I was thinking about past instances of frugality, and I came up up with one example that I found particularly interesting that would be fun to share. It’s an example of extreme “squirreling”, going to micromanaging levels of saving, good in spirit but executed in a way that it’s hard to recommend to any adult. That said, it does reflect a true commitment to actively looking for opportunities to live within one’s means in a creative way, which as I said has something of value to take away.
My example is actually about a friend’s behavior. And yes, it was really a friend, and not me🙂 This friend, with whom I am still acquainted, had some very frugal habits back in college about 20 years ago. I could go on and on about the interesting things this guy did.
One that I will share now regarded how he purchased gas at the station. He would always pay in cash, but would always make sure that he stopped the pump when he was $0.01 over a whole dollar amount. For example, instead of stopping at $10.00, he would stop at $10.01. Then, he would pay $10.00 in cash and take a penny out of the little dish at the register – you know, the one where you take one if you happen to be short. Well, he planned to be short.
He would stop for gas twice a week, partially fill up, and rotate gas stations so they wouldn’t catch on. The stations were close to each other and on his normal drive, so it didn’t take him out of his way to do this. His thought was that if he filled up 2 times per week, over the course of the year it would give him $1.04 in free gas. At that time, way back when, that would actually buy you a gallon. So, his thought was that for very little effort he could get a free gallon of gas over the course of the year.
As a grown adult, I can’t imagine doing that. Self-respect is infinitely more important to me. Does that cross the line from being frugal to being bit crazy? Maybe! I would say its nuts, but that would not be such a bad thing, as us squirrelers have to be a bit nuts :)!
Interestingly, this guy has done very well for himself since then – financially and otherwise.
This post was featured in the 224th Festival of Frugality at Frugal Upstate.
This gas scheme is beyond belief. You waste more than a penny stopping and starting your car. The trick I have seen is shutting the pump off and lifting up the hose to get the gasoline out. That might actually pay off.
I agree. Like I mentioned, I wouldn’t recommend the penny gas strategy to any self-respecting adult!
What I find interesting is the extreme attitude toward saving. Is it excessive? Sure, its a bit much in my opinion. But it speaks to the commitment some people have toward saving. This indvidual, while he went a bit overboard here, has taken this commitment and applied it in more mainstream ways (age and maturity have helped!), and it has paid off for him.
I’ll pass on the trick you shared on lifting up the hose to get the gasoline out. We’ll see how much he has changed, based on his reaction to this. Regardless, I need to haze him a bit anyway, its been a while. 🙂
I find it inspiring! Every little bit helps in its own way. When I ride with people who visit the gas station, I’ll volunteer to run the money out to the cashier in hopes that I’ll find a nickel or penny on the ground, I’d say that 50% of the time, I’ll find some kind of change on the ground in the way to the cashier or shoppette or on the floor inside of the convenience store 🙂 To each their own!