You can ask at the counter to customize your order if you don’t like what’s on offer. There may be some limitations based on ingredients, but you can get fresh sushi made-to-order this way for an astonishingly low price. View this post on Instagram The price of groceries isn’t coming down any time soon. Every dollar saved at the checkout counts more than ever. But savvy shoppers also know that if they’re going to pay top dollar, they might as well know all the insider tricks to get the best experience possible. The post Shoppers share 11 secret, life-changing Publix hacks appeared first on Upworthy.

Fumio Funaki lives a relatively quiet life in Japan. At 77, he teaches English and runs a small, cozy café. But his love story—and his stories in general—are anything but small or quiet. And they’re making a splash across social media, moving many by his vulnerability and, quite frankly, his ability to weave colorful memories into mini stories, as if they were romance novellas. While in New York, Funaki had a chat with social media influencer Preston Rakovsky, who enjoys interviewing random strangers on the topic of love. (In fact, Rakovsky’s pinned post on Instagram is of himself carrying a sign that reads, “I’m bored. Let me ask you vulnerable questions.”) Funaki shared a heartbreakingly beautiful story about a woman he knew named Yoko. It certainly grabbed readers’ attention. And it didn’t hurt that it had traces of the plot from the 2004 film The Notebook. @prestonrack ♬ Sweet Bye and Bye / What A Friend We Have In Jesus – Elizabeth Cotten “Loving someone is both a scar and a gift” In a series of screenshots, Funaki relays that “loving someone is both a scar and a gift.” He goes on to explain that back in the mid-1970s, when he was in his mid-20s, he met a “girl in Tokyo. “I saw her on the street walking fast with tears in her eyes. And immediately I knew I would love her for a lifetime.” He explains their trajectory of heartbreak. “We ended up dating for a whole summer. We went to the hot springs and watched fireworks displays. And by autumn, I know I was ready to ask her the question: ‘Will you move to New York with me?’ I knew her parents wouldn’t approve of someone like me, but I had to try. I gave her my boarding time and gate number and stood there waiting and waiting and waiting. But she never came.” He didn’t give up. “I told myself she’d missed the flight, so I wrote to her every single day. I wrote 100 letters about New York, the life I was saving for her. And after three months, I got a letter from her. But when I opened it, there was no note. Only a single photograph fell onto my floor. I turned it over and my heart stopped. It was a picture of her in a wedding dress.” Screenshot Funaki simply couldn’t get rid of the photo. “For five years, I traveled across America, and I always carried her with me. But when I finally moved back home to Japan, I got a phone call.” The woman (Yoko) had wanted to see him, so of course, he obliged, sharing stories about his travels. The other shoe dropped And then the other shoe dropped. “She told me her parents had set her up with a suitable husband as soon as I’d left. I finally built up the courage to ask her, ‘How come you never responded to my letters?’ And she replied, ‘What letters?’ And we both froze in the hotel room. And all at once we realized, her parents had been hiding all of my letters from her.” His epiphany was now clear as day. “All of those years, she thought I’d forgotten her. And I thought she’d chosen someone else over me. But now she knew I had loved her. And I know she had loved me. And I know it sounds crazy, but that was enough. Even though we couldn’t be together. Even though I carried her with me all those years. Even though it seemed pointless. Yes, losing her left a scar I still carry. But loving her was the gift that came with it because loving someone is its own reward.” Just like ‘The Notebook’ The comments, as one might expect, are swooning with awe. On comedian Patton Oswalt’s Threads page, he captioned, “This just knocked me OUT.” While, of course, people compared the story to that of The Notebook, another had this lovely insight. “Reminds me of the recent quote by Ethan Hawke. The one where who’s in love always wins. It doesn’t matter if you get your heart broken. You’re living. When you’re feeling, you’re alive. You know, the sun doesn’t care whether the grass appreciates its rays, right? It just keeps on shining.” Screenshot An Instagrammer points out the story isn’t just similar to The Notebook. It has many cinematic similarities. “Damn, grandpa’s life is three romance films combined. Before Sunrise, Past Lives, and The Notebook.” Upworthy had the absolute honor of chatting with Funaki’s daughter, Nana, who shared not only more thoughts from her father but photos (with translations) of some of his letters to Yoko. Funaki, who is now raising money to turn his coffee shop “The Lucky Boots” into a “guesthouse cafe,” also acknowledged the number of people who found his story beautifully similar to the aforementioned film starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. “I received many comments, and many of them wrote that my love story was similar to the American movie The Notebook. The movie was shot about 20 years ago, and mine was a story of 50 years ago. People saw the story and asked that they want me tell the whole story of my old love story. So I decided to tell you my old love story.” View this post on Instagram “That love never disappears” Nana also shared more of what Funaki wrote about his experience, in a rather poetic fashion. In part, he wrote: “Sometimes people ask me,‘Do you still think about her?’Not very often.Just once in a while.When I remember her…I don’t feel sad.I feel good.I don’t know why.Maybe,the love I had for her…still gives me strength. It’s like a vitamin.A love supplement. When you truly love someone…that love never disappears.It stays in your heart. Some people think…if love doesn’t last forever,it’s a waste.I don’t think so.Loving someone…is one of the most precious experiences in life.You can’t buy it.Not with any amount of money.It’s like buying a beautiful diamond ring.One day, you might lose the ring.But you never lose the love.It stays here.Forever. That’s why…I have never regretted loving her.Not even once.” The post Man tells a heart-wrenching story about lost love, and people are calling it a real-life ‘The Notebook’ appeared first on Upworthy.