Here’s a brain teaser that looks easy at first glance—but don’t be fooled. This riddle has been making the rounds on social media, catching people off guard and leaving them second-guessing their math skills. Let’s see if you can crack it.
Here’s the riddle:
I had 13 dollars. My mom gave me 10 dollars while my dad gave me 30 dollars. My aunt and uncle gave me 100 dollars. I had another 5 dollars. How much money did I have?
Sounds simple, right? But take your time. The question is not what you think it is.
Try It for Yourself First
Before we break this down, give it a shot. Read the riddle carefully. What’s your answer? 158 dollars? 143? 115?
Most people jump into calculations too quickly, and that’s where the trick hides. So don’t rush—this riddle is more about reading comprehension than arithmetic.
Drop your first guess in the comments before scrolling down for the solution.
The Common Mistakes People Make
This riddle trips people up because of how the brain processes information. Here’s what usually happens:
You immediately start adding all the numbers without reading carefully.
You assume it’s asking for the total money you ended up with, not what you had.
You treat the words “had” and “gave me” as the same context.
The phrasing is intentionally tricky. And that’s the key to solving it.
Video : I Had £13 Riddle
Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Riddle
Let’s walk through the riddle one sentence at a time, and highlight the most important part.
“I had 13 dollars.”
This is the most critical line of the entire riddle—and it’s where most people go wrong. The riddle asks:
“How much money did I have?”
And this line gives you the answer.
You had 13 dollars.
Everything else after that describes additional money that people gave you—but it doesn’t change the answer to the question being asked.
Let’s continue anyway to understand the misdirection.
“My mom gave me 10 dollars while my dad gave me 30 dollars.”
“My aunt and uncle gave me 100 dollars.”
“I had another 5 dollars.”
This all refers to how much you were given or ended up with. But the riddle isn’t asking you to total that. It’s specifically asking: “How much did I have?”
That’s past tense. As in, before anyone gave you anything.
So, What’s the Final Answer?
Let’s revisit the original line:
“I had 13 dollars.”
And the question is:
“How much money did I have?”
The correct answer is: 13 dollars.
That’s it. Simple. But deceptively hidden in plain sight.
Why This Riddle Is So Effective
This riddle works so well because it plays on our instinct to calculate. Once we see numbers, our brain immediately shifts into math mode. We start doing mental addition without stopping to clarify what the question is actually asking.
It’s a classic example of overthinking—and how misdirection can lead us down the wrong path.
Psychologically, this is called cognitive priming. Once numbers are introduced, your brain assumes it’s a math problem, even when it’s not.
How to Avoid Getting Tricked by Riddles Like This
Here are a few tips to sharpen your riddle-solving skills:
Always reread the question. Ask yourself: What is it truly asking for?
Watch out for tense changes. Words like “had,” “have,” and “will have” are major clues.
Don’t rush to do math. Just because numbers are involved doesn’t mean it’s a calculation problem.
Focus on key words. In this case, the word “had” was the real giveaway.
Drop Your Answer in the Comments
Did you get it right on your first try? Or did you fall into the trap?
Video : Can You Solve This Logic Puzzle?
We’d love to hear your process—share your first answer and tell us whether the wording tripped you up.
And don’t forget to pass this along to friends and see how they do. You might be surprised who gets it right and who overthinks it.
Conclusion: Sometimes the Simplest Answer Is the Right One
Riddles like this remind us that logic puzzles aren’t always about crunching numbers. Sometimes, they’re about slowing down, reading carefully, and resisting the urge to solve something that isn’t actually a problem.
So next time you’re faced with a brain teaser, pause before you start doing math. The answer might already be in the first sentence.
And in case you forgot: The correct answer is 13 dollars.
